I love Christmas! And I love sharing traditions, and creating new ones, with my kids. I realized tonight that there are certain things that my kids and I do that are starting to become "our" traditions.
Peter and I had been on a school trip all day; I got back to the school at 4:30, but his bus didn't get back until 5:30 (and no, I don't drive THAT fast. The other bus had engine trouble, and the bus Peter was riding on stayed to make sure the kids on the broken bus could get alternate transportation).
Peter and his friend Blake were STARVING, so I took the kids to get dinner, then dropped Blake off with his Dad. Initially Peter, Grace and I were going to get our Christmas Tree tonight, but we realized after dropping Blake off that we were all really tired. We decided instead to take the scenic route home, looking at Christmas lights on the way (a surprising number are up!).
Luckily, I had put some Christmas CDs in the car, so we had the appropriate music. My kids aren't much for Mannheim Steamroller or The Chieftains, so we decided on A Rock And Roll Christmas. The unanimous favorite song? Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses.
Others may disagree, but to me nothing says Christmas like hearing my kids sing along to the Waitresses!
(Merry Christmas! Merrys Christmas! Couldn't miss this one this year)
Friday, November 30, 2007
A Trip to Old Salem
The 4th Graders at Peter's school went on a Field Trip to Old Salem today, and I got to chaperone! A quick disclaimer: having grown up in a small town in the mountains, we didn't have such great field trips, and I definitely live vicariously through my childrens' trips!
It was really a delightful day. The village was fun to walk around, and the group we had were well-behaved, polite, and curious. We saw the residence of the village doctor, the Boys' school (girls were schooled in the Single Sisters' Residence), the Single Brothers' Residence, the Tavern, a clockmakers/jewelry makers, a gun-shop and a shoe-shop. Plus, we had time for a trip to the gift shop! Though, I think the kids in my group mainly bought candy.....
Here are some of the highlight of the day:
It was really a delightful day. The village was fun to walk around, and the group we had were well-behaved, polite, and curious. We saw the residence of the village doctor, the Boys' school (girls were schooled in the Single Sisters' Residence), the Single Brothers' Residence, the Tavern, a clockmakers/jewelry makers, a gun-shop and a shoe-shop. Plus, we had time for a trip to the gift shop! Though, I think the kids in my group mainly bought candy.....
Here are some of the highlight of the day:
Checking out the gift shop
The Tavern barn
In the apothecary's shop
Underneath the Boys' School
In the schoolroom
Just hangin' out
LUNCHTIME!!!!
What a nice looking kid!
In the cobbler's shop
Back at the Tavern
In the Gun Shop
Anyone need water?
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Already?
On the way to the kids' choir practice tonight, I was humming the Darth Vader theme (don't ask me why.....). Peter got silly, and would interject a very peppy "YAY" periodically, so that the theme went kinda like this:
Mom, in her best basso profundo: DUM DUM DUM DUM-DE-DUM DUM-DE-DUM
Peter, in a high, peppy voice: YAY
and so on.
Eventually, I asked Peter why he was so excited about Darth Vader. He's not a Star Wars fan, and not generally prone to cheer for villians. His response? "Darth Vader has hot cheerleaders assisting him!!"
I wasn't sure whether to be appalled or amused! Plus, I wondered exactly what he meant by "hot". So, of course, I asked! He had a hard time describing what hot meant, but Grace chimed in that boys usually date hot girls.
OK, so by now I'm rapidly moving towards appalled....Then they added to their descriptions: Hooters models are hot, as are blondes. Peter concedes that there might be some brown-haired girls who are hot, but he can't think of an example.
Hmph, I'm thinking. At this point I figure I'm already thoroughly ensconced in "appalled", I might as well go for broke, so I ask, "Am I hot?" Universal, resounding, NO. Peter did add, though, "But you're my Mom! Someone else might think you're hot!" Give the boy points for quick thinking.
So then I decide to probe a little more, and ask if different people can have different ideas of what's hot. Yes, they both agreed (OK, that's good....moving back towards amused..).
Just for grins, and to get my parental obligations in, I asked Peter, "OK, what if someday when you're older there's a girl you think is hot, and she flirts with you, and you're thinking of asking her out, but then you see her picking on a younger kid?" I was very pleased. He immediately said, "Well, she'd still be pretty, but she wouldn't be very nice." So I asked, "So pretty and nice don't always go together?" Resounding NO again, but I liked this one better! So, for all the money, I asked, "Well, which is more important, hot or nice?"
Without missing a beat, they both said, "NICE!"
Back to amused..... :-)
Mom, in her best basso profundo: DUM DUM DUM DUM-DE-DUM DUM-DE-DUM
Peter, in a high, peppy voice: YAY
and so on.
Eventually, I asked Peter why he was so excited about Darth Vader. He's not a Star Wars fan, and not generally prone to cheer for villians. His response? "Darth Vader has hot cheerleaders assisting him!!"
I wasn't sure whether to be appalled or amused! Plus, I wondered exactly what he meant by "hot". So, of course, I asked! He had a hard time describing what hot meant, but Grace chimed in that boys usually date hot girls.
OK, so by now I'm rapidly moving towards appalled....Then they added to their descriptions: Hooters models are hot, as are blondes. Peter concedes that there might be some brown-haired girls who are hot, but he can't think of an example.
Hmph, I'm thinking. At this point I figure I'm already thoroughly ensconced in "appalled", I might as well go for broke, so I ask, "Am I hot?" Universal, resounding, NO. Peter did add, though, "But you're my Mom! Someone else might think you're hot!" Give the boy points for quick thinking.
So then I decide to probe a little more, and ask if different people can have different ideas of what's hot. Yes, they both agreed (OK, that's good....moving back towards amused..).
Just for grins, and to get my parental obligations in, I asked Peter, "OK, what if someday when you're older there's a girl you think is hot, and she flirts with you, and you're thinking of asking her out, but then you see her picking on a younger kid?" I was very pleased. He immediately said, "Well, she'd still be pretty, but she wouldn't be very nice." So I asked, "So pretty and nice don't always go together?" Resounding NO again, but I liked this one better! So, for all the money, I asked, "Well, which is more important, hot or nice?"
Without missing a beat, they both said, "NICE!"
Back to amused..... :-)
Grace Uncast
Today was Grace's follow up appointment at Triangle Orthopedics to get her cast removed. The plan was to take the cast off, take more xrays, and if all was well, send her on her merry way. Luckily, that's exactly what happened! The xrays looked great, and aside from some residual itchiness, her arm and hand are fine. She says it feels weird, and she doesn't quite seem to know what to do with it, but she can move it and there's no pain. I imagine in a day or two she'll be totally back to normal.
Here's the photo record of the visit:
Here's the photo record of the visit:
Grace before getting her cast off. Very cool eye-goggles
Grace after the cast is off, before the second set of xrays. She doesn't seem to know what to do with her arm in this one!
Outside the doctors office, uncasted for good!!!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Snacking Sadness
My lunch was smaller than I expected, and afterwards I went downstairs for a snack. Oreos seemed just the ticket, so I bought my little 6-pack and went back up to my meeting.
I chomped into the first one, and it was stale!
This is just wrong -- Oreos are far too tasty to stay in a snack machine long enough to get stale. What has happened to the world when perfectly good Oreos go stale?!?!?
I chomped into the first one, and it was stale!
This is just wrong -- Oreos are far too tasty to stay in a snack machine long enough to get stale. What has happened to the world when perfectly good Oreos go stale?!?!?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Dang! I missed it!
So while I was in California, Trina and I decided on what my Christmas present would be, and she ordered it online Saturday.
Well, today I get an IM from her saying it should be delivered.....TODAY! That's like the fastest shipping EVER!
But the sad thing is, I was looking at the online package tracking, saw that it was out for delivery at 7:45 this morning, and caught myself constantly hitting Refresh to see if it was delivered yet. I realized I was reliving a comic, so I stopped, about 3:05 pm EST.
The package was delivered at 3:08 pm EST. Honest:
Status: Delivered
Delivered On: 11/26/2007 3:08 P.M.
