Here it is, for those who have requested it.
Friday (yesterday) : Movie night - The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Saturday (today) : Pie making lessons at 2:30. Gift bags to those participating
Sunday : Church (9-12), Tamales (from Joe T. Garcia's) and Pictionary (5 pm).
Monday : Beignet brunch (10 ish), Break out Jigsaw puzzle #1
Tuesday : Make Your Own Ornaments at Vetro Glass Blowing Studio, Grapevine 1 pm.
Wednesday : Progressive Church services (CBC at 6, St. Nicholas at 9, St. Annes at 12 am)
Thursday : Home then Grandmas
Saturday :
Sunday : Church (9-12), Grapevine Bead Store (?)
It gets spotty after that... any suggestions?
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Small Town
I never really feel like I live in a small town. Occasionally you might run into a friend, a neighbor, the mom of the kid on the baseball team... People are so busy and always on the go. I rarely have the It's a Wonderful Life kind of small town feel... Tonight was an exception.
When I walked out of the grocery, I saw a lady lying in the road, right in front of the store. She was on her back in obvious pain. Her buggy and purse were next to her, and another woman was kneeling down next to her. I dropped my purse and bag, and went around to the other side of the woman. It was bitter cold, so I took my coat off (I had two on...) and covered her. The teenager who had been helping her had put his coat over her as well, and had gone inside to get help. After a moment of figuring out what had happened, I realized the other lady lives a couple of houses up the street. Angela is her name. She was on her cell phone trying to get in touch with the woman's husband. Within a moment, I looked around and realized - hey! There's Betty Jo from church who gave her scarf to help keep the woman's head warm. (It was determined that the woman had tripped over the curb and hit her head pretty hard on the pavement, and so we made her stay there until help came). And there's Coach Mario from baseball! He was on the phone making sure to call 911, when we weren't sure the call had been made inside. A man I didn't know had kneeled down next to me. He reached out to hold the lady's hand. When I looked again, I believe he was praying silently for her. Then, he was gone, without a word. I looked over. Another man had taken on the task of directing traffic in front of the store. I remember hearing him shout something to the effect of "come on! come on! dont' **** with me!" The language seemed a little unnecessary I thought, but afterwards, I was thankful he had taken on that task. He kept people moving and kept anyone else from getting hurt. Without him, the fire truck and ambulance would not have been able to get through.
Just seemed reassuring at the time, during this 10 - 15 minutes of bizarreness, that the Flower plex isn't as hustle bustle and impersonal as it can seem. Just what I needed this Christmas.
When I walked out of the grocery, I saw a lady lying in the road, right in front of the store. She was on her back in obvious pain. Her buggy and purse were next to her, and another woman was kneeling down next to her. I dropped my purse and bag, and went around to the other side of the woman. It was bitter cold, so I took my coat off (I had two on...) and covered her. The teenager who had been helping her had put his coat over her as well, and had gone inside to get help. After a moment of figuring out what had happened, I realized the other lady lives a couple of houses up the street. Angela is her name. She was on her cell phone trying to get in touch with the woman's husband. Within a moment, I looked around and realized - hey! There's Betty Jo from church who gave her scarf to help keep the woman's head warm. (It was determined that the woman had tripped over the curb and hit her head pretty hard on the pavement, and so we made her stay there until help came). And there's Coach Mario from baseball! He was on the phone making sure to call 911, when we weren't sure the call had been made inside. A man I didn't know had kneeled down next to me. He reached out to hold the lady's hand. When I looked again, I believe he was praying silently for her. Then, he was gone, without a word. I looked over. Another man had taken on the task of directing traffic in front of the store. I remember hearing him shout something to the effect of "come on! come on! dont' **** with me!" The language seemed a little unnecessary I thought, but afterwards, I was thankful he had taken on that task. He kept people moving and kept anyone else from getting hurt. Without him, the fire truck and ambulance would not have been able to get through.
Just seemed reassuring at the time, during this 10 - 15 minutes of bizarreness, that the Flower plex isn't as hustle bustle and impersonal as it can seem. Just what I needed this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Domestic Happiness
Yesterday's happiness...
1. Doggie Diapers arrived for our leaky senior citizen lab. She does not share my happiness about them.
2. The new Bucknell calendar arrived with many beautiful pictures of campus.
3. I'm planning an activity calendar for what I plan to do with our 2 ish week vacation. It will be published when complete and any of our family and friends who care to join us are welcome. I may be alone for many of these planned activities, but it will help keep me from spending 2 weeks on the couch watching football and Jim Carey movies.
4. I think I have mastered a crocheted hat that does not look like human anatomy. Of course, it's not finished yet.
5. My laptop came back from "THE DEPOT" all repaired and good as new!
6. Something that didn't happen that was supposed to happen, finally happened even after I had accepted the fact that chances of it happening were slim to none.
7. #1 son is under the weather, so instead of pushing a day of school work, he napped, did some math, and I got many household chores done - including shower scrubbing and rug cleaning! woohoo!
8. The felt advent calendar with little plastic velcro elves (circa 1969) is up and updated - officially marking the start of the 2008 Christmas season.
9. The remaining four of us sat down together for dinner last night. Spaghetti. That's not an everyday thing anymore, so I'm always happy when the planets align, and it happens.
10. Speaking of dinner, I have also planned out 5 weeks worth of dinners that I plan to try sticking with sort of. Hopefully this will keep me from scrambling at the last minute, and giving in to Sonic or Taco Belle for lack of a better plan....
11. I didn't spend any money!! Go me!!
I fully expect today to have just as much domestic happiness. With a math test thrown in for good measure (yep, seniors, that means you...)
1. Doggie Diapers arrived for our leaky senior citizen lab. She does not share my happiness about them.
2. The new Bucknell calendar arrived with many beautiful pictures of campus.
3. I'm planning an activity calendar for what I plan to do with our 2 ish week vacation. It will be published when complete and any of our family and friends who care to join us are welcome. I may be alone for many of these planned activities, but it will help keep me from spending 2 weeks on the couch watching football and Jim Carey movies.
