I got frustrated that I really hadn't seen a lot of movies. When I stood in the movie rental store I would say "ooh that sounds interesting I should see it next time" and then next time arrived and I forgot that fabulous movie I wanted to see.
Netflix has come along and completely cured that problem. My queue is the most bizarre combination of action, drama, comedy and blockbuster hits. I even get to see Monkees reruns!
Before Netflix came along, though, I compiled a list of every movie ever nominated for an oscar (best picture, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress). I check them off as I see them. Between cable and Netflix, that list has been getting marked off quite a bit lately.
There isn't any rhyme or reason to when I see the movies - mostly by what is available at the time.
I didn't watch the Oscars last night, the men in the house would have revolted. But I quickly updated my list this morning as to who won (I keep a spreadsheet). I still haven't watched any of the latest movies, hopefully soon.
So are you a red carpet fanatic? Do you make any attempt to see the Oscar nominated movies? Do you care?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday Survey - Peanut Butter
So I posed a question on Thursday and then I thought, this would be fun to make into a weekly event. So I'll pose the question again, but I promise next Saturday to ask something new!
How do you like your peanut butter? Or do you like peanut butter at all?
Are you a chunky or creamy person? What is your favorite peanut butter infused candy? Do you eat it with fruit?
I love peanut butter, preferably Jif chunky. I am, however, a peanut butter purist and do not like it in my candy or cookies. Yet, you will find me slathering it on pancakes and waffles (with syrup - OMG, TRY mixing it with syrup. So divine). In a fit of "can't find anything to eat" I will always resort to peanut butter and toast.
So, how do you like peanut butter?
How do you like your peanut butter? Or do you like peanut butter at all?
Are you a chunky or creamy person? What is your favorite peanut butter infused candy? Do you eat it with fruit?
I love peanut butter, preferably Jif chunky. I am, however, a peanut butter purist and do not like it in my candy or cookies. Yet, you will find me slathering it on pancakes and waffles (with syrup - OMG, TRY mixing it with syrup. So divine). In a fit of "can't find anything to eat" I will always resort to peanut butter and toast.
So, how do you like peanut butter?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday Fragments - February 25, 2011
And here we are again, Friday. Fridays are such strange days, frequently very silly days. I really enjoy them, even when it includes a ton of work, especially after a day like yesterday that felt every bit like a Monday. How is it days of the week have a "feeling"? I don't know, but they do for me. And isn't it great Mrs. 4444's sponsors an opportunity to spend this wacky day together, sharing our bits and pieces of the week?
*Well, last Friday I was off work as a little reward for completing a huge project. Unfortunately it was NOT relaxing. I had five, FIVE, freaking calls from work. I really need some assistance in my department soon. Interviews have been going on and possibly a last round next week - keep your fingers crossed.
*Friday night made up for the bogus day off as my friends gathered for happy hour. Over priced plates of munchies but delicious drinks for several hours. It was great to get out.
*Saturday I attended a baby shower for a co-worker expecting twins. She is the recipient of the first two projects produced by my new sewing machine, crib quilts.
*On Tuesday I attended a career fair looking for an intern. Some really great candidates came through so now I need to take a few minutes to actually review their resumes and schedule interviews. Would it be wrong to look into getting an intern just focused on attending career fairs and conducting interviews for future interns? Worse yet? Not one single phone call from the office. I knew that would happen - endless calls on my day off and zilch when I'm out of the office for work purposes. Murphy and his stupid law can suck it.
*Tuesday night was the last hockey practice of the season so we made it the parent-player game. AND WE WON! Without cheating! All I can say is, damn, I'm out of shape. It was fun, though.
I hope everyone is safe after last night's storms that swept across the US. It's rare to have turbulent weather from coast to coast. Yesterday St. Louis had torrential rain and this morning we woke up to a light dusting a snow. My friends in Nashville had tornado sirens over night and I see that snow is expected in San Fransisco. Stay warm and stay safe!
*Well, last Friday I was off work as a little reward for completing a huge project. Unfortunately it was NOT relaxing. I had five, FIVE, freaking calls from work. I really need some assistance in my department soon. Interviews have been going on and possibly a last round next week - keep your fingers crossed.
*Friday night made up for the bogus day off as my friends gathered for happy hour. Over priced plates of munchies but delicious drinks for several hours. It was great to get out.
*Saturday I attended a baby shower for a co-worker expecting twins. She is the recipient of the first two projects produced by my new sewing machine, crib quilts.
*On Tuesday I attended a career fair looking for an intern. Some really great candidates came through so now I need to take a few minutes to actually review their resumes and schedule interviews. Would it be wrong to look into getting an intern just focused on attending career fairs and conducting interviews for future interns? Worse yet? Not one single phone call from the office. I knew that would happen - endless calls on my day off and zilch when I'm out of the office for work purposes. Murphy and his stupid law can suck it.
*Tuesday night was the last hockey practice of the season so we made it the parent-player game. AND WE WON! Without cheating! All I can say is, damn, I'm out of shape. It was fun, though.
I hope everyone is safe after last night's storms that swept across the US. It's rare to have turbulent weather from coast to coast. Yesterday St. Louis had torrential rain and this morning we woke up to a light dusting a snow. My friends in Nashville had tornado sirens over night and I see that snow is expected in San Fransisco. Stay warm and stay safe!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Peanut Butter
How do you like your peanut butter? Or do you like peanut butter at all?
Are you a chunky or creamy person? What is your favorite peanut butter infused candy? Do you eat it with fruit?
I love peanut butter, preferably Jif chunky. I am, however, a peanut butter purist and do not like it in my candy or cookies. Yet, you will find me slathering it on pancakes and waffles (with syrup - OMG, TRY mixing it with syrup. So divine). In a fit of "can't find anything to eat" I will always resort to peanut butter and toast.
So, how do you like peanut butter?
Are you a chunky or creamy person? What is your favorite peanut butter infused candy? Do you eat it with fruit?
I love peanut butter, preferably Jif chunky. I am, however, a peanut butter purist and do not like it in my candy or cookies. Yet, you will find me slathering it on pancakes and waffles (with syrup - OMG, TRY mixing it with syrup. So divine). In a fit of "can't find anything to eat" I will always resort to peanut butter and toast.
So, how do you like peanut butter?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
February 22, 1988
*A day late, I know, but I really meant to post this yesterday. I posted it last year on my now-defunct parenting blog*
This is such a big date in my life. It was my focus for nine long months, my due date.
I enjoyed being pregnant. It was amazing that a person was growing inside me. Unlike my later pregnancies I had no distractions and could spend a lot of time bonding with my growing belly and the alien rolling around inside. But that last month was pure torture. I was impatient to finally meet this person who was no longer a stranger to me.
Very impatient.
Her father was impatient too. We jokingly contrived ways to speed up her arrival, but true to her current personality, Miss Amanda does shit according to her own schedule (file that one under things we learn from our fetuses).