Location: PORCH
Delivered To: CHAPEL HILL, NC, US
Well, today I get an IM from her saying it should be delivered.....TODAY! That's like the fastest shipping EVER!
But the sad thing is, I was looking at the online package tracking, saw that it was out for delivery at 7:45 this morning, and caught myself constantly hitting Refresh to see if it was delivered yet. I realized I was reliving a comic, so I stopped, about 3:05 pm EST.
The package was delivered at 3:08 pm EST. Honest:
Status: Delivered
Delivered On: 11/26/2007 3:08 P.M.
Location: PORCH
Delivered To: CHAPEL HILL, NC, US
Guilty Confession
I have a confession to make. I miss the Washlet. More than I ever thought I would.
What's a washlet, you ask? A crazy Japanese toilet seat that, with a mixture of a heated seat, warm water and air, takes every bathroom experience to a new level of decadent cleanliness. And, as their website says, "Clean is Happy"! And they even have pictures of happy little tushies to prove it!
Anyway, my brother and sister-in-law experienced a Washlet on a trip to Japan, came home and discovered they could buy one in this country, and now have Washlets in both their bathrooms! We made horrible fun of them at first, but now that I've experienced the Washlet, I have to say, it's just really......nice!
But, sadly, I'm back at home now, with my normal, unheated, no-warm-water potty. Reality bites.
What's a washlet, you ask? A crazy Japanese toilet seat that, with a mixture of a heated seat, warm water and air, takes every bathroom experience to a new level of decadent cleanliness. And, as their website says, "Clean is Happy"! And they even have pictures of happy little tushies to prove it!
Anyway, my brother and sister-in-law experienced a Washlet on a trip to Japan, came home and discovered they could buy one in this country, and now have Washlets in both their bathrooms! We made horrible fun of them at first, but now that I've experienced the Washlet, I have to say, it's just really......nice!
But, sadly, I'm back at home now, with my normal, unheated, no-warm-water potty. Reality bites.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Dulles at night....
is hot and crowded! Especially on Thanksgiving Sunday!
Well, I made it as far as DC, but am sadly stagnant now. The plane that's supposed to take me to Raleigh is delayed, and won't land till 8:03 (I was supposed to depart at 8:00). So, they're expectinf a takeoff time of 8:20, and an arrival time of 9:42pm. Not too bad, but still an hour later than I was originally supposed to be home.
Sigh.
But, on the bright side, both SFO and Dulles use T-Mobile for wireless, to the 24-hour pass I bought this morning in San Francisco still works here, so I have amusement. And, I discovered on this trip that Starbucks will sell one a plain skim milk, which is good since I'm suddenly afflicted by massive heartburn. And, even though Dulles is steaming hot, I found a seat near the doors that open out to the tarmac, so I'm getting a nice breeze. But, I'm tired, and I want to be home in my jammies.
Well, I made it as far as DC, but am sadly stagnant now. The plane that's supposed to take me to Raleigh is delayed, and won't land till 8:03 (I was supposed to depart at 8:00). So, they're expectinf a takeoff time of 8:20, and an arrival time of 9:42pm. Not too bad, but still an hour later than I was originally supposed to be home.
Sigh.
But, on the bright side, both SFO and Dulles use T-Mobile for wireless, to the 24-hour pass I bought this morning in San Francisco still works here, so I have amusement. And, I discovered on this trip that Starbucks will sell one a plain skim milk, which is good since I'm suddenly afflicted by massive heartburn. And, even though Dulles is steaming hot, I found a seat near the doors that open out to the tarmac, so I'm getting a nice breeze. But, I'm tired, and I want to be home in my jammies.
San Francisco Wrap-up
Saturday in San Francisco was another absolutely gorgeous day. I really had spectacular weather the whole trip (I guess it helps if your trip is shortened by 25%!).
We got up fairly early, because Trina, Barbara, my Dad and I were all going on a Cruisin' the Castro walking tour which started at 10. We had breakfast at a local coffee shop first, then spent about two hours walking around the Castro learning about some of the history of both the neighborhood and San Francisco in general. Nice tour, nice group. We decided that Trina should start marketing her Tales of the City tour that she took my Dad on years ago!
After the tour, we met up with Kathy and Adrianne, who'd been shopping, and got lunch at at a local taqueria, which was very nice. Then Dick, Dad, Kathy and Adrianne and I drove to Golden Gate park (I got to drive Dick's Mercedes!). We went up in the observatory, strolled through the Japanese Tea Gardens, then walked over to the conservatory to see the plants.
After that it was back to Dick and Trina's to change, then off to the House of Prime Rib for dinner. I LOVE HOPR. Their menu is: Prime Rib, City cut of prime rib, English cut of prime rib, or the fish of the day. That's it. Nothing else. If you don't like Prime Rib, don't come. Plus a salad, choice of potato, THE best creamed spinach in the world, and Yorkshire Pudding. Yum, yum. Uncle Edward and Trina's parents were able to join us for dinner, which was nice.
The we went back to Dick and Trina's to watch the Carolina game (they won, go Heels), then I got packed up, and went to sleep. I had to get up early this morning for a 10 am flight, and am now at the airport (very early) waiting for my flight.
All in all, a very brief, but nice trip to SF!
We got up fairly early, because Trina, Barbara, my Dad and I were all going on a Cruisin' the Castro walking tour which started at 10. We had breakfast at a local coffee shop first, then spent about two hours walking around the Castro learning about some of the history of both the neighborhood and San Francisco in general. Nice tour, nice group. We decided that Trina should start marketing her Tales of the City tour that she took my Dad on years ago!
After the tour, we met up with Kathy and Adrianne, who'd been shopping, and got lunch at at a local taqueria, which was very nice. Then Dick, Dad, Kathy and Adrianne and I drove to Golden Gate park (I got to drive Dick's Mercedes!). We went up in the observatory, strolled through the Japanese Tea Gardens, then walked over to the conservatory to see the plants.
After that it was back to Dick and Trina's to change, then off to the House of Prime Rib for dinner. I LOVE HOPR. Their menu is: Prime Rib, City cut of prime rib, English cut of prime rib, or the fish of the day. That's it. Nothing else. If you don't like Prime Rib, don't come. Plus a salad, choice of potato, THE best creamed spinach in the world, and Yorkshire Pudding. Yum, yum. Uncle Edward and Trina's parents were able to join us for dinner, which was nice.
The we went back to Dick and Trina's to watch the Carolina game (they won, go Heels), then I got packed up, and went to sleep. I had to get up early this morning for a 10 am flight, and am now at the airport (very early) waiting for my flight.
All in all, a very brief, but nice trip to SF!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Happy Day After Turkey Day!!!
Happy Day After Thanksgiving, everyone!
After the trials and tribulations of getting out of Chapel Hill, the rest of my trip to San Francisco actually went fairly smoothly. The airports were crowded, but not crazy, I had good flights, and I actually slept a fair amount on the way out.
I got into SFO about 11:30 Pacific time, and after a bit of a wait got my bag and headed down to Milpitas, where we were going to be spending Thanksgiving Day with Trina's folks, Barbara and Henry, as well as her extended family. We were about two hours earlier than any other guest, but both Barbara and Henry took the surprise with their usual good humor! We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with them and much of the extended Chow clan. A very nice day.
Friday we slept in. Adrianne kept trying to get someone to go to Union Square with her at 5 am, but could get no takers. I actually slept till about 9 am, which surprised me a little, but was nice. Then Dick, Trina and I piddled around a bit, and moseyed down to the Union Square area around 1 when Kathy got in. We went for Dum Sum (YUM), then walked through Chinatown for a bit, then back to the hotel where Kathy/A are staying for a drink in their bar. I got a really lovely drink -- vodka, lemongrass juice, and basil. Very light, very asian. And it was a cool bar too boot.