4. I think I have mastered a crocheted hat that does not look like human anatomy. Of course, it's not finished yet.
5. My laptop came back from "THE DEPOT" all repaired and good as new!
6. Something that didn't happen that was supposed to happen, finally happened even after I had accepted the fact that chances of it happening were slim to none.
7. #1 son is under the weather, so instead of pushing a day of school work, he napped, did some math, and I got many household chores done - including shower scrubbing and rug cleaning! woohoo!
8. The felt advent calendar with little plastic velcro elves (circa 1969) is up and updated - officially marking the start of the 2008 Christmas season.
9. The remaining four of us sat down together for dinner last night. Spaghetti. That's not an everyday thing anymore, so I'm always happy when the planets align, and it happens.
10. Speaking of dinner, I have also planned out 5 weeks worth of dinners that I plan to try sticking with sort of. Hopefully this will keep me from scrambling at the last minute, and giving in to Sonic or Taco Belle for lack of a better plan....
11. I didn't spend any money!! Go me!!
I fully expect today to have just as much domestic happiness. With a math test thrown in for good measure (yep, seniors, that means you...)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My dad watched some football when I was a kid. All I remember about football in the 60s was the commercial with Santa riding a Norelco razor. There were some about car batteries, motor oil, and Firestone steel belted radials.
Now, they show this commercial. Once (sometimes twice) EVERY commercial break. It's only a matter of time before our 9yo son asks "What is ED?"
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, and chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair, I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men".
Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs.
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, and chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair, I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men".
Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
That time of the (school) year...
... when the seniors hate everything to do with school, don't care about the rules or petty consequences of breaking them (white slips? please...) and never ever miss an opportunity to remind you of what they think.
... when planning for next year's classes - and teaching assignments - begins, and I begin wondering whether to keep doing what I'm doing, and why I decided to do it again for one more year.
... when the enthusiasm and optimism that I had in August begin to fade, and my focus and effort in planning seem to falter.
... when I head to monster.com to remind myself that I really will never go back to what I was doing before I started doing this.
... when planning for next year's classes - and teaching assignments - begins, and I begin wondering whether to keep doing what I'm doing, and why I decided to do it again for one more year.
... when the enthusiasm and optimism that I had in August begin to fade, and my focus and effort in planning seem to falter.
... when I head to monster.com to remind myself that I really will never go back to what I was doing before I started doing this.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Looking forward...
Things I am really looking forward to, with the upcoming holiday:
1. Having many kids at home together under one roof. Usually the noise makes me nutty, but I will enjoy it - for the first day, anyway.
2. Working a jigsaw puzzle.
3. College football.
4. Sleeping late - spending days in my pjs.
5. Pictionary (per daughter #2's request).
6. The possibility of spending an hour or two alone with my dear husband.
7. A bookstore crawl, with coffee.
8. Speaking of coffee - double Gingerbread latte, extra hot, WITH whipped cream. (I think this has as many calories as one complete thanksgiving dinner, with dessert and dressing...)
9. Watching A Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf.
10. Maybe a bike ride or two - depending on the weather.
I'm ready.
1. Having many kids at home together under one roof. Usually the noise makes me nutty, but I will enjoy it - for the first day, anyway.
2. Working a jigsaw puzzle.
3. College football.
4. Sleeping late - spending days in my pjs.
5. Pictionary (per daughter #2's request).
6. The possibility of spending an hour or two alone with my dear husband.
7. A bookstore crawl, with coffee.
8. Speaking of coffee - double Gingerbread latte, extra hot, WITH whipped cream. (I think this has as many calories as one complete thanksgiving dinner, with dessert and dressing...)
9. Watching A Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf.
10. Maybe a bike ride or two - depending on the weather.
I'm ready.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My Tutor
So, I have just completed my final tutoring session with a particular person who shall remain nameless. This tutor of mine has taught me many things...
1. Wify sells Tom's Shoes.
2. Polichinelles are little clowns, and just one small step in the Nutcracker career ladder.
3. The importance of rubber duckies and Disney Princesses cannot be overemphasized.
4. You can do many amazing things on a graphing calculator. Like figure out what the square root of 16 is. Or 2 + 3.
5. Graphs = good. Fractions = bad.
6. Pi Day is for making pie. (March 14).
7. Latin fusion uses a whole different muscle set than classical ballet, which uses the undermuscles (!).
...and so much more.
So, to my tutor ... Thanks for my lessons, for making me smile, and for sharing your knowledge with me! (Insert a big hug here).
1. Wify sells Tom's Shoes.
2. Polichinelles are little clowns, and just one small step in the Nutcracker career ladder.
3. The importance of rubber duckies and Disney Princesses cannot be overemphasized.
4. You can do many amazing things on a graphing calculator. Like figure out what the square root of 16 is. Or 2 + 3.
5. Graphs = good. Fractions = bad.
6. Pi Day is for making pie. (March 14).
7. Latin fusion uses a whole different muscle set than classical ballet, which uses the undermuscles (!).
...and so much more.
So, to my tutor ... Thanks for my lessons, for making me smile, and for sharing your knowledge with me! (Insert a big hug here).
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Today is a scary day. When people ask about our kids, we go down the list. Oh, #1 seems to be doing ok. Working. Boyfriend. Just doing her thing. #2 is good - Pre-Vet, doing well at school. #3 is at school, seems to be enjoying it. Contacts us pretty regularly. Seems to be getting some schoolwork done as well. Then we get to #4. Where's she going to school? "Oh (chuckling), we are just focusing on getting through High School right now (more chuckling)."
Last week, that job got complicated. I'm not chuckling any more.
We live in a town with more than it's fair share of Superkids with super opportunities. It keeps them busy, going, in demand, self-assured, their futures look bright, their options - seemingly limitless.
#4 is a Superkid, but not in the same way. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She is a friend to all and a friend for life (a "connector" according to Malcolm Gladwell). She wants to change the world. She questions authority, wonders why things can't change, wonders why people have to live in poverty, would (and does) literally give away all she has to someone who might be in need. She sees a life far, far beyond this town, and with people - different people - all kinds of people - and she sees them... really sees them.
