Sometimes she's a generous spirit

Sydney is truly a wonderful child. She loves to push her sister's buttons, but is equally generous with her.

Yesterday, she exceeded many of my expectations.

On Christmas Eve, Syd discovered she had a loose tooth. This was even more exciting because her kindergarten teacher gave each child in her class a tooth fairy pillow. Sydney was so excited to hopefully use it before she returns to school.

While I was at work yesterday, Sarah lost a tooth. Sydney had already offered to let Sarah be the first person to use her tooth fairy pillow.

That child is a wonder sometimes!

Christmas meets Hanukkah

One of Sarah's best friends is Jewish. A couple of weeks ago she was at dinner with them and they called to say she'd be a little late because they were teaching Sarah about Hanukkah.

Normally, I'm not good with her being late, but in this case I was thrilled! I love her learning things, and she's be curious. She came home with some gold wrapped chocolate coins from the driedel game.

Fast forward to today. Months ago, Santa decided to buy a few gold coins for the stockings this year.

Sarah finds them and says: "I can't believe Santa gave me Hanukkah coins for Christmas!" I love that kid!

Have a great day, no matter what holiday you celebrate!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. . .

Sydney came running into the kitchen today and announced that she has her first loose tooth. We expect that her teachers present to the kindy class (she made or had made tooth fairy pillows for both her classes!)

Sydney is beyond excited!

Track Santa

The 3D version is really cool!


http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

Track Santa

The 3D version is really cool!


http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

How to confuse your husband . .

Wake up, throw your youngest daughter in a coat and boots, and yourself too. Turn on the front porch light (which will shine a little in the master bedroom) and open the door to go outside.

Sydney and I did this this morning when she woke with a croupy cough and I wanted to get her into the cold air to stop it.

When we walked in, DH was standing in the entry way looking really confused.

I explained that the cold was helping Syd's cough and he went back to bed.

Sometimes living in a cold environment is useful!

Chance meeting

Friday, I decided to stop in to our local bakery to pick up a bagel (they only have them on Friday's). I was chatting with my friend who works at the bakery and commented how much I had to do and how hard it was going to be to get everything done with the girls home.

She mentioned that she was having set of sisters babysit on Monday and did I want to drop the girls off? um YES!

After confirming that the sisters were ok with 4 kids rather than 2 (I think the double money was appealing!), we discussed that their only request was that we provide food that was ready made.

This morning, I slept in some (graded until 1:00 am) and then started grading while directing the girls to get ready. I asked Sydney if she thought she could make her lunch.

She gathered everything and YEP! she assembled a pretty good lunch all by herself. Sarah also made her lunch and I didn't have to!

Yea to growing girls!

Love

My daughter's cat is very attached to me and loves to wake me up as soon as she wakes - at 4:00 AM. If I don't wake up then, we move on to 4:30, 5:00, 6:00 etc. I'm pretty tired from the not sleeping part.

A friend of mine suggested locking the cats in the basement when they wake so I can sleep (our room gets too cold if we close our bedroom door).

This morning I woke up at 4:15 when the kitty came to see me, and then at 6:45 when my daughter did. I was so impressed that Spots didn't bother me all morning.

I couldn't fall back to sleep because DD was being a little too noisy, so I got up. I could hear the kitties meowing and wondered why they weren't coming to see us.

Yep, they were in the basement.

My wonderful husband had locked them in the basement so I could sleep.

I love that man!

The Christmas Spirit Lives

I rushed to the post office yesterday, about 10 minutes before it closed, planning on mailing 4 boxes. I took them out of the car and was trying to pick them up. I was about six car lengths from the door.

A woman was walking up the sidewalk towards me and said "Let me help you." I had thought she was just going to put the packages on top for me. Instead she picked up two and started walking with me. As we walked, she told me that she saw me with the packages and thought she would just wait to open the door for me, but she saw how much I had and walked up to help me carry them.

It was so very sweet!

EEEEKKKKKKK

The list is growing and the time is shrinking!

Christmas, school, closing out job. . .

I'm in full panic mode and I kept forgetting to pick up my meds and now I'm in a lack of med exhaustion!

