Things That Make Me Say...

Folks, ya can't get swine flu from eating pork...

2009-04-27T06:55:00.003-04:00

Ok - here's the thing... Swine flu is a respiratory disease. You have to be in close contact with an infected pig or person... by the time that pork-roll sandwich gets to you - it isn't breathing. So - those of you who eat pork and pork products may continue to do so without worrying about the swine flu. You can not get the swine flu from eating pork. That said, you may wish to look into the impact of the heavy use of antibiotics and hormones in the meat you eat... Just sayin'.

Oh - and did you know that no one in the US has died from Swine Flu?? I think this is a lot of hype. Seriously. Wash your hands. Carry on. Oh - and don't go to Mexico... Duh.

Champagne

2009-04-26T19:21:00.002-04:00

It's been a while - I know. But I finally popped into the Weekend Wordsmith and decided to share my poem based on the prompt "Champagne". Hope you enjoy!

Champagne

I lift my glass
to toast the ordinary day.
The sights, the sounds, the opportunities,
The little things that go unnoticed -
A child's laughter, my favorite song on the radio,
The softness of the cat weaving through my ankles...

The first perfect strawberry of the season,
The perfectly blended orange, purple sunset.
It would be a mistake to overlook the extraordinary
in the ordinary... So...
I lift my glass
to toast the ordinary day.

Isn't personal style meant to be personal?

2009-04-26T17:44:00.006-04:00

PERSONAL: of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person rather than to anyone else.

I don't know about you, but I am the sole decision-maker when it comes to my style. All of my style. My hair, my clothing, how much cleavage I show on a given day, which shoes to wear, how many earrings I wear in my ears, which color socks I want to wear with my blue suede shoes, what perfume to wear and if I get a nose ring or not. I decide because I am an adult. I must now base my decisions on appropriateness for a classroom on the days I will be IN a classroom, but apart from that I can not think of one person who gets a vote on my personal style other than, of course, me. Because it is MY personal style.

"But what about Ron?" you may ask... fair question - and here's the thing. I love Ron and I respect his opinion. But just because he is my husband does not give him a vote in my personal style. I like to think that he loves me for me, my personal style being a reflection of me. This means that if I decide to re-pierce my belly button (I had to remove it when I was pregnant), I fully expect that he will embrace that decision. If I suddenly decide that purple hair would be fun this summer, he must accept that. If he doesn't - well - that is indeed unfortunate and I truly hope he can find a way to adjust.

Look - when Ron started talking about shaving his head I was a little "OMG - what would THAT be like?" but I smiled and I said "Baby - you need to do what you feel is best for you." and eventually, after probably 18 months of personal deliberation, he shaved his head. And now I say "Good call, Love! You look hot." You know why he looks hot? Because he is confident, because he made a decision that was based on HIS needs and in his time. It is his personal style. He owns it.

Personal style... yours alone, or must you share? What say you, my bloggy and FB friends?

Living Love

2009-04-25T19:03:00.004-04:00

I said good-bye forever to a dear dear friend yesterday. My heart is too sore to write something fitting for my sweet Gunther - but this essay explains it perfectly.

Living Love
If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember...
The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your long-time friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep where you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you---you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night. If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you. But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own---seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay---you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart---As time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when---along with the memory of your pet---and piercing through the heaviness in your heart---there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love---like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our beloved pets--it is a love that we will always possess.
~ Written by Martin Scot Kosins ~  Author of "Maya's First Rose"

I miss you already, Gunther. Pretty sure I always will.

Five, Six, Pick Up Sticks...

2009-04-18T11:58:00.003-04:00

Okay - let me start with this disclaimer: It is not, on ANY level, my intention to impugn Ron's efforts with our yard. He works hard. Very hard. He spends a lot of time on his days off trying to work on our yard. So please, no one get the idea that I blame any of this in any way on him.

That said... I hate yard-work. If you read my 25 Things on FaceBook you know how I feel about gardening. This is similar. I grew up in an apartment building with a doorman so the idea of running around on a mower and pulling weeds and, heaven help us all, picking up sticks is completely foreign to me. Sure, we could cut down these beautiful centuries old trees and maintain a beautiful, golf-course lawn - but then we would displace all those indigenous species and I just don't think that is a fair trade-off. Unlike work inside the house, yard-work in a "natural" yard in the Pinelands of New Jersey merits precious little results.

For example - when I clean the bathroom, I am left with sparkling white surfaces, smudge-free mirrors, fluffy towels and a lovely smell. When I spend two hours wandering around our back yard picking up assorted styles and sizes of sticks, I am left with two monstrous piles of sticks which never.go.away! This past Monday Ron spent a fair amount of time our there with a chipper working on these piles. He swears he made a significant dent in them - but seriously, there are still two very large pile of sticks in our yard. And it makes me crazy.

Our original plan was that we would burn these sticks when we go camping. Well, we have a diabetic dog who won't poop or eat when not at home so we no longer GO camping. So much for that plan. I just wheeled two large garbage cans full of sticks out front for the township folk to take away... and the piles do not look any smaller. It is Grape Nuts Syndrome at its best. No matter what you do, there are still more in the bowl.

It's Just Nature!!

2009-03-14T21:52:00.002-04:00

This past Friday, I spent the day subbing for PirateTeacherFriend. I enjoy being in that room for several reasons - I know that PirateTeacherFriend is happy with my efforts and has confidence in me (heck - it was his idea that I sub to begin with, so it is only fitting...) so I can relax and just do my thing. I also enjoy his class - there are some very bright and interesting little minds in that second grade room - and it doesn't hurt that they like me in there too... And sometimes, PirateTeacherFriend asks me to bring a movie...

Well - I arrived with "Stellaluna" (both the movie and the book), a wonderful story about friendship and acceptance, some worksheets and even an outside game similar to MarcoPolo to help the kids learn about echolocation. Just in case. Instead - I notice I am being asked to show the students "The March of the Penguins" since it ties in nicely with the Language Arts unit. Makes perfect sense, and in theory a wonderful idea. Seemingly innocent request... right?

Have you SEEN this movie?? It is incredibly sad even when one is not knee deep in hormones. It is a documentary, so even though it is only 80 minutes long, it FEELS much longer... For seven year olds... it gets even better - gasps of horror as the leopard seal gulps down a penguin... "Is it DEAD??" when a little chick freezes in the Antarctic's subzero temperatures - sniffles when the adult penguins abandon their young at the end of the film... Not what one would call a "fun" day - not hard, mind you, just not fun...

At the end of the movie... I posed a question: "Those of you who were horrified when the leopard seal ate that penguin, please tell me how that is different from you eating a hamburger..." One of the aforementioned bright, interesting minds raised his hand and said, "The hamburger is dead and the penguin was living."

'nough said...

"UNCLE!!!!!!"

2009-02-18T11:57:00.004-05:00

They said it would happen. They said I would probably find an assignment while subbing that I would not return to... I thought it might have been PE - but I would do it again even though it was not my favorite thing ever. I had one fourth grade assignment that was more than a little rough - but I would still return to that room and try it again. I had a fine day in the "behavioral room" a traditional "I'm not going back there - you can't make me" assignment for subs. So imagine my surprise to learn that the one thing I will not be doing again after tomorrow (because I have already given my word) is returning to a Pre-K room. I finally found the one thing that will make me exercise my right as a sub to just say no.

"Boys and Girls, this is Happy the Tooth! Do you know why he is happy?"
"That's his name"
"Yes, that's right - his name is Happy and he IS happy - because he is healthy. How do we keep our teeth healthy?"
"Exercise"
"Exercise helps keep us healthy, that's true - what else?"
"Food"
"What kind of food"
"Cupcakes"
"Boys and girls, raise your hand if you think cupcakes are a healthy choice for our teeth." Half the class raises their little hands and the other half does not.
"I think we can choose something better" One student has a quivering lip...
"My tooth isn't happy"
"It's ok to have a cupcake once in a while if we BRUSH our teeth - but we should try to choose things like apples for snacks to keep our teeth super healthy"

Maybe it is crazy - but spending the day talking about Happy the Tooth and telling 3 and 4 year olds to keep their hands to themselves 6 million times in the space of an hour and trying to figure out how to play with them is not my idea of a day well-spent. Don't misunderstand me - on NO LEVEL am I impugning the efforts of those brave souls who do this on a day to day basis. In fact I admire and respect their ability to reach these little hearts and minds - but I am not able to fill their shoes even a little bit and maintain any kind of sanity.

A little while later - believe it or not - we had one student lose her first tooth ever. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle - out comes the tooth. Hurray! Little Suzie lost her tooth... Little Mary sees blood and starts screaming because Suzie is bleeding. OMG. Someone please - shoot me. It is a quicker death...

I seriously don't know how anyone can do that day after day after day....

So I am crying "Uncle". Tomorrow will be my last day in Pre-K. Ever.

(A special thank you to TaiChiInstructorFriend who was able to put up with my crabipotimus attitude last evening and restore my good humor... )

I want to be a farmer...

2009-02-16T20:36:00.003-05:00

We are webkinz-addicted here. All three of us have Webkinz and keep up our own little worlds on a fairly regular basis. I could say that I have one to keep my finger on the pulse of what the kids like - but that would be somewhat less than honest. Truth is - the games on there are about all I can handle - Cash Cow being my super-fave. What is really funny is that Ron has one. Actually, he has two. For months he ignored his - until recently he found a game on there that he likes (I think it is Zingoz POP or something to that effect) and has been on there periodically.

So - one evening a week or so ago, I walk in to the living room and there is Ron on his MacBook Pro surfing the web happily. He says to me "I think I am going to be a farmer." My brain immediately assumes he has lost his damn mind. I mean seriously... he just gets this big promotion to Director and he wants to be a farmer?! But I say "Like with corn?" and he says "And pumpkins and watermelon". Clearly - he has given this a lot of thought. "Oh - okay" I say as I return to the kitchen to quietly mull over what could be going on with my normally sensible husband.

About 15 minutes later he comes to the kitchen and says "You can buy an outdoor room - right? A yard?" "For what dear?" "For my farm." And then I realize - he means for his Webkinz! Holy CRAP! All along I think he is talking about a MAJOR life change when really he has found a way to earn KinzCash on Webkinz... He grows fruit and veggies on Webkinz and sells them at the "W Shop"... THIS is what he meant when he said he wanted to be a farmer.

Huge sigh of relief...

Huge...

You just never know...

2009-01-09T07:11:00.005-05:00

I had a great day subbing yesterday. I was a sixth grade resource teacher for a planning day (this is a day when resource teacher and reg ed teacher collaborate to create lesson plans suitable for all students). In speaking with the teacher I was replacing for the day, she let me know that my only real concern would be one boy with ADHD who couldn't sit still for more than ten seconds at a time. Generally, ADHD behaviors don't bother me. I know what they are and let them go unless and until the affect another student. Okay - there is the back story.

So the small group of students arrived. I introduced myself and this boy (we will call him Steve) blurts out "are you the one who made that crane?" referring to the paper crane sitting on his teacher's desk. In the beginning of the year I left one every time I subbed in a room. "I am that one" I replied. "Would you make me one?" The delight and serious desperation on this sixth grader's face told me I had been given the gift of a much easier day...

"Steve," I replied "I will make you a crane with my best paper if you can find a way to help me out a little in here today." "Sure! he said - what do you need?" "I need you to do everything you can to be quiet and not disturb the students around you and share what you have in that awesome brain of yours - can you do that please?" "Okay - and then can I have a crane?" "Yes Steve - at the end of the day, you may take the crane home. I will make you one at lunchtime and put it right here so you can look at it."

For the rest of the day, all that was required was a quick reminder "Steve - you aren't acting like someone who wants to take this crane home." and Steve immediately did his version of sitting still. (Hey - if you have to sit on the chair with one foot tucked under you and bouncing a little to stay quiet and focused, so be it.) Honestly, I only had to remind him maybe three times... I had a great day... Just goes to show - you just never know... Sixth grade boys and origami cranes... plan only to be surprised

It wasn't her fault...

2009-01-03T17:34:00.001-05:00

If anyone is still reading here - this is part thirteen of Rebecca's Saga - which will be needing a better title very soon - I am open to suggestions!

The morning after the downpour found Rebecca on her sofa, the TV still on and a small knit throw wrapped tightly around her. She heard the weather man promise sunnier skies and highs in the mid 80's. Her head was splitting. Rebecca guessed that drinking half a bottle of wine by herself had not been her best move to date. She crawled into the bathroom fumbling for the Advil bottle and headed into the kitchen to make some coffee.

She waited impatiently while the coffee brewed and perused her lengthy to-do list. She realized that she still had plenty of work to lose herself in. Plenty of work to absorb her pain. She didn't need to be involved in this whole Becky, Vince and his sister/her mother-the-drunk disaster! She had floors to sand and walls to paint and cabinets to replace... flowerbeds... sidewalks... it was just so much, she thought... how will she ever get it done? She poured a cup of coffee and slowly sank into the papasan chair in the front room. The mantle clock sang out the Westminster Quarters - so it was quarter of - but quarter of what? She dozed off until they chimed again - 10 times... 10:00 am. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had slept until 10:00 am and she remembered why - her whole morning was basically gone.

She finished her coffee and decided to end the suspense once and for all. WHAT was under that terrible linoleum? She needed her iron to heat the linoleum to weaken the aggressive adhesive. Unfortunately she was still unable to locate it in all the boxes. How much could an iron cost? Maybe she should just go get a new one. "One more time - just dig through all the boxes one more time." she told herself.

Paper lay all around her on the floor of the attic. She unwrapped box after box - item after item - no iron. Candlesticks, books, old CD's - no iron. Then she found the small cedar box. Carefully inscribed on the top were the words "Adel Rose Hayward". Rebecca's hands trembled as she ran them over the top of the box. For a while she just sat with the box in her lap. The last time this box was opened... she remembered it had been a clear, crisp spring morning. Tulips bloomed in the flower beds of the condo and birds sang. Beautiful... but not as beautiful as the small perfect baby who slept on her shoulder. There was something about this child - she was so sweet tempered with beautiful blue laughing eyes. When she slept on Rebecca's shoulder Adel brought a kind of peace to her that she never thought possible. Rebecca opened the cedar box and carefully dressed her daughter in the christening gown sent by Rick's parents who were on business in Italy. It was a beautiful gown - long and lacey - arduous to put on an infant. Such a happy day. They had been so proud, she and Rick. They were a family. Everything felt shiny and new and full of promise. Who would have guessed they would only have six more months?

Rebecca opened the box and carefully took out the gown. So small - so pretty. She held it tight to her chest rocking back and forth. That last day... cold and rainy, wind aggressively blowing leaves from the trees, not ideal conditions for travel. Why did she HAVE to go that day? Why not wait for a clearer day? Was it so important t return a movie on time? Couldn't it have been late? No - no it couldn't. Rick would never have liked a movie being returned late. She blamed him a little, but she knew that she decided to return the movie because she was sick of being stuck in the confines of their condo. She wanted to get out just for a little - returning the movie seemed like a good idea at the time.

