Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Meineke? I thought it was YOUR key!
(snicker)
Peter and I are in Charlotte for the Meineke Car Care Bowl; this is Carolina's first Bowl appearance since 2004 (same bowl). We're excited.
So, we dropped G off with Granddaddy this evening so she could have a sleepover, got a quick bite to eat, then bopped down I-85 to Charlotte. We're now ensconced in the Springhill Suites near Concord Mills shopping center and Lowe's Motor Speedway. More to the point, it's near Cindi's house! We're riding to the game tomorrow with her.
We got checked, and immediately ran over to the nearby Starbucks for dessert and drinks. I got a peppermint mocha (decaf, of course), Peter got a hot chocolate, and we split a lemon pound cake slice and a chocolate cake doughnut (though, honestly, the doughnut isn't that good, so I'm thinking it'll get tossed.
And now Peter is watching other bowl games (and Disney), I'm blogging, and serious considering my jammies.
Peter and I are in Charlotte for the Meineke Car Care Bowl; this is Carolina's first Bowl appearance since 2004 (same bowl). We're excited.
So, we dropped G off with Granddaddy this evening so she could have a sleepover, got a quick bite to eat, then bopped down I-85 to Charlotte. We're now ensconced in the Springhill Suites near Concord Mills shopping center and Lowe's Motor Speedway. More to the point, it's near Cindi's house! We're riding to the game tomorrow with her.
We got checked, and immediately ran over to the nearby Starbucks for dessert and drinks. I got a peppermint mocha (decaf, of course), Peter got a hot chocolate, and we split a lemon pound cake slice and a chocolate cake doughnut (though, honestly, the doughnut isn't that good, so I'm thinking it'll get tossed.
And now Peter is watching other bowl games (and Disney), I'm blogging, and serious considering my jammies.
Proud Mom
So, I'm a very proud Mom this Christmas season.
First of all, both my kids did VERY well in choir; they sang on Sunday and on Christmas Eve.
Secondly, Peter did one of the readings at the Christmas Eve service; he was the only young kid who read; a high schooler also read a lesson, as did a college student and several adults. Most of the readings were a few verses.
But not Peter's. Nope, his was about 10 or 11, easily the longest reading of all! AND he had to go first! He did a great job, though, and got lots of compliments.
Then today when the kids' Dad came over to visit, he asked Peter if he'd shown me his blog. "What blog?" I say! Turns out Peter started a sports blog a few days ago. It's quite good, even if I am a biased reporter!
So, yes, I'm basking a bit in my pride this morning! And, since Peter and I are going to go to the UNC bowl game tomorrow, he'll have even MORE to blog about!
First of all, both my kids did VERY well in choir; they sang on Sunday and on Christmas Eve.
Secondly, Peter did one of the readings at the Christmas Eve service; he was the only young kid who read; a high schooler also read a lesson, as did a college student and several adults. Most of the readings were a few verses.
But not Peter's. Nope, his was about 10 or 11, easily the longest reading of all! AND he had to go first! He did a great job, though, and got lots of compliments.
Then today when the kids' Dad came over to visit, he asked Peter if he'd shown me his blog. "What blog?" I say! Turns out Peter started a sports blog a few days ago. It's quite good, even if I am a biased reporter!
So, yes, I'm basking a bit in my pride this morning! And, since Peter and I are going to go to the UNC bowl game tomorrow, he'll have even MORE to blog about!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Overstuffed
I love office pot-lucks, but now I'm terribly overstuffed, and need a nap like you wouldn't believe!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What are the odds of that?!?!
I was at the grocery store last night, and the young man in front of me was buying, roughly, 900 cases of beer! So, needless to say, he got carded, and the cashier commented, "Oh, you're birthday's the 9th? Mine's the 8th!".
Now, my birthday is April 9th, but I figured it was ego-centric of me to assume that just because they were talking about the same day, it was the same MONTH as mine. So I kept quiet.
But then they kept chatting about it, and finally said something about, "Well, April birthdays are the best." At that point I could no longer contain myself, and said, "Hang on, you're birthday is APRIL 9th? And 8th?" They nodded. I said, "Mine's the 9th, too, and my son's is the 10th!"