I knew better that babies rarely arrive ON their due dates. In fact, most babies arrive BEFORE their due date. By February 1st my bag was packed, the plan mapped out, phone numbers to grandparents written down, I was ready. And waited. And waited. And waited.
AND WAITED.
By February 20th, anxiety, anxiousness, anticipation, and impatience were starting to take their toll. Add to that my physical discomfort? Let's just say there's wisdom in the old traditions of "confinement," the hiding of women during their final stages of pregnancy behind closed doors away from the general public. I was not fit for human consumption.
The night of my due date it was clear I was nowhere near going into labor so my mom took us out to eat. As we stood in line waiting for a table, two elderly ladies were behind us. Two things bring out uninvited conversation from old women - babies and pregnant bellies. So I immediately became their opening line and my mother, the non-stop talker, quickly joined in.
"Oh honey," one chimed, "you've DROPPED!"
To this day, twenty-two years later, I'm still royally pissed about this statement. How in the FUCK would she know if I dropped or if I was carrying low? Seriously?
"When are you due?" she asked like every other stranger on the street has asked for the past forty weeks.
With a glint of evil joy in my eye I said, "today."
I swear both women shit themselves right there. Their eyes bugged out and then fell to my "dropped" belly. It was obvious they were taking quick inventory about gathering towels, sheets and boiling water in case their midwifery skills were going to be needed in the next five seconds.
And then my table was ready. Damn. No more torturing little old ladies!
I was then confined for the remainder of my days. That would be another NINE DAYS. nine. I was contemplating a do-it-yourself caesarean.
This is such a big date in my life. It was my focus for nine long months, my due date.
I enjoyed being pregnant. It was amazing that a person was growing inside me. Unlike my later pregnancies I had no distractions and could spend a lot of time bonding with my growing belly and the alien rolling around inside. But that last month was pure torture. I was impatient to finally meet this person who was no longer a stranger to me.
Very impatient.
Her father was impatient too. We jokingly contrived ways to speed up her arrival, but true to her current personality, Miss Amanda does shit according to her own schedule (file that one under things we learn from our fetuses).
I knew better that babies rarely arrive ON their due dates. In fact, most babies arrive BEFORE their due date. By February 1st my bag was packed, the plan mapped out, phone numbers to grandparents written down, I was ready. And waited. And waited. And waited.
AND WAITED.
By February 20th, anxiety, anxiousness, anticipation, and impatience were starting to take their toll. Add to that my physical discomfort? Let's just say there's wisdom in the old traditions of "confinement," the hiding of women during their final stages of pregnancy behind closed doors away from the general public. I was not fit for human consumption.
The night of my due date it was clear I was nowhere near going into labor so my mom took us out to eat. As we stood in line waiting for a table, two elderly ladies were behind us. Two things bring out uninvited conversation from old women - babies and pregnant bellies. So I immediately became their opening line and my mother, the non-stop talker, quickly joined in.
"Oh honey," one chimed, "you've DROPPED!"
To this day, twenty-two years later, I'm still royally pissed about this statement. How in the FUCK would she know if I dropped or if I was carrying low? Seriously?
"When are you due?" she asked like every other stranger on the street has asked for the past forty weeks.
With a glint of evil joy in my eye I said, "today."
I swear both women shit themselves right there. Their eyes bugged out and then fell to my "dropped" belly. It was obvious they were taking quick inventory about gathering towels, sheets and boiling water in case their midwifery skills were going to be needed in the next five seconds.
And then my table was ready. Damn. No more torturing little old ladies!
I was then confined for the remainder of my days. That would be another NINE DAYS. nine. I was contemplating a do-it-yourself caesarean.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Just The Facts
Something that just bugs the piss out of me is when a person cannot get to the point. Spit it out, man!
I catch myself doing it so I'm not standing on some lofty pedestal looking down on everyone else. I struggle with it quite a bit and maybe that makes someone else stumbling through their thoughts even more obvious to me.
Here's the problem as I see it: We confuse when to state the facts and when to tell a story.
When telling a story, the facts are not necessary. If you forget the bellman's name, IT DOES NOT MATTER. Make up a name or just refer to the person as "the bellman". It doesn't even matter if the bellman was actually a woman. Unless the bellman's name is the point of the story, move on. Get to the point. These same rules apply to telling a joke, and Lordy am I AWFUL at remember those puppies!
We are so freaking terrified of getting caught telling a lie that we hang ourselves trying to tell a fabulous story. Get over it. Who is going to visit the same hotel in the same city and check your facts? NO ONE. And if they do, they're too petty to bother with.
Hand to God, you will not go to jail for fibbing through a story.
Now the other time we get all jumbled is when we're trying to report a problem (like to your friendly technology person). The fact that you were talking to Martha Louise when she was sitting in her office yesterday when she suggested that you come talk to me...... HUH? Much easier to just say "Martha Louise suggested I ask if you had the January receipt report" but that is also a tad too wordy. How about, "do you have the January receipt report?"
THEN if more detail is necessary the person will ask.
There are some people that I just know are going to be a long conversation. Before they ever get to the point I will have to completely stop what I'm doing, listen carefully to the particulars so I can pluck out the issue at hand while they stumble through the facts, back tracking to correct themselves. And heaven forbid if I interrupt or try to speed the discussion along. Nope, sit back and enjoy the muddled ride.
Remember, I said I'm guilty of this myself. When I'm in the middle of relaying a story and am racking my brain to come up with a particular fact, I ask myself, would the story die if I just skipped over it and got to the point? More often than not, the fact I'm struggling with is not pertinent.
I catch myself doing it so I'm not standing on some lofty pedestal looking down on everyone else. I struggle with it quite a bit and maybe that makes someone else stumbling through their thoughts even more obvious to me.
Here's the problem as I see it: We confuse when to state the facts and when to tell a story.
When telling a story, the facts are not necessary. If you forget the bellman's name, IT DOES NOT MATTER. Make up a name or just refer to the person as "the bellman". It doesn't even matter if the bellman was actually a woman. Unless the bellman's name is the point of the story, move on. Get to the point. These same rules apply to telling a joke, and Lordy am I AWFUL at remember those puppies!
We are so freaking terrified of getting caught telling a lie that we hang ourselves trying to tell a fabulous story. Get over it. Who is going to visit the same hotel in the same city and check your facts? NO ONE. And if they do, they're too petty to bother with.
Hand to God, you will not go to jail for fibbing through a story.
Now the other time we get all jumbled is when we're trying to report a problem (like to your friendly technology person). The fact that you were talking to Martha Louise when she was sitting in her office yesterday when she suggested that you come talk to me...... HUH? Much easier to just say "Martha Louise suggested I ask if you had the January receipt report" but that is also a tad too wordy. How about, "do you have the January receipt report?"
THEN if more detail is necessary the person will ask.