In the end, it hadn't been her fault. She was turning on a green light. The guy in the Suburban ran the light. The police report spelled it all out. He was looking at his GPS. He admitted it. Wasn't her fault. The car slid into a pole - wasn't her fault. The weather... It wasn't her fault... Rebecca was curled up in a ball on the floor sobbing. Tears and sweat streamed down her face. She continued to hold tight to the gown - crying until she fell into a fitful sleep.

Welcome 2009!

2009-01-01T17:36:00.003-05:00

I am a little late with this post - but have been working on it for about a week or so in my head... I don't do resolutions, I do goals. Resolutions bring out the rebel in me and I feel compelled to screw it up. Goals seem so much more "people friendly". Yeah - I know - it's a game of semantics. But it works for me, so whatever.

Some of these goals are big, some small - some are even a little superficial. But I want to work on all of these things.

Okay - My first goal is to get back to school. I need to work very hard this year to make sure this happens - the only remaining question is how does one get from a BA in Anthropology to teaching Special Ed. Hmmm... methinks I have my work cut out for me.

Second goal - I need to work more diligently on my TaiChi so that the next time TaiChiInstructorFriend goes on vacation and asks me to take the class while he is gone I will feel that I can do it. I am rather upset with myself that I couldn't bring myself to do this this time - I won't disappoint him again.

Closely related to my second goal is the third: To bring the number of regular participants in Yi's White Crane TaiChi Club up to ten. I have an action plan - and any of you who are local to me and have not at least TRIED the class - well - I would be grateful if you would help me out a little with this goal.

Fourth - very cliche and intentionally left off of last year's list is to lose weight. 61 pounds. Probably a little much for me in one year but you know, if you are not challenged to do the impossible, you will never do what is possible, right?? So we'll see how that goes.

Fifth - and this was not my idea, but I think I will try it anyway. I want to have something I have written, published. Preferably in print. I am told a magazine piece may work for me or possibly a poem. Look for more ramblings and attempts along these lines here.

I think that is plenty for one year. It is always interesting to see how it all shakes out...

Real quick...

2009-01-01T14:22:00.002-05:00

I want to let you know that if you love hummus, like WIlliam and I do, but hate how expensive it is... you should try making your own! It is seriously easy - check it out at Our Kitchen Klatch!

I promise not to turn this into a weight loss blog...

2008-12-26T17:13:00.004-05:00

But - you need to indulge me a post on the subject at least occasionally...

Those of you who know me well and for a long time know that I have been running from the fat girl for a long long time. All my life as a matter of fact. Kicked that beyotch to the curb about a decade ago - but the pregnancy changed the game for me. Mind you - I am not blaming my current status solely on an event that occurred eight years ago. I have gone through different mindsets on this subject ranging from "who cares" to "maniacal obsessive" - none of it has served me well.

So I go back in time and revisit what I did to lose the weight originally. Raise your hand if you know what the answer is. Yes - that's right. Weight Watchers. BUT (and this is a big but - pun intended, LOL) it was PRE-POINTS!!! I loathe this 1-2-3 B.S. and everything that has come since. I have tried on three separate occasions to lose weight this way and for reasons unknown to me - points don't work for me. I liked the old exchange system... I don't remember the fancy-pants marketing term for it. but it was circa 1996. I spent a fair amount of time on-line last night trying to dig something up from that time period. Some luck - but what I did find was some information on TOPS (take off pounds sensibly). Guess what they offer??? (well - besides affordable meetings that are held at a time that I can not attend) An exchange system! YAY! So I downloaded their materials (doesn't say anywhere that I can't). And have just survived day one. Rather well, I might add. Never mind that I am pretty hungry right now - but - that really shouldn't be surprising. I walked for about a half an hour as well. That was the other part of my success before - I walked A.LOT. So I went out and bought sneakers today. And I walked. And now I feel like I got hit with a Mac Truck - but I am hoping it will get better... with time. That whole exercise gives you energy thing?? Doesn't work. Not in my universe.

So - the gig is I want to lose 61 pounds. Doctors would tell me I "need" to loose about hmmm - probably closer to 80 but I figure if they want to live my life they can pay my rent - 61 is just fine with me. At the end of the day - 55 or even 50 may be fine with me too - we shall see when we get there. I am NOT going to have that "last ten pounds" frustrate me into giving up completely and gaining it all back - been there. Done that. NOT happening again. Skinny is not on my wishlist.

You can watch my progress at the bottom of the blog - there is a little tracker. I reserve the right to rant when I need to - but I will be careful not to go on and on and on about this here. I know what a colossal bore that can be.

Okay - thanks for listening... Encouragement is appreciated. :D

The one about Lipstick Jungle and reflections on friendship and life.

2008-12-23T10:40:00.009-05:00

This morning while watching Lipstick Jungle (three cheers for DVR!), it dawned on me how very odd it is that I love this show so much. I can't relate to these women on.any.level. They spend more on one outfit than I spend on clothes in a decade, they are driven career women, they obviously feel quite at home in "the city" and they all adore and trust each other. This is by far my biggest sticking point. I don't have girlfriends.

I have mentioned before that I prefer the company of men and while there is some real truth in that statement, it doesn't take away from the real truth. Oh.. what IS that truth you ask?? That truth is that I know that a friendship - a REAL friendship with a woman - will never work. I give up before it starts. I look for trouble to reinforce this idea along the way. I make excuses. There are some very valid reasons for this - and I won't get into it here, but suffice it to say that I have been badly burned by women claiming to be my friends, and I just don't see any reason to allow the possibility of that happening again.

I see women opening up to each other and sharing and relying on each other for advice and support - and I am so envious I almost puke. And then I remember the flip side of that is the kind of vulnerability that I just am terrified of. Once a woman knows so much about you, she can use it against you. And my experience is that she usually does. Say what you will about men, but I have never been betrayed when I have confided in a man. Ever. Women "sell" themselves as loyal, all these "girlfriends" mugs and keychains - but men really ARE loyal as friends.

Which brings me back to this show... I think we buy into it all - and we may even be able to admit that we want it. At the end of the day it takes a lot of patience and courage not just to be a friend but to allow others to be your friend. Sometimes I think I have that kind of patience and courage. And then I realize - I don't. Not yet. Maybe never.

Oh yeah - and I am SO glad that Victory and Joe are back together and I think Shane is acting like an ass.

Violins, Toasters, Diet Ads and Soulmates...

2008-12-21T09:18:00.007-05:00

Yesterday we had our friends and family pot-luck brunch... it would seem the fates were smiling on us because in the past, we held our brunch on The SUNDAY before Christmas - had we stuck to THAT policy THIS year, Mother Nature would have stolen our show. As it turns out - we changed to Saturday this year and the show went on in spite of CrabbyWhineySIL calling out.

A good time was had by all! My mother played piano, TalentedMusicianFriend (who is the wife of PirateTeacherFriend) played violin and we all tried to sing - only TalentedMusicianFriend actually succeeded, LOL... But it was incredibly fun and I felt that we honored my grandfather by reviving our singing tradition. We were blessed with an abundant supply of delicious food (If ANYONE has any suggestions on what to do with leftover bagels, I am all ears!) and finally opened and shared the $200 bottle of tequila which was given to Ron by his ex-boss in like 1998 or so...

After everyone else left, close friends Anthony (Ron't lifelong friend) and Alison (Anthony's wife) remained - until 10 pm - and we got to talking about many many things. One thing that was decided was that no one makes a decent toaster. We don't even care how much it is - but we want to be assured of consistently being rewarded with perfect toast every time. Even if there is only a minute in between toastings. We have a Krups toaster which I proudly and confidently purchased a few years ago for approximately $60. A name like Krups - SURELY it has to be decent - right!??! WRONG!!!!! It toasts only the top half of the bread. AND as a special bonus, if you make more than one round of toast consecutively the second person will receive only burnt offerings. Is it really too much to ask for a small appliance that will toast evenly? We can watch movies on devices we hold in our hands, we can record and pause live TV, we have little devices that give us directions - but NO ONE can make a decent toaster?? Maybe I should write a letter to Steve Jobs. I am sure the iToast would look great AND work perfectly. Wonder if he would consider it?!

Moving forward... soulmates. I wonder how many of you believe in the concept of a soulmate, or I am told more accurately phrased as a twin flame... the other half of your own soul - you only have one - you spend your life looking for this person... blah blah blah... you know what I am talking about. Please take my poll on the right. I can't tell how you voted. It isn't that sophisticated of a system... just vote. Don't be so paranoid! I will blog about this later.

Yesterday I watched TaiChiInstructorFriend and his daughter pull out of my driveway. I won't see them again until they return from Brazil the first week of January - I felt a pang of anxiety - and feel it still when I think of them being gone. Godspeed, friends. I will sincerely miss you while you are away...

Finally - I have to mention that I used to really like evite - and I still like the IDEA of evite - but I doubt I will use them again. Too many ads... for DIETS! What is UP with that?? The juxtaposition of ads for Weight Watchers and my pot-luck brunch is reinforcing of my idea that the holiday season is mostly to keep the diet-industry afloat. Fatten 'em up, then make them wildly paranoid about bathing suit season! Brilliant! Mwahhhahaha! Evil maniacal SOB's. But that is a rant for another day. I digress - bottom line, I am investigating other on-line invites - right now purpletrail is looking pretty sweet... have YOU got a favorite??

Happy Holidays my friends... happy holidays!

Sometimes small things make you a hero.

2008-12-16T06:55:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to be a hero. Mind you, in a million years I never thought that covering P.E. would make everyone think I am so fabulous, LOL! I was supposed to sub fourth grade - BUT the teacher booked two subs... she booked the other sub in September but had forgotten. After ample apologies from her (hey - accidents happen) I went to the office to see if I was needed anywhere - sure enough, they needed a PE sub in the other building. I rolled my eyes, chuckled a little and accepted.

On the way over, I realized that since that school starts earlier, one class already missed PE. When I arrived, I told the secretary that if that teacher wanted her planning period back I would be happy to help her out with that - she was welcome to send her kids to me during my free period.

You would have thought I gave her a million dollars... (maybe the next time I am loud when I sub for PirateTeacherFriend she will refrain from scolding me) but seriously - what was I going to do with a free period? Other teachers found out what I did and I was bombarded all day with accolades - which is super-nice, but honestly, I felt sad that any other sub wouldn't have done the same thing...

It was second and third grade PE - and I was happy that I always carry my whistle, that's for sure - Even I would have had a hard time yelling over them to get their attention). I also had a ton more fun than I thought I would, certainly more fun than I had subbing for 4th, 5th and 6th grade PE!

You know when you go out to dinner for your birthday...

2008-12-14T09:16:00.003-05:00

...And they dress in funny outfits and sing embarrassing songs loudly so that the whole restaurant looks at you? Well that didn't happen... GMOM did manage to alert the pianist (I just like saying that...) to the fact that we were celebrating my birthday so he did play happy birthday and sing to me... but it was nice and not ridiculously embarrassing,..

Then there was the part where GMOM spilled iced cold water down my shirt (Hello!) and Mr.GMOM decided to let the comedian know that it was my birthday... yes. Thanks so much for THAT!!! It actually was a very good time, and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends.

This does, actually, conclude my birthday celebration for 2008. It began on Thanksgiving. My mom and my aunt gifted me at that time... I had a little cake... Ron made me a pie last weekend! (There are pictures somewhere for that, but they aren't on the photo server yet - so we shall have to be patient) Many people wished me happy birthday on facebook as well. And everything concluded last evening in the company of some excellent friends. It was a very nice celebration this year.

Thanks so much to everyone -

And now... a little humor.

2008-12-03T21:47:00.003-05:00

(REAL little...)

A substitute teacher was trying to make use of her psychology background. She began her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks you're stupid, please stand up."

Right away, Little Johnny stood up.

The teacher said, "Why do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?"

"I don’t, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!"

Badadum.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I'll be here all week...

A cautionary tale...

2008-11-25T18:05:00.005-05:00

Let this be a lesson to all who would make assumptions... about boys. And girls. And pink Hanna Montana pencils...

Today I subbed for a first grade teacher. It was me and the special ed teacher in the room. For a large portion of today there was a "discussion" between a boy and a girl about a pink Hanna Montana pencil. The girl insisted that the boy took it from her - that it was hers. He made no bones about the fact that he doesn't like her - "she is not my friend"... horrifying first-grade things like that...

Off and on throughout the day was the issue of this pencil. Boy says it is his. Girl says it is hers. Finally I take the pencil. In the back of my brain I think... "I will leave it for the teacher to talk with them tomorrow." And then I thought "what am I thinking?? I can't leave a busy teacher a note about a pink Hanna Montana Pencil! This is nonsense." So when the boy left I gave it to the girl. Told her to take it home and leave it at home.

A few minutes after the girl left (her bus was called) the boy returned to the room. With his sister. She said she gave the pencil to the boy. The other teacher thanked her and said that it had helped the boy get his work finished that day.

OMG. I felt absolutely HORRIBLE! How could I fix this?!? I totally owe this boy an apology. I told the teacher what had happened. She wasn't angry - she told me that the girl has done this before and that I had no way of knowing. I even told her that I had planned to leave it for the teacher with a note and then thought the better of that idea... she laughed.

I believed the girl not because I liked her more or think any less of the boy... I believed the girl because it was a pink Hanna Montana pencil. And maybe because I heard him being so wretched to her (knowing what I know now I see that he had a reason).

I screwed up. BIG. What is the message this boy received from all of this?? He is not trustworthy? Girls will be believed more than boys?

UGH!!!!! I fell for the oldest stereotype in the book and I am woefully embarrassed by it.

Opportunity wears soft-soled shoes...

2008-11-24T20:40:00.004-05:00

For years I have been trying to figure out how to make the holidays less like a potlatch and more about reaching out with hearts and hands - I have weakly suggested we forgo our family pollyanna in years past and have been shot down... this year I decided that most people would welcome the opportunity to just get together without having to worry about spending money on a trinket gift... will this save us a lot of money? No. of course not. But it MAY help everyone to change their focus... it isn't about the presents. It is about connecting with each other. Pure and simple. Spending time - not money...

This year, the weak economy and tenuous employment situations for many offer each of us an opportunity to really think about what is important. What really makes us happy. Kids too - kids remember and appreciate the time spent with them - the times we focus on them and make them feel special. Take advantage of this time to shift your focus...

Say no to the potlatch... say yes to real connections!

Apparently, I have been promised extra energy...