Last night

Tonight is the last night of class. My first semester teaching, I stumbled on a great last week of class activity. The students don't really want to read anything new and I'm a bit burned out too.

So, I realized that I could have the students lead the discussion. They chose topics that relate to the class subject and they introduce the issue and lead the conversation.

It's a great activity on many levels. For them it seems like it's just a fun thing to do. For me, I get to help them realize what it feels like to be in front of the class - trying to convince students to talk - to talk to a class full of students who aren't prepared.

My hope is that my class not only better prepares students to be better employees, but better students over the next few years.

It's about 16 degrees outside - I'm tired - and just a little sad that it's not politically correct to show up to my class tonight drinking a cup of hot chocolate and Baily's.

But what does it really say

Our church parish is in trouble. Over the past 8 years, we've lost most of our membership. There are many things that have contributed to this.

A couple of weeks ago, we added a prayer for our parish. I'm wondering if I'm taking this text wrong, so I ask you instead, what does this prayer say to you?

"Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayer for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

Can I start over again

This morning, I was driving the kids to school. As we headed out the door, I asked Sarah if she had her snow pants. Nope, doesn't have them. I ran inside, didn't see them. I sent her in to look. After I minute, I remembered that we had an extra set in the basement, so I ran in to get them. DH was telling Sarah that she needed to be more responsible with her stuff. I ran and got the extra pair.

When we got to school, I let Sarah out at the door and parked to bring Sydney in. When I got Sydney's shoes, I realized that I had put Sarah's snow pants in Sydney's backpack. OPPS!! I also realized that I didn't have a check with me so I couldn't pay for Syd's daycare bill today.

I ran Sarah her snow pants and apologized to her.

Then, I came home to get a cup of coffee and some yogurt. Grabbed a cup and a bowl and my stuff. While I waited for the coffee to brew, I put my yogurt in my bowl - I mean coffee cup!

I think I need to start over!

Sarah says. . .

The girls are playing school. I heard this from Sarah as she was talking to her 'students.'


"Art is about imagination. Maybe you see snow as pink, maybe you see the sky as purple, maybe you see the clouds in magenta colored pink, and maybe you see the world in swirls. That is the point of art. And tomorrow you are going to paint the way you see your classrooms."

I love my girls!

Grownup

"I feel more grown up than I ever have before" Yes, this was my daughter's quote. I let them have their Izze Sparkling Juice in a wine glass - they were really impressed when I had them used the cut glass ones ("You mean we get to use the fancy ones?"). This was partially because they are heavier and the stem is less delicate than my other stemware, plus they aren't as tall. But, they thought they were special.

They asked to sit at their little table with a tablecloth, so we had more space at our table. Everyone used the china and silver(plate).

Before dinner, Sarah told us the history of the first Thanksgiving. It was a perfect recitation.

Dinner was good (except for once my Turkey was done first - about an hour before I was ready).

All in all a good day.

Oh, and I ordered a new Macbook Pro (my HP is indicating that it's tired and time to think replacement.) I'm so excited and I can't wait for it to arrive.

Where does the time go

I'm trying to figure out why I couldn't manage to update in a week, but then I realized that DH was out of town last week and dealing with tired, grumpy kids and a toxic work situation left me uninspired. Then it was time to clean house before my ILs came for Thanksgiving.

Sydney was sent to her room for time out a few times on Saturday. Ummm, this is what we found - an extremely tolerant kitty.




I've finally decided that I'm going to buy a new laptop. This one has a few minor things that are going to continue to get more irritating. Plus, this way I can get the Christmas deal savings. I also reminded DH that since I use it as teaching, we can take it off on taxes.

I'm just trying to get by ducks in a row to survive the end of the semester, the Christmas season, and the last few weeks of this job.

Sydney got her second cast off. She not so sure about bending her elbow, but is thrilled to be free.

And, I have two very sweet kitties to give me loves.

Oh, and my ILs are going to watch the girls so DH and I can go on a DATE!

Delayed update

Oh, I forgot to update on Sydney.