We learned early on she wouldn't be disciplined - taking away any allowance didn't work, because she just gives away the money she has. Grounding? Her response was "I'm really looking forward to getting to spend some extra time with you guys!".
She's athletic and studious. She's not a superstar athlete or student. Her judgement can be poor, and her choices not the best, but she will turn any and every disadvantage into an opportunity. She is well loved. By alot of people. I am reminded of this every day. So even though her path has taken a left turn, and we have some decisions to make, I'm anxious to see what she will do with the opportunities that will come of it.
Last week, that job got complicated. I'm not chuckling any more.
We live in a town with more than it's fair share of Superkids with super opportunities. It keeps them busy, going, in demand, self-assured, their futures look bright, their options - seemingly limitless.
#4 is a Superkid, but not in the same way. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She is a friend to all and a friend for life (a "connector" according to Malcolm Gladwell). She wants to change the world. She questions authority, wonders why things can't change, wonders why people have to live in poverty, would (and does) literally give away all she has to someone who might be in need. She sees a life far, far beyond this town, and with people - different people - all kinds of people - and she sees them... really sees them.
We learned early on she wouldn't be disciplined - taking away any allowance didn't work, because she just gives away the money she has. Grounding? Her response was "I'm really looking forward to getting to spend some extra time with you guys!".
She's athletic and studious. She's not a superstar athlete or student. Her judgement can be poor, and her choices not the best, but she will turn any and every disadvantage into an opportunity. She is well loved. By alot of people. I am reminded of this every day. So even though her path has taken a left turn, and we have some decisions to make, I'm anxious to see what she will do with the opportunities that will come of it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Party Day
Yesterday in SAT prep, it was party day. Last Saturday was the actual PSAT - 2 hours and 30 minutes of inane multiple choice questions under strict no-talk, don't move type conditions - and there was no school on Wednesday and Thursday due to teacher conferences. Needless to say, a party-like atmosphere reigned on Friday regardless of what lessons were planned.
I had told them in advance, that I would bring jeopardy, snacks, and the Wii.
Jeopardy is a power point that someone out there in the world created that can be filled with whatever questions you want to ask. I filled this one with history/grammar/math/literature/bible questions that come from our schools curriculum for grades 1-5. Sort of like Jeopardy meets "Are you smarter than a CDA 5th grader". It was fun hearing the "Oh Oh I remember that"...
Then, on to donuts, chips and salsa, goldfish crackers and mountain dew. (You teens and parents of teens know, this is manna).
Then on to Wii play. No, no Halo. One class played it on the TV, low key, everyone playing or watching contentedly. The other class immediately "pimped" the set up - the Wii got hooked up to the computer projector, and one student's iPod got connected to the speakers. Wii play with a bass thumping techno sound track. Those kids are so smart about some things it scares me.
I had told them in advance, that I would bring jeopardy, snacks, and the Wii.
Jeopardy is a power point that someone out there in the world created that can be filled with whatever questions you want to ask. I filled this one with history/grammar/math/literature/bible questions that come from our schools curriculum for grades 1-5. Sort of like Jeopardy meets "Are you smarter than a CDA 5th grader". It was fun hearing the "Oh Oh I remember that"...
Then, on to donuts, chips and salsa, goldfish crackers and mountain dew. (You teens and parents of teens know, this is manna).
Then on to Wii play. No, no Halo. One class played it on the TV, low key, everyone playing or watching contentedly. The other class immediately "pimped" the set up - the Wii got hooked up to the computer projector, and one student's iPod got connected to the speakers. Wii play with a bass thumping techno sound track. Those kids are so smart about some things it scares me.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thoughts for the day...
Someone suggested to me today that a certain democratic presidential candidate was really a socialist - even a borderline fascist.
Among all of the comments, criticisms and ridiculous accusations I hear about a certain democratic presidential candidate and his party predecessor, this one made me pause just based on world ideology. Does socialism lead to fascism? I thought socialism was a liberal, global economic system that emphasized allegiance among members of the same socio-economic group rather than among members of the same nationalistic identity (Marx's International Socialism, later adopted by Lenin and corrupted by Stalin), and fascism was a conservative hyper-nationalistic militaristic form of government (Hitler, Mussolini)... or something like that... putting them at opposite ends of two different (but related) spectra.
So,
the idea that this candidate is a closet fascist will get filed along with the notion that all of our current economic problems are directly the fault of the last democratic president.s
Ok. i'm feeling buried by school. prepping for my classes, helping #1 son, a bit of tutoring...and I don't do nearly as much as others at our school. so, i'm wondering - do i bury myself so that i don't have to deal with other stuff?
having said that, i am glad we have chosen this path, no matter how much I gripe about the 4th gr. work load. #1 is happy, and my students are wonderful - as is the faculty and administration.
tomorrow and thursday are "off" days - teacher conferences both days, so no classes. Tomorrow, it's a trip to K. Kastle with #1's class. Grandma J. is coming this way too, so we are excited about that! It will be a great day, rain or shine.
I am tired of food and all the emotions that go along with it.
how did the pilgrims survive that first year? they got off that boat with next to nothing, in November, in Massachusetts...
tomorrow needs to include long-overdue haircut for #1 son.
it's wasp season... current body count : approx. 10 (this doesn't include the ones roasted alive in the fireplace).
my pinkie still hurts from my clodhopper face plant during my morning walk in the dark last week.
I have no books on my nightstand. the two that are there, i started and have chosen not to read. So, that leaves a pile of NYT crossword puzzles. Maybe I'll go find one to do.
Among all of the comments, criticisms and ridiculous accusations I hear about a certain democratic presidential candidate and his party predecessor, this one made me pause just based on world ideology. Does socialism lead to fascism? I thought socialism was a liberal, global economic system that emphasized allegiance among members of the same socio-economic group rather than among members of the same nationalistic identity (Marx's International Socialism, later adopted by Lenin and corrupted by Stalin), and fascism was a conservative hyper-nationalistic militaristic form of government (Hitler, Mussolini)... or something like that... putting them at opposite ends of two different (but related) spectra.