2008-11-16T08:07:00.006-05:00

Here is what my horoscope says for today:

It's as if you took extra vitamins today, for your energy level is high and can soar even higher if you are willing to let go of your past. Mars is now in your sign until December 27, revving up your motor and supplying you with extra fuel. Don't procrastinate; it's your time to start something fabulous.

Sounds impressive - doesn't it??! Most days I read this horoscope (just for fun - I know that) and marvel at the ring of truth it has to it... Today I read this and am seriously hoping I get some of that energy... what would be really great is if I could have that energy even if I exercise. Because for me - in the alternate universe in which I live - the more I exercise the more I feel like someone beat the crap out of me. Sort of counter-productive to losing weight, isn't it?

Anywho - if Mars being in my sign can somehow fix this for me temporarily - then woo hoo! :D

Yeah, I know.

It's B.S.

But a girl can dream right??

It is easy to be excellent in a sea of mediocrity.

2008-11-14T22:10:00.004-05:00

I subbed today with someone who was - well - mediocre. Perfectly nice woman. very sweet. But a complete and total push-over. She subbed for the regular ed teacher and I for the special ed teacher. We had only one class period together and then I brought my students back to the room at lunch time and at the end of the day.

The class period we had together, was odd at best. The room is full of diverse abilities - and the assignment left was a worksheet packet. She tried to have everyone work together, got upset when some students worked ahead. Didn't want to allow students to help other students - these are sixth graders... one student is an honors student who would have otherwise just been sitting there doing nothing. He wanted to help one of my students, a new student in class, who was struggling with the multiple instructions given (I was pretty-much tied to the Downs Syndrome child who needed constant assistance). She didn't want him to help... it was frustrating, but we survived.

When we returned to the room for lunch she was sitting at a table in the back drawing (she is an art teacher she told me - I think she was drawing things for the students). Kids were loud, doing whatever they wanted, not lining up for lunch - they were trying to pass out lunch tickets... no one could hear. It was pure chaos... I finally spoke up. Couldn't take it anymore. Just said (in my naturally loud booming voice) "Ladies and Gentlemen - if you would like to get to lunch this afternoon I strongly suggest you get in line and get quiet." And then I waited. I reminded them that I would not allow them to embarrass me in the hallway and we would simply wait for quiet before we would leave. And we waited. We were seven minutes late for lunch but we were quiet.

Imagine my surprise when I returned with my students at the end of the day and encountered the exact same situation! But the teacher, who had a planning day and was in the building, followed me into the room and caught her doing nothing and the students carrying on - and she knew I had nothing to do with it (thank HEAVENS!) ... I felt bad for the other sub - clearly this grade level is more than she can handle, as I said - she is very nice... but I felt embarrassed for her...

But I realized today that I actually am a decent sub and I am grateful that I have that weird invisible thing that my mother has (on a smaller, less-developed level of course) where students just seem to listen to me. I do not have a huge problem with classroom management. I don't pretend to know why... but I am grateful... no doubt about it!

Oh - and I booked three and a half more days while I was in the building today!

The Meeting

2008-11-07T07:03:00.004-05:00

You thought it would never happen. You thought I had forgotten about Rebecca and Vince and Garrett and Becky. But you were wrong! I have finally taken the time to write a bit more... so I hope you enjoy a little more of Vince's nostalgic recollections... Part twelve follows:

It was a blistering hot August afternoon in 1995 when Vince first darkened the doorway at Garrett Glass. Dressed in full Army Dress Uniform he was an impressive figure. Garrett was in a hurry, needed to get to an appointment he explained and asked how he could help Vince.

"I want to talk to you about my niece." he said.
"I don't think that I know your niece, Sir" Garrett explained
"I think you do. Her name is Becky."

Garrett stopped dead in his tracks and looked Vince straight in the eye. "So you are Vince then." he said and held out his hand. Vince recalled his firm honest handshake - truly a man's handshake tells us of his character. There was just something about Garrett. He intended to really throw his weight around and show tis guy who was boss. Instead he almost instantly liked him.

"Vince, I'm sorry - I am really running late here. I would love to talk to you about Becky, but I have to get going. You are welcome to ride along if you like. We can talk on the way."

This was the first day of what would prove to be the best friendship of Vince's life. The two rode together in that beat up old truck that Garrett was so fond of. Vince laughed to himself thinking of all the times he tried to talk Garrett into buying something new, but all Garrett ever wanted to spend extra money on was that 1957 Cadillac Convertible that he was restoring. Well, that and Becky of course. His devotion to that little girl was beyond imagination. She wasn't spoiled - but he made sure that she was properly cared for - and well, maybe a little bit spoiled. But they had a chemistry between them, a connection that was unbelievable. When Becky came into a room, Garrett's eyes lit up - she ran to him with complete joy and abandon - like they had been separated for months even though it had only been hours.

Vince helped Garrett replace Mrs. McClosky's windshield. They said little while they were working and Mrs. McClosky looked confused about why this army gentleman in his fancy uniform was helping to repair her Toyota Corolla. When they finished they said goodbye and headed back to the shop. On the way, Garrett told him about Caterina.

"Since she's been back, I've tried to help her stay sober. She lies all the time about her drinking, Vince. She shows up at odd hours. I let her see Becky, but not alone. Too afraid she may black out, or just forget what she is doing. We go to the park together..." Garrett tried to explain.

"You knew she was a drunk when you met her, Garrett. How did you get so close, so intimate with her if drinking bothers you so much? Did you really think you would change her?" Vince was agitated.

Garrett didn't answer. He just drove. Vince remembered thinking that he may have crossed a line - upset him somehow - touched a nerve. Eventually they pulled up in front of the shop.

"You want to meet her?" Garrett asked
"Becky? Sure - I mean of course!" Vince answered, relieved that Garrett finally was talking again.

They went across the street to a second story house-apartment. A large woman with bright silver hair and kind blue eyes answered the door. "Hi Mrs. Ivanov. I'm here for my lunch date" Garrett said. Mrs. Ivanov held the door open for him to enter the apartment. "Daddy!" Becky ran around the corner in a yellow sundress, her hair in pig tails and threw her arms around Garrett with such blatant happiness, you couldn't help but smile to see this reunion.

When she saw Vince, she froze. Her face changed. Tears began to well up in her little toddler eyes. She must have been afraid of him - the uniform, his height - he was never sure what it had been exactly. Garrett explained that this was her Uncle Vince, that she didn't need to be afraid and when Vince offered his hand to her to shake, she tentatively put her little hand out as well - and Vince fell in love instantly.

What is the sniglet for this??

2008-10-21T16:53:00.003-04:00

You guys remember sniglets? Lactomangulation... Bevemeter... well - we need a sniglet to name the phenomenon where one looks in the mirror before a special occasion and thinks they look all sorts of fine only to discover when inspecting photos of the event that in fact one looked fat, ridiculous or - perhaps worst of all - both. What can we call that distorted perspective?? Has this happened to you at all?

On a tangently-related note... here is a quiz... Your loved on asks you if you are as fat as someone else at a given event. Is the correct answer: 1) Oh no dear! Not even close! 2) I can't tell, she is wearing a coat.

Yeah - that's what I thought.

FIlling the shoes of a gym teacher.

2008-10-11T17:56:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, I was a gym teacher. Those of you who know me know that I generally have about as much regard for a gym teacher as I do a cock-roach. Okay. Maybe a little more. Just a teensy bit. Couple that with the fact that I am perhaps the most woefully uncoordinated person on the planet and I simply could not control my laughter when the sub callers asked me to accept this assignment. They practically begged me. Since my number one fear is disappointing people - I agreed to give it a try...

I will tell you this - it IS hard work - a different kind of hard and not as hard as a regular day. I hardly had to write anything on my sub report (which usually fills two pages). I got to play all day - which was pretty cool. I DID have to do a lot of yelling, just so students would be able to hear me. The desk was an absolute train-wreck and there were smelly sneakers on the floor and dirty socks on what I THINK was supposed to be a bookshelf - but I am learning that everyone has a different organizational style than I do.

All in all, it was okay. Not really my speed. Not my style. In a pinch, I would of course, do it again - but I won't be asking for that assignment anytime soon THAT's for sure!

Someone needs to explain this to me...

2008-10-06T17:23:00.003-04:00

I had a 4:50 appointment for a Chiropractic adjustment. I arrived on time. I signed in. I sat. And waited. And waited. At 5:15 she took me back. To a second waiting room. Uhm hello. NO. Let me rephrase... HELL NO. I am so not sitting and waiting who-knows-how-long because the doctor had a new patient.

Excuse me??? That is all very well and good for YOU - but this long-time faithful loyal comes-every-two-weeks-patient needs her scheduled adjustment. Is it too much to ask that you take me within ten minutes of my scheduled appointment? Tell the NEW patient that you are BOOKED today and will have to see him or her tomorrow. Or the next day? Or at the bare minimum CALL your loyal patient to let her know that you are WAY off schedule and offer a re-schedule??? Is that too much to ask?!??!

I am livid. (Could you tell?? LOL) What is the deal with doctors? Why do they do this and WHY do they think it is okay?

I walked out BTW. I told them I can not sit around and wait - that I have another engagement - which I do. William has karate this evening. I said I would call to reschedule. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. Maybe I will try another chiropractor.

Was this a Catholic School thing...

2008-10-01T07:15:00.003-04:00

Or just a "HEY! You're old" thing...

I remember being in grade school. When we would encounter an adult in the hallway the whole line would announce in complete choral voice "Good Morning Sister Marie" or whatever the teacher's name was. In the classroom, if an adult entered the room everyone was completely silent, stood up and the same magical thing happened... "Good Morning, Father Cramer". And then Father Cramer would say "Good Morning, class - please sit down."

Did this happen only in catholic schools? Does it still happen? If so - is the possible reason that we didn't have a lot of people wandering around? Also - I was remembering that I don't have a lot of experience with substitute teachers - if we had a sick teacher, another sister would come and take care of the class for that day.

Back to my question... this idea of addressing adults in this way... was/is this solely a catholic school thing or is it a hey - that was more than 30 years ago thing...

Anyone??

Polite Subtlety

2008-09-28T07:39:00.004-04:00

"In love silence is of more avail than speech…there is an eloquence in silence that penetrates more deeply than language can." Blaise Pascal

This post has been mulling around in my head for quite some time - I am finally deciding to just put it out there and see what you all think...

Some part of me wishes that we only called those who are very close to us - like family - by their first names. Using titles, creating what at least appears to be a respectable distance with everyone else. Then again I wish men still wore hats and women, gloves. I think there was an implied genteel politeness. And I think these things once acted as visual reminders of our need to be courteous. And no, I realize the good old days weren't always good - I know this didn't always work and that people don't like to be told what to do - but this is all part of the American tradition of "throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Of not understanding subtlety. The whole "You're not the boss of me" mentality we are so good at. Sounds a lot like toddlers and teens if you ask me - we are an entire society lacking self-restraint and good manners - but hey! No one tells US what to do. Or what to wear. Or how to behave... right?

Anyone who has ever read Jane Austen for instance realizes that there have always been ways to buck the system. But they were quiet and subdued. Double entendre and silent glances ruled and there was plenty of blushing to go around - even without the ass-slapping vulgarity that we are plagued with today. Look at the french for example... The french word séduction CAN mean persuading someone to go to bed with you, but it is typically used in a more general way to reflect the idea of trying to charm someone. The french seduce everyone - men - women - doesn't matter but in the second more general way... without the sexual proposition behind it... Think about it - this kind of attention is, well, nice... who doesn't like to be on the receiving end of kind words, compliments, warm feelings. Why do Americans always have to assume everything to be sexual? (back to the teen thing I think, no?)

At least that's how it looks from my chair.

Clean Slate

2008-09-21T15:08:00.002-04:00

Everyone likes a clean slate, a fresh start - to have this we must first have the courage to have nothing. To be ready for change we have to be willing to put everything aside - make room - create a void. There is an innocence to nothing that offers the opportunity for change, growth, knowledge. This (painfully awkward) attempt at haiku addresses this week's prompt from Weekend Wordsmith.

Stark barren nothing
empty of expectation
Hopeful potential

Next time you want to complain about teachers...

2008-09-20T15:31:00.003-04:00

Okay folks - the very next time you want to complain about teachers and that they "only" work 10 months out of the year I challenge you to spend a few weeks filling their shoes - or trying to. These men and women are saddled with the HUGE responsibility of educating our FUTURE. That's big. Really big.

The last two weeks I have been teaching every day. Our district mandates a lot of planning days and meetings etc several times a year so the need for my services has been great. I have never worked as hard as I have these last two weeks. And I have worked damn hard in the past. But I can assure you - knowing that young minds and hearts are depending on you takes everything up a notch. I am - for one day - to facilitate learning for these students. Learning about facts, how to read and how to behave like decent citizens with kindness and compassion for each other. I may move around from room to room and building to building, but I still take that challenge seriously. I venture to guess that is true for most if not all subs. We have big shoes to fill and we work hard to do so.

Favorite moment so far? Student I taught last week saw me in the hall, ran up to me, hugged me and said "Mrs. C - are you coming to our room today?" Sadly, I wasn't - and when I let her know that she said "Bummer." Wow. That is a wicked cool feeling. Two weeks in - and already students are liking me. That is definitely a great feeling. That and teachers are calling me back into their rooms so teachers must like me a bit too...

All of this might help to explain my recent absence here in the blogosphere. I can't promise that is will get any better, but hey! You never know! I'll work on it.

Back-To-School

2008-09-12T07:49:00.004-04:00

This picture is from the first day of school this year. It is my son William and his friend Alexis...

I just wanted to check in for a bit to let you all know that I have been busy every day this week subbing and expect to be busy from this point forward - I even have a few days booked in January! Suffice it to say things are going well. I already have some good stories but can't really share them in an open forum like this - so I may be starting a private, by-invitation-only blog for that very purpose.

Anyway - I wanted to check in with everyone just to let you all know I am still alive and well...

As fate would have it...

2008-09-07T19:54:00.001-04:00

I start tomorrow! A second grade resource teacher! YAY! Wish me luck people...

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

2008-09-05T21:31:00.003-04:00

Great news!! Thanks to PirateTeacherFriend for providing me with what will likely be my first subbing assignment! September 11th! Just think - this time last year if you had told me I would be subbing I would have laughed in your face - and yet - here I am! YAY! And the super-weird thing is that I am not really nervous. Maybe I will be that day - but not now. Not yet... Maybe I won't be - who knows?!

And so it would seem that being brave and requiring more of myself is paying off.

I need lots of positive vibes this coming Thursday please! Think of me! :D

Lucky me!

2008-09-05T16:06:00.003-04:00

"I felt it shelter to speak with you" -Emily Dickinson

You've heard me say it before - I typically don't enjoy the company of most women. I am a man's woman. But today I visited with a friend and enjoyed copious amounts of conversation and a nice lunch. Let me just say that I feel more content and relaxed having had this time with her and feel extremely grateful to count her among my friends.