Dick was feeling kinda wiped out, so he went back home to rest after drinks, but the rest of us wandered through Union Square people watching, window shopping, and looking at the Christmas decorations. Then Trina took us to her favorite Chinese hole-in-the wall restaurant, where we got some of the best Chinese food I've had in years. All very different, but apparently VERY authentic. Trina says it has her Grandma's seal of approval, so it must be good!
After that we went back to Dick and Trina's for a rousing game of Cranium!
On tap for tomorrow -- Cruisin' the Castro, and dinner at The House of Prime Rib with Uncle Edward.
After the trials and tribulations of getting out of Chapel Hill, the rest of my trip to San Francisco actually went fairly smoothly. The airports were crowded, but not crazy, I had good flights, and I actually slept a fair amount on the way out.
I got into SFO about 11:30 Pacific time, and after a bit of a wait got my bag and headed down to Milpitas, where we were going to be spending Thanksgiving Day with Trina's folks, Barbara and Henry, as well as her extended family. We were about two hours earlier than any other guest, but both Barbara and Henry took the surprise with their usual good humor! We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with them and much of the extended Chow clan. A very nice day.
Friday we slept in. Adrianne kept trying to get someone to go to Union Square with her at 5 am, but could get no takers. I actually slept till about 9 am, which surprised me a little, but was nice. Then Dick, Trina and I piddled around a bit, and moseyed down to the Union Square area around 1 when Kathy got in. We went for Dum Sum (YUM), then walked through Chinatown for a bit, then back to the hotel where Kathy/A are staying for a drink in their bar. I got a really lovely drink -- vodka, lemongrass juice, and basil. Very light, very asian. And it was a cool bar too boot.
Dick was feeling kinda wiped out, so he went back home to rest after drinks, but the rest of us wandered through Union Square people watching, window shopping, and looking at the Christmas decorations. Then Trina took us to her favorite Chinese hole-in-the wall restaurant, where we got some of the best Chinese food I've had in years. All very different, but apparently VERY authentic. Trina says it has her Grandma's seal of approval, so it must be good!
After that we went back to Dick and Trina's for a rousing game of Cranium!
On tap for tomorrow -- Cruisin' the Castro, and dinner at The House of Prime Rib with Uncle Edward.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Nightmares
I love Thanksgiving, but getting to this one has been a MAJOR nightmare! It's the first one without the kids, so that's been hard, but, sadly, that's not the worst part!
I'd decided months ago that I would be going out to San Francisco for Thanksgiving, visiting my brother and sister-in-law. The rest of the family was going, too, so I was really looking forward to it. Plus, San Francisco is one of my FAVORITE cities.
I was supposed to leave Tuesday, which would give me a nice long visit. Then, last week, I caught a really nasty cold. Since I have a history of sinus infections, particularly when I fly, I went to my doctor early on, and she put me on anti-biotics last Thursday. I felt better Friday, even better on Saturday, and then the bottom dropped out on Sunday and I felt absolutely horrible. I couldn't breathe, I was tired, it was just terrible.
So, Monday I went BACK to the doctor, and was put on Prednisone and a Cortisone inhaler. I came home and immediately called my airlines, and was luckily able to get switched to a flight heading out today. So, I had three days to rest and let the drugs work, which has done wonders for me.
But, of course, I'm Meg, so I can't get out of town without some drama. This morning, at 4:30, I went outside to wait for my cab. I saw him coming up the street, waved, he flashed his lights, and I went to go back in the house and get my bags.....and tripped over a dead shrub in my yard. I flew towards the post of my stoop bannister, and, with images of me smashing my head open and lying dead on my walkway, caught myself at the last minute. Only I could do that.
So, I'm FINALLY in the airport, safe and more or less sound (but with a sore wrist and a bruised leg), and on my way.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Me and Barry Bonds
I usually love antibiotics. They're quick, they make you feel better, they kill all the oogy little bacteria in your sinuses (I'm prone to sinus infections).
But man, when they come up against an evil super bacterium, life gets ugly.
I've been fighting a cold since last weekend. I went to the doctor last Thursday, because of said propensity for sinus infections, and because I'm supposed to be travelling over Thanksgiving, and got Augmentin, the workhorse of antibiotics. Oh, yeah, it's not packaged in a cool cardboard sleeve like some, it doesn't have a cool nickname like Cipro or the Z-Pack (which always sounds like the rapper of the antibiotic world), but by golly Augmentin will get in there and clear up a sinus infection. Or ear. Works on men, women, children and small domestic animals.
So I had my Augmentin, and life was good. By Friday I was better, and by Saturday all that was left was a mild bit of hoarseness.
Then Sunday came along. I did the normal Sunday things, but by about 6 pm I was starting to fade, and fade quickly. I was also beginning to have trouble breathing. I frequently get "wheezy" when I'm sick, but usually a couple of puffs on my Albuterol inhaler a few times a day and I'm good to go. This time, though, I'd puff at 6 and by 7:30 or 8:00 I was so wheezy I couldn't get enough air to speak a complete sentence. Not fun.
So, this morning I was back at the doctors. The good news is that the Augmentin is in there battling away, and when she looked up my nose and down my throat, it looked better than it did on Thursday. The other good news is that there are no signs of pneumonia. The bad news is I'm a sick puppy. She put me on Prednisone, which I'm not fond of, and gave me a new kind of inhaler (Advair, which is a cortizone inhaler).
So, chances are both my A and my B samples will cause any World Records I set in the next 14 days to be thrown out.
After I got back from the doctor, I spent nearly an hour on the phone with American Express getting my airline tickets changed. I was able to get them changed, luckily (at a cost, of course), and will be flying at more or less the same time as Kathy. Even though we're taking different routes and flying different airlines, we'll each leave Raleigh at 7 am Thursday and will get into SF about noon. Very convenient all around.
But man, when they come up against an evil super bacterium, life gets ugly.
I've been fighting a cold since last weekend. I went to the doctor last Thursday, because of said propensity for sinus infections, and because I'm supposed to be travelling over Thanksgiving, and got Augmentin, the workhorse of antibiotics. Oh, yeah, it's not packaged in a cool cardboard sleeve like some, it doesn't have a cool nickname like Cipro or the Z-Pack (which always sounds like the rapper of the antibiotic world), but by golly Augmentin will get in there and clear up a sinus infection. Or ear. Works on men, women, children and small domestic animals.
So I had my Augmentin, and life was good. By Friday I was better, and by Saturday all that was left was a mild bit of hoarseness.
Then Sunday came along. I did the normal Sunday things, but by about 6 pm I was starting to fade, and fade quickly. I was also beginning to have trouble breathing. I frequently get "wheezy" when I'm sick, but usually a couple of puffs on my Albuterol inhaler a few times a day and I'm good to go. This time, though, I'd puff at 6 and by 7:30 or 8:00 I was so wheezy I couldn't get enough air to speak a complete sentence. Not fun.
So, this morning I was back at the doctors. The good news is that the Augmentin is in there battling away, and when she looked up my nose and down my throat, it looked better than it did on Thursday. The other good news is that there are no signs of pneumonia. The bad news is I'm a sick puppy. She put me on Prednisone, which I'm not fond of, and gave me a new kind of inhaler (Advair, which is a cortizone inhaler).
So, chances are both my A and my B samples will cause any World Records I set in the next 14 days to be thrown out.
After I got back from the doctor, I spent nearly an hour on the phone with American Express getting my airline tickets changed. I was able to get them changed, luckily (at a cost, of course), and will be flying at more or less the same time as Kathy. Even though we're taking different routes and flying different airlines, we'll each leave Raleigh at 7 am Thursday and will get into SF about noon. Very convenient all around.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
I Feel so.... Trendy
My kids have an hour and a half choir rehearsal this morning, leading up to a performance tomorrow. The organist/choir director/Minister of Music/Musician Extrodinair at our church took a six-month sabbatical a couple of years ago and during part of it wrote a Charles Wesley Hymn Fest. Tomorrow the combined choirs of a couple of local Methodist Churches will perform it, and my kids' choir will be involved.
Anyway, they're going to be occupied for a couple of hours this morning, so I took my laptop and went across the street to a coffee shop. I'm now sipping a cappucino, using the free wireless, and blogging. How Trendy.