So,
the idea that this candidate is a closet fascist will get filed along with the notion that all of our current economic problems are directly the fault of the last democratic president.s
Ok. i'm feeling buried by school. prepping for my classes, helping #1 son, a bit of tutoring...and I don't do nearly as much as others at our school. so, i'm wondering - do i bury myself so that i don't have to deal with other stuff?
having said that, i am glad we have chosen this path, no matter how much I gripe about the 4th gr. work load. #1 is happy, and my students are wonderful - as is the faculty and administration.
tomorrow and thursday are "off" days - teacher conferences both days, so no classes. Tomorrow, it's a trip to K. Kastle with #1's class. Grandma J. is coming this way too, so we are excited about that! It will be a great day, rain or shine.
I am tired of food and all the emotions that go along with it.
how did the pilgrims survive that first year? they got off that boat with next to nothing, in November, in Massachusetts...
tomorrow needs to include long-overdue haircut for #1 son.
it's wasp season... current body count : approx. 10 (this doesn't include the ones roasted alive in the fireplace).
my pinkie still hurts from my clodhopper face plant during my morning walk in the dark last week.
I have no books on my nightstand. the two that are there, i started and have chosen not to read. So, that leaves a pile of NYT crossword puzzles. Maybe I'll go find one to do.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Idealism of Youth - Part 2
DD #4 is participating in Guluwalk again this year. She walked last year as well. Last spring, I went with her to Invisible Children's Displace Me in Austin, TX. We have told her that when she graduates from high school, we will send her to Africa for some time to do volunteer work. Cross Cultural Solutions is one organization we are considering. To friends and family who have already sponsored her walk this year, many thanks - for the financial support, and for encouraging her in her love and desire to help people in Africa. If you are reading this, and want more information (come walk on October 25!) visit the Gulu Walk website. If you are reading this and would like to support daughter #4 on her walk, visit her sponsor page.
Displace Me - April, 2007
Displace me, Cardboard Village 2007.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Crazy News People
... have invented two new terms to go along with Gustav..
1. Contraflow
2. Overtopping
It's just been a zany weekend of news right on the brink of being big news, but just not quite making it.
I guess there will be a lot of frustrated news people around this week.
1. Contraflow
2. Overtopping
It's just been a zany weekend of news right on the brink of being big news, but just not quite making it.
I guess there will be a lot of frustrated news people around this week.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Trying not to hover.
Got a call from someone at LSU yesterday trying to get in touch with DD#3 who is on campus now at orientation.
(girl) : "Is A. there?"
(me): "No, she is on campus. Did you try calling her cell phone?"
(girl): "Yes, but she didn't answer".
(me): "Ok, I'll try calling her and let her know you are trying to get in touch with her".
(I said this knowing that she probably isn't going to answer me either).
I call - her cell goes directly to voice mail. I tried again, several times over the next 6 hours (by now, it's evening). No response.
This, I realized, is a frustrating feeling when your child is somewhere in your small slice of suburbia. It's kind of frightening when she's on a college campus 8 hours away and you realize that if you really, reeeeeally needed to get in touch with her, there is not other number to call but her cell.
About 11 pm, she calls. "Sorry, they won't let us use our phones during orientation".
Hmmm. That never stopped them from using it during class in high school!
(girl) : "Is A. there?"
(me): "No, she is on campus. Did you try calling her cell phone?"
(girl): "Yes, but she didn't answer".
(me): "Ok, I'll try calling her and let her know you are trying to get in touch with her".
(I said this knowing that she probably isn't going to answer me either).
I call - her cell goes directly to voice mail. I tried again, several times over the next 6 hours (by now, it's evening). No response.
This, I realized, is a frustrating feeling when your child is somewhere in your small slice of suburbia. It's kind of frightening when she's on a college campus 8 hours away and you realize that if you really, reeeeeally needed to get in touch with her, there is not other number to call but her cell.
About 11 pm, she calls. "Sorry, they won't let us use our phones during orientation".
Hmmm. That never stopped them from using it during class in high school!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Persepolis
I did finish this book. It's required summer reading for the incoming class at LSU, so I borrowed it from DD #3 who is heading there in a matter of days (!).
It's the first graphic novel I've read, and you can read some of it yourself here:
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
It seems that many of the events that took place in the late 70s, maybe even the entire Carter presidency, are just mysteries to my kids. The Iran hostage crisis, Vietnamese boat people, Jonestown... One of them asked the other day, "Who was Anwar Sadat?". Never heard of the guy...
Its hot.
107 degrees. I just got nothing. Nothing to say. Too hot to think or do much of anything except wait for it to cool off. blech.
School meetings this week are getting me kind of ready for classes -
TAPPS meeting Tuesday (UIL for private/parochial schools).
Educators Trainings Wednesday and Thursday. Trying to work my way through Creation Regained by Albert Wolters before Wednesday. I'm taking notes just to try to follow his train of thought. Mostly I've got two pages of memorable one liners, without much connection between them going on in my brain. It is 107 degrees, remember.
Orientations next week and an SAT Prep class that bills itself as "The No Brainer Way to SAT Success". I know the class will be full of good information (that's available in prep books published by at least 5 different companies), but when these companies make statements like these:
Got some tutoring things to look into...
Finished getting the schoolroom set up for another year. Lots of red, white and blue... maps, history card board set up, some posters that J. and I picked out together. I think we will be most happy in here when the weather gets cold and dreary. I could use some cold and dreary right now. The temperature is 107. Did I mention that?
School meetings this week are getting me kind of ready for classes -
TAPPS meeting Tuesday (UIL for private/parochial schools).
Educators Trainings Wednesday and Thursday. Trying to work my way through Creation Regained by Albert Wolters before Wednesday. I'm taking notes just to try to follow his train of thought. Mostly I've got two pages of memorable one liners, without much connection between them going on in my brain. It is 107 degrees, remember.