On Friday we saw the doctor. He first cut off the cast. Sydney immediately started to move her arm. The doc told her to wait until she had the xray before she moved it too much, so Sydney plastered her arm across her chest like she was saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The xray was finished and read and the new bone was proclaimed ready enough to be without a cast.

Yesterday, I got a bug up my butt that I was going to get the kitchen clean - I mean really clean it. Cabinets got emptied out, drawers cleaned out and re-arranged (I moved the cooking utensils to the chefs table so they were between the counter and stove - I've been tired of walking around the chef table to get things I needed for the stove). I've not finished the job, but it's really looking nice.

Unfortunately, I think we will have to go to the vet tomorrow. Sparkles had a paw stepped on by accident yesterday. She's not walking on it yet. We'll see how she is doing tomorrow.

And, I'm thanking the producers of the TinkerBell movie for making a movie that isn't so obnoxious that I can't stand watching it after the 10th viewing. With Sydney still down, she has been watching a lot of it, which means so do I. LOL.

I managed to recover one of our dining room chairs yesterday. Only three more to go! And, I have to finish grading nine more papers (more like eight and a half because I read one as a draft and so I just need to grade the components).

Last night, we went to a sock hop to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our preschool. They had a contest to see who could hulahoop the longest. Sydney came in second in her age group. Sarah came in first - which was even more impressive because they competed in two groups and she won the first group and had to repeat her performance for the second group. She was really proud of herself.

Off to start my list for the day!

Classroom experiments

I don't post as much about my class on this blog as I would like to. Because it's open to the general public, I'm always afraid a student will find something I wrote and take offense - so I'm generally careful about what I write.

But, this I'm very excited about.

This year, I changed most of my paper assignments. The first assignment stayed the same (but will have to change for next year because the assignment was to write about why our country was so hesitant to elect a woman or minority as President).

So, I changed the second paper assignment. The students had to pair up and write a paper describing the election process and then re-engineer/re-design an aspect of the election process (i.e., campaign finance, the electoral process).

Then, because the paper topic lent itself to a presentation, I used that as their presentation project. I gave them some ideas of ways they could do their presentation that didn't involve a traditional powerpoint presentation. They could do a speech, present a bill to congress, do a play, etc.

They surpassed my expectations!

One group chose to present a bill to Congress. They even looked up the proper format of the bill (preamble, number the lines, etc), another group did a play inviting some of their friends to help.

I've now thrown out their third paper topic. I've always hated it. DH and I talked at lunch and created a topic that is more relevant to them, the student - but still fits the class.

For the third paper, they are going to write about some aspect of the culture of our university - for example, Homecoming, winter festival, etc and then they will compare the current activities to a period in time in the past (say 40-50 years). Then they will talk about how it defines the culture of our university. So, instead of doing a traditional documentation support, they will work in the archives and interview upperclassmen.

I think they will enjoy this more than writing about why our culture allows corporate crime.

Hopefully one down!

Today, at 3:15 EST, Sydney has an appointment to check her right arm to see if its ready to have her cast come off today.

Wish us luck!

Happenings

It was a tiring weekend here.

Friday was Halloween. It was so nice outside (normally it's snowing), we had our Halloween parade at the school outside.


Sarah carved her own pumpkin (on the left with the square and triangle eyes). Sydney couldn't quiet manage to carve hers, but she did draw on the face (on the right, with two triangle eyes) and I cut around the lines.


In the past week, Sydney has been chewing a lot of gum. She has taught herself to blow bubbles. She's quite proud of herself and has only gotten gum in her hair occasionally.

Last week we had Sydney's weekly appointment. Her right arm is doing really well. We are hoping to have it out of the cast in 2 more weeks. Her left arm isn't healing quiet as well. We are hoping that it will start and that we can go down to a short cast in two more weeks. We see the doc on Thurs to see what is happening.

On Saturday, Sarah's basketball camp played some games. They really enjoyed it.

On Sunday, I took the girls to see High School Musical 3. It wasn't too bad. I did like the message that "You have to pursue your dreams, not your parents, not your your boyfriend/girlfriends, and you can't give up what you want for your high school boyfriend/girlfriend."

And now another week begins.