There are some people that I just know are going to be a long conversation. Before they ever get to the point I will have to completely stop what I'm doing, listen carefully to the particulars so I can pluck out the issue at hand while they stumble through the facts, back tracking to correct themselves. And heaven forbid if I interrupt or try to speed the discussion along. Nope, sit back and enjoy the muddled ride.
Remember, I said I'm guilty of this myself. When I'm in the middle of relaying a story and am racking my brain to come up with a particular fact, I ask myself, would the story die if I just skipped over it and got to the point? More often than not, the fact I'm struggling with is not pertinent.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday In My City - Febrary 20, 2011
Despite the major thaw we're experiencing here in St. Louis, Missouri, I decided to pull out the pictures I took a few weeks ago. They're icy but who cares? Chances are likely we'll see more ice and snow in the next 45 days.
Check out everyone sharing their city:
Check out everyone sharing their city:
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Fragments - February 18, 2011
Here we are, Friday once again. Time to share our bits and pieces, courtesy of Mrs 4444's.
*A year ago we launched a new pizza business. It took forever to start up as we were hit with a long line of refrigeration repairs. In October we made our first pizza and it was fabulous. Unfortunately by Thanksgiving we were hit with another equipment repair issue. There have been several problems since then and the equipment still is hanging in limbo. Clearly I'm chopping out all sorts of details but it comes down to we've decided to close the kitchen and shop for a full fledged restaurant.
*It's a very interesting world out there of commercial real estate, to say the least. One would think if a potential customer were inquiring about a property that it would behoove the agent to maybe return calls or possibly respond to emails? If it were one or two agents it would be one thing, but every single one has been the same way. I don't know but it's all very frustrating. Before you list your property with an agent, send a friend out to make inquiries about other properties listed with him. Find out how well will this person work the sale, otherwise your property will sit rotting and depreciating.
*Today is a floating holiday for me. It's my tiny reward to myself after completing a 4 month project of cleaning up our database. I swear I was about to go cross-eyed if I stared at those tables any longer. Now I get to compile a report with clean records. Hopefully that will be done in a matter of days... just not today.
*After nearly two months of cold, icky weather, the temps rose up to 70 degrees. The last patches of snow have melted away and the windows are OPEN. I even took a walk this morning. GLORIOUS! It's short lived, I know. Storms are brewing in the west so gray skies are headed this way again.
Not very exciting fragments - I know I've overlooked the juicy tidbits mostly because I've been so focused on work issues. Hop over to Half Past Kissing Time to check out more interesting fragmenters.
*A year ago we launched a new pizza business. It took forever to start up as we were hit with a long line of refrigeration repairs. In October we made our first pizza and it was fabulous. Unfortunately by Thanksgiving we were hit with another equipment repair issue. There have been several problems since then and the equipment still is hanging in limbo. Clearly I'm chopping out all sorts of details but it comes down to we've decided to close the kitchen and shop for a full fledged restaurant.
*It's a very interesting world out there of commercial real estate, to say the least. One would think if a potential customer were inquiring about a property that it would behoove the agent to maybe return calls or possibly respond to emails? If it were one or two agents it would be one thing, but every single one has been the same way. I don't know but it's all very frustrating. Before you list your property with an agent, send a friend out to make inquiries about other properties listed with him. Find out how well will this person work the sale, otherwise your property will sit rotting and depreciating.
*Today is a floating holiday for me. It's my tiny reward to myself after completing a 4 month project of cleaning up our database. I swear I was about to go cross-eyed if I stared at those tables any longer. Now I get to compile a report with clean records. Hopefully that will be done in a matter of days... just not today.
*After nearly two months of cold, icky weather, the temps rose up to 70 degrees. The last patches of snow have melted away and the windows are OPEN. I even took a walk this morning. GLORIOUS! It's short lived, I know. Storms are brewing in the west so gray skies are headed this way again.
Not very exciting fragments - I know I've overlooked the juicy tidbits mostly because I've been so focused on work issues. Hop over to Half Past Kissing Time to check out more interesting fragmenters.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Inspirational Thoughts
Sorry I haven't posted much this week. Life is crazy, but not fun crazy, just boring nose-to-the-grindstone crazy. I will emerge shortly with nothing to say. Damn, that really is boring.
The sun is shining and the windows are open! wweeeeeeeeeee
Check out this site - awesome life tips
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1HAsD8/www.graphicbuzz.net/2010/08/30-funny-illustrations-about-simple.html
The sun is shining and the windows are open! wweeeeeeeeeee
Check out this site - awesome life tips
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1HAsD8/www.graphicbuzz.net/2010/08/30-funny-illustrations-about-simple.html
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Shouldn't He Be HIBERNATING?
The squirrels amuse me to no end, but the chipmunks really fascinate me. There are a few that live between the few yards by my house and occasionally I will spot one for a few seconds. They aren't nearly as bold as the squirrels and quickly dart into hiding.
Around Thanksgiving we saw our last chipmunk and I figured they had started hibernation. The hole where I had spotted activity over the summer was covered in matted leaves. Farewell to spring. Imagine my surprise as I looked out my window while eating breakfast and saw this
He popped up again a few days later
And here is the new hole, smack dab in the middle of my front yard (yeah, please ignore the complete lack of lawn. We're hoping with the tree trimming a few months ago sunlight may actually reach the ground)
Around Thanksgiving we saw our last chipmunk and I figured they had started hibernation. The hole where I had spotted activity over the summer was covered in matted leaves. Farewell to spring. Imagine my surprise as I looked out my window while eating breakfast and saw this
He popped up again a few days later
And here is the new hole, smack dab in the middle of my front yard (yeah, please ignore the complete lack of lawn. We're hoping with the tree trimming a few months ago sunlight may actually reach the ground)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Assaulting Your Skin
We all know about using SPF and drinking plenty of water as ways to protect our skin, but what about our daily regimens? Is there something we could be doing differently?
This topic came up recently as one friend complained about excessive dry patches on her face. I suggested that she try eliminating her cleansing products for a week and see if it clears up. Clearly I was talking nonsense. As someone with "perfect" skin I just don't understand the struggles of "combination" skin.
Clearly.
Yeah, right, I have perfect skin. My mom and younger brothers have spent countless hours and dollars sitting in a dermatologist office. My teenage body was riddled with acne, not just my face, exactly like my family members. The harder I scrubbed the worse it got.
When I started college I immediately noticed that the water was different and I was suffering very dry skin. Out of self defense I changed my showering schedule to every other day. Suddenly my acne cleared up and the dryness disappeared. As a bonus, I gained an extra hour that I could sleep in or catch up on homework!
I maintained the every other day schedule when I returned home and still do it today. Never able to afford the fancy skin care products, I discovered that el cheapo Noxema is the only cleanser I ever needed. Yet again, I found that using it every day caused more breakouts so I resorted to a washcloth and hot water as my every day cleaner, reserving the Noxema for a few times a month. For times I feel particularly grimy I use rubbing alcohol on a cottonball for a "deep clean".