GMOM - thank you. It was a delightful day. Let's do it again sometime, shall we?

Don't Tell...

2008-09-01T17:58:00.003-04:00

Part Eleven of Rebecca's Saga. In case anyone is still reading... here is a bit from Vince's perspective... If you want to read more, click the link on the sidebar and scroll to the bottom to read from the beginning...

Vince pulled into the lot behind the shop but didn't get out of the truck. The rain slid down the windshield past the wipers stopped mid-swipe. He was tired. Not go-lie-down-and-take-a-nap tired, the kind of tired that overtakes a person who feels over-extended and out of his league. He had no idea how it ended up this way - him raising a 16 year old girl on his own. Even though it was the right thing to do there were days that he couldn't escape feeling like he had made a big mistake. Becky was a good kid, but everything else about the situation felt bad. Real bad.

Caterina had always had problems. He remembered when they had moved away - she was in seventh grade, he was in fifth. He caught her early one morning filling a lip gloss container with rum. That was how she did it - how she kept it hidden. She popped out the little plastic ball and filled the glass vial with rum. Or vodka. or whatever she thought she could get away with that day. He wanted to tell his mom. Damn it! What if he had? What if she had gotten help then? She begged him. Cried.

"Please don't tell Vinnie! Remember how you took that cookie last week? Remember? I didn't tell on you. We have to stick together..."

He never told - he just tried to avoid her as much as he could so he wouldn't have to make that decision again. He remembered her being escorted home with the police on more than one occasion, then there was the time she nearly had alcohol poisoning and his parents made him put on a coat at 2:00 am to go to the hospital with them. After that they sent her away to a rehab program for girls. She ran away regularly, more jail time... in the end, there was no money for him to go to college. He joined the army instead. He liked the structure and being in top shape - they trained him in electronics and eventually he coordinated construction planning and advised on electrical construction of buildings used to house satellite tracking equipment for the Gulf War.

He was accomplished - would have stayed with the army if not for his sister's letter to him. "I need your help, Vinnie. I had a baby a few years ago and I gave her up. I miss her awful and I am not allowed to see her because I am not perfect. He won't let me see her Vin. I need your help." she wrote. Instead of reenlisting, he came home determined to help reunite his sister with her daughter. That's what she needed - he had reasoned. Someone beside herself to be responsible for. He had no idea how wrong he was until he showed up on Garrett's doorstep.

What We did on our Summer Vacation...

2008-09-01T12:12:00.004-04:00

Since a picture is worth a thousand words here are 27... Knock yourself out! :D

Get thin - or else!

2008-08-31T07:17:00.005-04:00

This isn't brand-new-hot-off-the-presses new but it sure is new to me... This is in Japan...

companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population.Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.

SOURCE: NY Times

Apparently their goal is to reduce diabetes and stroke. Guess they didn't get the memo that there is no scientific proof to back up this plan...

Can you imagine if your taxes went up because your local municipality had too many "metabo" (short-hand slang for "Metabolic Syndrome")? Holy crap! There would be witch hunts everywhere! Or what if we got fired for being too fat? Think the unemployment rate is ridiculous now??

I hope they repeal this soon. There is a protest movement involving sending 1000 fat cranes to the Japanese Government. I like the idea. Problem is that it will fall on deaf ears... "Clazy fat Amelicans... We can't risten to them or we get fat rike them!"

Beautiful

2008-08-30T17:22:00.003-04:00

My first try at PhotoHunter. The prompt was "beautiful". This was easy for me - after years of trying to get William on a bicycle we learned for sure this summer that that would not happen - at least not without first addressing his gravitational insecurity. The physical therapist recommended William get a trike - so... we did. And for this mom, seeing my son at age eight finally able to ride a cycle - even if it is one with three wheels - is beautiful... that and well - he is so darn cute! :D

Lost Socks - PSA

2008-08-30T10:49:00.005-04:00

I decided to not do the metaphor thing. It was wildly tempting when I saw the prompt at Weekend Wordsmith this week. Decided to be silly instead...

Lost Socks. A Public Service Announcement

They are alone.
Mismatched,
Scared.
Unable to find their way back.

They are the lost socks.
Socks carelessly thrown into the washer without regard for the dangers awaiting socks in the wash:
Slipping under the agitator,
Falling behind an appliance,
Stuck to velcro - or worse... inside a pant leg not to be discovered for months to come.

Don't let this happen to YOUR socks.
Bag 'em up.
Stick them together.

Remember:
One thoughtless, callous act on your part
Can part your socks
Forever.

Dog Humor

2008-08-28T19:13:00.003-04:00

So... As you likely know my dog Gunther has diabetes. Right now we are trying to get him regulated and so I must test a urine sample several times a day. To do this I simply slip a test slip under him at the right moment.

Ha.

This dog who could barely drag his butt off the patio last week to relieve himself now finds it necessary to run 3 laps around our half acre fenced-in yard before he decides on the proper place. He does this, I am sure, to laugh at me trotting around behind him with the test strip in one hand and the container (to compare the result with and determine the reading) in the other...

Yeah, Gunther... hysterical.

BTW - the dog in the picture is not Gunther. Gunther is slick enough not to laugh at me right in front of me, but I KNOW he is yucking it up as soon as my back is turned.

We are what we are drawn to...

2008-08-28T15:31:00.002-04:00

Apparently I am "The Coach" - which i'll take as a positive omen considering I can be called to sub beginning next week!

Thanks to Tricia at Miss Rumphius effect for the cool test. Oddly accurate actually!

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HFDS - The Coach

Humanity, Foreground, Detail, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on what's in front of you (the foreground) and how that is affected by the details of life. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to deal directly with whatever comes your way without dealing with speculating possibilities or outcomes you can't control. You are highly focused on specific goals or tasks and find meaning in life by pursuing those goals. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Gunther Update

2008-08-28T07:14:00.002-04:00

Well - he seems to be better. I think this was directly related to the hypoglycemic episode and not so much the diabetes itself. He was dosed yesterday at 20 Units just once (in the morning) and his readings for yesterday showed a nice curve... including one negative reading though so I want to check with the vet to see if we should keep it at 20 or try 18...

He seems much more himself the last day or so... Maybe we have him stable now. I hope.

I hope I am over-reacting.

2008-08-25T09:50:00.003-04:00

Gunther had a bad night last night. Hypoglycemic episode. Lots of panting - anxiety no doubt, couldn't get up on his own... Then we thought we had it pretty well regulated with peanut butter and karo syrup and saltines, but it increased again through the night and I found myself coaxing him down the steps at 3:30 this morning to help him get outside (thought maybe he had to pee) and give him more saltines and pb and syrup... This morning I talked to the vet who said that what we will do is monitor his levels throughout the day today and not administer any insulin until tomorrow morning - and then to give him less. And only in the morning.

My concern now is that he seems lethargic and he is not walking right. He CAN get up on his own but his legs are so stiff. He doesn't seem himself. I wonder if there isn't something else going on, along with the diabetes... even though all the other bloodwork was apparently fine... or if he is just not interested in playing this game.

I worry we are running out of time with Gunther. I realized the other day while looking for baby pictures of William that is is difficult to find any that didn't have Gunther in them as well... Thought I'd share one...

If you haven't seen this...

2008-08-24T16:46:00.001-04:00

You owe it to yourself to watch - Maybe someday SOMEONE can explain to me how neither TaiChi nor WuShu was accepted as an olympics sport while - heaven help us ALL - Synchronized swimming IS...

Whatev.

ta i ji @ Yahoo! Video

When an Ear is a Tooth

2008-08-23T19:02:00.003-04:00

Thanks Bonnie at Weekend Wordsmith for this week's prompt - I had fun with this one! :) We've all been there with this one I am sure...

When an Ear is a Tooth

What is wrong with that guy?
Is he crazy?
Wandering from case to case
Opening door after door
Mumbling about pea pods or green beens -
Vanilla Ice cream or Neapolitan.

Wait -

I see it now -
His blinking right ear...
Is a blinking Bluetooth.

Ah. That explains it all...

Yeah - Well, Who Asked Me?!?

2008-08-22T14:58:00.003-04:00

Today, at my gal Mindi's blog, Moms Need to Know, she trashed the wide leg pant. Min - ya know I love ya, but here is where you and I shall part company. You must never throw the baby out with the bath water. One single commandment condemning all wide leg pants does not do the fat girl any good...

As with any fashion, there are rules for pants. One must follow rules if one wants to avoid looking dumpy. These rules are for those of us with a more ample ass (among other things)...

First - WRITE THIS DOWN ON YOUR HAND SO YOU DON"T FORGET: It is not about size. It is about fit. The number you see on the tag doesn't mean a damn thing. It is just a subjective number thrown on there by the manufacturer. A 14 in a Gap pant will not necessarily work for the gal quite comfy in a 14 from the Avenue. Does this mean it is time for a meltdown if you can't squeeze your bottom into a 14 at the Gap? Uhm no. It means GET A BIGGER PAIR. There's a reason women's pants don't sport waist measurements or anything else on the outside tag. It's called: WHO CARES?? Just as long as you look smashing, darling! Get over it and get a bigger pair.

Okay - next: when choosing pants/trousers/knickers - whatever you want to call them, the ideal silhouette for pants is going from your widest part straight down. So - if your widest part is quite wide this actually necessitates a wide leg pant... right?

Also: You need to wear a heel most likely. It is a rare gal who can pull off a flat in a wider leg pant. Doesn't have to be a go-go boot with 5" spiked heels - but you are going to need a little lift. Just insures that you don't look like you have PJ's on. Ya know?

Waist - not too low, not too high... And please!!!! NO MUFFIN TOPS! EW. Gross. And rise - well - make sure you fit in there. all together. No one wants to see your undies sticking out. Don't tell all those little chippies who think it looks all hot to have their thong sticking out the top of their pants and sporting a peek at their ass-cracks. It makes them look cheap - but they don't want to hear that - they would throw back that we are just jealous - okay. yeah, whatever. Bottom line - fat girls - NEVER do this. You don't have that kind of margin for error. You can most likely get those skinny chicks back in the cleavage department - but that's a post for another day.

If you are short, you should stay away from a crop pant. Arguably also capris, but until someone can tell me how to keep my legs from sticking to my car interior it is capris all the way for me when it is hot out.

Okay - so that is the scoop on pants... Oh yeah - I almost forgot - stay away from a pattern on the bottom. Some may argue with me on this point, but I truly think that none of us need any help creating the visual illusion that we are BIGGER on our bottoms - right? If I am wrong - go on ahead and wear that large floral print on your butt. Rock on... more power to ya!

Gunther Update

2008-08-20T07:01:00.005-04:00

Once again, it would seem that the Proximity Principal works for me... I took Gunther to the vet yesterday. The new vet. And I like him. A lot. He is taking a much more relaxed approach to treating Gunther's diabetes. No glucose curves (as he said, it is too stressful for the dog and for the owner), testing with urine-strips, not a blood glucose monitor. This matches my ideas on this case exactly. Gunther is a senior dog and I do NOT want his last months or years to be filled with needle pricks and many overnight stays at the vet's. I don't know how long he will be able to hang out with us, but I don't want it to be miserable for any of us. I return this afternoon to learn how to give him a shot and then we are off and running.

We are using Novolin-N insulin, 30 guage syringes (incidentally - one needs a prescription in NJ for syringes but NOT for insulin. Fascintating) and Keto-diastix. I have managed to find some good deals online for the syringes and the testing strips. So it will be just under $4 per day to treat Gunther's diabetes; two shots - one urine test.

We spilt his food into two servings, he gets one third in the morning and the remaining two thirds in the evening. He is allowed to have protein snacks through out the day. He can even have a little peanut butter if we buy him the natural peanut butter - the other has too much sugar.

To help track everything I downloaded a program called Diabetes Logbook X (sorry windows users - this is a mac-only application). This is FREEWARE and was developed by a mother to track her young (3-1/2 years old) son's medicines etc. Geek that I am can't just keep track in a notebook like the rest of the world, LOL! I plan to donate to Diabetes UK at the developer's request...

Bloggers... question for you...

2008-08-19T17:01:00.002-04:00

When a reader makes a comment to your blog that sort of requires a response, do you respond by commenting on your own blog or on theirs? Or do you do something else? Thanks!

Cloudy with a chance for secrets

2008-08-18T15:01:00.003-04:00

Part ten of Rebecca's Saga... Thank you to Bonnie and GMOM for uhm - "nudging" me forward a bit. Comments, requests, suggestions etc are appreciated... want to read more? Please, see the sidebar!

Rebecca felt almost guilty knowing more about this girl's life than she did. Why would Vince have told her about Caterina without cautioning her not to tell Becky? Or maybe he meant to but was interrupted by Becky's call than night? In any event, Rebecca felt awkward having been burdened with this huge secret.

Mercifully, Becky changed the subject - talking once more about band camp. Rebecca never knew there was so much drama among musicians. She was grateful for the distraction however and listened intently.

After lunch, Rebecca walked Becky back to the shop. She noticed an old sign in the window that she hadn't noticed the day before: Garrett Glass ~ Garrett Lewsinski Proprietor. She smiled a faint smile and as she traced his name with her finger she realized how odd it was that she had just assumed that Garrett Glass was "her" Garrett's. Sort of arrogant in a way - assuming that the universe is ordered the way she imagined.

Rebecca headed back to her house. There would be no time for her to investigate at the library. She still had wallpaper to scrape in the halls, and linoleum to rip up. Her mind wandered to the possibilities of what could be under that awful floor. She concentrated so intently on the possibility of beautiful wood flooring that she didn't notice the blue truck edging up beside her.

"Rebecca!" Vince's voice startled her from her daydream. "Need a lift?" He asked.
"No, Vince. I do not."
"I was headed to your house - to finish the estimate" Vince offered, not noticing the edge in her voice. Rebecca's bike stopped quickly scattering gravel onto the asphalt. Vince pulled the truck off to the side of the road and put on his hazard lights. Rebecca suddenly felt trapped. She was going to have to talk to him - but she desperately wanted to avoid it.

"Flat tire?" He asked innocently.
"No, Vince. Not a flat tire." Rebecca's curt reply startled Vince. He stopped a few feet away.
"What is it then?" he asked.
"Vince - I am not going to have this conversation with you here. Not now." Rebecca started to pedal away again.
"What conversation?" Vince tried to follow her on foot, but the bike took on speed as she went down a small hill so Vince hopped in his truck. Rebecca's mind was racing. Maybe it would be better to have the conversation away from her house - here in the middle of the road. Neutral territory and all. She felt irrationally angry with him and knew she was really angry with Garrett. But DAMN IT he was not here to yell at and SOMEONE had it coming.