Except, of course, blogging in coffee shops was trendy about 5 years ago, and is now commonplace. And I'm too out-of-touch to know what's currently cutting edge! :)
Anyway, they're going to be occupied for a couple of hours this morning, so I took my laptop and went across the street to a coffee shop. I'm now sipping a cappucino, using the free wireless, and blogging. How Trendy.
Except, of course, blogging in coffee shops was trendy about 5 years ago, and is now commonplace. And I'm too out-of-touch to know what's currently cutting edge! :)
Friday, November 16, 2007
My New Rule
Here's my new rule for dating and marriage. Don't marry a guy named Peterson.
Why, you ask? Let's look at some famous Peterson husbands.
First, there's Michael Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife several years ago. He's always claimed innocence, but recently his conviction was upheld by a higher court.
Then there was Scott Peterson, convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci. This Peterson also has always professed his innocence; he's in the midst of his appeal, but in the meantime California courts have decided that Laci's mother gets any insurance money
And, finally, there's Drew Peterson, a cop who is suspected of killing his wife, Stacy. Again, he declares he's innocent, and has even given interviews to get his side of the story out. Those same interviews are now being analyzed and dissected by various experts, and may wind up being used against him.
So, this is an alarming trend! I'm thinking we need to stop worrying about superficial things like a person's appearance, income, interests and political leanings, and start paying more attention to their last names!
(NOTE: I know a guy who's last name is Pedersen, who's a great husband, father, and all around good guy. So perhaps alternate spellings are OK....)
Why, you ask? Let's look at some famous Peterson husbands.
First, there's Michael Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife several years ago. He's always claimed innocence, but recently his conviction was upheld by a higher court.
Then there was Scott Peterson, convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci. This Peterson also has always professed his innocence; he's in the midst of his appeal, but in the meantime California courts have decided that Laci's mother gets any insurance money
And, finally, there's Drew Peterson, a cop who is suspected of killing his wife, Stacy. Again, he declares he's innocent, and has even given interviews to get his side of the story out. Those same interviews are now being analyzed and dissected by various experts, and may wind up being used against him.
So, this is an alarming trend! I'm thinking we need to stop worrying about superficial things like a person's appearance, income, interests and political leanings, and start paying more attention to their last names!
(NOTE: I know a guy who's last name is Pedersen, who's a great husband, father, and all around good guy. So perhaps alternate spellings are OK....)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Gotta Love Her....
Life with Grace is fun. She tickles me, I think because she is at the same time, both very similar to me and very, very different. For example, she's become a huge tomboy in recent years, but still loves to get dressed up in very "girly" outfits. The former is very like me; the latter I didn't figure out until I got older!
But part of what cracks me up about Grace is her own exuberant personality. She knows what she likes, and she likes it with all her heart and soul.
One of the things she likes is gummy candy, and another is anything with a high gross-out factor. For that reason, she's been having a blast with our leftover Halloween candy. For those of you who haven't bought Halloween candy lately, Gummy Body Parts are very big these days. Ears, eyes, noses, and brains are all available in highly sweetened flavors that do NOT exist in nature!
So tonight Kathy came over for dinner, and afterwards we were digging through the leftover candy. In a sense Kathy and Grace were having a conversation about what kind of candy G wanted, but it was pretty one-sided, because Kathy was mainly laughing. Grace's side of it was something like this:
"Oooh, a nose! I love noses. Oh, and ears too, I'll take the ears. Actually, any body parts, just give them to me, I'm the only one who likes body parts. I really wanted a brain, but I can't find it." [luckily Peter kept quiet at this point] At this point Mom finds the brain. "SWEET! A brain!!!!"
And on it went. Within about 5 minutes, she had a pile of body parts, and was a happy camper.
Kathy was still laughing.
But part of what cracks me up about Grace is her own exuberant personality. She knows what she likes, and she likes it with all her heart and soul.
One of the things she likes is gummy candy, and another is anything with a high gross-out factor. For that reason, she's been having a blast with our leftover Halloween candy. For those of you who haven't bought Halloween candy lately, Gummy Body Parts are very big these days. Ears, eyes, noses, and brains are all available in highly sweetened flavors that do NOT exist in nature!
So tonight Kathy came over for dinner, and afterwards we were digging through the leftover candy. In a sense Kathy and Grace were having a conversation about what kind of candy G wanted, but it was pretty one-sided, because Kathy was mainly laughing. Grace's side of it was something like this:
"Oooh, a nose! I love noses. Oh, and ears too, I'll take the ears. Actually, any body parts, just give them to me, I'm the only one who likes body parts. I really wanted a brain, but I can't find it." [luckily Peter kept quiet at this point] At this point Mom finds the brain. "SWEET! A brain!!!!"
And on it went. Within about 5 minutes, she had a pile of body parts, and was a happy camper.
Kathy was still laughing.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
AMEX part Deux (pronounced DUH)
After the trauma with American Express this afternoon, I went back online tonight to print my tickets.
Guess what?
My shiny new password didn't work.
fume fume growl growl grr grrrrr
Luckily, this time, when they asked me my Mother's maiden name and I answered, they believed me, and I was able, theoretically, to reset my password.
But I'll believe it when I log in successfully again.....
Guess what?
My shiny new password didn't work.
fume fume growl growl grr grrrrr
Luckily, this time, when they asked me my Mother's maiden name and I answered, they believed me, and I was able, theoretically, to reset my password.
But I'll believe it when I log in successfully again.....
OK, AMEX, Let's Get This Right
OK, American Express, you're normally much better than this....
I'm flying to San Francisco next week, and it occurs to me that I should probably print out my e-Tickets at some point (at this point Kathy and my Dad are both quivering....). So I go to the American Express site, since that's who I used to buy my tickets.
Well, I can't remember my password. My bad, but it happens all the time. I go to the page to reset my password, but as soon as I get there, I remember what I think is my password. So, I go back, type in that password, and get directed to the "change your password" page again. Hmph.
Now, I'm not sure whether this is because of some hideous AMEX cookie they've set, or if it's because I didn't really remember my password, and I passed some number of tries limit. All I know is I was caught in Security Question HELL!
First they asked me for my mother's maiden name. OK, no problem. I type it in. They say, Nope, not it. Uh, yes it is. Trust me on this one. So I think, OK, maybe it's case sensitive (I'm bad about typing security questions in all lower case). So I type it in in lower case. Nope, not that either.
Grrrr.
So, I close my browser, and start all over, 'cause I'm still convinced I remember my password. I type it in, and I go to SECURITY QUESTION HELL again. But this time, it's even worse: they ask for my mother's birthday.
OK, for reasons beyond my control (at least sort of) I can NEVER remember whether my mother's birthday was January 16th or 17. Never, never, never NEVER! So, as a consequence, I NEVER pick it as a security question! And, I'm pretty darn convinced I didn't on this internet account, either!
Well, by this time, I've locked myself out of on-line access, so I have to call the toll-free number. I get a VRU, and the nice mechanicized female voice asks me to enter my card number, which I do, and she asks me to enter the 4 digit security code, which I do.
Then she asks me to enter my mother's birthdate.
GRRRRRRR!!!!!! Dammit, people, if I knew that I wouldn't BE here!!!!!
Finally I got a person, who was very nice. I think he said his name was O'Neill, but I find that difficult to believe (he had an Indian accent). He asked me the make and model of a car registered to my address (don't you love what people know about you based on public records?), and since I was able to tell him that, we got my password reset.
So it all worked out, but I swannee, AMEX is usually MUCH better than this! This should not have been this difficult!
Sigh. I'm too traumatized to print my tickets now...
I'm flying to San Francisco next week, and it occurs to me that I should probably print out my e-Tickets at some point (at this point Kathy and my Dad are both quivering....). So I go to the American Express site, since that's who I used to buy my tickets.
Well, I can't remember my password. My bad, but it happens all the time. I go to the page to reset my password, but as soon as I get there, I remember what I think is my password. So, I go back, type in that password, and get directed to the "change your password" page again. Hmph.