How weird is that?
Now, my birthday is April 9th, but I figured it was ego-centric of me to assume that just because they were talking about the same day, it was the same MONTH as mine. So I kept quiet.
But then they kept chatting about it, and finally said something about, "Well, April birthdays are the best." At that point I could no longer contain myself, and said, "Hang on, you're birthday is APRIL 9th? And 8th?" They nodded. I said, "Mine's the 9th, too, and my son's is the 10th!"
How weird is that?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
That's just wrong...
For the record, Baby is the brand of bologna. But they need to be a little more careful with their labelling...
Monday, December 15, 2008
Does that glazed look mean you're not listening?
(Aside: It's been 11 days since I've blogged?!?!?! Heavens!!!!)
The kid's Dad was in the local paper today; we knew he was going to be there, but didn't know that it was going to literally be the front page. So, needless to say, they were VERY excited when they brought the paper in.
I told them to set the section aside so they could take it to him tomorrow night so he could have a hard copy of the article if he wanted. Peter didn't react, but Grace looked at me as if I were nutso, and said, "Hard copy?"
So, I tried to explain the difference between a hard and soft copy, which of course led into a discussion of hard and soft ware. Peter had heard it all before, because on Sunday I had him call his grandfather to ask if he wanted a hard copy of my Uncle Bob's obituary. So he affected a worldly and knowing attitude for his little sister (I spilled the beans on him, though).
I'm not entirely sure they get it, though; primarily because the notion of NOT having access to soft copies is utterly foreign to them!
The kid's Dad was in the local paper today; we knew he was going to be there, but didn't know that it was going to literally be the front page. So, needless to say, they were VERY excited when they brought the paper in.
I told them to set the section aside so they could take it to him tomorrow night so he could have a hard copy of the article if he wanted. Peter didn't react, but Grace looked at me as if I were nutso, and said, "Hard copy?"
So, I tried to explain the difference between a hard and soft copy, which of course led into a discussion of hard and soft ware. Peter had heard it all before, because on Sunday I had him call his grandfather to ask if he wanted a hard copy of my Uncle Bob's obituary. So he affected a worldly and knowing attitude for his little sister (I spilled the beans on him, though).
I'm not entirely sure they get it, though; primarily because the notion of NOT having access to soft copies is utterly foreign to them!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
A Conversation with Peter
The Scene: the living room couch, Me drinking Port and eating Hershey's Miniatures, Peter watching basketball.
Me (looking vainly for one more bite of chocolate): Is that really the last of my chocolate?
Peter: There's more down here! (points to the candy bowl he's brought in from the den)
Me: You brought that in here?
Peter: Yes! I like my candy better in here!
Me (looking vainly for one more bite of chocolate): Is that really the last of my chocolate?
Peter: There's more down here! (points to the candy bowl he's brought in from the den)
Me: You brought that in here?
Peter: Yes! I like my candy better in here!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
My Dirty Little Secret
OK, so it's not particularly exciting, and, honestly, is probably not anything that my close friends and family members would be particularly surprised about. But still.
Every year about this time (not before Thanksgiving, not too long after) I pull out my Christmas CDs and begin playing them in the car. Some are old favorites from my childhood (Robert Shaw Chorale), some are new ones that I've discovered (The Chieftains, a Rock and Roll Christmas). I usually buy a couple of new CDs every year or so, some of which are good and make it into the heavy rotation pile, and some of which, quite frankly, stink.
And everyone pretty much assumes that I do this because I love Christmas, and Christmas carols, and Christmas songs. And I do. Truly.
But that's not the real reason....
My church has a Director of Music who's fairly strict liturgically; he's frequently asked why he doesn't play/sing more Christmas music in Church in December. His response is, "Because it's not Christmas yet, it's Advent!" So, yeah, we don't get around to singing the carols till late in the month.
And I need the weeks of Advent singing carols in my car. Not because I need to remember the words, or I need the practice singing (though, this year my wind is off -- no running and lots of colds!)
No, I need that time to desensitize myself. Deep down, I'm a terrible softie, and virtually every Christmas Carol ever written makes me cry! I was driving to work today listening to the Chieftains, and the Wexford Carol came on (one of my faves, and actually written in my range), and I COULD NOT choke the words out! Can't do it.
