Mondays are the craziest days in my week. I leave work at 4, drive 5 miles west to pick up the kids at school, drive 7 miles east (yep, right past my office) to get Grace to To Shin Do by 5, Drive 9 miles west (yep, right past my office again, school, AND my house) to get Peter to tennis by 5:30, then fly back to get G by 5:45.
It's definitely a race against time, but after 4 weeks, I think I've gotten it down; the trick was to get Grace comfortable enough at the Dojo so that she didn't need me to stay till her class started; that means (when the Good Lord's willing and the lights aren't red) that I can get Peter to his tennis lession 5 or 10 minutes early, which means I have a full 20 minutes to get back to Grace!
Here's a shot of my car clock when I parked outside of Grace's Dojo tonight (my car clock is 5 minutes fast, for the record) -- 2 minutes to spare!!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ah, the benefits of age...
Or, Happy Birthday Grace!!!!
Grace turns eight today. Wow.
She's with her Dad this weekend, so I called her this morning to wish her a happy birthday. As it turns out, I caught them while they were driving to have breakfast with Grammie and Grandpa Bob.
Grace's favorite thing about turning 8 (so far, anyway)?
She was riding to breakfast without her car seat!
You go, G!!!
Grace turns eight today. Wow.
She's with her Dad this weekend, so I called her this morning to wish her a happy birthday. As it turns out, I caught them while they were driving to have breakfast with Grammie and Grandpa Bob.
Grace's favorite thing about turning 8 (so far, anyway)?
She was riding to breakfast without her car seat!
You go, G!!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Grace's wake up call
Wednesday night, Grace asked if she could sleep with me tonight (Friday). I reminded her that she was with her Dad this weekend, but I figured the reason she wanted to was because her birthday is Saturday, so I offered to let her sleep with me last night instead, which seemed to work just fine.
As she was getting ready for bed last night, she asked if I would wake her up this morning with "Army Bear", one of her stuffed animals. This is one that plays a birthday song, so I said sure, even though I figured it would be a moderate nightmare finding in in Grace's room.
So, this morning after I got out of the shower, I went looking for "Army Bear." Now, Grace has a tendency to switch her animals clothes all around, plus she has the messiest room in the world, so I figured it might take me awhile. I quickly found a bear wearing camo, but he didn't have a noise maker. Then I saw more camo, but it was just a shirt with no animal attached. Finally I was reduced to picking up any animal I saw, looking for a noisemaker and listening to the song.
Finally, I saw him. A Frog wearing Hello Kitty pajamas. THAT'S when I remembered, it's not Army BEAR, it's Army FROG who plays the birthday song!
I woke her up to the song, and she was happy, but she didn't seem to understand why it was so difficult for me to find Army Bear, when he's actually a frog wearing pink Hello Kittie pjs!
As she was getting ready for bed last night, she asked if I would wake her up this morning with "Army Bear", one of her stuffed animals. This is one that plays a birthday song, so I said sure, even though I figured it would be a moderate nightmare finding in in Grace's room.
So, this morning after I got out of the shower, I went looking for "Army Bear." Now, Grace has a tendency to switch her animals clothes all around, plus she has the messiest room in the world, so I figured it might take me awhile. I quickly found a bear wearing camo, but he didn't have a noise maker. Then I saw more camo, but it was just a shirt with no animal attached. Finally I was reduced to picking up any animal I saw, looking for a noisemaker and listening to the song.
Finally, I saw him. A Frog wearing Hello Kitty pajamas. THAT'S when I remembered, it's not Army BEAR, it's Army FROG who plays the birthday song!
I woke her up to the song, and she was happy, but she didn't seem to understand why it was so difficult for me to find Army Bear, when he's actually a frog wearing pink Hello Kittie pjs!
C is for Cookie!

That's good enough for me!
Yep, it's that time again. At least twice a year, I make Oatmeal Scotchies. When I was a kid, these were my favorite cookies, and my Nana used to make them for me all the time.
Sadly, not being retired, I can't make them all the time (plus I'd be big as a house if I did!). I've always made them occasionally, though, and one year when I made them, Peter simply had a fit. He LOVED them.
At that point, they became the official School Birthday Celebration cookie, so now, at least twice a year, I make up a batch of Oatmeal Scotchies and take 'em to school.
So, today was Grace's turn. She helped make them last night, and took the birthday kid's perogative of having the first taste. Last April Peter added a new twist to the birthday shenanigans; he requested a Wendy's lunch, so Grace of course wanted one today (kids cheeseburger and fries and chocolate milk)
The kids in her class loved the cookies, and now they're in my office, tempting me!
That's just....disturbing
Earlier this week, Grace wanted to sleep on my floor, so she pulled out her sleeping bag, and made a little nest for herself. Tonight Peter was in my room, and we noticed that Grace's Raggedy Ann and Andy were in the sleeping bag; we could also see some other thing there, but couldn't tell what it was.
So, Peter pulled back the top of the sleeping bag...
And discovered Ann and Andy apparently like to sleep in the buff. Yep, there they were, nekkid as the day they were born. What we'd seen was the neat little pile of clothes that USED to be on their bodies!