Orientations next week and an SAT Prep class that bills itself as "The No Brainer Way to SAT Success". I know the class will be full of good information (that's available in prep books published by at least 5 different companies), but when these companies make statements like these:
- The four recurring tricks hidden in the answer choices
- How not to have to read the answer choices
Got some tutoring things to look into...
Finished getting the schoolroom set up for another year. Lots of red, white and blue... maps, history card board set up, some posters that J. and I picked out together. I think we will be most happy in here when the weather gets cold and dreary. I could use some cold and dreary right now. The temperature is 107. Did I mention that?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Watermelon. I've never been a big fan. In the past couple of weeks - since the 4th of July to be exact - I'm hooked. Cold, seedless. Mmmmm. Can't get enough. Weird.
From www.watermelon.org...
Meet J. Slice. He's not your average watermelon - he's super at just about every sport out there. He loves to skateboard, surf and snowboard. He fights Professor Junk Food and rescues kids from getting hooked on junk food for life!
Alrighty then...
The Axe Effect - "Your Mojo is Loading..."
Each year at about this time, I buy the boy 2 new shirts for school. I let him choose the colors. When he was younger, he chose red - spiderman red. For the past 2 years, it's been black. This year, he chose pink. The choice of a new generation of fashion conscious males. And when he starts back to school, sporting this newly "metro" look, he'll smell fresh all day, thanks to the tube of Axe men's deodorant he asked me to purchase at the store. "I am 9 now, mom".
Monday, July 21, 2008
Idealism
YOUTH, MATURITY, AND IDEALISM(by Albert Schweizer, Memoirs of Childhood and Youth published in 1924)
The epithet “ripe” applied to persons always did, and does still, convey to me the idea of something depressing. I hear with it, like musical discords, the words, impoverishment, stunted growth, blunted feelings. What we are usually invited to contemplate as “ripeness” in a man is the resigning of ourselves to an almost exclusive use of the reason. One acquires it by copying others and getting rid, one by one, of the thoughts and convictions which were dear in the days of one’s youth. We believed once in the victory of truth; but we do not now. We believed in goodness; we do not now. We were zealous for justice; but we are not so now. We trusted in the power of kindness and peaceableness; we do not now. We were capable of enthusiasm; but we are not so now. To get through the shoals and storms of life more easily we have lightened our craft, throwing overboard what we thought could be spared. But it was really our stock of food and drink of which we deprived ourselves; our craft is now easier to manage, but we ourselves are in a decline.
I listened, in my youth, to conversations between grown-up people through which there breathed a tone of sorrowful regret which oppressed the heart. The speakers looked back at the idealism and capacity for enthusiasm of their youth as something precious to which they ought to have held fast, and yet at the same time they regarded it as almost a law of nature that no one should be able to do so. This woke in me a dread of having ever, even once, to look back on my own past with such a feeling; I resolved never to let myself become subject to this tragic domination of mere reason, and what I thus vowed in almost boyish defiance I have tried to carry out. (Memoirs of Childhood and Youth, pp. 97 ff.)
The ripeness that our development must aim at is one which makes us simpler, more truthful, purer, more peace-loving, meeker, kinder, more sympathetic. That is the only way in which we are to sober down with age. That is the process in which the soft iron of youthful idealism hardens into the steel of a full-grown idealism which can never be lost. (Memoirs of Childhood and Youth, p. 100.)
It is through the idealism of youth that man catches sight of truth, and in that idealism he possesses a wealth which he must never exchange for anything else. We must all be prepared to find that life tries to take from us our belief in the good and the true, and our enthusiasm for them, but we need not surrender them. That ideals, when they are brought into contact with reality, are usually crushed by facts does not mean that they are bound from the very beginning to capitulate to the facts, but merely that our ideals are not strong enough; and they are not strong enough because they are not pure and strong and stable enough in ourselves. (Memoirs of Childhood and Youth, pp. 99 f.)
The power of ideals is incalculable. We see no power in a drop of water. But let it get into a crack in the rock and be turned to ice, and it splits the rock; turned into steam, it drives the pistons of the most powerful engines. Something has happened to it which makes active and effective the power that is latent in it.
So it is with ideals. Ideals are thoughts. So long as they exist merely as thoughts, the power latent in them remains ineffective, however great the enthusiasm, and however strong the conviction with which the thought is held. Their power only becomes effective when they are taken up into some refined human personality. (Memoirs of Childhood and Youth, p. 100.)
The knowledge of life which we grownups have to pass on to the younger generation will not be expressed thus: “Reality will soon give way before your ideals,” but “Grow into your ideals, so that life can never rob you of them.” If all of us could become what we were at fourteen, what a different place the world would be! (Memoirs of Childhood and Youth, p. 102.)
http://www.schweitzerfellowship.org/features/about/phil/Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Still Life with Junk Drawer
Felt Chair Pads (Haiku)
Opened up this drawer.
Poured out on the counter top.
Found them in the mess.
Harry Potter
A few weeks ago, we caught the tail end of some Harry Potter movie at the in-laws house. I realized I hadn't seen this one, and had no idea which story it was. So, we decided we need to have a Harry Potter marathon. This week, we have watched one movie every night.
Sunday - Sorcerer's Stone
Monday - Chamber of Secrets
Tuesday - Prisoner of Azkaban
Wednesday - Goblet of Fire
Tonight it's #5 - Order of the Phoenix. I think.
Then - we wait!
Part 6 - Half Blood Prince, is due out 11/21/08
Book #7, The Deathly Hollows, will be split into to films - the first is scheduled for release in 2010, and the second in 2011. (2011???!!! It sounds so, futur-ish).