She skidded to a stop again - Vince passed her again in his truck and pulled over again. For a moment - neither one of them moved. Vince watched her in his rearview mirror. Rebecca straddled her bike with her arms crossed.

"I'm not getting out, Rebecca."
"Well, I am not moving."
"What is the problem?"
"How could you?"
"How could I... what exactly?!"
"Not tell her!"
"Ah." Vince opened the door and slowly walked toward Rebecca. She didn't move - only her eyes grew wider.
"It wasn't my idea, Rebecca -"
"Don't you think I realize that? But you could have told her anyway. After. Maybe she would have liked to meet her mother after she lost her father, Vince! Her MOTHER!!!"
"It's not like you think it is."
"Oh really?" Rebecca moved away from the bike and shook her hair out of her helmet and moved her hands to her hips "How is it then?"
"She's a drunk, Rebecca."
"Becky's a drunk?"
"No - my sister. Becky's mother. Caterina is a drunk."

Rebecca didn't know how to feel. She was confused. The Garrett she knew would not have been involved with a drunk. He was the cleanest, most straight-laced kid she knew - too smart for that stuff... How did he let that happen? While her mind raced, she didn't notice Vince putting her bike in the back of his truck or the dark clouds looming overhead.

"Please get in the truck Rebecca"
"No - I am almost home. I'll just - " Rebecca noticed her bike was not where she left it - "Vince - put my bike back. I want to ride home. You can't just assume that I want a ride. You -"
"Rebecca - it is going to pour in about a minute. You have at least a half a mile to go. Let me drive you home."
"No. Give me my bike."
"Rebecca - it doesn't -"
"VINCE" she was extremely agitated with him now "Just give me my bike!"
Vince took the bike out of the truck and returned it to her side. Then he got in his truck and drive off.
"Good." She thought and put her helmet on.

As she pulled away the skies opened up and she was drenched. By the time she got home there were puddles in her sneakers and enough rain running down her face to hide the tears. A little bit down the road she could see Vince's truck slowly pull away as she pulled into her driveway.

She parked her bike in the shed and ran into the house, quickly closing the door behind her and shrinking to the floor exhausted and emotional. She sat very still - waiting to hear his truck pull into the driveway. It never did. She knew he had waited to make sure she got home okay and while she was somewhat touched by his kind gesture she was equally relieved she wouldn't have to hear more about his sister, Becky's mother, the drunk. Not today at least.

Simple Magic

2008-08-15T17:14:00.003-04:00

Hopping back in on the Weekend Wordsmith Challenge this week... the prompt is "Laughing Baby". Couldn't resist a couple cue pictures of William giggling - he was such a happy smiley baby... Anyway - here is my poem, Simple Magic... Enjoy!

Simple Magic

Simple, magical laugh
Erases sorrow,
Distracts pain.

A reciprocal joy
In innocent eyes
Responding with glee
to my giddy gaze.

It's all worth it
In the end.

Work in Progress

2008-08-15T16:08:00.004-04:00

Thought I would share with you my most recent project... I am working on a parade banner for the Karate School, William is my assistant of course! I don't know where I get these ideas in my head - but sometimes I just can see it in my head and basically - with no experience whatsoever, just will it into existence.

Have I mentioned recently how much I love felt? Felt is amazing! You can make almost anything out of felt - it is incredibly versatile and cheap and just fantastic. If you use a sewing machine to finish it actually has a bit of a high-end sort of appearance to it. My goal with THIS banner is to ensure it does not look home made.

Incidentally - the logo is designed to appear as handwriting. You will be able to tell that a bit more once the word "institute: is added under "karate" as well as the phone number. I am pleased with the project so far and am hoping that we can use it, if not at the Waterford Township Days in September - at least in the Halloween parade in October!

Never is a long, long time.

2008-08-13T14:37:00.006-04:00

I would say I will never have another dog, but my grandmother used to say "Never is a long, long time." and what'ya know?! She was right!

Gunther (my dog) has diabetes and I am no longer coming unglued. I have a tentative plan.

The first part of this plan was to get a new vet. Several reasons for that - the first and most practical reason is that I can no longer afford to travel a half hour one way for a visit. Not with the visits that we will need to make. There is a vet a few blocks away - the Proximity Principle (sort of like Acoms Razor) has worked for us with Karate and chiropractic care - let's give it a try for veterinary care. I went down there and talked to the nice girl this morning - got a good positive vibe and made an appointment for Tuesday morning.

The other reasons for needing to switch relate to deteriorating service at our current vet office. Waiting more than a half hour for an appointment to start, another 15 minutes for them to find our chart so we can fork over HUGE amounts of money while they hand you a receipt that attempts to scare you into not saving some money by ordering meds on the internet. UGH! You know - if you didn't charge me $55 for a 10 minute visit, maybe I could afford to buy my meds there... just a thought.

Gunther is an otherwise healthy dog. He is a Shepherd mix and he is 11 years old. I am realistic. I want to try giving him the shots along with finding a balance with maybe a more appropriate diet for him. I can't see him going through glucose curves. He doesn't poop or eat if he is not at home. He just doesn't. This is why we never take him camping. If he responds positively to the treatment, we continue. If he is not happy with the treatment after a reasonable adjustment period - maybe a month or so - or if it changes him, like makes him nasty or if he simply deteriorates, then I will have to consider putting him down. When he reaches the next stage of the disease, I will put him down. I am not delusional. He is a senior dog. I want to help him maintain a happy life but we are not going to make a monstrous battle out of this. I knew from the beginning that he is mine only for a while and then it will be over - but I seriously never thought it would be something like diabetes! He has NEVER been overweight and he has never been fed table scraps - I have done everything I have been asked to do - he is not considered a high risk for the disease - and yet he has it. And it sucks. And it pisses me off - BIG time.

But I digress - for now... the plan is to provide him with care and then go day by day from there.

Back to the title of this post... I am fairly sure Gunther is destined to be my only dog. Never had one before - had a LOT of cats - but there is something different about a dog - maybe it is that they actually notice and care if you are not around. I don't know - but THIS is absolutely excruciating. Don't think I can live through this again. I won't say "never" but...

So. Wow. THAT was a busy weekend...

2008-08-11T07:32:00.004-04:00

Let's review a little bit... Here are some things I learned.

Never ever EVER go anywhere NEAR the Schuylkill Expressway on a Saturday Morning on a nice day. We suspect the Philadelphia Zoo to have been the culprit - but it took us forever to get to my mother's on Saturday morning and we blame both the zoo and the TomTom (since it was her idea to go that way...) If by any chance you want to go to the Philadelphia Zoo - don't go on a Saturday. Seriously. Horrible.

The listing price for my childhood memories is $59,900 in case anyone is interested. My grandmother's house is for sale. They had an open house and I went inside. Let me tell you - you know how in movies they show someone walking through a place and memories flash in front of them... that really happens. At least it did to me. I walked in and saw that horrible orange and brown floral wallpaper with my grandfather hanging up his coat and singing - it was very emotional and actually a little strange to realize how SMALL things are in that house. I have been in that house as an adult - so it isn't the "things always seem larger as a child" thing. Something else. My aunt and Ron both said they think it is because our house is fairly large and wide open. I guess that makes the most sense.

Even if someone makes an incredibly tasty bean salad with garbanzo beans and even though it is very good for you, you must limit your intake. Seriously. Do not have six servings. You will have horrific gas pains. And that is all I'm gonna say about THAT.

Hail storms are freaking scary to drive through. If Ron hadn't been there and I was driving home I would have turned around and stayed there until this morning. We were in the Suburban and I seriously thought that a hail stone was coming right through the windshield at any moment. Awful. I have never experienced anything like that in my life. Hated it.

Sooner or later it pays off to RSVP promptly. I won a prize at the shower I went to because I was the first to RSVP. I have a policy. Decide right away if you are going or not, respond immediately and mark details on your calendar and throw out the invite. Done. No room to forget. Finally - my madness pays off!

Coming up this week is a trip to the vet because my baby puppy (not - but I call him that all the time even though he is 11 years old) has had two accidents in the house this week - NEVER has accidents - and seems to be drinking a lot. I am hoping for a UTI and not diabetes. :(

I also have to get William to do all this work that teachers feel compelled to assign to children over the summer. Which leads to my rant (for another day of course) about why not just have school all year long??? If they "need" a break why not let them actually have it? If you are worried they will not retain info what makes you think three or four assignments is going to do them any good? Hate this mandatory will be collected and count as your first grade crapola they send home at the end of the year. Ick.

So - there it is... Will keep you posted.

Oooooo... Ahhhhhh...

2008-08-11T07:03:00.005-04:00

I've won an award! How about THAT?!?! Look how bright and shiny! First one - well - EVER! Thank you to Drowsey Monkey for this esteemed honor.

And now for da rules...

1. Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award
2. 4 of them followers of your blog.
3. One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to who ever gave you the award.

And the winners are...

Froggy at Frog Tastes Like...
Mindi at The Queen Mum
Saphira at The Insanity Called my Life.
Marvin at An Alien Mind
and...
My gal Shana (rhymes with Hannah) at I Promise it Won't All Be about Beer.

It just irks me...

2008-08-04T06:59:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry, but when you retire - RETIRE. Go fishing. Travel the world - do whatever you want but please don't come back! Yeah - I'm looking at YOU Mr. Martin and Mr. Favre... WTH is up with this trend? Have a "Farewell Tour" and make a big deal out of it being your last year - big headlines, lots of interviews and other attention - plenty of lovey-dovey fan mail I am sure...

And then BAM! Oh - never mind. I think I will come back after all.

Knock.it.off. It is to the point now where I don't even blink if someone in sports is going to retire. Who cares? I'll believe it when I see it. Don't get me wrong - these two men - I love them. I think they are rare in the sports world in that they are both polite gentlemen. But still - they have both lost something in the area of integrity with me at least (not that I imagine that either one of them would give a darn about what I think).

Athletes - hear me. Please. If you think you might want to retire - take some time. Make a list of everything that is making you lean in that direction. Write the you of tomorrow a letter today to remind yourself of these reasons... leave only when you are truly ready to leave. This is what I did. Give yourself a little time in your new life to enjoy the freedom and the lightness. Sure - you won't have adrenaline rushing through your veins 24/7 but guess what - you can get used to it. Learn to relax. Not easy. Of course not. But definitely worth it in the end. Have a little self-respect. When you leave. LEAVE. Don't come back.

End or rant.

for now.

:D

Goodwill Goodness - redux...

2008-08-03T19:13:00.004-04:00

Okay - over the past three days I have visited two Goodwill Stores and spent under $50. I got the following:

Talbots LS sweater
Old Navy Jacket
Liz Claiborne capris
BN Sarong with cute little lady bugs on it
Quicksilver shirt for Wlliam
Cute T-shirt for William with VW Beetles on it that says "Don't Bug Me"
A button down SS MacDonalds Racing team shirt (Bill Elliot) for William
Pair of "Police Sunglasses" for William's Halloween costume
2 BN Dry erase markers
24 BN pencils
4 BN Spiral nootbooks
11 BN pocket folders
BN Metal ruler (green)

I think that is all - it was a good week - and let me just say this - if you need or want Halloween stuff - get thee to your local Goodwill IMMEDIATELY!!! You will not regret it!

Happy Shopping!

Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face...

2008-08-01T15:36:00.003-04:00

Okay - maybe it is just me but this guy seems to forget that since he is the landlord - it is HIS house... dumbass.

A landlord was arrested and charged after he crashed his Hummer into a tenant's home because they were behind on their rent, New Castle County police said.

(SOURCE)

So now, he is not only out the back rent, but all the repairs for the damage HE intentionally incurred - his insurance company will never cover that, plus all the legal fees for reckless driving etc. Someone is just not terribly bright...

What I've Learned...

2008-07-31T14:41:00.003-04:00

Let me just share with you something I learned yesterday. Nothing terribly profound, but useful just the same... Pizza Cutters, at least really GOOD pizza cutters like one might get from say - Pampered Chef - are sharp.

Really REALLY sharp. Like a knife. Only round. So if you fail to remove the protective shield they provide in the correct way you might, oh I don't know, slice your finger, for example.

And it might hurt.

A LOT!

That is what happened to me yesterday. I was so excited to show Ron the new ergonomically correct, gimongous pizza cutter that I went to remove the plastic protector (In a way inconsisyenet with the intention of the manufacturer apparently) and in one split second there was blood. EVERYWHERE. Nice. Like a papercut. On steroids. Ouch.

Finally... William has wheels!

2008-07-26T21:04:00.004-04:00

My son, William is eight. He is super-cute and quite smart in his own quirky unique way. He also has some rather significant gross motor challenges that have, up until this point, prevented him from really riding a bike. At.all. Of any kind. A little more than a week ago a physical therapist suggested we get him a trike. That's right, a big giant tricycle. At first I was reluctant - worried about someone making fun of him - but the PT reminded me that his friends will not and the other kids will likely just find something else to pick on him about. The value of him developing leg and ankle muscles and self-esteem and just feeling the thrill of propelling himself through space will outweigh any potential teasing.

So - after many many calls to different bike shops we found one that had one in stock that he could try. He was a little reluctant to get on it initially - he has severe gravitational insecurity and worries about falling - doesn't like to be up high at all - but once we convinced him to try it, that the trike was just like the tricycle that we had to pry out from under him last year because he looked like one of those clowns that ride tricycles he took to it instantly and loves it. It is fabulous to see him so happy peddling around, quite pleased with himself.

Bravo, William! We are so proud!

So - where's all the reports of the good news?

2008-07-25T16:17:00.002-04:00

I know it isn't nearly as appealing to read something uplifting and postitive. I realize that as a society we are more than happy to soak in the bad news but I just have to say... yesterday I paid $4.05 per gallon for premium unleaded gasoline. I was so happy I wanted to hug the young man who filled the tank (i'm in NJ - we don't pump our own gas here).

Where are all the reports on the falling gas prices?? All these people willing to bitch moan and complain about rising gas prices... I paid $0.07 less per gallon this week than last week. I happen to think that is pretty darn great.

Am I the only one??

Memory Lane and Silk Pies

2008-07-21T17:22:00.003-04:00

Here, my patient friends, is the ninth installment of Rebecca's Saga. If you are new here and want to catch up, please see the side bar. Have a comment or complaint? Feel free to post it here... Someone at some Ivy League school is likely doing a thesis on the direct connection between lots of comments and feedback and the speed at which stories are completed... motivation and all that... so - feel free...

Rebecca and Becky sat on Garrett's grave for a while - sometimes talking sometimes not. Rebecca thought it interesting that Becky talked so freely to her considering she was basically a stranger. She looked at Becky when she could remain conspicuous, trying to find some trace of Garrett - but couldn't see it. She could hear him though, in the things she would sometimes say.