Sadly, though, Ann and Andy's sleeping habits were not the most disturbing thing.
Nope.
When they're naked, one can't tell the difference between Ann and Andy! Now THAT'S disturbing!
(BTW -- Sorry, Trina!)
UPDATE: Trina just informed me that for the first 20-ish years of their existence, Raggedy Ann and Andy actually looked very different, but gradually morphed into one another (they do say that happens). She also said Andy is the one with the hat, but apparently he takes THAT off for bed, too!
So, Peter pulled back the top of the sleeping bag...
And discovered Ann and Andy apparently like to sleep in the buff. Yep, there they were, nekkid as the day they were born. What we'd seen was the neat little pile of clothes that USED to be on their bodies!
Sadly, though, Ann and Andy's sleeping habits were not the most disturbing thing.
Nope.
When they're naked, one can't tell the difference between Ann and Andy! Now THAT'S disturbing!
(BTW -- Sorry, Trina!)
UPDATE: Trina just informed me that for the first 20-ish years of their existence, Raggedy Ann and Andy actually looked very different, but gradually morphed into one another (they do say that happens). She also said Andy is the one with the hat, but apparently he takes THAT off for bed, too!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jack the Self-Petting Kitty
Kathy's cat Jack is very much a people kitty. Mainly at 2 am, mind you, but he's a people kitty.
As such, I woke up this morning around 2 for no apparent reason. Dusty was curled up near my feet, all happy and warm and snuggly.
Suddenly, Jack jumped up on the bed. He nudged my hand a couple of times, but I was not particularly interested in petting him at that particular moment, so I ignored him.
Apparently he REALLY wanted to be petted, because he nudged his nose under my hand, walked a step or two so that it slid down his back, and eventually fell off. It was a pretty lame bit of petting, but petting it was!
As such, I woke up this morning around 2 for no apparent reason. Dusty was curled up near my feet, all happy and warm and snuggly.
Suddenly, Jack jumped up on the bed. He nudged my hand a couple of times, but I was not particularly interested in petting him at that particular moment, so I ignored him.
Apparently he REALLY wanted to be petted, because he nudged his nose under my hand, walked a step or two so that it slid down his back, and eventually fell off. It was a pretty lame bit of petting, but petting it was!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Whoops, my bad!
I'm keeping Kathy's cats, Jack and Dusty for a few days. Because of this, the kids are very excited, so I had a hard time getting them to go to sleep.
Finally everyone was in bed, but I kept hearing creaking noises coming from my squeaky floorboards. Figuring it was one of the kids I yelled out, in true Mom fashion, "Who's still walking around out there?!?!" (why do parents ask questions that they know no one will answer?)
No answer. (see!) So I yell some more, still no answer.
Finally I get up, and turn on the hall light. No kids. Grace was still awake, and said, "Mom, it was the cats!"
It never occurred to me that it would be Jack and Dusty! Granted, they're quite possibly the biggest cats EVER, but I had no idea they had enough heft to squeak a floorboard!
Sorry, kids!!!
Finally everyone was in bed, but I kept hearing creaking noises coming from my squeaky floorboards. Figuring it was one of the kids I yelled out, in true Mom fashion, "Who's still walking around out there?!?!" (why do parents ask questions that they know no one will answer?)
No answer. (see!) So I yell some more, still no answer.
Finally I get up, and turn on the hall light. No kids. Grace was still awake, and said, "Mom, it was the cats!"
It never occurred to me that it would be Jack and Dusty! Granted, they're quite possibly the biggest cats EVER, but I had no idea they had enough heft to squeak a floorboard!
Sorry, kids!!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
So, does it make you groove?
Peter was commenting tonight that he'll get a shot the next time he goes to the doctor for a checkup (which, yes, is not till April, but hey, why not start obsessing early?), but he couldn't remember which shot it was.
It is, in fact, the new tetanus/diptheria/pertussis shot, or the Tdap; he's 10 so he'd need a tetanus booster anyway, but this is some super-duper vaccine that'll keep you from getting sick ever again. Or something like that!
Anyway, I'm bad with names, particularly when they're acronyms for things and I can't remember the components (aside: the reason I can remember that the pcm/cia slot on a computer is called that is because someone once taught me the mnemonic People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms!).
So, yes, when he asked me which shot, my response was, "Oh, the tetanus one, I forget what it's called. Tdap? Tbap? Dbap? TBopDeBop?"
At which point Peter said, "So, I'm getting the Jazz shot?"
Yeah, daddy-o, and ain't it cool?
It is, in fact, the new tetanus/diptheria/pertussis shot, or the Tdap; he's 10 so he'd need a tetanus booster anyway, but this is some super-duper vaccine that'll keep you from getting sick ever again. Or something like that!
Anyway, I'm bad with names, particularly when they're acronyms for things and I can't remember the components (aside: the reason I can remember that the pcm/cia slot on a computer is called that is because someone once taught me the mnemonic People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms!).
So, yes, when he asked me which shot, my response was, "Oh, the tetanus one, I forget what it's called. Tdap? Tbap? Dbap? TBopDeBop?"