The boy has voted that our next "marathon" be Star Wars. I don't really have any alternatives, so Star Wars it may be!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Journey in 2D
... was a good movie. The boy and his friend loved it. I always like Brendan Fraser. It wasn't very deep, and at 1 hour 30 min, it seemed kind of short. The kid was a good kid, the girl was strong and smart, the kiss was just a little one so the boys didn't get too grossed out.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sounds of Lewisville
Brave Combo in Old Town Lewisville last night. Free (great) music from a Grammy Award Winning band. If you haven't heard of them, you should check them out. Really talented guys, Check these out on iTunes :
1. I Can See for Miles
2. Don't Get Married
3. Disappear (a perennial favorite!!)
4. Flying Saucer
5. Mystery Spot Polka
6. In Heaven there is no Beer
Oh there are so many more songs to enjoy. They have released about a billion CDs and we have all but 2 I think. We used to go see them live... alot. A few (10!?) years ago, we saw them on 3 consecutive nights. One of those nights we packed up the bongos, shaker eggs and the kids and hauled it to Waco! I think we danced 'til midnight. We saw them at Sons of Herman hall where they asked Jim and I to leave the dance floor during our attempt at polka-ing. We saw them in Denton with Charlotte and Robert. We saw them in Deep Elum where there was about a postage stamp sized dance floor, and the die hards insisted on waltzing. I first saw them with Jim (and Dave and Becky) in Denton at Ricks before it burned down - one of our first "dates" I think. Tomorrow, I think I'll dig out all the old CDs and make it a Brave Combo day.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Teenagers.
Today I feel baffled. anxious . guilty. sad. perplexed. I am hopeful, and yet hold no hope for short term change. I am worried about the long term, and at the same time I am confident that in the long term, all will be well.
"Raising teenagers is like nailing jello to a tree".
I feel like that today.
"Raising teenagers is like nailing jello to a tree".
I feel like that today.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
FloMo has no Elvis in It
Flower Mound and Lewisville both have some great, easily accessible trails for bike riding. I've used one trail in Flower Mound to get from my house to Sprouts, Krogers and the FM Library. It's a beautiful trail, for as long as it lasts, but isn't used much by anyone other than kids going to and from school, and the occassional "down to business" walker or jogger. Unfortunately to get to the stores/library I have to ride a fair distance down 1171, on a small sidewalk, against traffic. Today I tried getting to Sprouts by taking Morriss Rd to see if it was any different. The first half of the ride was on a TINY sidewalk that is right next to the very busy street. The second half was on a wider sidewalk, but I had to cross Morriss at College to get to it. The southbound sidewalk ends just past College.
The bottom line : Seemed like it took just as long to get to Sprouts on Morriss, and I was riding with lots of cars/noise/junk in the air. I'll stay with the bike trail and the ride up 1171.
I came back up to College, turned on Timbercreek and picked up the trail that goes east though Lewisville.
This trail is a really nice one that follows a creek for a good part of it. I followed this trail as far as I could, and still didn't get to the end. I saw people walking dogs, people out walking with their kids, people who stopped to chat with other people. I saw plenty of curb your dog signs and supplies for clean up. I saw people running, frisbee golfers, people riding bikes in street clothes rather than their Lance Armstrong costumes, people who stopped to watch the birds ... In general, L'ville seemed to have an abundance (and variety) of people out enjoying a weekday morning with no agenda. Kind of a city feel in what I still think of as a town - a large one - but still a town...
The bottom line : Seemed like it took just as long to get to Sprouts on Morriss, and I was riding with lots of cars/noise/junk in the air. I'll stay with the bike trail and the ride up 1171.
I came back up to College, turned on Timbercreek and picked up the trail that goes east though Lewisville.
This trail is a really nice one that follows a creek for a good part of it. I followed this trail as far as I could, and still didn't get to the end. I saw people walking dogs, people out walking with their kids, people who stopped to chat with other people. I saw plenty of curb your dog signs and supplies for clean up. I saw people running, frisbee golfers, people riding bikes in street clothes rather than their Lance Armstrong costumes, people who stopped to watch the birds ... In general, L'ville seemed to have an abundance (and variety) of people out enjoying a weekday morning with no agenda. Kind of a city feel in what I still think of as a town - a large one - but still a town...
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Free at Last
Well, I've cleverly arranged a week (next week) where I will be free. #1 son will be at camp, and tutor kids will be off on other adventures. So far, I have a date to go to the Rangers day game on Thursday, and I will spend an hour or two at work planning for class in the fall. Other than that, I have no plans. What would you do with such a week?
Friday, June 6, 2008
French.
I took french classes in school from 7th grade through my freshman year at college. My french teacher (Sister Annette/"Ma Soeur Annette") sponsored trips to France during my sophomore and junior years in high school. We went to Tours, the Loire Valley, and Paris the first visit, and just got to spend a week in Paris on the second. Given the chance of a redo, I might have tried to major in French. Or Russian.
Growing up in NY, knowing French was sort of useful because there were a lot of French Canadians that lived in the area, and New Yorkers of French descent. In Texas, not so much.
Check out the French word of the day widget....
Amusez-vous tous!
Growing up in NY, knowing French was sort of useful because there were a lot of French Canadians that lived in the area, and New Yorkers of French descent. In Texas, not so much.
Check out the French word of the day widget....
Amusez-vous tous!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
New Music
The Diner question a few days back was "What are the last five songs you have purchased?"
Before I left for my trip, I knew I needed some new tunes for the shuffle... So, here's what I purchased (the long list)
1. Your Long Journey (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss)
There have been several unlikely duets recently (Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris just didn't work for me...) , but these two are great.
2. I Love You and Budda Too (Mason Jennings)
This song could be the Unitarian's anthem, but I love Mason Jennings.
3. Pocketful of Sunshine (Natasha Bedingfield)
Great beat, great uplifting song. It should suffer from enormous overplay this summer.
4. Gold Digger (Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx)
I have to giggle over the use of the word "featuring" on duets and collaborations these days. Jamie Foxx channels Ray Charles and takes huge liberty with his song "I Got a Woman". The message is distressing, but may paint a pretty accurate picture of relationships in America today, but when I need something to get me moving and keep me going, kanye delivers....
5. Prickly Thorn but Sweetly Worn (The White Stripes)
I don't like everything they do, but I like this one.