It took a while to find a moisturizure that worked well with my chemistry, but now I add to my daily routine a small dab of Dove facial moisturizer. It has a 15 SPF and doesn't feel greasy. (not a product endorsement, it just works well for me)
There have been articles written about the necessity of having SOME oil on your skin. When we strip all of the oils from the surface our bodies go into overdrive and produce even more oil. That means there is a good deal of logic to my process. I'm allowing a low level of oil to moisturize my dermal layers and in return I'm being rewarded with less acne (it still pops up, like last weeks zit in my eyebrow - wtf?) and manageable dry skin.
I also don't smoke and usually do not wear make-up. Even when I do wear make-up, I use water and a washcloth to remove it. No fancy stuff.
So if you're battling your skin, my suggestion stands, back off the chemicals. Less is more.
This topic came up recently as one friend complained about excessive dry patches on her face. I suggested that she try eliminating her cleansing products for a week and see if it clears up. Clearly I was talking nonsense. As someone with "perfect" skin I just don't understand the struggles of "combination" skin.
Clearly.
Yeah, right, I have perfect skin. My mom and younger brothers have spent countless hours and dollars sitting in a dermatologist office. My teenage body was riddled with acne, not just my face, exactly like my family members. The harder I scrubbed the worse it got.
When I started college I immediately noticed that the water was different and I was suffering very dry skin. Out of self defense I changed my showering schedule to every other day. Suddenly my acne cleared up and the dryness disappeared. As a bonus, I gained an extra hour that I could sleep in or catch up on homework!
I maintained the every other day schedule when I returned home and still do it today. Never able to afford the fancy skin care products, I discovered that el cheapo Noxema is the only cleanser I ever needed. Yet again, I found that using it every day caused more breakouts so I resorted to a washcloth and hot water as my every day cleaner, reserving the Noxema for a few times a month. For times I feel particularly grimy I use rubbing alcohol on a cottonball for a "deep clean".
It took a while to find a moisturizure that worked well with my chemistry, but now I add to my daily routine a small dab of Dove facial moisturizer. It has a 15 SPF and doesn't feel greasy. (not a product endorsement, it just works well for me)
There have been articles written about the necessity of having SOME oil on your skin. When we strip all of the oils from the surface our bodies go into overdrive and produce even more oil. That means there is a good deal of logic to my process. I'm allowing a low level of oil to moisturize my dermal layers and in return I'm being rewarded with less acne (it still pops up, like last weeks zit in my eyebrow - wtf?) and manageable dry skin.
I also don't smoke and usually do not wear make-up. Even when I do wear make-up, I use water and a washcloth to remove it. No fancy stuff.
So if you're battling your skin, my suggestion stands, back off the chemicals. Less is more.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday In My City - Febrary 13, 2011
The sun has come out and the melt is starting. Two weeks worth of ice and snow are giving way to mud and grime.
Welcome to St. Louis
Visit Unknown Mami who delivered a brand new baby last week. Quietly whisper hi and check out everyone else's city
Welcome to St. Louis
Visit Unknown Mami who delivered a brand new baby last week. Quietly whisper hi and check out everyone else's city
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday Fragments - February 11, 2011
This has been a week of TUESDAYS. Yes, TUESDAYS. Not off-the-wall, unpredictable, pain-in-the-ass Monday. No, it was the drudgery of Tuesday morning. ALL FREAKING WEEK LONG.
I don't have many fragments to share. My week of Tuesdays has been the same project over and over and over at work (guess that doesn't help my mind set). On the upside, that project is coming to a close. I am dearly hoping that on Monday I can submit the rough draft for approval. I have other projects piling up and I've lost my interest in this one.
Interviews are underway for my new supervisor. I only get passing glimpses of the interviewees, curiosity is killing me. I will get to meet finalists soon enough. Of course that will mean another project - training the new person on our systems.
So big news
My grandbaby is 13 weeks along! The due date is mid August, but I bet this baby is going to be like his daddy and just be big, throwing off the doctor's measurements. Keith was a ten pound baby!
Yes, they are looking at names, no those considerations will not be shared. No, they don't want to know the sex of the baby.
Ugh, waiting six months is going to take FOREVER! I know, I know, I've said in the past that it takes nine months for a reason so that everything settles into place to prepare for the baby's arrival.
So I'll be sitting here in the corner, strumming my fingers on the table. Waiting. Not so patiently.
I don't have many fragments to share. My week of Tuesdays has been the same project over and over and over at work (guess that doesn't help my mind set). On the upside, that project is coming to a close. I am dearly hoping that on Monday I can submit the rough draft for approval. I have other projects piling up and I've lost my interest in this one.
Interviews are underway for my new supervisor. I only get passing glimpses of the interviewees, curiosity is killing me. I will get to meet finalists soon enough. Of course that will mean another project - training the new person on our systems.
So big news
Yes, they are looking at names, no those considerations will not be shared. No, they don't want to know the sex of the baby.
Ugh, waiting six months is going to take FOREVER! I know, I know, I've said in the past that it takes nine months for a reason so that everything settles into place to prepare for the baby's arrival.
So I'll be sitting here in the corner, strumming my fingers on the table. Waiting. Not so patiently.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Dramatic Life
"My life is so boring"
I swear hearing that makes me want to shoot someone. If you have a boring life and don't like it, then change things. It is really THAT simple. Get out, break your routine, leave your comfort zone, TALK TO PEOPLE.
You also need to change that internal dialog. Quit using boring, drab words when describing your world. Get a thesaurus and find fun and exciting descriptions. The same event can be described two ways:
"Yeah, I went to a scrapbooking convention. The people were weird and the meetings were long. We spent most of our time in the meeting room swapping paper." BOOOOOOORRRRRRRRING
or
"Ohmigawd, I spent the weekend at a scrapbooking convention and it was soo much fun! There were so many people wearing fun hats and I loved the unique name badges. The meetings were incredible, I learned so much! It was amazing to see all of the different layouts and the new cutting dies and templates were mind blowing!" FUN!
Now I'm not a scrapbooking person and have no desire to attend a srapping meeting, but that second description sounds inviting like even *I* could eek out a little entertainment. Well, to be honest, I WOULD have fun, because I set myself up to HAVE fun. It's rare I don't have fun wherever I go and that's part of the deal too. Mindset, folks. Mindset.
Something I've learned is that life is all in the telling.
I have a friend who thrives on excitement. Her descriptions are fast paced and dramatic. I've been to the events she described and I would have used much different words. My descriptions would be more low key, not quite so dramatic.
Another person I know (not a friend) sounds like Eeyore. I mean, literally, she SOUNDS like Eeyore. Everything is drab, gray, and melodramatic. The world is out to get her, everything sucks, she's always sick, her kids hate her. When she speaks I want to jab pencils in my ears. So NOT fun.
Words are the key. The words inside your head and the ones that fall out of your mouth. That is what decides whether or not your life is boring.