At which point Peter said, "So, I'm getting the Jazz shot?"
Yeah, daddy-o, and ain't it cool?
Yay Grace!!!!
Peter and Grace listen to a podcast called Dr. Floyd (I think; it probably has some other name, but that's how we refer to it). Great podcast for kids, btw.
Anyway, they have a segment where kids can call in and leave jokes; they pick several for each show.
Well, Grace was recently picked not only to have her joke aired, but was actually THE joke of the show!
Here's a link; sadly there are lots of other jokes before G's. Feel free to skip ahead!
Anyway, they have a segment where kids can call in and leave jokes; they pick several for each show.
Well, Grace was recently picked not only to have her joke aired, but was actually THE joke of the show!
Here's a link; sadly there are lots of other jokes before G's. Feel free to skip ahead!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Where's Natural Selection When You Need It?
There are times when you see things that are just wrong.
Driving to Cary today, I passed a bike rider on a back road near Jordan Lake. Not uncommon, particularly on a weekend.
This woman wasn't wearing a helmet. Sadly, also not that uncommon.
But as I passed, I saw something that I can honestly say I've NEVER seen before.
She was steering with one hand, because the other was holding.....her cell phone.
Yep, riding on a narrow, shoulderless road, with no helmet, talking on her cell phone. This can't end well!
Driving to Cary today, I passed a bike rider on a back road near Jordan Lake. Not uncommon, particularly on a weekend.
This woman wasn't wearing a helmet. Sadly, also not that uncommon.
But as I passed, I saw something that I can honestly say I've NEVER seen before.
She was steering with one hand, because the other was holding.....her cell phone.
Yep, riding on a narrow, shoulderless road, with no helmet, talking on her cell phone. This can't end well!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I heart free wireless
Can I just say I think it is SO civilized for cities, churches, and various other organizations to have free wireless?
I'm at the church while my kids are at choir, and between the church, Chapel Hill, and UNC, I have my choice of about 5 different networks to connect to.
I love the digital age!
I'm at the church while my kids are at choir, and between the church, Chapel Hill, and UNC, I have my choice of about 5 different networks to connect to.
I love the digital age!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thank goodness for cake in the breakroom!
I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon, so packed myself a theoretically yummy lunch to eat at my desk; a Morrocan vegetarian stew (frozen dinner, packaged under the Moosewood name), yogurt, corn and black bean chips, and a Coke Zero.
When I got in, I pretty quickly went to the breakroom to put my lunch away and heat up my breakfast oatmeal.
Then, an hour or so later, I walked by the breakroom and saw what looked to be a real, homemade chocolate cake (note: Like a good Southerner, I consider chocolate cake to be yellow cake with chocolate icing. Chocolate cake and chocolate icing is Devil's Food Cake. Sadly, I've not managed to pass this along to my children).
Now, it was only about 9:30 am when I saw the cake; way too early in my world for chocolate. But, even BAD food tends to disappear from our breakroom quickly; good food is gone in seconds. And there wasn't much cake left.
So, I cut myself a small slice to have later, and took it back to my desk.
Lunchtime came around, and I went to the breakroom (cake was LONG since gone), got my Morrocan veggie stew out of the freezer, and zapped it, then went back to my desk. Sadly, the stew was very, very watery, but I had some individual servings of brown rice in my desk, so I went BACK to the breakroom to zap one of those.
Rice in hand, I came back to my desk, mixed it with the stew, sat down to eat, and suddenly realized that I hadn't gotten the rest of my lunch.
So, I went BACK to the break room (3rd time), opened the fridge ....
And no lunch!
I opened the other fridge. No lunch there, either.
Now, lunches have been known to disappear from work fridges before, but lets be honest; all that was in this one was a Coke Zero, a bag of corn chips, and a raspberry yogurt. Not exciting, plus I work with nice folks; I really didn't think someone would take it.
But it wasn't there!
Finally, I looked on the counter NEXT to the fridges. Yep, there it was. The Coke and chips were fine, but after sitting out for 4 hours I didn't think I'd better risk the yogurt. Which, had it not been for the cake I'd picked up earlier, would've meant no dessert to my lunch!
Thank goodness for found cake!
When I got in, I pretty quickly went to the breakroom to put my lunch away and heat up my breakfast oatmeal.
Then, an hour or so later, I walked by the breakroom and saw what looked to be a real, homemade chocolate cake (note: Like a good Southerner, I consider chocolate cake to be yellow cake with chocolate icing. Chocolate cake and chocolate icing is Devil's Food Cake. Sadly, I've not managed to pass this along to my children).
Now, it was only about 9:30 am when I saw the cake; way too early in my world for chocolate. But, even BAD food tends to disappear from our breakroom quickly; good food is gone in seconds. And there wasn't much cake left.
So, I cut myself a small slice to have later, and took it back to my desk.
Lunchtime came around, and I went to the breakroom (cake was LONG since gone), got my Morrocan veggie stew out of the freezer, and zapped it, then went back to my desk. Sadly, the stew was very, very watery, but I had some individual servings of brown rice in my desk, so I went BACK to the breakroom to zap one of those.