6. My Moon, My Man (Feist)
7. So Lonley (The Police)
8. The Bed's Too Big Without You (The Police)
Always liked the early ska tunes from The Police. Most of their later stuff I've had my lifetime fill of...
9. If I Never See your Face Again (Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna)
There it is again.... "featuring".....
10. Realize (Colby Callait)
A really sweet song, that makes me think of my hubby...
11. Stonger (Kanye West)
See #4. It's an addiction.
12. I Will Possess your Heart (Death Cab)
Dedicated to my senior math class (Ryan, Alyssa, Preston, Annie, Blake). They forbade me to change the station when this song came on during our trip to Chilis....
Ok, there you have it!
Before I left for my trip, I knew I needed some new tunes for the shuffle... So, here's what I purchased (the long list)
1. Your Long Journey (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss)
There have been several unlikely duets recently (Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris just didn't work for me...) , but these two are great.
2. I Love You and Budda Too (Mason Jennings)
This song could be the Unitarian's anthem, but I love Mason Jennings.
3. Pocketful of Sunshine (Natasha Bedingfield)
Great beat, great uplifting song. It should suffer from enormous overplay this summer.
4. Gold Digger (Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx)
I have to giggle over the use of the word "featuring" on duets and collaborations these days. Jamie Foxx channels Ray Charles and takes huge liberty with his song "I Got a Woman". The message is distressing, but may paint a pretty accurate picture of relationships in America today, but when I need something to get me moving and keep me going, kanye delivers....
5. Prickly Thorn but Sweetly Worn (The White Stripes)
I don't like everything they do, but I like this one.
6. My Moon, My Man (Feist)
7. So Lonley (The Police)
8. The Bed's Too Big Without You (The Police)
Always liked the early ska tunes from The Police. Most of their later stuff I've had my lifetime fill of...
9. If I Never See your Face Again (Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna)
There it is again.... "featuring".....
10. Realize (Colby Callait)
A really sweet song, that makes me think of my hubby...
11. Stonger (Kanye West)
See #4. It's an addiction.
12. I Will Possess your Heart (Death Cab)
Dedicated to my senior math class (Ryan, Alyssa, Preston, Annie, Blake). They forbade me to change the station when this song came on during our trip to Chilis....
Ok, there you have it!
Monday, June 2, 2008
25 years ago... Sheesh.
Ok, reunion was great fun and I am so glad I went!
Christine picked us up at the airport. On the drive to her home, we passed Shea Stadium and the Citi Field (the new Mets ballpark).
We went to Chris' lake house in the Poconos.
Amy and Chris on the boat dock.
We did actually go to the reunion...
Denise trying on used BU Cheerleader gear. She played basketball for 4 years, but I think she really missed her calling!
Chris, Kirk, Amy, Joan, Jeff
Checking out "The Slum" (our senior year dream home)
Heading to the Class Dinner - Amy, Joan, Amy, Jeff, Chris, Theresa
Katie, Mary and Dave
Helen and Jeff
Christine picked us up at the airport. On the drive to her home, we passed Shea Stadium and the Citi Field (the new Mets ballpark).
We went to Chris' lake house in the Poconos.
Amy and Chris on the boat dock.
We did actually go to the reunion...
Denise trying on used BU Cheerleader gear. She played basketball for 4 years, but I think she really missed her calling!
Chris, Kirk, Amy, Joan, Jeff
Checking out "The Slum" (our senior year dream home)
Heading to the Class Dinner - Amy, Joan, Amy, Jeff, Chris, Theresa
Katie, Mary and Dave
Helen and Jeff
Monday, May 26, 2008
Overnight Camping at Lake Mineral Wells
Putting up the tent....
Going on a hike...
Doing some fishing...
Percolator coffee, s'mores, girls being silly... overall, I think it was a successful experiment!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Last Game of the Season...
D'backs are down 7 to 9 against the Astros. 2 outs, bases loaded. Up steps boy #1 to the plate. Don't know the count but after a couple of pitches (maybe 2 balls and strike) he hits a line drive past short out to left field. Maybe it was past the second baseman to right field, I really don't remember. One RBI and starts the rally that wins the game for us, 9-8. Second win of the season! The best part was the grin on his face as he searched for someone, anyone to high five, and the happy dance at first base.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Changes
I don't like changes. This time of year brings way too many changes - most of the changes are the kind that emphasize the passage of time...
Today was #1 son's last day of 3rd grade. According to him, today he is officially a fourth grader. In a few short weeks, he will be 9 years old. (*sigh*). Pine Cove is a month away, and after that baseball camp, basketball camp, perhaps some golf lessons... Hopefully some impromptu trips to see the State Capital (I've been lead to believe that UT now owns a copy of one of the Gutenberg Bibles!) and to San Antonio (The Alamo, Sea World)... We will go to New Roads for the 4th of July, and maybe to Nashville to see Grandpa Lester. I will try to establish a reading routine for both of us, and maybe some science projects.
When August rolls around however, some people we love will have moved on, and we will be sad and miss them greatly. Jamie's best friend from school is leaving to live in another country, far away. Daughter #3 is leaving to start college in another state, not so far away, but still not here... We are dreading August already!
Today was #1 son's last day of 3rd grade. According to him, today he is officially a fourth grader. In a few short weeks, he will be 9 years old. (*sigh*). Pine Cove is a month away, and after that baseball camp, basketball camp, perhaps some golf lessons... Hopefully some impromptu trips to see the State Capital (I've been lead to believe that UT now owns a copy of one of the Gutenberg Bibles!) and to San Antonio (The Alamo, Sea World)... We will go to New Roads for the 4th of July, and maybe to Nashville to see Grandpa Lester. I will try to establish a reading routine for both of us, and maybe some science projects.
When August rolls around however, some people we love will have moved on, and we will be sad and miss them greatly. Jamie's best friend from school is leaving to live in another country, far away. Daughter #3 is leaving to start college in another state, not so far away, but still not here... We are dreading August already!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Breakfast Date
During a class recently, one woman made the comment that men have a hard time building relationships, and that whenever her husband had an opportunity to go do something with the guys, she encouraged him to go. She also said that women usually have a lot of friends - and make friends more easily and have that support network that men don't have with each other.