Now, I'm not sure whether this is because of some hideous AMEX cookie they've set, or if it's because I didn't really remember my password, and I passed some number of tries limit. All I know is I was caught in Security Question HELL!
First they asked me for my mother's maiden name. OK, no problem. I type it in. They say, Nope, not it. Uh, yes it is. Trust me on this one. So I think, OK, maybe it's case sensitive (I'm bad about typing security questions in all lower case). So I type it in in lower case. Nope, not that either.
Grrrr.
So, I close my browser, and start all over, 'cause I'm still convinced I remember my password. I type it in, and I go to SECURITY QUESTION HELL again. But this time, it's even worse: they ask for my mother's birthday.
OK, for reasons beyond my control (at least sort of) I can NEVER remember whether my mother's birthday was January 16th or 17. Never, never, never NEVER! So, as a consequence, I NEVER pick it as a security question! And, I'm pretty darn convinced I didn't on this internet account, either!
Well, by this time, I've locked myself out of on-line access, so I have to call the toll-free number. I get a VRU, and the nice mechanicized female voice asks me to enter my card number, which I do, and she asks me to enter the 4 digit security code, which I do.
Then she asks me to enter my mother's birthdate.
GRRRRRRR!!!!!! Dammit, people, if I knew that I wouldn't BE here!!!!!
Finally I got a person, who was very nice. I think he said his name was O'Neill, but I find that difficult to believe (he had an Indian accent). He asked me the make and model of a car registered to my address (don't you love what people know about you based on public records?), and since I was able to tell him that, we got my password reset.
So it all worked out, but I swannee, AMEX is usually MUCH better than this! This should not have been this difficult!
Sigh. I'm too traumatized to print my tickets now...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Memo to self:
The people on TV can't really hear you....
Sigh. Being alone with my television for 3 or 4 days may not be so good for me. I've started talking to it. Well, OK, so I always did that (and I talk to the radio, and sometimes the guinea pig. Oh, and my computer, of course).
I can't help it though -- there are IDIOTS on television! Pure IDIOTS!
I'm watching one of my favorite shows: Cash Cab. Unsuspecting people in New York hail a cab, and discover they're contestants in a game show.
OK, so maybe this episode is going for the stereo-type, but they just had a family from Kentucky. The first question (the first few are easier) said, "What Science Fiction law-enforcement group has members named 'Master', 'Knight' and 'Padawan'?".
They said Space Invaders. OK, first, IT'S STAR WARS, DAMMIT! Second, Space Invaders is a GAME!
Those people lost pretty quickly. The cool thing is if you lose, you have to get out of the cab!!! They were miffed.
I forgave the three guys who didn't know that Bill Wyman played bass.....
Sigh. Being alone with my television for 3 or 4 days may not be so good for me. I've started talking to it. Well, OK, so I always did that (and I talk to the radio, and sometimes the guinea pig. Oh, and my computer, of course).
I can't help it though -- there are IDIOTS on television! Pure IDIOTS!
I'm watching one of my favorite shows: Cash Cab. Unsuspecting people in New York hail a cab, and discover they're contestants in a game show.
OK, so maybe this episode is going for the stereo-type, but they just had a family from Kentucky. The first question (the first few are easier) said, "What Science Fiction law-enforcement group has members named 'Master', 'Knight' and 'Padawan'?".
They said Space Invaders. OK, first, IT'S STAR WARS, DAMMIT! Second, Space Invaders is a GAME!
Those people lost pretty quickly. The cool thing is if you lose, you have to get out of the cab!!! They were miffed.
I forgave the three guys who didn't know that Bill Wyman played bass.....
It's Alive! It's Alive!!!!!
Well, sort of.
For those who have wondered where I've gone since I had my yummy fall breakfast, it's been a lousy several days.
If you remember, I woke up not feeling so hot on Saturday, so I had my Yummy Fall Breakfast, and eventually went off for Peter's football party. When his party was over, I went back home, and hit the couch. Not that unusual for a sunny Saturday, especially when there's Carolina football on. But, I pretty much have stayed on the couch or in my bed ever since.
I don't know what this virus is, but it is beating the ever-loving H-E-Double Hockey Sticks out of me. I did manage to dress myself yesterday, but that was only because my kids needed food (Such a good Mom! Such a Martyr!). Today I got up and showered, got dressed, and promptly decided I wasn't going to work today. I managed to get my kids off to school (even had to drive Grace), then came back and hit the couch.
The sad thing is, I've been doing everything right! Drinking lots of fluids (I even made Chicken Soup), having my tea, taking my Vitamin C, spraying my nose with saline...All of it! And I still feel like poop! As my old college roomate used to say, I feel like Death taken out of the freezer and not even THAWED yet!
Hmph. I'm ready to be well now.
For those who have wondered where I've gone since I had my yummy fall breakfast, it's been a lousy several days.
If you remember, I woke up not feeling so hot on Saturday, so I had my Yummy Fall Breakfast, and eventually went off for Peter's football party. When his party was over, I went back home, and hit the couch. Not that unusual for a sunny Saturday, especially when there's Carolina football on. But, I pretty much have stayed on the couch or in my bed ever since.
I don't know what this virus is, but it is beating the ever-loving H-E-Double Hockey Sticks out of me. I did manage to dress myself yesterday, but that was only because my kids needed food (Such a good Mom! Such a Martyr!). Today I got up and showered, got dressed, and promptly decided I wasn't going to work today. I managed to get my kids off to school (even had to drive Grace), then came back and hit the couch.
The sad thing is, I've been doing everything right! Drinking lots of fluids (I even made Chicken Soup), having my tea, taking my Vitamin C, spraying my nose with saline...All of it! And I still feel like poop! As my old college roomate used to say, I feel like Death taken out of the freezer and not even THAWED yet!
Hmph. I'm ready to be well now.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Yummy Fall Breakfast
I've got an odd cold -- I felt terrible Thursday, fine on Friday, and terrible again today (though, for the aliteration maybe today I should feel so-so? sour? sucky?)
Anyway, I woke up with a scratchy throat, headache, stuffy nose. All the good cold things. And I really wanted something warm and yummy and soothing for breakfast. Preferably involving oatmeal. I love oatmeal.
So, I simmered half a Granny Smith apple, some cherries, and some "dried plums", and some walnuts together in some apple juice, and added cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sugar. I dumped that into my bowl, then made my oatmeal (real oatmeal, not instant, and made with milk, not water) and dumped that on top, and stirred well! What a yummy breakfast!
And yes, blogging about one's breakfast is arrogance on the Twitter level: "Oooh, people who read my blog MUST want to know EVERY detail of my life!" Sorry......
Anyway, I woke up with a scratchy throat, headache, stuffy nose. All the good cold things. And I really wanted something warm and yummy and soothing for breakfast. Preferably involving oatmeal. I love oatmeal.
So, I simmered half a Granny Smith apple, some cherries, and some "dried plums", and some walnuts together in some apple juice, and added cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sugar. I dumped that into my bowl, then made my oatmeal (real oatmeal, not instant, and made with milk, not water) and dumped that on top, and stirred well! What a yummy breakfast!
And yes, blogging about one's breakfast is arrogance on the Twitter level: "Oooh, people who read my blog MUST want to know EVERY detail of my life!" Sorry......
Friday, November 09, 2007
How DO Ponies Feel?
I love Mondegreens. Frequently I like them better than the "real" words, especially in pop songs. But periodically I run across one that's just....silly.
I'm listening to a local radio station's streaming music, and Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" was just on; it contains the lyrics "Cause you make me feel (rock it, Mony) so good! (Rock it, Mony) So Fine!..." Sadly, I have always heard those lyrics as: "Cause you make me feel (like a pony) so good! (like a pony) So fine!...."
Which, of course, leads to the question, exactly how good or fine do ponies feel?
My Little Ponies certainly seem to be feeling no pain...
But I think it's entirely possible that their moods are, if not pharmaceutically induced, at least the result of living in a magical world that the rest of us don't get to inhabit.