Rice in hand, I came back to my desk, mixed it with the stew, sat down to eat, and suddenly realized that I hadn't gotten the rest of my lunch.
So, I went BACK to the break room (3rd time), opened the fridge ....
And no lunch!
I opened the other fridge. No lunch there, either.
Now, lunches have been known to disappear from work fridges before, but lets be honest; all that was in this one was a Coke Zero, a bag of corn chips, and a raspberry yogurt. Not exciting, plus I work with nice folks; I really didn't think someone would take it.
But it wasn't there!
Finally, I looked on the counter NEXT to the fridges. Yep, there it was. The Coke and chips were fine, but after sitting out for 4 hours I didn't think I'd better risk the yogurt. Which, had it not been for the cake I'd picked up earlier, would've meant no dessert to my lunch!
Thank goodness for found cake!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Scattergories!
I've come to a decision in my life; when I get fun little email games, I'm going to post them to my blog. That way, everyone can have fun with them (and I don't have to think of people to send them on to...)!
So, here's the latest:
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things, nothing made up!
So, here's the latest:
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things, nothing made up!
WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Meg
Have fun!!
4 LETTER WORD: Male
BOY NAME: Michael
GIRL NAME: Maureen
OCCUPATION: Mortician
COLOR: Mauve
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Mood ring
BEVERAGE: Milk
FOOD: Mango
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Mat
A PLACE: Morroco
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Missed the bus
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: MOVE!!!!! (usually at ridiculously slow drivers)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
She'll get my vote? In a pig's eye!
Oh, wait, can I say that? Or might it possibly be miscontstrued as a jibe at the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, since she wears eye makeup?
How about this: She'll get my vote? When pigs fly!!!!
Nope, probably not that either -- as an elected official in Alaska, she had to fly, a lot (can't get to Juneau except by boat or plane). So that's probably off limits too.
To paraphrase Binkly from Bloom County, we've become a nation full of offensensitivity; that is, highly and easily offended to the point that normal conversation becomes impossible.
OK, I understand that people have their hot buttons. Lord knows I have enough of them myself.
But honestly, people. Stop a moment, take a deep breath, and really THINK, please.
Yes, Barak Obama made the dreaded, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig" comment this week. Republicans and Hillary-crats have used this to lambast him and accuse him of being sexist.
Now, for all I know Sen. Obama is the most mysogenistic, sexist SOB in the world, and his wife, two daughters, and record of supporting women's issues is all a facade to dupe the American public.
But if you're going to make an argument for that scenario, make it a real argument, please! Act as if you, and your fellow Americans, have enough of a brain to actually read, interpret and evaluate an actual, well-thought out argument rather than a vitriolic diatribe aimed at people's hot buttons!
First of all, the lipstick-wearing pig is a folk expression that's been around forever, people. It means that just because a person SAYS they've (or their ideas) have changed, doesn't mean they actually have. In other words, seeing is believing. Or actions speak louder than words. Or any of a million other adages.
Secondly, this phrase has been used often by Obama, LONG before McCain named a female as his ticket-mate. In fact, it was used by McCain during the hard-fought Democratic primary. In all cases, it was used, as is correct, to refer to a candidates plans, policies or ideas, NOT the candidate themselves.
And, finally, in this case Obama was not referring to Palin at all, INCLUDING her plans, policies or ideas. This was all about McCain.
But now he's sexist.
And what's worse, it's not even just the Republicans who are making this accusation; one can, of course, expect it of them; if they can twist words to their advantage, they will (note: I'm a Democrat, yes, but I also know that they, too, twist words to their advantage. I'm neither stupid nor unrealistic, thanks).
But Democratic women are jumping on the Obama is Sexist bandwagon, too.
Have you women actually paid attention to Palin? Have you listened to her? Have you researched AT ALL her policies, her ideas?
She's a fundamentalist Christian who supports teaching Creationism in schools (more full disclosure; I am also Christian, but I find no conflict with my belief in God and my belief in science).
She's absolutely lied regarding her record. She never said "Thanks but no thanks" to the so-called bridge to nowhere; she removed her support only after Congress decided that the appropriations would go to other projects. And, in fact, Alaska STILL got the money, so she didn't save the taxpayers any money, either.
She is absolutely opposed to legalized abortion, except in cases of rape and incest (notice that the mother's health is not included there).
How, HOW HOW can Democrats consider this woman a step forward? In what way does she support their concerns?
Or do two X chromosomes trump political ideology? Do we believe that we should vote for someone SIMPLY because she's a woman? That she will do a good job SIMPLY because she's a woman?
And if we believe that, how are we any different than certain men (not all, by any means), who believed that there were certain jobs that a woman couldn't do, SIMPLY because she was a woman?
I'm sorry, I don't buy it.
Yes, Palin is female, as am I
Yes, she's a working mother, as am I.
She does not, however, in any way shape or form, believe in what I believe. She is not concerned with my concerns. She does not share my political ideology.
And that, my friends, will never change. Not even when pigs fly.
How about this: She'll get my vote? When pigs fly!!!!