I agree with this, and didn't think about it much after that. Recently however it occurred to me... I have several women that I consider close friends, but how close are they? When I need to talk to someone, I talk to my husband. When I need advice? Husband. In times of crisis or stress? Husband. I guess my point is, that although I have more "friends" than my husband does, these relationships are pretty 2 dimensional. There's the school moms, the baseball moms, the neighborhood moms, the church moms. These moms are friends, but not really "let's go get a cup of coffee and just talk" friends.
So, I emailed a school mom who I consider to be closer than most, and invited her to get coffee. I think her fear at first was "Uh-oh. Something is wrong." Happily, she agreed to take the time to meet me! We wound up having breakfast in Bartonville at Andrews (yummy !) and as an added bonus, discovered the Bartonville Farmers Market. I scored some homemade pasta, fresh tomatoes and onions. But truly the best part, was just spending time together intentionally rather than just chatting in the car line.
My life easily slips into a habit of insignificant words, actions, activities. Living intentionally is something I need to work on - not just in friendships, but as a parent, in my marriage, with my health, with my work...
I agree with this, and didn't think about it much after that. Recently however it occurred to me... I have several women that I consider close friends, but how close are they? When I need to talk to someone, I talk to my husband. When I need advice? Husband. In times of crisis or stress? Husband. I guess my point is, that although I have more "friends" than my husband does, these relationships are pretty 2 dimensional. There's the school moms, the baseball moms, the neighborhood moms, the church moms. These moms are friends, but not really "let's go get a cup of coffee and just talk" friends.
So, I emailed a school mom who I consider to be closer than most, and invited her to get coffee. I think her fear at first was "Uh-oh. Something is wrong." Happily, she agreed to take the time to meet me! We wound up having breakfast in Bartonville at Andrews (yummy !) and as an added bonus, discovered the Bartonville Farmers Market. I scored some homemade pasta, fresh tomatoes and onions. But truly the best part, was just spending time together intentionally rather than just chatting in the car line.
My life easily slips into a habit of insignificant words, actions, activities. Living intentionally is something I need to work on - not just in friendships, but as a parent, in my marriage, with my health, with my work...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Scarborough Faire
Today, some of the third grade kids and moms went to Scarborough Fair. This was kind of a wrap up to the Middle Ages/Renaissance history topic we have been doing this year.
The jousting was cool, the wooden swords were affordable, and the buxom wenches were nowhere to be seen. The rain held off for the most part and a good time was had by all.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Reunion...
In a few weeks, I head north for my 25th reunion. College. I went to my 5th reunion and came to the conclusion that the 4 years I spent at Bucknell were some of the lonliest, unhappiest days of my life. I came home and vowed never to go back.
Nostaligia has set in I guess, and I have made plans to go back for our 25th reunion, and I have officially started the worrying process. Anyone who goes to reunions may know this translates into "Mentally Comparing Myself to My Old Friends and Falling Far Short".
I'm not going to be able to loose that 40 lbs in the next 4 weeks, so I settled for having my toenails polished.
Next weekend, I'll tackle the gray roots.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Today's Adventure in Biking : The Bank
In my effort to exercise my heart and my independence from foreign oil, I decided to ride my bike to the bank. (4.8 miles there, 12 minutes by car according to Google Earth). I check my route, lighten up my backpack (get rid of the books I don't need), check the time (12:22), hop on my bike and set out. Despite a pretty good head wind, I made it there in about 30 minutes, with about 20 of those on bike trails away from the road. The path goes through "The Valley" section of Lewisville, which means that getting there (and coming back) I coast the first half of the ride, and pedal the second half. So, when I get to the bank, I'm a little sweaty and breathing, but that's ok. This is do-able! I go into the bank, open my backpack, and - yup. Left the stuff for the bank at home with the books! So, jumped back on the bike, and headed for home. Got home, checked the watch - 1:22. I'm ok with that... But of course, now I have to go to the bank.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Swim Banquet
Pictures of daughter #4 before the swim banquet. In true fashion - the dress and shoes were borrowed, yet in true fashion, she looked beautiful. Those eyes see into your heart, and that smile is so spontaneous and readily given. G. started swimming in about 4th or 5th grade, and started swimming for Coach Shannon in about 7th. In the future, when I think of Coach, I will remember these quotes... "You want to go to state?..... Well SWIM FASTER!!".... and, of course. "Love Your Diver."
$3.50 per gallon? Are you Kidding me?
This bike sells at Walmart for $98.27. As of my last visit to the gas pump, 1 tank of gas costs me approximately $80.I bought the bike.
I forgot how much I like to ride a bike, and this one is really comfortable. Cushy seat and the rider sits fairly upright instead of with all the weight on the arms. The boy and I have ridden to baseball practice, to the library, and on several bike trails we found around town. I only wish the bike trails were completely linked. Although we made it to the library, we had to cross 2499, ride down Rippy and cross 1171. The places where the crossing lights are in place, we have no trouble - like at 407 and Briarhill Blvd. Where there is no light, it's definitely a bit hairy. This summer, I will try to ride rather than drive as much as I can. Grocery, bank, library, park...
I always carry a paper with emergency information, but I was reminded last week of another biking fact the hard way - always have a spare inner tube and tire pump. Last week we went to practice, and I found a route to the nearby Kroger to pick up some things. On the way back - back tire was flat as could be - ran over a broken bottle on the way to practice. I stopped at Goodyear where they pumped the tire back up for me, and chatted about gas prices. Made it back to practice, but when it was time to go, the tire was flat again. Had to push the bike home, and carry Jamie's bat bag and my groceries as well! Doh! My knees definitely paid the price! My darling hubby fixed the tire the next day, and fitted my bike with a tire pump.
Graduation
Daughter #3 is graduating this year. I had to send in pictures for the choir banquet, so I scanned these in today...
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