I swear hearing that makes me want to shoot someone. If you have a boring life and don't like it, then change things. It is really THAT simple. Get out, break your routine, leave your comfort zone, TALK TO PEOPLE.
You also need to change that internal dialog. Quit using boring, drab words when describing your world. Get a thesaurus and find fun and exciting descriptions. The same event can be described two ways:
"Yeah, I went to a scrapbooking convention. The people were weird and the meetings were long. We spent most of our time in the meeting room swapping paper." BOOOOOOORRRRRRRRING
or
"Ohmigawd, I spent the weekend at a scrapbooking convention and it was soo much fun! There were so many people wearing fun hats and I loved the unique name badges. The meetings were incredible, I learned so much! It was amazing to see all of the different layouts and the new cutting dies and templates were mind blowing!" FUN!
Now I'm not a scrapbooking person and have no desire to attend a srapping meeting, but that second description sounds inviting like even *I* could eek out a little entertainment. Well, to be honest, I WOULD have fun, because I set myself up to HAVE fun. It's rare I don't have fun wherever I go and that's part of the deal too. Mindset, folks. Mindset.
Something I've learned is that life is all in the telling.
I have a friend who thrives on excitement. Her descriptions are fast paced and dramatic. I've been to the events she described and I would have used much different words. My descriptions would be more low key, not quite so dramatic.
Another person I know (not a friend) sounds like Eeyore. I mean, literally, she SOUNDS like Eeyore. Everything is drab, gray, and melodramatic. The world is out to get her, everything sucks, she's always sick, her kids hate her. When she speaks I want to jab pencils in my ears. So NOT fun.
Words are the key. The words inside your head and the ones that fall out of your mouth. That is what decides whether or not your life is boring.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Reader Questions - Feb 9, 2011
From NoExcuses, "When your kids argue with each other, do you step in? Or let them work it out?"
I have a giant cage in the backyard where I let them fight to the death.
Ha! Not quite. For the most part I do let kids work out difficulties for themselves, but not with carte blanche. There are rules.
1. If someone is having a shitty day, don't make it worse. I'll nip that right in the bud. Learn a little empathy dammit.
2. If you're in a bad mood, leave the room (that includes me). Don't go tormenting someone in a bad mood or try to put them into a good mood. Respect it and when they're ready to be happy they can join the group.
3. No running in the house - take it outside
4. No wrestling matches in the livingroom - take it outside
5. No foreign objects - they become weapons too soon
6. Absolutely never say "I hate you". You don't have to like anyone, but "hate" is too heavy of a word for such little people to fully understand.
Most bickering in my house started off as a joke then went too far. This is how the kids learn boundaries, setting them and respecting them so I usually let it run its course.
If I ever stopped a fight for a reason other than listed above it was because they were getting too loud.
I would also step in if they could not resolve a problem. I tried very hard not to take sides. Frequently the object in question (isn't it always about a stupid toy?) was put on time out (yes I put toys on time out). Many times if they didn't break it up I threatened them with hugging each other... EW!
I have a giant cage in the backyard where I let them fight to the death.
Ha! Not quite. For the most part I do let kids work out difficulties for themselves, but not with carte blanche. There are rules.
1. If someone is having a shitty day, don't make it worse. I'll nip that right in the bud. Learn a little empathy dammit.
2. If you're in a bad mood, leave the room (that includes me). Don't go tormenting someone in a bad mood or try to put them into a good mood. Respect it and when they're ready to be happy they can join the group.
3. No running in the house - take it outside
4. No wrestling matches in the livingroom - take it outside
5. No foreign objects - they become weapons too soon
6. Absolutely never say "I hate you". You don't have to like anyone, but "hate" is too heavy of a word for such little people to fully understand.
Most bickering in my house started off as a joke then went too far. This is how the kids learn boundaries, setting them and respecting them so I usually let it run its course.
If I ever stopped a fight for a reason other than listed above it was because they were getting too loud.
I would also step in if they could not resolve a problem. I tried very hard not to take sides. Frequently the object in question (isn't it always about a stupid toy?) was put on time out (yes I put toys on time out). Many times if they didn't break it up I threatened them with hugging each other... EW!
If you notice in all my pictures, the little snots are SMILING. They're having fun! It may sound vicious, but do look at their faces. Not all fights are hateful.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Frozen Water Spouts
Ice pretty much sucks unless it's swirling in a glass chilling your favorite beverage. The one perk to it being outside and covering everydamnthing is that it's fabulously photogenic.
"Urban Ice"
Monday, February 07, 2011
Reader Questions - Feb 7, 2011
Do you enjoy reading these? If so, keep the questions rolling in!
From frequent commenter, Skippy, "Where does you sense of humor come from and why do you like to torture your readers [with pictures of spiders]"
Clearly Skippy is skeeved by spiders. I do sympathize as there are a fair number of creepy crawlies that I do not like, but for the most part pictures of them don't throw me into hysterics. Now butchered eyeballs? Or any pictures of instruments coming close to eyeballs? Just typing about it gives me the shivers. But I wasn't INTENTIONALLY trying to torture any spider-phobic readers, they just pose well for pictures. And the post in question was about a cave cricket - a grody mutant spider thing with long spindly grass hopper legs (THOSE SKEEVE ME OUT) and I needed to share this information. It's important to know these things exist. A service to my readers (you're welcome). I will try VERY hard in the future to warn you of any impending spider picture.
As for my sense of humor, that is totally to be blamed on this guy
My dad was nothing but a giant kid. Now when my mom says that she means it in a negative way and it was the basis of their divorce. For me and my brothers, however, it meant nothing but smiles and jokes. He made us blue mashed potatoes, encouraged tickle fights and frequently sat down on the floor with us as we played. All three of us have a warped sense of humor and easily slip into giant kid mode.
He would have been proud of my penchant for practical jokes and he would have roared with laughter over the retribution I have received for doling them out.
Life can be shit and he waded through plenty of it. If we wait for everything to be sunshine and flowers we will be very disappointed people. Make the most of what you've got where you're at and find the humor in it. If there is no humor to be found, make it.
From frequent commenter, Skippy, "Where does you sense of humor come from and why do you like to torture your readers [with pictures of spiders]"
Clearly Skippy is skeeved by spiders. I do sympathize as there are a fair number of creepy crawlies that I do not like, but for the most part pictures of them don't throw me into hysterics. Now butchered eyeballs? Or any pictures of instruments coming close to eyeballs? Just typing about it gives me the shivers. But I wasn't INTENTIONALLY trying to torture any spider-phobic readers, they just pose well for pictures. And the post in question was about a cave cricket - a grody mutant spider thing with long spindly grass hopper legs (THOSE SKEEVE ME OUT) and I needed to share this information. It's important to know these things exist. A service to my readers (you're welcome). I will try VERY hard in the future to warn you of any impending spider picture.