Nope, probably not that either -- as an elected official in Alaska, she had to fly, a lot (can't get to Juneau except by boat or plane). So that's probably off limits too.
To paraphrase Binkly from Bloom County, we've become a nation full of offensensitivity; that is, highly and easily offended to the point that normal conversation becomes impossible.
OK, I understand that people have their hot buttons. Lord knows I have enough of them myself.
But honestly, people. Stop a moment, take a deep breath, and really THINK, please.
Yes, Barak Obama made the dreaded, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig" comment this week. Republicans and Hillary-crats have used this to lambast him and accuse him of being sexist.
Now, for all I know Sen. Obama is the most mysogenistic, sexist SOB in the world, and his wife, two daughters, and record of supporting women's issues is all a facade to dupe the American public.
But if you're going to make an argument for that scenario, make it a real argument, please! Act as if you, and your fellow Americans, have enough of a brain to actually read, interpret and evaluate an actual, well-thought out argument rather than a vitriolic diatribe aimed at people's hot buttons!
First of all, the lipstick-wearing pig is a folk expression that's been around forever, people. It means that just because a person SAYS they've (or their ideas) have changed, doesn't mean they actually have. In other words, seeing is believing. Or actions speak louder than words. Or any of a million other adages.
Secondly, this phrase has been used often by Obama, LONG before McCain named a female as his ticket-mate. In fact, it was used by McCain during the hard-fought Democratic primary. In all cases, it was used, as is correct, to refer to a candidates plans, policies or ideas, NOT the candidate themselves.
And, finally, in this case Obama was not referring to Palin at all, INCLUDING her plans, policies or ideas. This was all about McCain.
But now he's sexist.
And what's worse, it's not even just the Republicans who are making this accusation; one can, of course, expect it of them; if they can twist words to their advantage, they will (note: I'm a Democrat, yes, but I also know that they, too, twist words to their advantage. I'm neither stupid nor unrealistic, thanks).
But Democratic women are jumping on the Obama is Sexist bandwagon, too.
Have you women actually paid attention to Palin? Have you listened to her? Have you researched AT ALL her policies, her ideas?
She's a fundamentalist Christian who supports teaching Creationism in schools (more full disclosure; I am also Christian, but I find no conflict with my belief in God and my belief in science).
She's absolutely lied regarding her record. She never said "Thanks but no thanks" to the so-called bridge to nowhere; she removed her support only after Congress decided that the appropriations would go to other projects. And, in fact, Alaska STILL got the money, so she didn't save the taxpayers any money, either.
She is absolutely opposed to legalized abortion, except in cases of rape and incest (notice that the mother's health is not included there).
How, HOW HOW can Democrats consider this woman a step forward? In what way does she support their concerns?
Or do two X chromosomes trump political ideology? Do we believe that we should vote for someone SIMPLY because she's a woman? That she will do a good job SIMPLY because she's a woman?
And if we believe that, how are we any different than certain men (not all, by any means), who believed that there were certain jobs that a woman couldn't do, SIMPLY because she was a woman?
I'm sorry, I don't buy it.
Yes, Palin is female, as am I
Yes, she's a working mother, as am I.
She does not, however, in any way shape or form, believe in what I believe. She is not concerned with my concerns. She does not share my political ideology.
And that, my friends, will never change. Not even when pigs fly.
I love my school
Or, rather, my kids' school.
Now, to be fair, it has it's ups and downs. I have not been uniformly pleased with everything that has ever happened there, and in fact there have been times when I've been quite distressed about things.
But overall, it's a good school.
Here's an article in Newsweek on "America's struggling boys". Now, to be fair, magazines have to sell to continue to exist, and to sell they tend to, shall we say, exaggerate some things. AND this is an op-ed piece.
But it raises some valid, and scary for those of us who have children, points. And, yes, I did deliberately say children, not boys, because I believe that girls are just as affected by these trends, but it manifests differently in girls.
Anyway, the point of the article is that the recent high incidence of behavioral problems in children, which affect boys to a much larger degree, may have as much to do with ourselves as parents and our society as anything.
To wit: Boys are active. They need to move, they need to yell, they are loud, mobile, energetic creatures. Duh, to anyone who's ever spent more than about 2 seconds with one.
But here's what's happening in our schools and our society:
Now, I will admit, my children do have a pretty scheduled life. But I'm (reasonably) careful about what I schedule them in; and I wouldn't do it if they didn't have some outlet for free play. They're in an afterschool program that does provide for free play; this certainly makes it easier for me to put them into their activities (which they choose, incidentally). Their Dad and I have also begun, for the past two summers, using a babysitter in the summer rather than camps, at least partially to give them down-time.
And, yes, for the record, in their pre-school, there were parents who brought in workbooks that they expected the teachers to use with their kids. The teacher in question adamantly refused, which is one reason I requested her for both my kids (and continue to think she may be the greatest pre-school teacher in the world!).
But back to my school. Here's why I love it, in relation to this article:
Now, in the interests of full disclosure, we have also not met our No Child Left Behind goals the past two years. We missed one goal out of 22. For those of you without kids, to be considered "passing", a school must meet 100% of it's goals. Nice and realistic....