How DO ponies feel?
I'm listening to a local radio station's streaming music, and Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" was just on; it contains the lyrics "Cause you make me feel (rock it, Mony) so good! (Rock it, Mony) So Fine!..." Sadly, I have always heard those lyrics as: "Cause you make me feel (like a pony) so good! (like a pony) So fine!...."
Which, of course, leads to the question, exactly how good or fine do ponies feel?
My Little Ponies certainly seem to be feeling no pain...
But I think it's entirely possible that their moods are, if not pharmaceutically induced, at least the result of living in a magical world that the rest of us don't get to inhabit.
How DO ponies feel?
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Oooh, Pretty
Peter has a bit of a camera fetish -- he can't seem to leave them alone. He was with me at my handbell rehearsal last night, and for about 67 minutes (of a 75 minute rehearsal) he was reading. But, alas, then he got bored, and started playing with my phone, more specifically with the camera on my phone, and took this picture of my bells:
I think it's pretty good, and not just because they're my bells. Or my son!
For the record, he got the C3 (two octaves below middle C), E-flat 3, and E3 (hiding behind the C. E3 is camera shy). The C is the lowest bell in our choir, though not the lowest possible (I covet a B2), and they weigh, respectively, 8 lbs 4 oz, 7 lbs 6 oz, and 6 lbs 8 oz. For perspective, Peter weighed 8 lbs 3 oz when he was born, so ringing my C is about like picking up newborn Peter by his knees and slinging him around! Not that I ever did that.....
BIG bass bells!!!
I think it's pretty good, and not just because they're my bells. Or my son!
For the record, he got the C3 (two octaves below middle C), E-flat 3, and E3 (hiding behind the C. E3 is camera shy). The C is the lowest bell in our choir, though not the lowest possible (I covet a B2), and they weigh, respectively, 8 lbs 4 oz, 7 lbs 6 oz, and 6 lbs 8 oz. For perspective, Peter weighed 8 lbs 3 oz when he was born, so ringing my C is about like picking up newborn Peter by his knees and slinging him around! Not that I ever did that.....
That's the Way, uh-huh uh-huh.....
Flashback Time! If you're over the age of, oh, 35 (maybe 38), you MUST check out this post a friend sent me. The '70s live again! I had totally forgotten the jump-suit craze until I saw these pictures. Though, I do have an ex-boss who to this day claims that his best job was flight school, because he never had to think about what to wear, which just furthers my opinion that most straight male WASPS should NOT be allowed to dress themselves.
Let's all take a moment to relive our favorite 70s outfits..... Let's see, I had the Western Gear inspired shirts (my favorite was the blue one with the red-bandana shoulder-yoke), a very plaid dress that was my sister's, then my neighbor's, then mine. But probably the all time best were the dressy-dresses that my parents used to put my sister and me in when they threw dinner parties (remember dinner parties?) -- White top, black and white plaid (of course) long skirt, I think a velvet belt, and polyester all the way. My brother got to wear cords and a white turtleneck. They always did like him best...
Let's all take a moment to relive our favorite 70s outfits..... Let's see, I had the Western Gear inspired shirts (my favorite was the blue one with the red-bandana shoulder-yoke), a very plaid dress that was my sister's, then my neighbor's, then mine. But probably the all time best were the dressy-dresses that my parents used to put my sister and me in when they threw dinner parties (remember dinner parties?) -- White top, black and white plaid (of course) long skirt, I think a velvet belt, and polyester all the way. My brother got to wear cords and a white turtleneck. They always did like him best...
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
I Could Be Twiggy for $2 million
Curt Schilling has signed a new contract with Boston. This contract will pay him 8 million dollars, plus potentially an extra 3 million in performance bonuses.
Plus, he can tack on an extra $2 mil if he keeps his weight down. TWO MILLION DOLLARS! He'll get $333,333 dollars everytime he passes a monthly random "weigh-in".
OK, now granted Schilling is nearly 41, and I can attest that it's significantly more difficult to take weight off, and keep it off, once one passes the big 4-0. But the man is a professional athlete. He has access to training equipment, nutritionists, etc. that the normal Joe Schmoe does not have. He also has a job that pays him enough money to buy his own personal training equipment, if he so desires.
And, he has a job that basically gives him a minimum of 4 months off each year.
Now let me tell you -- as difficult as weight loss is, as much as I love my desserts, my martinis and my beer, if my boss said to be, "We'll provide you with excercise equipment, a nutritionist and a personal trainer, AND give you the next four months off if you'll lose weight. Oh, and we'll give you a 2 million dollar bonus, too!" you'd better believe that I'd be spending a significant amount of time each day to get to my "target weight"!!!
Plus, he can tack on an extra $2 mil if he keeps his weight down. TWO MILLION DOLLARS! He'll get $333,333 dollars everytime he passes a monthly random "weigh-in".
OK, now granted Schilling is nearly 41, and I can attest that it's significantly more difficult to take weight off, and keep it off, once one passes the big 4-0. But the man is a professional athlete. He has access to training equipment, nutritionists, etc. that the normal Joe Schmoe does not have. He also has a job that pays him enough money to buy his own personal training equipment, if he so desires.
And, he has a job that basically gives him a minimum of 4 months off each year.
Now let me tell you -- as difficult as weight loss is, as much as I love my desserts, my martinis and my beer, if my boss said to be, "We'll provide you with excercise equipment, a nutritionist and a personal trainer, AND give you the next four months off if you'll lose weight. Oh, and we'll give you a 2 million dollar bonus, too!" you'd better believe that I'd be spending a significant amount of time each day to get to my "target weight"!!!
Bad Karma?
OK, the past 12 hours have just NOT been my day. Or half day. Whatever. About the only thing that went right is I got my guinea pig's nails clipped -- this should NOT be a high point of one's day!
So, yesterday was busy (as they all are), and I wound up leaving work later than I would've liked, and rushing to get Grace to her Ortho appointment, which resulted in a cast on her arm. We were done with the doctor about a quarter of seven, so I took her to get a bite to eat where we ran into my Dad and Kathy. We had a nice dinner, then went home to wait for Grace's Dad to pick her up. While we were waiting, we clipped the guinea pig's nails, and it was about then that I started drooping. Plus, I was breaking out in little itchy bumps from the pig, and getting sneezy (and Dopey and Grumpy, too!).
By about 8:20 Grace had been picked up, but rather than either running or cleaning my house, which is what I'd been planning to do this evening, I went upstairs, got in my jammies, and was in bed by 8:45. I was expecting a call from a friend, so I figured I'd read for a bit. Next thing I knew it was 2am, my light was still on, and my phone had a voice mail. Hmph. I turned off my light and went back to sleep, thinking, "Well, at least I'll be well-rested tomorrow".
Nope. I overslept this morning, and was still dragging. It took me about twice as long to get ready as it usually does, my coffee was weak, and I was late for work. Grrr.
Why all this bad karma? I think I know. Yesterday was, of course, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November: Election Day. And I didn't vote.
Now, in my defense, the only races on the Chapel Hill ballot this year were City Council and School Board. I had read up on the Candidates, and quite frankly, I'd've been happy with any of them. Oh, sure, if I'd made it to the polls I'd've picked the ones that I'd be MOST happy with, but it's not like I was strongly for one, or strongly opposed to one, for that matter. And, as I said, it was a busy day: I would've been pushing it to get to my polling place before they closed.
But still. For one of the few times since I turned 18, I didn't vote. I ALWAYS vote. I feel VERY strongly that EVERYONE should vote. Yes, it's a privilege, but it's also an obligation. This is OUR government, and we have a role to play. It's the citizenry's job to elect the officials. It goes beyond the old adage that if you don't vote you can't complain -- I think if you don't vote you've abdicated a fairly basic responsibility.
So this bugs me. I don't like that I didn't vote. Yes, I know that of all races to miss, this was probably an easy one. But still. I wanted to vote, I should've voted, and I think I've profoundly affected my karmic waves by not voting.