"My Daddy always told me not to look for trouble where there wasn't any. I never knew what he meant when he told me that, but I think I figured it out last week at band camp." Becky said and she continued with a story about a drummer who said something about a certain flute player who was a bit of a rival of hers.

Rebecca was reminded of a time when she and Garrett were walking into town together as they often did. It was a warm summer day not unlike this one and they laughed and talked easily as they always did. Why hadn't she appreciated that more? Maybe it was because when you are 15 years old you don't yet know how rare it is to find someone with whom you can be so easily "yourself". That particular day she was complaining that a certain football player hadn't returned a call she had made and she was listing the possible reasons she was being "blown off".

"He doesn't like me, or he thinks my nose is too big, or maybe my butt or may..."
"Maybe he is just busy Rebecca" Garrett countered. "Did you know football practice started this week?"
"Oh". Rebecca replied in a much smaller voice. "I am looking for trouble again, aren't I?" she knew where he was going with this.
Garrett smiled and put his arm on her shoulder "Wouldn't expect anything else from you."

He had been right of course. The football player WAS busy. And exhausted from long practices. Eventually, he did call her and they did go out - in fact they went to the homecoming dance that fall. Where he promptly dumped her for a cheerleader, as cliche as that was... Of course Garrett pulled her through that too.

"Rebecca?" Becky was shaking her shoulder to startle her back to the present.
"Yes? Oh - sorry, Becky - what is it?"
"I wanted to know where you were going when you stopped to talk to me?"

Rebecca didn't want to tell Becky that she was going to research her father's accident. She felt it might make the girl sad. She lied and told her she was just out for a ride.

"It's almost lunchtime, want to grab a bite?" Rebecca offered.
"Sure" Becky took her up on her offer. They walked together to the diner talking about the incredible chocolate silk pies they had there and taking turns pushing Rebecca's bike.

At the diner they sat at a booth. Becky looked forwardly at Rebecca and said "I can see why he loved you." "Who?" Rebecca asked. "My Dad - he told me you were beautiful and funny and smart. That was why he had named me after you. He wanted me to be that way too."

This sort of candid truth stunned Rebecca and for a moment her own curiosity erupted from her mouth: "What about your mother, Becky? wasn't she beautiful, funny and smart too?" Rebecca's eyes grew wide shocked at her own sudden brush with brusqueness. Becky's answer echoed in her ears: "I don't have a mother... well - I never knew her anyway."

I need to brag...

2008-07-21T10:05:00.003-04:00

My friend Fred is an amazing, gifted artist. You can see his work HERE. I have always felt a little like I know a celebrity since whenever I go to the grocery store I see his artwork on packages of flatbread Fred is a retired graphic artist and incredibly talented. Now it seems, he is becoming internationally famous as well...

He is featured in the current issue of Corel Painter magazine (Issue 18). The magazine is printed in England and the USA market is always a month behind the issues sold in the UK and Europe. The magazine is available at Barnes and Noble and Borders bookstores, and perhaps at other magazine retailers, if you would like to drop in and take a peek.

He also has a featured gallery at the official Corel Painter Magazine Website. Fred- I once again stand in awe of your talent. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Your work is just amazing and you so very much deserve this honor!

OMG - How cute is THIS?

2008-07-20T19:10:00.003-04:00

Scene: I am sitting out front on our steps supervising while William rides his (small electric) dirt quad out front. I hear him stopping periodically, but don't look up for quite a while. FInally he stops right in front of me. I look up. He grins...

William: Bet you don't know why I keep stopping!

Me: Nope - no idea - why DO you keep stopping?

William: Just to smile at you.

OMG - I so love this kid!!!

Does size matter?

2008-07-20T17:12:00.001-04:00

The Par-tay... How'd it go, Froggy wants to know... Well, actually, it went quite well. It occurred to me that my stressors at my parties are largely brought on by my own personal neurosis. Interesting... SO when I am talking to a group of people and glance across the room at another group of people, I worry that they think I am blowing them off. Ron reminds me that this is called mingling. You aren't expected to be everywhere at one time. Good thing too since I have yet to master bi-location (Froggy - keep the cheeky comment to yourself... ;) ) So I must work on this madness. Apparently everyone had a good time. I am close to the $800 mark for the show so it was successful...

The mix of people was great but there was not a lot of interaction BETWEEN these groups. I really think I like a smaller group - but Ron insists that larger parties are better because people in uncomfortable situations have an easier out... I don't know... How about you? Do you prefer to host a larger party or a smaller one? Do you prefer to attend one kind over another?

Today's the day...

2008-07-19T07:15:00.004-04:00

Well - today is the big Pampered Chef BBQ. When I say big, I mean big. We are having ribs, Kabobs, hamburgers, hot dogs, cold veggie pizza, deviled eggs oh - and a chocolate fountain. I got up early to put the ribs on - they cook for about 6 hours or so. Expecting about 20 people. I am so tired. Hoping for a big burst of adrenaline. I went to Martial Arts Fitness last night and let me just say that TaiChiInstructorFriend worked us very hard. At least it felt like that for me.

My fridge is gorgeous now, BTW - sparkling shiny clean... And my granite counters are too! OOooooo - Ahhhhhhhh. :D

So - that's what's new here - very busy. Oh yeah - and if anyone wants or needs Pampered Chef, please let me know. I am closing the show on Monday. And then Karate Camp starts on Monday. I have a rant about the bowling alley forthcoming on that front... stay tuned...

Pretty Pink Birthday Gift

2008-07-14T13:51:00.005-04:00

William and I are invited to his friend's house this evening for cake and ice cream for his little sister's birthday. We had made a little "Playing School Kit" for William's friend back in May and I wanted to do something along a similar vein for his little sister. So I bought a canvas bag, ironed on a design and personalized it with paint. Inside is a tiara and wand to be decorated with sparkles and bows and then two larger foam pieces to be used with Princess Tea foam stick ons. Hope she likes it!

Okay - so we are obviously home by now...

2008-07-12T19:42:00.003-04:00

And I have been negligent in my blogging duties. Hope everyone is doing well. I am getting ready for a Pampered Chef extravaganza I am having next weekend - lots of work. I am having a Co-Ed Pampered Chef BBQ. We are expecting nearly 20 people. Should be pretty good - An interesting mix of people too! People Ron works with, my mother, TeacherPirateFriend and family and even TaiChiInstructorFriend! Oh - and if anyone needs or wants anything from Pampered Chef, please let me know this week - did you know they ship direct now?? Coolness!

So - I must seriously clean my kitchen. Including (dumdumdumdum) the FRIDGE!!! Scariest of scary places!! What is up with the fridge anyway?? I can organize pretty much everything but the fridge is a mystery that eludes me still. Things routinely get shoved to the back - and are lost forever! If anyone has any special tips for keeping the fridge from being so damn scary - I would LOVE to hear them!

Other than that we are trying to keep William busy - He has one more week of the rec program and then Karate Camp starts... we have a birthday party on Monday and have been trying to touch base with Wiliiam's BFF and her family as well! I am also in a super snarky mood right now. Blaming it on PMS. Marvin - no posting about VW's this week - okay? I just can't take it!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Please - when you stop by - leave a comment. Don't make me beg!

2008-07-09T07:58:00.000-04:00

Hi bloggy friends! Off to a slow start this morning. Headed out later for a nature walk & to pick up trash.

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Gone Camping...

2008-07-08T06:42:00.003-04:00

Okay - so there is no tent and I have my very own bathroom - but it is still camping. If it will make all you hard-core granola bar types feel better, you can call it "glamping" (that's glamorous camping, 'case ya didn't know). In any case we are off but we will be back sometime on Thursday.

Why do this? I haven't a clue. Other than William is so excited he can barely breathe. It stopped being fun for me quite some time ago. But that's what parents do, isn't it? We suck it up for the precious few years that our kids give a crap about us and actually WANT to spend time with us. So off we go -

See you in a few!

Aldi Favorite of the Week (volume 3)

2008-07-07T16:15:00.003-04:00

So - Okay... before I go off camping, I thought I would share with you a product that may not be MY personal Aldi favorite, but it sure is William's! They have these fruit snack thingies there, meant to be like fruit roll-ups. Seriously, I think they taste a little better - the catch is that there is really only strawberry (that I have seen so far). Lucky for me that is William's favorite anyway, LOL. They also won't put weird tattoos on your tongue. I never got that marketing gig but then again, I'm not eight. In spite of how I act. (I heard that snide remark - you know who you are...)

William put it best "Deethze ar awthome, Muhm" with a nice big stripe of red practically dangling on the floor. Like a little red carpet he said. Oh so VERY attractive.

There are 8 in a box. 70 calories per roll. A fair amount of vitamin C for candy. Yours for the low price of $1.89. Every day.

Sweet.

Have YOU gone to Aldi yet???

Bus Nazi

2008-07-07T10:30:00.004-04:00

Ok.

Let me set the scene here for you just a little bit. William is in the township recreation program this year. He was in the township recreation program last year. This means I am not new to this. There is, in front of the school, a bus loop and a regular loop for parents to drop kids off. This is not a regular school day - at best there are two or three short busses to drop off some kids with special needs. They don't arrive at the same time every day, so usually it is just one bus dropping of at a time. This means that some parents like to park in the bus loop - but we all know to leave PLENTY of space for the busses. It is a huge bus loop. Probably accomodates 7 -10 full length buses every school day at one time - get the picture? Lots of space.

This morning - and mind you - hormonally speaking, I am a big exposed nerve right now so someone says the wrong thing at the wrong time and well - let's just say I use everything I have to stay calm. So this morning I pull into the loop like I did all last year and all last week. Far back. Away from the school (I just don't like the chaos of the other loop and I like to walk WIlliam to the door. Trust me. I have my reasons). This aid says to me "This is a bus loop. we need this space for the busses for the special needs students." I said "Yes, I know." she pushes it "You can't leave your car here." I keep walking and remind her that there is plenty of room and that I will be out of there in less than a minute. She keeps taunting me about it. I keep ignoring her. After I leave Wiliam at the door, as I turn around, I see a short bus pull in. Guess where?? The small chaotic bus loop. They do that too sometimes, but this one apparently is new to the rec program and just doesn't get it. So as I walk past her this time I raise my eye brow and just sort of snicker.

Get over yourself already. This aid is super-snarky. I have seen her before in the schools and she never smiles. ALWAYS has a scowl plastered onto her face. I feel like telling her that her face is going to freeze if she keeps it that way. Hmmm. Perhaps it already has. Can't wait to see what she says to me this afternoon when I park in the same place and tell her "ooops. I must have forgotten." And keep on walking right past her snarky butt.

Cemeteries, Bubble Gum and Daisies

2008-07-06T22:00:00.004-04:00

So - here is the eighth installment of Rebecca's Saga. If you want or need to catch up, see the sidebar...

Feel free to comment, complain, suggest, request - whatever! I like input! :D

Vince talked about Becky - how she was a good student, smart, well-liked and talented with a trombone. He was - actually - gushing. Rebecca heard pieces of what he was saying but her mind was still trying to figure out where this poor girl's mother was.

"Where did she go, Vince?" Rebecca asked.
"Where did who go?"
"Her mother. Your sister."

Suddenly the Da Da Da song blared from his cell. "Interesting ringtone, Vince." she thought and raised her eyebrow.

Vince took the call in the house. He was gone for a few minutes and Rebecca returned to the kitchen shortly after. "No Becky. No. I'm sorry. No. Stay put. I am coming home." He flipped the phone closed and looked at Rebecca.

"Sorry. She wants to go to a party. I have to go - make sure she stays in." Vince said. He grabbed her shoulders and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "maybe lunch tomorrow?" He asked.

"Maybe" Rebecca replied.

The next morning, after coffee and a bit of weeding, Rebecca headed to the library. She knew it was a long shot - the accident was so long ago, but she wanted to read the truth. She hopped on her bicycle and headed out. She decided to cut through the cemetery since that shaved a good half mile off the trip. As she turned the corner she noticed a girl sitting on a grave, stretched out, almost relaxed. In an instant she knew it was Becky - she recognized the wiry red-brown hair peeking out of the back of a baseball cap. As Rebecca coasted around the corner, Becky looked up and waved.

"Hi Miss Rebecca" she said. Rebecca waved back.
"Good Morning, Becky" she replied.
"My daddy liked daisies. I bring him some once in a while. He always said that you can't look at a daisy and not smile."

Rebecca could feel the lump in her throat again and remembered that Garrett had told her that same thing on any number of summer afternoons that he spent trying to make her feel better because she had trusted some dumb ass who had let her down. "He was right" Rebecca managed to squeak out. She had parked the bike and walked slowly to the grave.

"Is your last name Stoya?" Becky asked through cracking gum.
"Yes - well - it was."
"My daddy named me after you"
"Oh." Rebecca suddenly felt that all the clever things that someone could say at this point just could not find their way to her mouth. Instead she smiled weakly and said "I am so lucky then."
Becky smiled back and patted the ground for her to sit. "It's nice here" she said "quiet - you can think here."
Rebecca sat down realizing that she wasn't so sure she wanted to think. Becky handed her a daisy and blew a monstrous bubble.

What's been going on?

2008-07-06T19:56:00.003-04:00

So - I have been very busy with - well, life! Apparently there is a LOT you can do in the summer when you aren't struggling to avoid a nervous breakdown and pulling your hair out.

I have loosely been following the flylady's schedule/plan (she and I part company on the shoe issue. I don't even HAVE shoes that tie, but I DO have a shiny sink!) while William has been going to the recreation program sponsored by the township. In the afternoons we have been going for walks and to the library and to Johnson's Farm and just hanging out watching a LOT of movies in our little theatre. Oh yeah - and board games and card games oh my!

William and I drove to Wildwood Crest to visit my mother at her beach house for the fourth. We had a great day, visited the boardwalk, rode the tram car and even spent some time at the beach. We came home the next morning because Ron wanted to change the oil and rotate the tires on the Murano.

Last Thursday we went swimming at Atsion Lake - what a tremendous deal that is! $5 for a carload for the whole day. The water is cedar water so it looks like you are swimming in a big vat of iced tea. We went with BlackBeltRecProgramCounselor and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely be doing that again! No doubt about it. I did burn though - in spite of my best efforts.

This week coming up we are going camping. As far as I know there is still no WiFi there - so there will be no posting, except possibly by cell phone. So everyone enjoy yourselves - I will try to get an episode of Rebecca's Saga up before I go.

2008-07-02T17:25:00.000-04:00

Testing

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More help to talk to humans!

2008-07-02T07:49:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Eric, fellow mac user, who was kind enough to share his new site - so new he hasn't even sent out press releases - with us:

Customer Service Numbers

Something I really like about this site is that it gives users a chance to comment - LOVE that!

Eric promises a forthcoming widget for bloggers to add to their sidebars and assuming the widget will not be ridiculously huge I will add it when it is ready!