So, yeah, I do love the music. But really, I'm building up my resistance so that when we DO sing them in church, I won't become a blubbering mess!
Every year about this time (not before Thanksgiving, not too long after) I pull out my Christmas CDs and begin playing them in the car. Some are old favorites from my childhood (Robert Shaw Chorale), some are new ones that I've discovered (The Chieftains, a Rock and Roll Christmas). I usually buy a couple of new CDs every year or so, some of which are good and make it into the heavy rotation pile, and some of which, quite frankly, stink.
And everyone pretty much assumes that I do this because I love Christmas, and Christmas carols, and Christmas songs. And I do. Truly.
But that's not the real reason....
My church has a Director of Music who's fairly strict liturgically; he's frequently asked why he doesn't play/sing more Christmas music in Church in December. His response is, "Because it's not Christmas yet, it's Advent!" So, yeah, we don't get around to singing the carols till late in the month.
And I need the weeks of Advent singing carols in my car. Not because I need to remember the words, or I need the practice singing (though, this year my wind is off -- no running and lots of colds!)
No, I need that time to desensitize myself. Deep down, I'm a terrible softie, and virtually every Christmas Carol ever written makes me cry! I was driving to work today listening to the Chieftains, and the Wexford Carol came on (one of my faves, and actually written in my range), and I COULD NOT choke the words out! Can't do it.
So, yeah, I do love the music. But really, I'm building up my resistance so that when we DO sing them in church, I won't become a blubbering mess!
Monday, December 01, 2008
Wow! That was NICE!!
In every parenting career, there are some watershed, milestone moments. The first time your darling, lovely, SCREAMING child sleeps through the night. The first time you leave the house without a stroller, diaper bag, change of clothes, etc. The first day of school.
And the first time your child single handedly (OK, nearly single handedly) makes dinner!
Peter has completed all the requirements for the Arrow of Light, which is the highest rank Cub Scouts give. He's still got a few months, though, before he'll cross over to Boy Scouts. Lots of Scouts, Peter included, fill the time by trying to get their Super Achiever Award, which basically means they've earned all 20 of the Webelos pins.
One of the pins is the Family Member pin; on of it's requirements is to help plan the meals for your family for a week, help do the shopping, and help prepare at least three meals.
Woot!
So, Sunday night he and I sat down and planned our menu for this week, and decided that tonight we'd have tilapia. We went shopping, and got everything we needed.
On Mondays Peter rides the bus home. Also on Mondays we have a bit of a tight schedule; G has To Shin Do at 5, and today she ALSO had a basketball practice at 7:15. We were NOT going to be able to eat if I started cooking at 6:15 after getting home from To Shin Do.
Enter Peter the cook.
When he got home and finished his homework, I had him start the prep work for dinner (basically just making the bread crumbs that would go on the fish). He did that easily, though for some reason couldn't find the garlic and dill, but decided to improvise spices. When G and I got home at 4:30, I put the breadcrumbs on the fish, then put the oven on delay bake; the fish would be done at 6:15. We went to To Shin Do, Peter got his Christmas List made while she was there, then we picked her up, and headed home.
The fish was done; Peter quickly made the green beans and the corn, while I set the table, and we were sitting down eating by about 6:20. It seems silly, but there's no WAY I could've done it without Peter's prepwork and help.
I LOVE having a kid who's competent in the kitchen!
And the first time your child single handedly (OK, nearly single handedly) makes dinner!
Peter has completed all the requirements for the Arrow of Light, which is the highest rank Cub Scouts give. He's still got a few months, though, before he'll cross over to Boy Scouts. Lots of Scouts, Peter included, fill the time by trying to get their Super Achiever Award, which basically means they've earned all 20 of the Webelos pins.
One of the pins is the Family Member pin; on of it's requirements is to help plan the meals for your family for a week, help do the shopping, and help prepare at least three meals.
Woot!
So, Sunday night he and I sat down and planned our menu for this week, and decided that tonight we'd have tilapia. We went shopping, and got everything we needed.