Anyway, to be fair, we are not a School of Excellence.
But given the option, I'd rather be a less than excellent school that actually gives a damn about the minds of the children who attend, not just their test scores.
Now, to be fair, it has it's ups and downs. I have not been uniformly pleased with everything that has ever happened there, and in fact there have been times when I've been quite distressed about things.
But overall, it's a good school.
Here's an article in Newsweek on "America's struggling boys". Now, to be fair, magazines have to sell to continue to exist, and to sell they tend to, shall we say, exaggerate some things. AND this is an op-ed piece.
But it raises some valid, and scary for those of us who have children, points. And, yes, I did deliberately say children, not boys, because I believe that girls are just as affected by these trends, but it manifests differently in girls.
Anyway, the point of the article is that the recent high incidence of behavioral problems in children, which affect boys to a much larger degree, may have as much to do with ourselves as parents and our society as anything.
To wit: Boys are active. They need to move, they need to yell, they are loud, mobile, energetic creatures. Duh, to anyone who's ever spent more than about 2 seconds with one.
But here's what's happening in our schools and our society:
- Children are sent to 'academic' pre-schools, where they are not simply socialized and taught how to get along in a group, but drilled in academics
- Children are enrolled in structured activities to the point of never having any free time to do what they want, or to learn how to entertain themselves
- Schools have cut recess and PE across the board, and have also cut programs such as music, art and science that can provide a tactile, hands on learning environment
- These cuts have been in favor of more rote learning in order to pass the dreaded EOGs (End Of Grade tests)
Now, I will admit, my children do have a pretty scheduled life. But I'm (reasonably) careful about what I schedule them in; and I wouldn't do it if they didn't have some outlet for free play. They're in an afterschool program that does provide for free play; this certainly makes it easier for me to put them into their activities (which they choose, incidentally). Their Dad and I have also begun, for the past two summers, using a babysitter in the summer rather than camps, at least partially to give them down-time.
And, yes, for the record, in their pre-school, there were parents who brought in workbooks that they expected the teachers to use with their kids. The teacher in question adamantly refused, which is one reason I requested her for both my kids (and continue to think she may be the greatest pre-school teacher in the world!).
But back to my school. Here's why I love it, in relation to this article:
- The kids get two half hour PE periods a week. That's twice what the State requires
- In addition, they get a recess period daily. There's a teacher around to monitor for safety, but during recess the kids decide what and how to play.
- We have a science lab, and a dedicated Science teacher. In an elementary school. Depending on their age, the kids go for an hour either weekly or bi-weekly; they do experiments, make use of the creek that runs through the school property, or work in the garden
- The school also has a resident Arts program for 4th graders, where they learn dance, as well as strong music and visual arts programs
- The kids are given plenty of projects that do NOT fall into the category of rote learning
Now, in the interests of full disclosure, we have also not met our No Child Left Behind goals the past two years. We missed one goal out of 22. For those of you without kids, to be considered "passing", a school must meet 100% of it's goals. Nice and realistic....
Anyway, to be fair, we are not a School of Excellence.
But given the option, I'd rather be a less than excellent school that actually gives a damn about the minds of the children who attend, not just their test scores.
What a bloggy day!
Yep, this will be one of those post-a-minute days. Blame it on fighting a cold which put me on the couch yesterday; I did spend time on the computer, but sadly only to fight Skeletal Horrors and Fiends in WoW. Sad, I know, but in my defense I also spent time reading a book on King George, Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicolai. So I wasn't TOTALLY braindead.
But, yes, expect a plethora of posts today!
But, yes, expect a plethora of posts today!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
AIGH!
I'm fighting some sort of nasal/sinus/allergy ooginess. In an attempt to keep myself comfortable, I went to the store to get some saline spray. I just grabbed the first one I saw, which was a store brand, because saline is saline, right?
Well, yeah, but packaging is, apparently, not packaging.
I had some errands to run, and when I got back to my desk, was feeling a little stuffy, so I opened my saline, unwrapped the "sealed for my protection" plastic band, and tried to squirt some up my nose.
THIS bottle of saline apparently has a feature where if you try to squirt it up your nose, the squirting mechanism immediately becomes clogged, so that as you squeeze instead of saline coming out the nozzle, the entire nozzle comes out of the bottle and saline sprays EVERYWHERE.
Yep, everywhere. Now, to be fair, I DID get some in my nose. But also in my hair, all over my face, on my computer, on my OTHER computer, on the wall of my cube, on my file cabinets, on the papers on the OTHER side of my cube, and so on.
Hmph.
Well, yeah, but packaging is, apparently, not packaging.
I had some errands to run, and when I got back to my desk, was feeling a little stuffy, so I opened my saline, unwrapped the "sealed for my protection" plastic band, and tried to squirt some up my nose.
THIS bottle of saline apparently has a feature where if you try to squirt it up your nose, the squirting mechanism immediately becomes clogged, so that as you squeeze instead of saline coming out the nozzle, the entire nozzle comes out of the bottle and saline sprays EVERYWHERE.