National Chocolate Day

In honor of National Chocolate Day, I'm making Ghirardelli Brownies.

(Meritt, we can find something else for you.)

Mad Men

Tonight, in class, I gave a short lecture/introduction on Corporate Culture. I related this back to organizational culture.

I've never found a great way to have the students apply the terminology to the topic - until this summer. I was at my mom's house hanging out with her after I put the girls to bed. She was watching something on "On Demand." It turns out it was the first episode of "Mad Men," a show on AMC. It was perfect. A 1960's Madison Avenue Advertising agency. Talk about a great corporate culture. Everything was shown - some of it in ways that don't exist in today's corporate environment.

Originally, I was going to turn the show off early and let us talk about it tonight, but I knew there were really good things to come that would make the discussion better.

Unfortunately, I'm a class period behind and we are watching this on Thurs and we don't meet again until Tuesday.

The best part is that one of the students asked me about when the show is on regularly.

It looks like my lesson plan for next week will have to shift some as I need to find a good way to use the assignment they turned in to me and they need HELP.

Tomorrow, we have to go back in to have Sydney's arm reset. The bones shifted and we can't leave them the way they are. I feel so bad for the kid. I also need to finish sewing Sarah's Halloween costume and get ready for the scrap-booking overnight. I may finish part of the skirt tonight, and the rest tomorrow afternoon. I'm just so very tired. I may just go home, go to bed, and get up early tomorrow.

Weekend projects

Sarah and I have been working on sewing her Halloween costume. This is what we have accomplished so far. Originally we planned to enter it in the fair, but I'm thinking she might do better perfecting her ability to sew before we enter something. This also took some of the pressure off of us because I did sew in the zipper (something I'd never done before). Sarah was ready to stop for the night after the zipper, but I talked her into 4 more seams - which allowed her to sew the shoulders and arms. She reluctantly agreed, but was so thrilled when she was able to try on the costume! We just need to finish the neckline, arms, and bottom hem.



I realized that I had a high school letter in my basement. The colors work nicely. I'd rather had borrowed one of my sister JV letters as they are a little smaller and would have looked better, but it will still work. She really likes the idea.

I still need to sew the skirt before I leave Friday (I'm going to a scrap booking overnight), but she gave me permission to just sew the skirt without her. She did sew a lot of the trim herself!




When I finally finished sewing for the day, it was on to project number two. Sydney's teacher gave her a piece of paper, some orange paint, a black marker, and a paint brush so she could work on the project she would miss on Friday when she was having her second cast put on.

She made her pumpkin all by herself. She included the 'bump' at the bottom (the little dip) all by herself. She also proudly painted her drawn pumpkin 'kindergarten style - keeping in the lines.' After it dried, she painted on the face.



I'm so proud of both the girls!

Sydney update - edited

Sydney is getting along ok. We are working on figuring out the eating thing, the bathroom thing, and the sleeping thing.

I've bought some clothes that zip up the front so we can easily get them on her. I just need to work on cutting the sleeves off so we can get them on her.

I'm going to call the OT on Monday to see if I can figure out some adaptive silverware that we can use for meals. If anyone has suggestions - I'm open to them.

Thanks for all the thoughts. I'm still feeling a bit guilty that I didn't say "maybe we should x-ray both" originally. I thought it several times but never said anything.

She's occasionally going through the "I hate my casts" thing, but generally pretty well natured.




ETA: Sydney is pictured with her new Tinkerbell slippers. I told her the night before her second arm was cast that I was going to get her new slippers. She was going to have her IV in her foot and I didn't think she'd want shoes. I asked if she remembered the once she saw at the store. She told me they were blue, fuzzy, had no back, and Tinkerbell on them.

I looked at Walmart first and found slippers just as she described except with this bunny character on them and in adult sizes. So, I went to try the other store in town. I spent the drive praying that the slippers were there and more importantly that the store was still open as I couldn't remember if it was open until 9:00 or 10:00. I almost broke into tears when I found the slippers that were almost perfect at the store (that was still open) and I bought them. She admitted they weren't exactly what she saw, but loved them anyway.