Thanks Eric!

I just want to talk to someone!!!

2008-07-01T14:23:00.002-04:00

Every have that? When you are calling a company and your question or concern doesn't fit their neat little automated choices? I found a place that helped me get through to a human being at UPS today... Here it is! GetHuman - Bookmark it now! You just never know when you will need it.

Incidentally - I found the service at UPS to be much better than FedEx (I can't imagine why I can't find my rant on FedEx - liars that they are - but they seriously ticked me off a few months back!) Someone actually called me back when they said they would! Even a smidge before! Love it!

This week

2008-06-28T09:07:00.004-04:00

So I haven't really posted much other than about Aldi, LOL! So I thought I would give a rundown on some of what ELSE has been going on (lest you think I hang out at the Aldi all the time).

TaiChiInstructorFriend has decided to teach me the sword form and I am just beside myself excited. Suffice it to say that he is a brave and patient man to take this on. It took me a year to learn the Yang Style Long Form. Who knows how long this will take??

William has started swimming lessons. He did great and is very excited to give this a try. We are happy because really with William this could have gone either way - either he would do great or he would come completely unglued. Happily - it seems to be the former.

I am finally starting to feel like a real person. I no longer feel like I am on the verge of an anxiety attack 24/7. I am happier and calmer and this is a good thing. I am also working hard to whip this house into shape. It is not a pigsty- don't get me wrong - but it definitely needs tweaking.

I am also taking the Martial Arts Fitness Class with TaiChiInstructorFriend on Fridays. I made the mistake last week of mentioning that I sweat more in TaiChi. He fixed my ass this week, LOL. I really only meant to point out that TaiChi makes you work more than people think... it wasn't intended to be a challenge to make MA Fitness HARDER, LOL!

We went to a concert in the park this week. It was perfect. Beautiful weather - kids dancing and chasing lightening bugs. We even ran into SchoolTeacherFriend and his wife and son. A big fat thank you to the Waterford Township Recreation Committee and anyone else involved in making that happen!

Well - I think that about does it from here... What's new with you??

I won!!

2008-06-27T16:01:00.003-04:00

YAY!!!! I won one of these pretty rings (I picked the pink one - who here is shocked to learn that??) from my gal Min! Please help me thank Mindi by visiting her new blog (the one with the pig mascot) and leaving a comment. She likes comments. A lot. Err - uhm... we all do, feel free to leave me one too... hint hint.

THANKS MIN!!! I am so psyched! :)

Aldi Favorite of the Week (volume 2)

2008-06-26T15:54:00.004-04:00

So this week I want to tell you all about a product I bought even though I convinced myself that I would be disappointed in it. Usually when I buy generic soaps of any kind I am left with dry hands. I hate dry hands. Or the soap just doesn't seem to rinse off - leaves a film... so I picked this soap off the shelf and thought "Okay Aldi - bring it. You are all that with the food stuffs, but you and I both know generic soaps are just no good. I am Missouri - Show Me."

HA!

That'll teach me... this soap is seriously good stuff. It is foamy so you don't need a lot. It smells good, it rinses off nicely and best of all my hands feel soft when I am finished! What, I ask you, could be better than that?? How about a price of $1.69. Puhleeze!

Have you gone to Aldi yet?? If so - tell me what you got and how you are liking it! If not - well - why the heck not?!?!?! BTW - I spent $70 there again this week and got an embarrassing amount of food! 39 items including yogurt covered raisins at $1.49 and some things comparable to hot pockets for $1.79. Oh yeah - and cat litter - the scoopable kind for $3.49 (I would be lying if I said I wasn't really nervous about that but figured it to be worth a shot - will get back to you on that one!)

Mason Jars and Abandonment

2008-06-26T07:55:00.003-04:00

Installment number seven (to read the rest, please see the sidebar.) Oh - and - when you read this, please, feel free to comment. Here. On the blog. In case you didn't know this, bloggers like comments. I like feedback... Humor me, Please. Just don't point out my typos. I know they are there - but you can't proofread your own work. Everyone knows that.

The shower did little for Rebecca's aching heart. So much loss in such a short time; her daughter, her marriage and now Garrett. Someone once told her that the more painful a situation was, the more there was to be learned. She wondered what the great lesson was. Her hair was still wrapped in a towel when she heard the front door tentatively creak open.

"Hello?" It was Vince, she had left a note on the door for him to just come in and help himself to a beer in the fridge.
"Almost finished, Vince - make yourself at home."

Rebecca dried her hair and threw on a sundress - complete with wrinkles. Apparently wrinkles don't actually fall off the fabric just because one hangs a garment in the bathroom when one showers. Rebecca made a mental note to find her iron and did her best to smooth the material.

Downstairs Vince had uncorked a bottle of Pinot Grigio and was waiting for Rebecca to tell him where he would find the glasses.

"Sorry, Vince. All I have is mason jars right now." She left all the stemware and glasses with Rick along with the flatware and the Pfaltzgraff. All she had now was some mismatched plates from the Goodwill and some Mason Jars. Hadn't seemed sensible to buy anything new until the renovations where complete.
"Better than swigging it out of the bottle, right?" Vince answered.

Vince made a salad and paired it with some kind of broccoli shrimp fettucini dish. It was light and refreshing but also very satisfying. After cleaning up, they sat on the back stoop with their mason jars. They talked about the town and how it had changed since she had left. She explained about the accident that had killed her daughter and how she and her husband just couldn't get their heads around the idea of living together without her. But she finally had enough wine in her to get the nerve to bring it up. What she had been wondering all day...

"What brings you here, Vince? To Garrett Glass?" She asked
"My niece. You met Becky this afternoon in the shop. She needed me to stick around after she lost her father. "

Rebecca realized that the gum cracking girl was Garrett's daughter and that it would seem that she was the girl's namesake. The lump in her throat was too big to talk through and the tears just welled up in her eyes. Vince continued;

"My sister, Caterina, is Becky's mother. She couldn't be there for her after the accident and I didn't want them to take Becky to foster care. I applied for guardianship so I keep an eye on her now. She's a good kid. Helps out a lot."

Rebecca could feel her blood boil. What did he mean her mother "couldn't be there for her" after the accident?? What kind of mother abandons her child when she looses her father? When she is needed the most?

Where the Hell is Matt? - A video

2008-06-24T06:27:00.001-04:00

TaiChiInstructorFriend shared this video with me - and now I am sharing it with you. (I love the one where he is in the DMZ in Korea - cracks me up!)

Shift Happens

2008-06-23T15:09:00.003-04:00

Had to share this. I think it is just fascinating - and you know - we never really know what the tide will bring.

A Poem for the Pig

2008-06-23T08:14:00.004-04:00

Not my idea to phrase it that way... It's all cheeky Mindi's idea. Anyway - if you are not prone to sensory overload (Please note: the sensory overload comment is no reflection on Mindi's blog - it is merely a reference to my own issues as they relate to my remedial use of coupons as explained in this post) and want someone to really show you how the whole coupon thang is done, you must must MUST visit Mindi's new blog "Moms Need To Know" (aka: MNTK).

In her honor I have composed a Limerick:

There once was a mom named Min
Saving money made her grin.
She set up a blog
The mascot's a hog
Now with coupons we're all "In Like Flynn".

Tears of Regret

2008-06-22T07:33:00.006-04:00

So - here is the sixth installment of what has come to be known as Rebecca's Saga. I can tell you all are ticked at me for Garrett's death. Sorry - had to be done. But hang in there with me - there is plenty more to this than meets the eye. Anyone wishing to read the whole story can click here - scroll to the bottom and read up from there to see how it started.

Rebecca walked a long time. She couldn't hear anything except her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes were clouded with tears which, despite her best efforts would simply not stop. They were the tears that come from the bottom of an heart full of regret. Never - in a million years - did Rebecca imagine that she would be deprived of the chance to hear Garrett say something both wildly insightful and droll which would inevitably make her laugh the deep hearty belly laugh that she now realized only he could incite.

It was nearly 4:00 when she found herself in front of Garrett Glass. She remembered only then that she had a 4:30 appointment with Vince to discuss the wiring for her new-old home. The thought of talking about wiring with this complete stranger - no matter how tall and handsome he was - seemed so insignificant to her now. She needed to cancel. Her hand was on the door when it was abruptly pushed open.

"Oh 'scuse me" Rebecca heard through the cracking chewing gum. Her red swollen eyes saw a beautiful young girl - with wiry red-brown hair and deep green eyes. "Are you okay?" asked the girl. Rebecca realized she must look an absolute wreck. "I - uh - I'm looking for Vince" she stammered. "Oh - sorry." Replied the girl. "Uncle VIn has an appointment this afternoon - he's unavailable". "I'm afraid I'm that appointment" said Rebecca. "and I won't..." Behind the girl Vince appeared. "Afternoon, Miss Rebecca." Vince's polite greeting had a calming effect on Rebecca. There was something inherently soothing about his speech. Like an aloe plant on a bad burn. It just felt good. She didn't say anything more - just sort of waited to hear him talk. "Everything okay, Ma'am?" As he came closer he could see her tear-stained eyes. "Yes - Vince - and please - just 'Rebecca' - I am fine..." He was handing her a neatly pressed hanky. Rebecca wondered when the last time was she saw a neatly pressed hanky. "Where is your car - Rebecca?" He asked. "Oh. My car." She realized that she was more than a mile away from her car at that point - maybe close to two. "My car is - uhm - not here." He said nothing. She continued - "It's at McCloskey's Market."

Vince looked at his watch - then back to Rebecca. "Was our appointment today?" He asked - obviously perplexed at what she was doing in front of the shop. "I do need to actually inspect the wiring at your house, Rebecca" his voice trailing off. "I know that." she replied "I was taking a walk." "I see" he replied, unconvinced. "Would you like a lift back to your car then? For the sake of time - I mean." "Sure. Yes - that would be fine."

His truck was neat. Almost too neat for a work truck. It was very basic. No air conditioning - no radio. The silence was broken only by a mysterious rattle from the truck bed. Rebecca's mind raced. Should she ask him about Garrett? He must have known him! Why did his young niece work at the shop? She wished he would say something. Anything.

He pulled into the parking lot at the grocer's and parked next to her Trailblazer. Rebecca looked at him wondering how he knew it was hers. "It was in the driveway, Rebecca." was all he offered. "Right." She stated.
"Vince - can we not do this today?"
"The estimate?"
"Yes."
"You're the boss - but why wait?"
"Let's just say I had a bad day."
"Ok. How about I fix you dinner instead - take your mind off of it"
"No - Vince - that's ok. I am sure you have better things to do."
"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't have the time, Rebecca. We'd need to eat at your place though. I could still look at your wiring if you want. Or not." Even though it was against her better judgment, Rebecca found herself agreeing to dinner with this stranger. Probably just s she could hear him talk - hoping it might ease the ache in he heart. She headed home to shower while he stopped in the Market for some supplies. "And he cooks too" she thought to herself on the way home wondering once again what his connection was to Garrett. Why was he running the business? With his neice?

The problem with coupons. For me. Maybe not so much for you...

2008-06-20T21:29:00.007-04:00

Okay - the problem is not so much with coupons themselves but the level of expertise involved in using them. I have them - I cut them I use them but in a very basic rudimentary way. I see it. I need it. I have a coupon for it - Yippie! More than that is more than this brain can handle.

Mind you - I am not stupid. I do not struggle with organization. The problem comes when I enter the store. I hear the lights. I smell the smell of the meat department and the smell of the refrigerator units. I get WAY too cold. Sometimes I get so cold my hair tingles. Even if I wear a sweater. In summer. Sometimes there is a song playing that makes my mind wander. Sometimes someone comes up to me and talks to me. And heaven forbid there be more than like two other people in the store!

All of this makes it woefully difficult for me to shop in under an hour. Add coupons into the mix - in any way more than the most basic way mentioned previously and I come unglued. I pick the wrong size or the wrong flavor or I count wrong - don't buy enough - buy too many. I need to buy three different items - I picked only two. It is extremely nerve-wracking for someone like me to do this the way my gal Mindi does it.

Instead - I just go to Aldi for most items. Everything else - I try to use a coupon or go to BJ's. I found a decent produce stand locally... It is not that I think I am too good for coupons; I just have too many - uhm - wuhl - "issues".

Aldi Favorite of the Week

2008-06-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

Okay - I am not obtuse to the fact that most, if not all, of you are quite sick of hearing about my infatuation with Aldi. Here is what I am going to do: Each week I will post my favorite product of the week. Something that really sticks out as excellent. This way you won't have t keep hearing about how great Aldi is - but I still get to share some very fine products with you - no coupons needed! :) Just great savings - so... save time AND save money! Win-win!

To that end, this week's product is Rodeo Bill's Peppercorn Ranch Chips. Are you KIDDING ME? These are fantastic. They are kettle-style so they are thicker than an average chip, they are robust and full of flavor. They were $1.69. That's all. You might expect to pay more than $3 for a bag of chips like this. They are seriously great - worth a trip to your local Aldi even if they are the only thing on your list... If you try them - let me know what YOU think!

What Is It Wednesday - Episode I

2008-06-18T12:36:00.001-04:00

The video speaks for itself...

Supah quick Aldi update...

2008-06-17T22:06:00.004-04:00

Let me just update you - the chicken I bought at Aldi was good, if not a little too peppery for William. I will look for another flavor (this one was Italian Style) because it was EASY to make and I still have enough for two more servings (I can use these when everyone else is having something like ham slices).

The curly fries, I thought, were delicious. Everyone else seemed to agree with me.

The fruit cocktail was on par with the DelMonte. Had even a few more cherries I believe. Always a plus in the fruit cocktail department.

So far - We are all loving Aldi. :)

I used to LOVE this show...

2008-06-17T12:57:00.003-04:00

Anyone else remember StarBlazers?? Thanks to Shana for making think of old shows I used to like... Now I want to find this on DVD to share with WIlliam!

Aldi Love

2008-06-15T19:56:00.003-04:00

Daisy! You just quit your job of 12 years! It's your first real day of freedom - for - well - ever! What are you going to do?!

I'm going to Aldi!

And that is precisely what I did. Armed with the sales flyer provided by TaiChiInstructorFriend (who is lucky enough to have an Aldi within walking distance of his house - hello!) and my quarter to release the cart (yes, you bring a quarter with you if you expect to use a cart. No. You are NOT paying to use the cart. You will get your quarter back. ) I bravely went into the German Super Store.

I saw bargains everywhere. I bought everything from little gummy fruit candy thingies at $1.69 for a box of 10 little packages to enough frozen tilapia for two meals at $4.99. (I would normally not consider this purchase - but TaiChiInstructorFriend gave a strong recommendation). I had three bags of groceries - including cherries and fruit cocktail (William loves fruit cocktail) and yogurts for $35.