Yep, everywhere. Now, to be fair, I DID get some in my nose. But also in my hair, all over my face, on my computer, on my OTHER computer, on the wall of my cube, on my file cabinets, on the papers on the OTHER side of my cube, and so on.
Hmph.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Let them eat cake. Or at least laugh at it.
For some reason, I know TONS of people with September birthdays; nearly as many as April. Not sure what it is about those two months (or, I suppose 9 months preceeding them), and as my birthday's in April and my brother's is in September, I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!
But, yeah, I know lots of folks with September birthdays.
So, in their honor, and because we all need a little silliness on a Monday, two great cake sites.
The first comes thanks to Adrianne. She said it made her laugh out loud; apparently it did me as well, because my cube-mate kept looking at me funny!
The second was actually a link on the Cake Wrecks site, and links back to one of MY favorite sites, so must be included.
But, yeah, I know lots of folks with September birthdays.
So, in their honor, and because we all need a little silliness on a Monday, two great cake sites.
The first comes thanks to Adrianne. She said it made her laugh out loud; apparently it did me as well, because my cube-mate kept looking at me funny!
The second was actually a link on the Cake Wrecks site, and links back to one of MY favorite sites, so must be included.
So much for THAT experiment
I've never been much of a make-up kinda person. Yeah, I HAVE worn it on occasion, but was never able to sustain an intensive make-up routine for an extended period of time. It's just not in my personality; takes too much time.
However, I do usually wear mascara, and I used to wear eyeliner daily.
But about a year ago, my left eyelid got a little swollen. My eyeliner was old, and drying out, so I figured it was a reaction to that, either allergic or just irritation. So, I stopped using it for a couple of days and bought new eyeline (incidentally, I already use hypo-allergenic stuff; I figure between my allergies and my contacts I don't need any other issues!).
Within a day or two of using the new eyeliner, though, the left eyelid got all puffy and swollen again.
So, at this point I figured eyeliner was going to be a special occasion only thing, and quit using it.
Well, I went out and bought new eyeliner for my cruise, figuring that's a special occasion (and, yes, I'm moderately obsessive about not using old makeup). It worked just fine, though to be honest I did not wear it daily.
Then this weekend I was going out on Saturday, and figured, what the heck, so I put on eyeliner. No problems, so Sunday for church I put it on again.
Well, apparently two days in a row is more than my eyes can take. Yep, when I woke up this morning, my left eyelid was swollen and puffy again!
I now officially have the 2nd oddest allergy I've ever heard of: my LEFT upper eyelid is allergic to hypo-allergenic eye makeup. The oddest, for the record, is a reaction to spray-on sunscreen. Not all sunscreen, mind, you, but only spray on!
However, I do usually wear mascara, and I used to wear eyeliner daily.
But about a year ago, my left eyelid got a little swollen. My eyeliner was old, and drying out, so I figured it was a reaction to that, either allergic or just irritation. So, I stopped using it for a couple of days and bought new eyeline (incidentally, I already use hypo-allergenic stuff; I figure between my allergies and my contacts I don't need any other issues!).
Within a day or two of using the new eyeliner, though, the left eyelid got all puffy and swollen again.
So, at this point I figured eyeliner was going to be a special occasion only thing, and quit using it.
Well, I went out and bought new eyeliner for my cruise, figuring that's a special occasion (and, yes, I'm moderately obsessive about not using old makeup). It worked just fine, though to be honest I did not wear it daily.
Then this weekend I was going out on Saturday, and figured, what the heck, so I put on eyeliner. No problems, so Sunday for church I put it on again.
Well, apparently two days in a row is more than my eyes can take. Yep, when I woke up this morning, my left eyelid was swollen and puffy again!
I now officially have the 2nd oddest allergy I've ever heard of: my LEFT upper eyelid is allergic to hypo-allergenic eye makeup. The oddest, for the record, is a reaction to spray-on sunscreen. Not all sunscreen, mind, you, but only spray on!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Well, that was yummy!
Peter had a friend sleep over last night. Because Grace is incapable of remembering to turn off her alarm, the oh-so-lovely strains of High School Musical II woke 3 of the 4 of us up at 6:30 am (yeah, not only does she not turn her alarm off, she also doesn't wake up to it when it does go off...).
Anyway, the boys apparently were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed; I could hear them talking (once I turned of the blaring high schoolers), so I promptly shut my door and ignored them. I periodically heard my door open as Peter peeked in to see if I was awake, finally at 8 I took pity on them and got up!
The boys wanted pancakes for breakfast, so I made up a batch, and cooked a bunch for them (with chocolate chips, of course). The rest of the batch I made plain; I love chocolate, but not for breakfast.
I didn't just want plain old maple syrup, though.
I had a bunch of bananas that were getting a little ripe, so I took one of those, sauteed it with some butter, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg, plus a healthy dollop of whiskey (yes, I see the contradiction in not wanting chocolate, but being just fine with whiskey for breakfast!). The bananas got all nice and soft and warm and yummy! I dumped them over my pancakes, and poof! A yummy breakfast!