On Mondays Peter rides the bus home. Also on Mondays we have a bit of a tight schedule; G has To Shin Do at 5, and today she ALSO had a basketball practice at 7:15. We were NOT going to be able to eat if I started cooking at 6:15 after getting home from To Shin Do.
Enter Peter the cook.
When he got home and finished his homework, I had him start the prep work for dinner (basically just making the bread crumbs that would go on the fish). He did that easily, though for some reason couldn't find the garlic and dill, but decided to improvise spices. When G and I got home at 4:30, I put the breadcrumbs on the fish, then put the oven on delay bake; the fish would be done at 6:15. We went to To Shin Do, Peter got his Christmas List made while she was there, then we picked her up, and headed home.
The fish was done; Peter quickly made the green beans and the corn, while I set the table, and we were sitting down eating by about 6:20. It seems silly, but there's no WAY I could've done it without Peter's prepwork and help.
I LOVE having a kid who's competent in the kitchen!
Yay! A blog for Monday!
Thanks to Cindi, I have something to blog about other than how sad I am that I can't find my favorite Christmas CD (A Rock and Roll Christmas, with Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses!), and how my second favorite was fine, but not great.
So, yeah, here's another silly but fun little list (annotated, of course -- this is, after all MY blog!)
THE BUCKET LIST
Place an X by all the things you've done.
( )Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(X) Been to Canada (a weird, unprepared day-trip to Montreal)
(X) Been to Mexico (twice)
(x) Been to Florida (lived there, hated it)
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost (rarely, this is why I carry an Atlas in my car)
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington , DC (Just got back from there, as a matter of fact)
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X) Made prank phone call
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere.
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Gone to the movies
Any nickname? I go by a nickname, does that count? But, yeah, I've had tons -- for some reason Meg seems to be a very nick-nameable name.
How much do you love your job? LOL! Depends on the day...
Birthplace? Durham, NC
Favorite vacation spot? I don't think I've found it yet!
Ever been to Africa? No (Gee, thanks, Dad.... ;-) )
Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? No, but I've eaten just ice cream for lunch
Ever been on TV? Yeah, but just in a crowd -- once when the choral ensemble my brother sang in was filler for the end of the local news, and once at a baseball game (I saw the former, was told about the latter)
Ever steal any traffic signs? Yes, but it was already knocked down! (funny, that's the same answer Cindi gave....)
Ever been in a car accident? Good Lord, yes, but luckily never one where there was damage to anything other than a car. Oh, and a bus....
Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 5. My way-back opens with a door-door, not a hatchback. It's a big door-door, but a door-door.
Can you drive a standard (manual shift) car? Of course, and I call it a stick shift (but that's another list!)
Now, can anyone tell me where my Christmas CD is?
.
So, yeah, here's another silly but fun little list (annotated, of course -- this is, after all MY blog!)
THE BUCKET LIST
Place an X by all the things you've done.
( )Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(X) Been to Canada (a weird, unprepared day-trip to Montreal)
(X) Been to Mexico (twice)
(x) Been to Florida (lived there, hated it)
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost (rarely, this is why I carry an Atlas in my car)
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington , DC (Just got back from there, as a matter of fact)
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X) Made prank phone call
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere.
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Gone to the movies
Any nickname? I go by a nickname, does that count? But, yeah, I've had tons -- for some reason Meg seems to be a very nick-nameable name.
How much do you love your job? LOL! Depends on the day...
Birthplace? Durham, NC
Favorite vacation spot? I don't think I've found it yet!
Ever been to Africa? No (Gee, thanks, Dad.... ;-) )
Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? No, but I've eaten just ice cream for lunch
Ever been on TV? Yeah, but just in a crowd -- once when the choral ensemble my brother sang in was filler for the end of the local news, and once at a baseball game (I saw the former, was told about the latter)
Ever steal any traffic signs? Yes, but it was already knocked down! (funny, that's the same answer Cindi gave....)
Ever been in a car accident? Good Lord, yes, but luckily never one where there was damage to anything other than a car. Oh, and a bus....
Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 5. My way-back opens with a door-door, not a hatchback. It's a big door-door, but a door-door.
Can you drive a standard (manual shift) car? Of course, and I call it a stick shift (but that's another list!)
Now, can anyone tell me where my Christmas CD is?
.
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