It was quiet in there. Almost spooky - but reminiscent of Target. It was clean. Our Aldi is not in what could be considered a great neighborhood - but WAS clean in there and the cashier was pleasant. They were hiring that day - interviewing on the spot and the front part of the store which is usually reserved for people to pack their own groceries was PACKED with people filling out applications.

I was happy - but suspicious. Wildly suspicious. If it is to good to be true - it probably is, right? That is the cynical American mantra - right? But I have to tell you - so far - everything we have had we have really liked.

I made blueberry muffins this morning for Ron for Father's Day - the box mix with the little can of blueberries was $1.29. He ate them. And then he ate more of them. This is as close to a "hey! These are pretty good." as I am ever going to get - that's the endorsement. Ron ate them and then he ate more. What MORE do I want?? The kids (William and his BFF and her sister) loved the granola bars and the fruit snackie things. I think it is tomorrow that we will be trying the chicken. So far - we are SO loving Aldi! Going back on Wednesday!

Do you have an Aldi near you? Why not try it out and come back to give us a full report!

Names and Faces

2008-06-14T10:33:00.003-04:00

Those of you who have been waiting for more of Rebecca's saga - I apologize again for the delay. Those of you just joining us can read the previous installments here. This is a bit short - but a very important segment... trust me. I have a plan. :) Gmom - don't be mad...

Rebecca spent the day running errands, picking up fresh fruit from the farmer's market and stopping briefly at the corner market for Ajax and paper towels. "Rebecca? Rebecca Stoya?" The voice came from the produce department. Rebecca turned quickly to see a tall woman with bright red hair waving enthusiastically at her. Rebecca smiled weakly and waved reluctantly. This was just the sort of awkward encounter that the had been dreading. Clearly this woman knew who she was while Rebecca was drawing a blank. Again. As usual. Terrible with names and faces, this was just one reason Rebecca had avoided "going home".

The red head was persistent - she rushed over to Rebecca and gave her one of those light, back patting hugs. "How have you been? You look exactly the same! Garrett would have been so happy to see you." "Where is he?" Rebecca blurted without thinking, quickly putting her hand to her mouth. "Oh." was all the other woman said. Rebecca looked at her - silently waiting for the answer to the question that plagued her since she returned. Where was Garrett Lewsinsky?

Rebecca's eyes grew wide with expectation - the red head's pretty green eyes began to fill with tears. "He's gone, Rebecca. I thought you knew." "Where did - he - go?" Rebecca asked, hoping to hear that he ran off to the Caribbean to open a beach bar or perhaps made his long anticipated journey to the Shaolin Temple. She winced as she waited to hear the reply. "Rebecca" the woman took Rebecca's hands "He died more than ten years ago. A car accident. Drunk driver..." Rebecca's heart slowed and pounded loudly in her head. She pulled her hands from the woman's and turned and walked away leaving the cart behind. "Rebecca... Rebecca..." She could hear the red-head yelling after her but she needed to get outside for air.

Textbook Example

2008-06-13T16:59:00.006-04:00

This is a perfect example of why some things are just not for me.

If you have been following along with the whole CVS saga - you already know that BloggyFriendMindi from The Queen Mum has been kind enough to work out a scenario for me on her new blog Moms Need To Know, because I require special assistance with these things - a steep learning curve, if you will. SO! After realizing the my coupon had expired - the $4/$20 one - I did what Mindi said to do and called CVS for help. I first spoke to the Extra Care people - the folks that handle the card itself... they promptly told me that this is a function of cvs.com and transferred me there. The young man there said he couldn't help me. He didn't have any left. Then he said he found one. Then he said he didn't have it. Then he said - oh yes! Yes indeed - his manger has one. I gave him my email address and went to run my errands.

I went to Aldi (that place RAWKS!!) and then I went to CVS. I figured since I was out, why not just do transaction number one... so I did. I had to dig for about 15 minutes for a toothbrush but I finally found one that matched the advert. Grabbed the flouride mouthwash and the band-aids and checked out - got my extra care bucks. Went to Goodwill (scored a lovely Jones New York Dress for $6.50 and a gofit.net balance board for $4) and then went home. Where I found this lovely email:

Dear Valued CVS.com Customer,

Thank you for contacting CVS.com.

In response to your inquiry for the $4.00 off of $20.00 coupon, please
be advised that we have researched with Extracare and they no longer
offer this promotion through emails. They will look into your situation
though so we must advise that you contact Extracare directly at
1-800-746-7287 (option 3, option 2).

If you have further questions or require additional assistance, please
contact us by email at customercare@cvs.com or by phone at (888)
607-4287.

As always, thank you for choosing CVS.com.

You see what I mean? I just do not think that I have a Karmic destiny with CVS.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2008-06-12T19:29:00.004-04:00

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach

When one starts a job I don't think there is ever any expectation of the kind of camaraderie I was privileged to be a part of at XYZMovers (not the real company name). But I will tell you this - for many years I spent every day with these fine people - so many interesting characters - wonderful friends. Someone today said to me that with FormerCFO leaving and now with me leaving it is the end of an era. In some way - I feel very much like a cocky young person going away from her family feeling like I can do better. I can do better, job-wise, but when it comes to friends - I don't know that I can ever surpass those friendships. If I can make new friends that can make me laugh and cry half as much as those people I shall be truly blessed.

I went in today - we had the luncheon - people said goodbye - a few people cried, which felt so odd - very humbling. I held it together until I was driving home and allowed myself to cry until I crossed the bridge. Then I agreed I wouldn't cry anymore. I would not squander this opportunity - I would make sure that I would return in December to visit my friends and have something to tell them - something that will make them proud. So that is my goal.

Thank you my friends - each of you has truly woven yourself into my heart and I shall never forget you or that which you have taught me. Promise.

Thanks for your patience!

2008-06-12T06:44:00.002-04:00

I have not forgotten about Rebecca... Everything has been so oddly busy here. I promise to write more soon. Not just promise - pinkie swear promise... :)

Either you get it - or you don't.

2008-06-11T07:03:00.003-04:00

Clearly - I just don't.

This whole CVS thing. I have read and read and read to the complete and total neglect of you good people who take the time to visit me here - unbelievable that you likely don't know that tomorrow is my last day at my job of 12 years. I promise to post about that after tomorrow though.

The CVS thing is starting to be my new cartwheel. Every once in a while there is something that everyone else can do with relative ease that just makes my head explode. Cartwheels always eluded me - Soduko puzzles - same thing. And now there is this. ECB's and multiple trips and strategies.

SO I am going to just fly by the seat of my pants and try it. Compulsive planner that I am - this makes me very uncomfortable. I don't have the massive coupon stash that everyone else seems to have... Here is what I plan to do this week:

Two trips:

1) Smart Rinse (I have a coupon from the dentist too) I will pay $2.50 and earn $3.50; Oral B toothbrushes I will pay $7 and earn $7 and I shall buy 4 bars of Dove soap for $10 and earn $3.

2) My next trip I have things I need to buy so I will buy the GasX (however much that is - I have no clue) and I shall earn $3 and I shall buy the coffee and the Fiber One bars for $20 and earn $10 I think. I have a coupon for ziploc bags and SeaBreeze and I shall stock up on some candy for my little family at $10 and earn $5.

Now - people like Mindi at The Queen Mum could do all of this and tell you precisely to the penny how much she will spend and what she will earn and likely twist it around so that she spends like $0.06 out of pocket after her first trip - but I am, apparently wee todd id. Still - I think I will do okay. If I EVER get the hang of it and find it to be as awesome as everyone promises I promise to make videos for those of us who are visual learners and can not learn by reading alone.

The Clean Plate Club

2008-06-07T11:54:00.003-04:00

Okay - anyone who has ever been on a diet knows what the "Clean Plate Club" is along with the ostensibly over-simplified mantra "Eat when you're hungry. Stop when you're full." Yeah, Captain Obvious - ya think?

The other night we had tomato-tortellini soup. I noticed that Ron had left one tortellini in his bowl. This, to me, seemed so odd. Unusual. And in a small way - amazing. So I asked him why he left the tortellini behind.

He said "I was full". It was that simple.

I am here to tell you that in no way - in no universe - could I ever leave one tiny tortellini behind on a plate. It just could never happen. Which is the perfect illustration of how that little mechanism that makes someone know when they are full and fell content enough to just.stop.eating has either gone missing, never existed or is completely broken for me.

What about you - are you like Ron and can leave one little tortellini behind if you are full or are you like me and would feel compelled to finish. Are you a member of the Clean Plate Club?

A weird sort of limbo

2008-06-03T07:06:00.003-04:00

I find myself poised between now and then and it is awkward. People at work don't know how to talk to me now. I am working hard to get things in order for when I leave even though it obviously doesn't matter. No one will ever notice or acknowledge what I am doing - I won't get any extra money or consideration, but the truth is, I am doing it for me. When I leave on the 13th I will be able to do so knowing that I have done my best and left with as much grace and integrity as is possible for me.

I know- I know... Integrity is so 1950's right? Well - color me retro then. I don't care. Integrity means something to me. So - this is all for me.

Anyway - it feels weird to be almost at the end of 12 years. But overall I am very excited... a teeny bit scared - but mostly just excited. :)

A New Trajectory

2008-05-30T17:00:00.004-04:00

Well - Here is my effort for the fourth part of this story... If you have no idea what I am talking about you may click here to see all the parts of the yet-to-be-named story...

"Ma'am?" The tall stranger stood in front of Rebecca obviously confused by the bewildered look on her face. Rebecca felt almost betrayed - who was this man and why had Garrett not come himself? "Ma'am? The window?" He asked again. "Oh! Oh please - I am so sorry - right this way..." and she lead him down the hall to the pantry.

She waited in the kitchen while he worked. A little angry - a little confused - a little bit interested in who this man was - so tall, handsome in a rugged works-too-hard sort of way. She noticed he limped and wondered what the story was there... How is it possible that Garrett would still be angry with her? Isn't 20 years enough time to get over it? Rebecca sipped her green tea while her mind raced.

"You have any enemies, Ma'am?" came the question from the pantry. Rebecca thought this to be an especially odd thing to ask someone one wasn't even properly introduced to. "No - no I don't think so... I'm sorry - I don't think I even know your name?" "Name's Vince" he said extending his right hand after brushing it off on his jeans. "Well Vince, pleased to meet you." When she shook his hand she felt it to be almost familiar, comforting - which actually startled her. "What is with the brick?" She asked noticing the piece of brick in his left hand. "That's what I have been trying to tell you, Ma'am - I found this brick in your pantry. Seems that window was broken on purpose." Rebecca shook this notion off - "Oh no, Vince - I am sure that brick was just there. I bought this house as a fixer-upper and there are several bricks in the basement, on the porch and even a few in the pantry. I am sure this one just..." "Nope." Vince stated simply and with confidence. "Nope?" questioned Rebecca. "What I mean is this brick was thrown. I can tell by the chip off this here corner" He showed her a piece had been broken off, then he mumbled something about trajectory and an matching nick in the window sill and dropped the brick into her outstretched hand.

For a few moments she looked from the brick in her hand to the window and then to Vince. She pondered what he was saying - someone threw a brick through her window. But more than that she wondered why a man who fixes windows talks like that - about things like "trajectory". "Well, Vince" she began "Thank you for being so observant, but I don't have any enemies that I know of. I am sure it was just some kids - probably a dare of some kind."

"Just the same, Ma'am. You should think about getting a flood light installed out back with a motion sensor." Vince interrupted. "Yes - that is a great idea" Rebecca started to think it all a scam and then she remembered the gum-cracking girl who was so insistent to save her money the evening before. "I will have to look into that - but the house needs to be completely rewired - old tube and knob wiring they tell me."

"I can help with that if you like" Vince offered. Rebecca gave him a look that questioned how this could be since he fixed glass and was not an electrician. "I am a certified master electrician - military trained - served in the Gulf War".

Rebecca was reminded of something she had heard once from a movie - about ogres and layers... not that Vince was an ogre, although he was certainly an ominous presence - but the Gulf War likely explained the limp...

"Well Vince - I think we may be able to make a deal - but there is one condition: You must stop calling me Ma'am - please - just call me Rebecca". "Rebecca" he said with a smirk. "Sure - no problem. Let me come back later this afternoon to work up a quote." Vince offered is hand and Rebecca shook it again - wondering what the smirk was for.

Lightbulb Moment!

2008-05-29T19:04:00.003-04:00

"One of the most important skills a father or mother can teach a girl is how t ask for more. Most women did not learn this lesson as children. Instead of asking for more, they indirectly ask for more by giving more and hoping someone will give back to them withouth their having to ask. This inability to ask directly prevents them from getting what they want in life and in their relationships."

from Children are from Heaven by John Gray PhD.

Oh.My.Gosh. I have read this book in spurts but not in order since before William was born. I love this book. My mother gave it to me and I just think it offers tremendous parenting advice. I never expected to receive any insight at all into myself. Lo and behold - there it is! In a nutshell! I am very much that person - I can advocate tirelessly for my son, make phone calls to get refunds for poor service on behalf of my husband - but heaven forbid I ask for anything for myself. This would explain why I have not received a raise in over eight years. This would explain a lot about me. The trick now, of course, is now that I know better I must do better.

I think I headed down that path yesterday when I called my boss and let him know my letter of resignation was on its way. He expressed that he was not surprised and did actually seem a little sad. But the important thing is that I made the call. I finally, after years of being taken for granted and being taken advantage of and never asking for a bloody thing - I finally did the right thing for myself. In spite of my heart pounding in my ears and my hands shaking profusely as I dialed the phone. I did it. I have to tell you - I feel very brave.

I resolve to be better at asking for what I need and for what I want. I will work on this.

Alea iacta est

2008-05-26T19:04:00.003-04:00

(tr: Latin: "The die has been cast")

Actually - not so much - not yet anyway. But in fewer than 48 hours I will have reached a personal "point of no return". I will offer my two weeks notice and resignation to the company I have worked for for the last dozen years. I will shut the door, close the chapter and move forward without having any real way of knowing how it will all turn out.

But - it is important that I do this. Important for me to finally stand up for myself. To let them know that it is not okay to threaten and cheapen people - particularly me. I need to allow myself the summer to heal and then dust myself off in the fall and begin again. This time maybe I will get it right. I will do something that makes my heart happy - that means something - that will be appreciated and valued. Maybe I will head back to college to get my certification - maybe I will end up teaching children with special needs. But what I know for sure is that I will wake up in the morning and fr the first time - maybe EVER - I will be proud of what I am doing. I believe I will like it and will be good at it - I will be relaxed and happy - and just the idea of this thrills me.

But first - I must get from here to there. I am pereseverating now - worrying whether they will tell me to hit the road immediately or shortly thereafter or torture me for the final two weeks. No matter. Three weeks from now - it will all be behind me.