I can hear Kathy cringing now, though....
Anyway, the boys apparently were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed; I could hear them talking (once I turned of the blaring high schoolers), so I promptly shut my door and ignored them. I periodically heard my door open as Peter peeked in to see if I was awake, finally at 8 I took pity on them and got up!
The boys wanted pancakes for breakfast, so I made up a batch, and cooked a bunch for them (with chocolate chips, of course). The rest of the batch I made plain; I love chocolate, but not for breakfast.
I didn't just want plain old maple syrup, though.
I had a bunch of bananas that were getting a little ripe, so I took one of those, sauteed it with some butter, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg, plus a healthy dollop of whiskey (yes, I see the contradiction in not wanting chocolate, but being just fine with whiskey for breakfast!). The bananas got all nice and soft and warm and yummy! I dumped them over my pancakes, and poof! A yummy breakfast!
I can hear Kathy cringing now, though....
Friday, September 05, 2008
Can I cry over spilled sauerkruat?
I had a yummy lunch today. Kielbasa, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and green beans.
It was supposed to be my lunch yesterday, but I got a better offer and went out to lunch. But I was really looking forward to it today; I'd kinda like to leave early, so eating at my desk is a good thing. Plus, it was yummy!
So, I had to run some errands, and on my way back in stopped by the breakroom and heated up my lunch. I saw my Grand-Boss there, and he asked me to do something, so I was scooting back to my desk, lunch in hand, mind on my task....
When something totally bizarre happened and I dropped my yummy lunch! Sauerkraut EVERYWHERE!!!!
And now I have no lunch. :-(
It was supposed to be my lunch yesterday, but I got a better offer and went out to lunch. But I was really looking forward to it today; I'd kinda like to leave early, so eating at my desk is a good thing. Plus, it was yummy!
So, I had to run some errands, and on my way back in stopped by the breakroom and heated up my lunch. I saw my Grand-Boss there, and he asked me to do something, so I was scooting back to my desk, lunch in hand, mind on my task....
When something totally bizarre happened and I dropped my yummy lunch! Sauerkraut EVERYWHERE!!!!
And now I have no lunch. :-(
Thursday, September 04, 2008
I like my old perspective, thanks!
They say that sometimes all you need is a new perspective on things.
Yeah, well after this morning I'll keep my old perspective!
I wear contacts, and usually deal just fine with them. I take decent care of them, change them appropriately, and so on, and in return they work just fine for me.
But occasionally I screw something up.
The case I keep them in at night has one of the covers marked with an L; you're meant to put it on the side that has the Left contact in. I do this probably 99.999999999% of the time.
But apparently not last night.
When I got up this morning, the side with the L on it was on the container on the RIGHT. Now, I normally put them in, put the tops on, and then leave them -- it's not normal for me to then turn the case around so that L is on the right.
But then again, I normally put the L top on the left contact.
So, there's the delemma. Do I believe the top, or do I belive the orientation of the case?
I went with the top, but here's the catch -- my eyes are just slightly, slightly different, so if I choose poorly, it's not immediately obvious.
In this instance, I chose poorly. It took me a couple of hours to figure it out, but eventually I did, went to the bathroom at work, and swapped the contacts back to the correct eyes.
Ah, yes. THAT perspective is much better!
Yeah, well after this morning I'll keep my old perspective!
I wear contacts, and usually deal just fine with them. I take decent care of them, change them appropriately, and so on, and in return they work just fine for me.
But occasionally I screw something up.
The case I keep them in at night has one of the covers marked with an L; you're meant to put it on the side that has the Left contact in. I do this probably 99.999999999% of the time.
But apparently not last night.
When I got up this morning, the side with the L on it was on the container on the RIGHT. Now, I normally put them in, put the tops on, and then leave them -- it's not normal for me to then turn the case around so that L is on the right.
But then again, I normally put the L top on the left contact.
So, there's the delemma. Do I believe the top, or do I belive the orientation of the case?
I went with the top, but here's the catch -- my eyes are just slightly, slightly different, so if I choose poorly, it's not immediately obvious.
In this instance, I chose poorly. It took me a couple of hours to figure it out, but eventually I did, went to the bathroom at work, and swapped the contacts back to the correct eyes.
Ah, yes. THAT perspective is much better!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
That was WONDERFUL
Whoa! OK, kudos to the Carrboro Recreation and Parks department! They've always been incredibly well organized when it comes to registration; typically if you're at the department when they start registration, you can be done in less than 30 minutes, even if you're several people back in line.
But still, online registration rocks! I was done 6 minutes after registration opened!
And I didn't have to refresh even once.....
But still, online registration rocks! I was done 6 minutes after registration opened!
And I didn't have to refresh even once.....
Tick....Tick.....Tick....
Carrboro Recreation and Parks department, where the kids play basketball and baseball, has finally entered the online world. Ordinarily at this time I would be waiting in line to register the kids for basketball; as it is, I'm waiting for it to be 8:30 so that I can register them online!
Whooo! Less than a minute to go! Gotta go hit refresh!
Whooo! Less than a minute to go! Gotta go hit refresh!
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