As for my sense of humor, that is totally to be blamed on this guy
My dad was nothing but a giant kid. Now when my mom says that she means it in a negative way and it was the basis of their divorce. For me and my brothers, however, it meant nothing but smiles and jokes. He made us blue mashed potatoes, encouraged tickle fights and frequently sat down on the floor with us as we played. All three of us have a warped sense of humor and easily slip into giant kid mode.
He would have been proud of my penchant for practical jokes and he would have roared with laughter over the retribution I have received for doling them out.
Life can be shit and he waded through plenty of it. If we wait for everything to be sunshine and flowers we will be very disappointed people. Make the most of what you've got where you're at and find the humor in it. If there is no humor to be found, make it.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Sunday In My City - February 6, 2011
We all know about the ice/snow storm this week, right?
IT FRICKING SNOWED AGAIN AND MORE IS DUE TONIGHT!
but it was pretty
On my walk today, this was unexpected. ROBINS. You know the harbingers of spring? But I had finished watching The Birds before I took my walk so it was effing weird to see so many freaking birds. And they were pretty bold, not taking off until I got pretty close.
This is just one side of the building. All along the back were even more robins. It was crazy.
Spring is coming. I don't know how many more snow events we have to endure to get there, but it's coming.
IT FRICKING SNOWED AGAIN AND MORE IS DUE TONIGHT!
but it was pretty
On my walk today, this was unexpected. ROBINS. You know the harbingers of spring? But I had finished watching The Birds before I took my walk so it was effing weird to see so many freaking birds. And they were pretty bold, not taking off until I got pretty close.
This is just one side of the building. All along the back were even more robins. It was crazy.
Spring is coming. I don't know how many more snow events we have to endure to get there, but it's coming.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Friday Fragments - February 4, 2011
Holy Cow, it's FRIDAY! TGIF and WHEW!
It seems everyone in Bloggoland is recovering from some sort of weather event - snow, rain, cyclones, children stranded at home. We still have white stuff on the ground (all frozen over and impossible to chisel through), but the roads are clear and everyone is returning to their routines.
The weathermen were INSANE Sunday and Monday in anticipation of the storm. This was simply a geeked out storm where they got to use all of their technology and were seeing their predictions and indicators coming to fruition. They used words like "dire" and "extreme" causing terror among the masses. The stores were PACKED. For anyone dropping in for their regular shopping day they had an impossible time finding a place to park only to have to sift through plundered shelves and stand in impossibly long lines. Sunday night we passed a Walmart with the lot filled all the way to the street. I.N.S.A.N.E.
So here's my question, what is it that everyone suddenly realizes they MUST HAVE when a storm is announced? It just seems that if storms terrify someone that much, avoid the drama and stock up. Quite honestly, back when I wasn't married to the super shopper stocker upper dude, I still managed to have enough food on hand to last a couple of weeks if we were to be housebound. Moreover, the stuff people were buying required refrigeration. Most likely, the thing that would bind St. Louisans to their homes is loss of power. The lack of logic and planning and sheer panic surrounding storms simply befuddle me.
True to form, while the storm was big and horrible, it didn't dump on St. Louis. This city has some weird dome protecting it from the nastiest crap. We just don't get slaughtered like our neighbors a few miles in any direction. It happens all the time with tornadoes and thunderstorms and it happens with snow. We had an entire day of sleet. That's it. There was about an inch of snow. The predicted blizzard swooped north of us. Whew.
Schools were called off for Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday, Ian overslept so I rushed him out of bed, tossing a nutty bar at him as he quickly got dressed and out the door. Twenty minutes later he walked back in the door, frozen from standing in sub-zero temps, asking me to check if school was called off. It never occurred to either of us to check. Sure enough there was a message on my cell phone (when the hell did it ring?) and scrolling along the bottom of the news his school district was closed.
Ooooops
Forty years from now I'm going to have this thrown in my face, the day I made him stand outside in the freezing temps when he didn't have school.
I am the worst mother in the world.
I don't believe that, but I really do feel horrible. Absolutely rotten. It's sort of funny, even he started to laugh at it once he warmed up, but it was an awful thing to do to your child.
IAN, I AM SO SORRY!
It seems everyone in Bloggoland is recovering from some sort of weather event - snow, rain, cyclones, children stranded at home. We still have white stuff on the ground (all frozen over and impossible to chisel through), but the roads are clear and everyone is returning to their routines.
The weathermen were INSANE Sunday and Monday in anticipation of the storm. This was simply a geeked out storm where they got to use all of their technology and were seeing their predictions and indicators coming to fruition. They used words like "dire" and "extreme" causing terror among the masses. The stores were PACKED. For anyone dropping in for their regular shopping day they had an impossible time finding a place to park only to have to sift through plundered shelves and stand in impossibly long lines. Sunday night we passed a Walmart with the lot filled all the way to the street. I.N.S.A.N.E.
So here's my question, what is it that everyone suddenly realizes they MUST HAVE when a storm is announced? It just seems that if storms terrify someone that much, avoid the drama and stock up. Quite honestly, back when I wasn't married to the super shopper stocker upper dude, I still managed to have enough food on hand to last a couple of weeks if we were to be housebound. Moreover, the stuff people were buying required refrigeration. Most likely, the thing that would bind St. Louisans to their homes is loss of power. The lack of logic and planning and sheer panic surrounding storms simply befuddle me.
True to form, while the storm was big and horrible, it didn't dump on St. Louis. This city has some weird dome protecting it from the nastiest crap. We just don't get slaughtered like our neighbors a few miles in any direction. It happens all the time with tornadoes and thunderstorms and it happens with snow. We had an entire day of sleet. That's it. There was about an inch of snow. The predicted blizzard swooped north of us. Whew.
Schools were called off for Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday, Ian overslept so I rushed him out of bed, tossing a nutty bar at him as he quickly got dressed and out the door. Twenty minutes later he walked back in the door, frozen from standing in sub-zero temps, asking me to check if school was called off. It never occurred to either of us to check. Sure enough there was a message on my cell phone (when the hell did it ring?) and scrolling along the bottom of the news his school district was closed.
Ooooops
Forty years from now I'm going to have this thrown in my face, the day I made him stand outside in the freezing temps when he didn't have school.
I am the worst mother in the world.
I don't believe that, but I really do feel horrible. Absolutely rotten. It's sort of funny, even he started to laugh at it once he warmed up, but it was an awful thing to do to your child.
IAN, I AM SO SORRY!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Reader Questions - Feb 3, 2011
Only two people responded to last week's quest for blog topics. You're more than welcome to submit more questions.
These are from Clearness:
Did you ever have a bully? What did you do when you were bullied?
No, I've never had a specific bully. I have, however, been the source of ridicule. For the most part my mom was unaware it was happening and I retracted. I didn't know how to overcome it or ignore it and just added fuel to the fire. In high school I somehow missed being a social outcast, but I was invisible.