So does this mean I get to vote twice in the presidential election? :)
So, yesterday was busy (as they all are), and I wound up leaving work later than I would've liked, and rushing to get Grace to her Ortho appointment, which resulted in a cast on her arm. We were done with the doctor about a quarter of seven, so I took her to get a bite to eat where we ran into my Dad and Kathy. We had a nice dinner, then went home to wait for Grace's Dad to pick her up. While we were waiting, we clipped the guinea pig's nails, and it was about then that I started drooping. Plus, I was breaking out in little itchy bumps from the pig, and getting sneezy (and Dopey and Grumpy, too!).
By about 8:20 Grace had been picked up, but rather than either running or cleaning my house, which is what I'd been planning to do this evening, I went upstairs, got in my jammies, and was in bed by 8:45. I was expecting a call from a friend, so I figured I'd read for a bit. Next thing I knew it was 2am, my light was still on, and my phone had a voice mail. Hmph. I turned off my light and went back to sleep, thinking, "Well, at least I'll be well-rested tomorrow".
Nope. I overslept this morning, and was still dragging. It took me about twice as long to get ready as it usually does, my coffee was weak, and I was late for work. Grrr.
Why all this bad karma? I think I know. Yesterday was, of course, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November: Election Day. And I didn't vote.
Now, in my defense, the only races on the Chapel Hill ballot this year were City Council and School Board. I had read up on the Candidates, and quite frankly, I'd've been happy with any of them. Oh, sure, if I'd made it to the polls I'd've picked the ones that I'd be MOST happy with, but it's not like I was strongly for one, or strongly opposed to one, for that matter. And, as I said, it was a busy day: I would've been pushing it to get to my polling place before they closed.
But still. For one of the few times since I turned 18, I didn't vote. I ALWAYS vote. I feel VERY strongly that EVERYONE should vote. Yes, it's a privilege, but it's also an obligation. This is OUR government, and we have a role to play. It's the citizenry's job to elect the officials. It goes beyond the old adage that if you don't vote you can't complain -- I think if you don't vote you've abdicated a fairly basic responsibility.
So this bugs me. I don't like that I didn't vote. Yes, I know that of all races to miss, this was probably an easy one. But still. I wanted to vote, I should've voted, and I think I've profoundly affected my karmic waves by not voting.
So does this mean I get to vote twice in the presidential election? :)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Casting Call
Well, Grace and I went back to Triangle Orthopedics tonight to have her arm checked. They took the cast off, poked her arm a bit, and she jumped about a foot in the air and started her trademark "OUCHIE OUCHIE OUCHIE!" So, it's a "real" cast for Miss Grace. Luckily, it doesn't slow her down much, she's been cleared to play basketball and do anything else she feels like (as the doctor said, "The one thing I can guarantee is that she won't break THAT wrist!"), and she can even get in the pool when she's in Florida over Thanksgiving, she just can't immerse her arm. So, all things considered, it's not as bad as it could be.
The doctor and the tech were both a little disappointed her her choice of color: they prefer a slightly darker shade of blue (about 12 miles to the northeast darker....), but she held her own, and got her Carolina Blue cast!
The doctor and the tech were both a little disappointed her her choice of color: they prefer a slightly darker shade of blue (about 12 miles to the northeast darker....), but she held her own, and got her Carolina Blue cast!
Grace and her cast
Monday, November 05, 2007
Weekend Wrapup
Once again, a busy weekend in the Cohen Household. It started on Friday with a trip to Urgent Care (both the pediatrician AND ortho, this time). That made for a late, stressful night.
Saturday morning came pretty quickly. Peter and I had to be on the road by 7:45 to make his football playoff game at a high school in Guilford County (Southeast Guilford, to be exact). We did breakfast on the road, and made it with plenty of time, but lots of kids didn't. There were worries that they wouldn't be able to play, which turned out to be unfounded, luckily, but it made for a dis-jointed morning. Plus, it was COLD. I was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but I was freezing! Luckily another Mom had an extra jacket (actually her sons, but he's a big kid), so I wore that till it warmed up in the second half.
It was a good game, and went into overtime, but unfortunately Peter's team wound up losing, 19-13, in double overtime. They played hard, though, and had a really good season. And, on the bright side, now it means Peter can go to basketball practice!
After the game we scooted back to Chapel Hill, and met Kathy (who'd been keeping Grace). She dropped us off at the Bell Tower on campus, because we had tickets to the football game. We did the Bell Tower Climb, which was fun, except I forgot my camera, so the only pictures I could get were with my phone (see previous post!). The we went into the stadium, where we were meeting up with Peter's friend Blake and his Dad. The kids tossed a football around and shagged balls that Connor Barth kicked into the stands as he was warming up.
The game was a good one, and turned out better than Peter's! Despite killing themselves with penalties, the Heels finally came out on top, and got a much-needed win. The defense made some spectacular stands to prevent Maryland from scoring, particularly right at the end.
After that, we walked over to the Smith Center to watch an exhibition basketball game against Shaw University. It was a little sloppy at times (Ol' Roy never ripped off his jacket, but he did pull all five starters to fuss at them a couple of times!), but they still won, and we got to see Hansborough pull off a reverse dunk!
By the time we left the game and hiked back to Blake's Dad's truck (who was giving us a ride so I didn't have to drive -- YAY, SANDY!), it was 10:30, and by the time we got home and everyone in bed it was well after 11. Luckily, we got to set the clocks back, so we got an extra hour of sleep. Of course, I forgot to set them back until I woke up the next morning, but at least the kids got an extra hour of sleep!
Sunday was kind of a lazy day, though we did get the kids' closets cleaned out, and bought a few new clothes for cold weather. But we were all pretty wiped out from the rest of the weekend, and spent a lot of time watching sports or movies on TV!
Saturday morning came pretty quickly. Peter and I had to be on the road by 7:45 to make his football playoff game at a high school in Guilford County (Southeast Guilford, to be exact). We did breakfast on the road, and made it with plenty of time, but lots of kids didn't. There were worries that they wouldn't be able to play, which turned out to be unfounded, luckily, but it made for a dis-jointed morning. Plus, it was COLD. I was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but I was freezing! Luckily another Mom had an extra jacket (actually her sons, but he's a big kid), so I wore that till it warmed up in the second half.
It was a good game, and went into overtime, but unfortunately Peter's team wound up losing, 19-13, in double overtime. They played hard, though, and had a really good season. And, on the bright side, now it means Peter can go to basketball practice!
After the game we scooted back to Chapel Hill, and met Kathy (who'd been keeping Grace). She dropped us off at the Bell Tower on campus, because we had tickets to the football game. We did the Bell Tower Climb, which was fun, except I forgot my camera, so the only pictures I could get were with my phone (see previous post!). The we went into the stadium, where we were meeting up with Peter's friend Blake and his Dad. The kids tossed a football around and shagged balls that Connor Barth kicked into the stands as he was warming up.
The game was a good one, and turned out better than Peter's! Despite killing themselves with penalties, the Heels finally came out on top, and got a much-needed win. The defense made some spectacular stands to prevent Maryland from scoring, particularly right at the end.
After that, we walked over to the Smith Center to watch an exhibition basketball game against Shaw University. It was a little sloppy at times (Ol' Roy never ripped off his jacket, but he did pull all five starters to fuss at them a couple of times!), but they still won, and we got to see Hansborough pull off a reverse dunk!
By the time we left the game and hiked back to Blake's Dad's truck (who was giving us a ride so I didn't have to drive -- YAY, SANDY!), it was 10:30, and by the time we got home and everyone in bed it was well after 11. Luckily, we got to set the clocks back, so we got an extra hour of sleep. Of course, I forgot to set them back until I woke up the next morning, but at least the kids got an extra hour of sleep!
Sunday was kind of a lazy day, though we did get the kids' closets cleaned out, and bought a few new clothes for cold weather. But we were all pretty wiped out from the rest of the weekend, and spent a lot of time watching sports or movies on TV!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
Don't Have Kids
Or so my Dad says (Thanks, Dad!) After tonight, I'm inclined to agree.