If there was a silver lining, the invisibility gave me a unique view of the world. I had the luxury of not catering to anyone else's standards and was able to define myself rather early, instead of having my classmates define me. I'm also able to stand in a crowd, reduce back to my invisible self, and take stock of the dynamics around me.
**EDIT**
Let me explain my "invisibility". I wasn't the kid that was picked on. No one made up vicious rhymes with my name. But they also didn't see me. Everyone walked past me. What verified that point for me was at our high school reunion. As us three amigos would approach someone the person would squeal in delight at seeing Piranha and then they would squeal about seeing Booty and then they would look at me. They knew there was a third person in this trio and clearly I was it but damn if they could remember my name. My husband at the time had attended Jr High with most of my classmates but attended and graduated from a rival high school. At that same reunion everyone greeted him heartily and then looked at me waiting for him to introduce me. To my classmates. The people I had sat in class with for four years. Invisible.
When did you start talking to your kids about s, e, x? and bad touches? How did you begin the subject?
There was never a specific sit-down conversation. I always think of those being awkward like the Massingil commercials where mother and daughter discuss feminine odor.
I never had anyone sit me down so I had no frame of reference. The way my mom approached all important topics was as a part of other conversations, frequently in the car. It's amazing the type of conversations that can take place in the car. So I did the same. I know it started early, around the time they were going to be in groups without me or their father - daycare, kindergarten. I would also take the opportunity during shopping trips to point out who they should seek if we got separated. I tried really hard to not make them terrified of all strangers, that most people want to help.
There has never been a conversation that covered the logistics of sex as to what parts needed to go where. I did talk about respecting their partners and themselves. We frequently talked about their friends activities and I would use those as teaching moments.
....okay, so any more questions?
These are from Clearness:
Did you ever have a bully? What did you do when you were bullied?
No, I've never had a specific bully. I have, however, been the source of ridicule. For the most part my mom was unaware it was happening and I retracted. I didn't know how to overcome it or ignore it and just added fuel to the fire. In high school I somehow missed being a social outcast, but I was invisible.
If there was a silver lining, the invisibility gave me a unique view of the world. I had the luxury of not catering to anyone else's standards and was able to define myself rather early, instead of having my classmates define me. I'm also able to stand in a crowd, reduce back to my invisible self, and take stock of the dynamics around me.
**EDIT**
Let me explain my "invisibility". I wasn't the kid that was picked on. No one made up vicious rhymes with my name. But they also didn't see me. Everyone walked past me. What verified that point for me was at our high school reunion. As us three amigos would approach someone the person would squeal in delight at seeing Piranha and then they would squeal about seeing Booty and then they would look at me. They knew there was a third person in this trio and clearly I was it but damn if they could remember my name. My husband at the time had attended Jr High with most of my classmates but attended and graduated from a rival high school. At that same reunion everyone greeted him heartily and then looked at me waiting for him to introduce me. To my classmates. The people I had sat in class with for four years. Invisible.
When did you start talking to your kids about s, e, x? and bad touches? How did you begin the subject?
There was never a specific sit-down conversation. I always think of those being awkward like the Massingil commercials where mother and daughter discuss feminine odor.
I never had anyone sit me down so I had no frame of reference. The way my mom approached all important topics was as a part of other conversations, frequently in the car. It's amazing the type of conversations that can take place in the car. So I did the same. I know it started early, around the time they were going to be in groups without me or their father - daycare, kindergarten. I would also take the opportunity during shopping trips to point out who they should seek if we got separated. I tried really hard to not make them terrified of all strangers, that most people want to help.
There has never been a conversation that covered the logistics of sex as to what parts needed to go where. I did talk about respecting their partners and themselves. We frequently talked about their friends activities and I would use those as teaching moments.
....okay, so any more questions?
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Snowmaggedon Survival Guide - Or How Not To Slaughter Your Children And Use Their Bones To Heat Your Home
I'm an unofficial parenting advice source for my friends and co-workers. Last week I got a frantic email asking how to get a few precious minutes ALONE from her 3 year old. Then yesterday the same person posted on facebook wanting to know how to keep her daughter amused during a snow day. I'm even reading how stay-at-home moms are at their wits end with their cabin fever infected spawn.
First, understand that cabin fever doesn't truly set in until after several weeks. So what we're really dealing with is boredom doubled up with a break in routine and insecurity. And folks, insecurity about the weather comes from YOU. Think about what you're saying, the words you're using, not just with the kids but with your spouse and to the people on the phone. "Hi mom, just checking in to make sure you're doing okay with this dreadful weather. mmmhmmm... yeah, the roads look dangerous and I heard that Mary fractured her hip when she walked outside.... OH I KNOW! ...well you take care and stay warm. Call us if you need anything." Innocent enough conversation, but to little ears? SCARY!
So here you go, a list of activities to keep your kids (and you) from clawing down the walls:
1. Make cookies (I hate making a special day defined by food, but these are desperate times and food soothes. Suck it up). I suggest chocolate chip, but go ahead and make whatever flavor makes your crew happy.
2. Make homemade hot cocoa - I went out and searched for a recipe for you, one that happens to be on the box of baking cocoa in my cabinet
http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5265/Hot%20Cocoa.aspx
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
dash of salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups (1 qt) milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3. Have a picnic in the middle of your living room (Your house is going to be a disaster zone if you follow my directions, but again desperate times call for desperate actions. Suck it up. Actually, for your own sanity and as an extra activity to keep the munchkins occupied, CLEAN UP after each thing you do). Pull out a blanket and sit your butt on the ground just as if you were at a park in the middle of summer.
4. Pull out the stuffed animals. Oh, you thought they were decoration? Ha! Tell the kids to sit in the bathroom (without touching anything) as you quickly assemble the fake beasts around the house. Then lead your children through the house on a guided safari. Discuss their natural environments. If you don't know where those beasts live or what they eat, have the kids offer suggestions. Or make up facts. Kids love far fetched and whimsical. You might even score cool points. Yes, your big kids should be expected to play along. After much bitching and grumbling about how gay and retarded all of this is, point out no one is watching (Take this opportunity to review why "gay" and "retarded" are politically incorrect and that they are hurtful terms). Their defenses will quickly melt and they'll be giggling along with the younger sibs
5. Hold an Easter Egg hunt. Dig out those plastic eggs and take turns hiding the eggs from the rest of the group. If you by chance don't have plastic eggs (make sure to stop at Walgreens the day after Easter this year and load up on them for the next snowtrastrophy) gather up small trinkets, maybe toys and use them for your egg hunt.
6. Build a tent city. Use kitchen chairs for structure and drape blankets and sheets over them. Bring in the stuffed animals for their mini families. With a sheet draped over the kitchen table, eat lunch under the table. Give each kid a flashlight, load them up with coloring books and crayons and then slip off to read your own book in peace. Tell them they can take their afternoon naps in their tents.
7. Write a letter to Grandma, complete with an envelope for each child and real stamp. And mail them, even if grandma (or whoever) lives next door.
8. Move your tent city into the living room, restructured into a drive in. Pick an old movie from your selection (that would be the Power Rangers Movie at my house - I have that damn "oh oh, we're in trouble" song etched into my head for eternity. I'm going to have alzheimers and hum that stupid tune it's so ingrained in my gray matter). By the way, the movie selection is not decided by any democratic process, totally a surprise. I hope you have real popcorn on hand, not the microwave stuff. If not, make do, but really, next time you're at the store grab a bag of popcorn kernals.
Any of these activities provide HOURS of activity. At some point the kids are going to be sick of the togetherness and will be glad to flee into their bedrooms for hibernation. Let go of your routine and any sense of order. That's a scary place for a lot of moms, but do it and watch those little smiles grow. It's totally worth it. And yes, give them plenty of unstructured time.
OH! And pull out the camera. Record this day, it will be precious.
First, understand that cabin fever doesn't truly set in until after several weeks. So what we're really dealing with is boredom doubled up with a break in routine and insecurity. And folks, insecurity about the weather comes from YOU. Think about what you're saying, the words you're using, not just with the kids but with your spouse and to the people on the phone. "Hi mom, just checking in to make sure you're doing okay with this dreadful weather. mmmhmmm... yeah, the roads look dangerous and I heard that Mary fractured her hip when she walked outside.... OH I KNOW! ...well you take care and stay warm. Call us if you need anything." Innocent enough conversation, but to little ears? SCARY!
So here you go, a list of activities to keep your kids (and you) from clawing down the walls:
1. Make cookies (I hate making a special day defined by food, but these are desperate times and food soothes. Suck it up). I suggest chocolate chip, but go ahead and make whatever flavor makes your crew happy.
2. Make homemade hot cocoa - I went out and searched for a recipe for you, one that happens to be on the box of baking cocoa in my cabinet
http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5265/Hot%20Cocoa.aspx
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
dash of salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups (1 qt) milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do Not Boil.
- Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings.
3. Have a picnic in the middle of your living room (Your house is going to be a disaster zone if you follow my directions, but again desperate times call for desperate actions. Suck it up. Actually, for your own sanity and as an extra activity to keep the munchkins occupied, CLEAN UP after each thing you do). Pull out a blanket and sit your butt on the ground just as if you were at a park in the middle of summer.
4. Pull out the stuffed animals. Oh, you thought they were decoration? Ha! Tell the kids to sit in the bathroom (without touching anything) as you quickly assemble the fake beasts around the house. Then lead your children through the house on a guided safari. Discuss their natural environments. If you don't know where those beasts live or what they eat, have the kids offer suggestions. Or make up facts. Kids love far fetched and whimsical. You might even score cool points. Yes, your big kids should be expected to play along. After much bitching and grumbling about how gay and retarded all of this is, point out no one is watching (Take this opportunity to review why "gay" and "retarded" are politically incorrect and that they are hurtful terms). Their defenses will quickly melt and they'll be giggling along with the younger sibs
5. Hold an Easter Egg hunt. Dig out those plastic eggs and take turns hiding the eggs from the rest of the group. If you by chance don't have plastic eggs (make sure to stop at Walgreens the day after Easter this year and load up on them for the next snowtrastrophy) gather up small trinkets, maybe toys and use them for your egg hunt.
6. Build a tent city. Use kitchen chairs for structure and drape blankets and sheets over them. Bring in the stuffed animals for their mini families. With a sheet draped over the kitchen table, eat lunch under the table. Give each kid a flashlight, load them up with coloring books and crayons and then slip off to read your own book in peace. Tell them they can take their afternoon naps in their tents.
7. Write a letter to Grandma, complete with an envelope for each child and real stamp. And mail them, even if grandma (or whoever) lives next door.
8. Move your tent city into the living room, restructured into a drive in. Pick an old movie from your selection (that would be the Power Rangers Movie at my house - I have that damn "oh oh, we're in trouble" song etched into my head for eternity. I'm going to have alzheimers and hum that stupid tune it's so ingrained in my gray matter). By the way, the movie selection is not decided by any democratic process, totally a surprise. I hope you have real popcorn on hand, not the microwave stuff. If not, make do, but really, next time you're at the store grab a bag of popcorn kernals.
Any of these activities provide HOURS of activity. At some point the kids are going to be sick of the togetherness and will be glad to flee into their bedrooms for hibernation. Let go of your routine and any sense of order. That's a scary place for a lot of moms, but do it and watch those little smiles grow. It's totally worth it. And yes, give them plenty of unstructured time.
OH! And pull out the camera. Record this day, it will be precious.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Reader Questions - Feb 1, 2011
So last week I had a brain fart and asked for blog topics. Please feel free to submit more questions!
From The Guy Who Writes This, "Careful, when I had people tell me what topics they wanted one asked for my coming of age story."
Is that a dare? I think so.
If you are one of my kids, do yourself a favor and return to Facebook because I'm going to talk about me and sex.
Okay, disclaimer posted.
I was 18, definitely a late bloomer by my friends' standards. I was home for my first weekend from college. As was the usual, we gathered at Piranha's house. That was our favorite place to spend a Saturday night because her parents would spend the evening out for date night and not return until the wee hours. We were unsupervised.
We slipped off to a private room and closed the door. Unfortunately the room we chose belonged Piranha's youngest sister. The room was a tribute to Strawberry Shortcake. Strawberry and her friends were displayed in miniature on the wall, in toys on the shelves and all over the bedspread. Sadly Strawberry Shortcake was defiled that night with a plastic tinted scent of blueberry and strawberry fragrance wafting through the air.
It was an uneventful and clumsy night, but not so bad that we parted ways. I ended up marrying the guy and having three children with him. I cannot look at Strawberry Shortcake without thinking of that night, the night she lost her innocence.
From The Guy Who Writes This, "Careful, when I had people tell me what topics they wanted one asked for my coming of age story."
Is that a dare? I think so.
If you are one of my kids, do yourself a favor and return to Facebook because I'm going to talk about me and sex.
Okay, disclaimer posted.
I was 18, definitely a late bloomer by my friends' standards. I was home for my first weekend from college. As was the usual, we gathered at Piranha's house. That was our favorite place to spend a Saturday night because her parents would spend the evening out for date night and not return until the wee hours. We were unsupervised.
We slipped off to a private room and closed the door. Unfortunately the room we chose belonged Piranha's youngest sister. The room was a tribute to Strawberry Shortcake. Strawberry and her friends were displayed in miniature on the wall, in toys on the shelves and all over the bedspread. Sadly Strawberry Shortcake was defiled that night with a plastic tinted scent of blueberry and strawberry fragrance wafting through the air.
It was an uneventful and clumsy night, but not so bad that we parted ways. I ended up marrying the guy and having three children with him. I cannot look at Strawberry Shortcake without thinking of that night, the night she lost her innocence.
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