As many of you may remember, Grace made a trip to Urgent Care last Friday with her Dad, due to a cut chin. Well, apparently she enjoyed the experience so much that she decided to recreate it tonight with me!
As I was driving to afterschool to pick the kids up this evening, I got a call on my cell phone from Mr. Nick, one of the afterschool group leaders. It seems that Grace was playing Fishy Fishy (Sharks and Minnows on land, as best as I can tell) and one of the Sharks "tagged" (ok, shoved) her a little too hard in the back and Grace fell on her wrist. It wasn't swollen, but she was having a hard time making a tight fist and turning her wrist.
So I took her home and put ice on it, and called the pediatrician. First they said bring her in at 8:30, but then called back and asked if I could bring her in early; we managed to get her there at 6:30.
We hung out in the "proceure room" for awhile, then the doctor came in, and decided that yes, she needed X-Rays, so she sent us off to Triangle Orthopedics, who also have urgent care hours. We got there about 7:15, and got her X-Rayed with no problem. The X-Rays didn't show anything, but little kids apparently have huge growth plates, and there are times when they don't show a break. She was still tender, though, and the doctor THERE wasn't willing to let her go with nothing.
So now she has a plaster splint on her left arm. It will have to stay till Tuesday (hey, wasn't that an 80's band?), when she goes back for a follow-up apointment. If she's still sore then, they may take X-Rays again, or may just slap a cast on her at that point.
No pictures yet -- We didn't get out of the various doctor's offices till 8:15, and we were 20 minutes from home and HUNGRY. Then when we got home we had to learn how to give G a shower with a plastic bag over her arm. But now she's in my bed, and Peter and I are unwinding.
It's a good thing I love them more than life itself!
As many of you may remember, Grace made a trip to Urgent Care last Friday with her Dad, due to a cut chin. Well, apparently she enjoyed the experience so much that she decided to recreate it tonight with me!
As I was driving to afterschool to pick the kids up this evening, I got a call on my cell phone from Mr. Nick, one of the afterschool group leaders. It seems that Grace was playing Fishy Fishy (Sharks and Minnows on land, as best as I can tell) and one of the Sharks "tagged" (ok, shoved) her a little too hard in the back and Grace fell on her wrist. It wasn't swollen, but she was having a hard time making a tight fist and turning her wrist.
So I took her home and put ice on it, and called the pediatrician. First they said bring her in at 8:30, but then called back and asked if I could bring her in early; we managed to get her there at 6:30.
We hung out in the "proceure room" for awhile, then the doctor came in, and decided that yes, she needed X-Rays, so she sent us off to Triangle Orthopedics, who also have urgent care hours. We got there about 7:15, and got her X-Rayed with no problem. The X-Rays didn't show anything, but little kids apparently have huge growth plates, and there are times when they don't show a break. She was still tender, though, and the doctor THERE wasn't willing to let her go with nothing.
So now she has a plaster splint on her left arm. It will have to stay till Tuesday (hey, wasn't that an 80's band?), when she goes back for a follow-up apointment. If she's still sore then, they may take X-Rays again, or may just slap a cast on her at that point.
No pictures yet -- We didn't get out of the various doctor's offices till 8:15, and we were 20 minutes from home and HUNGRY. Then when we got home we had to learn how to give G a shower with a plastic bag over her arm. But now she's in my bed, and Peter and I are unwinding.
It's a good thing I love them more than life itself!
How Odd
My sister-in-law, Trina, is VERY excited. Seems they've finally found garage space, after 12 years of living in San Francisco, leaving cars out for the elements.
She says in her post that perhaps no one who hasn't lived in a city can understand just how exciting this is. Well, I lived in Manhattan for about a year and a half (granted, without a car), so I thought I could understand.
Until I really read the post carefully, and realized that what they'd found is not a spot in a parking garage, but a corner of someone else's garage! Attached to a house, presumably!
This just strikes me as odd! I've never thought of renting out part of my garage. Out of curiousity, I checked out the Raleigh version of Craig's List, and nope, no one else in the Triangle area has thought of renting out their garage, either. Lots of people are selling cars because they need the space in their garage, or are selling cars that have been kept in garages, but no one is renting a space in their garage.
So now I'm intrigued. People in San Francisco (and presumably other urban areas) want garages so badly that there's a market for, essentially, garage sublets. Yet in my neighborhood garages are basically big honking storage units. I think I'm one of maybe 3 people that actually puts their car in the garage -- the rest all put STUFF in their garage, and leave the car in the driveway.
I wonder if I could rent my garage? Perhaps to one of my neighbors who won't park in theirs? Hmmmm......
She says in her post that perhaps no one who hasn't lived in a city can understand just how exciting this is. Well, I lived in Manhattan for about a year and a half (granted, without a car), so I thought I could understand.
Until I really read the post carefully, and realized that what they'd found is not a spot in a parking garage, but a corner of someone else's garage! Attached to a house, presumably!
This just strikes me as odd! I've never thought of renting out part of my garage. Out of curiousity, I checked out the Raleigh version of Craig's List, and nope, no one else in the Triangle area has thought of renting out their garage, either. Lots of people are selling cars because they need the space in their garage, or are selling cars that have been kept in garages, but no one is renting a space in their garage.
So now I'm intrigued. People in San Francisco (and presumably other urban areas) want garages so badly that there's a market for, essentially, garage sublets. Yet in my neighborhood garages are basically big honking storage units. I think I'm one of maybe 3 people that actually puts their car in the garage -- the rest all put STUFF in their garage, and leave the car in the driveway.
I wonder if I could rent my garage? Perhaps to one of my neighbors who won't park in theirs? Hmmmm......
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Halloween -- the hangover.....
OK, I still love Halloween. But man, I feel oogy today. As my old college roommate used to say, I feel like death taken out of the freezer and not even THAWED yet.
Why? Not entirely sure. I didn't actually have too much candy OR red wine last night. I think it's primarily due to lack of sleep.
Here's the thing: I live about 2 miles from Franklin Street. Last night, approximately 82,000 people invaded Franklin Street. 82 THOUSAND!!! According to the 2000 census, the combined population of Chapel Hill and Carrboro is about 65,000. So, that means if EVERY person in Chapel Hill/Carrboro was on Franklin Street (which they weren't, 'cause at least three of us were home in our beds), there were still 17,000 extra people!
If you cram 82,000 people into a small area, it's going to get noisy. I was woken up about 4 times last night between 10:30 and 3 by: sirens (twice), news helicopters, and motorcycles revving their motors. Not conducive to good rest, and part of why I'm turning into a curmudgeon. I'd be far more likely to allow others their revelry if it didn't keep me awake.
So, I'm dragging today, and I feel hungover. I've had about as much caffeinne as I can reasonably drink in one day. I have my oatmeal for breakfast, but I'm thinking this is a grease and carbs kinda morning -- I see a bacon, egg and cheese bagel in my future. And OJ. Yum.
Why? Not entirely sure. I didn't actually have too much candy OR red wine last night. I think it's primarily due to lack of sleep.
Here's the thing: I live about 2 miles from Franklin Street. Last night, approximately 82,000 people invaded Franklin Street. 82 THOUSAND!!! According to the 2000 census, the combined population of Chapel Hill and Carrboro is about 65,000. So, that means if EVERY person in Chapel Hill/Carrboro was on Franklin Street (which they weren't, 'cause at least three of us were home in our beds), there were still 17,000 extra people!
If you cram 82,000 people into a small area, it's going to get noisy. I was woken up about 4 times last night between 10:30 and 3 by: sirens (twice), news helicopters, and motorcycles revving their motors. Not conducive to good rest, and part of why I'm turning into a curmudgeon. I'd be far more likely to allow others their revelry if it didn't keep me awake.
So, I'm dragging today, and I feel hungover. I've had about as much caffeinne as I can reasonably drink in one day. I have my oatmeal for breakfast, but I'm thinking this is a grease and carbs kinda morning -- I see a bacon, egg and cheese bagel in my future. And OJ. Yum.
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