By goodness if she was going through this twice, she was going to have something to make herself feel good.

next verse same as the first

Today we took Sydney in for her one week followup after her broken arm last Thurs. Last night, it became VERY obvious that she needed her right arm xrayed as well as checking her left to see how it was healing.

OK, Doc comes back in after the xray, comments about how with it being broken it should have REALLY hurt, not just hurt a little. Merit, I thought of your kids with this one. In fact, in the back of my mind I was thinking - humm, Merit said that if her kids are complaining that it still hurts after a week it's probably broke.

Tomorrow we go back to the hospital to set and cast the right arm.

He's hoping that he will be able to put a fiberglass (note pink) cast from the elbow down rather than the full arm immobilized one on the left arm.

I think he felt bad that he missed it last week (he glanced at the arm but it didn't appear broken.

DH walked up to me tonight and told me that he would tell me that I wasn't a bad mom for not noticing this if I would tell him that he wasn't a bad dad. He also told me that when I mentioned last night that I thought it was broken (Sydney fell on it last night), that he suspected then it was broken but didn't see any reason to take her into the ER last night when we were seeing the ortho today.

He did splint it so it wouldn't further displace before tomorrow's surgery.

I am so not looking forward to trying to find a way to manage a child with two casts. Dr. Danielle - any advice from your end of the hospital?

I also told DH (and he agreed) that I will re-arrange my work hours so Sydney and I are home in the morning and she will only go in for kindergarten, not daycare. This way she won't exhaust herself at school. She is going to be super bored without her friends.

I'm off to walmart to buy some button down shirts and leggins and some new slippers (her others are getting small) for the hospital tomorrow. The doc already was looking at her foot to put the IV in tomorrow morning. I'm going to bet she's like slippers better than shoes tomorrow. I wonder if I can find jammies that will also work with two casts.

Poor thing just cried when I told her that she was going to need not only one cast but two. She was already tired of the first one.

UGH. Sydney fell off the monkey bars yesterday and broke her arm. She broke both of the bones in her left wrist. She fell at around noon. It took me about an hour to get to pick her up but I had to turn over something I was working on, go find DH who was at lunch to tell him what was going on, and run home to get some books to read to Sydney and her puppy. Her tolerance for pain is incredibly high, I discovered. She didn't really hurt, but her body was obviously in pain as pale as she was.

You know there is no question about a break when the ER doc walks in, picks up the ice pack, looks at her arm, and walks out. They took her for x-rays and then the surgeon came in. We had to wait until 6:00 to cast it because they were putting her under to set it and had to wait until 6 hours after lunch.

She's been a real trooper. She's in a full arm plaster cast.

Poor little thing!

Last night, while I was struggling grading papers for students who didn't follow directions, I had two 10 week old kitties sleeping on my lap. It did make grading more pleasant.

On a more fun note, I stopped by the career fair at school yesterday. I knew that Harley Davidson had a booth at the fair. My first semester, I managed to connect with a person who agreed to do a phone interview with my students. We read the book More than a Motorcycle, about the leadership change at Harley. So, I walked over to the Harley booth and chatted for a minute with the first person I saw. She didn't know anything about the book but suggested I wait and talk to Kevin. When Kevin was done, I walked over to introduce myself. I told him my name and that I taught a freshman class where we discuss the book about Harley. Before I could continue he said "I know." I was shocked. I turns out his daughter started here this fall and his wife noticed that I discussed the book. It turns out he had recently read the book as part of an executive program.

While my first choice was to have someone who was at Harley during the change, I think this guy will do wonders. He has worked at Cummings, GM, and Harley. At Harley he worked at both the Kansas City plant and the Milwaukee plant. They have very different corporate cultures. I think we can have a great conversation comparing the cultures of different organizations. I'm so thrilled.

I need to get back to working on the budget for our proposal.

Not politically correct

I realize this isn't politically correct, and I do end up hanging around with many political conservatives, but this really was how I saw the VP debates. So, if you are so inclined, enjoy. If not, keep moving, nothing to see here!



Here is the link in case it's hard to read the picture:
Palin Debate Flowchart

The kitties

We got two kitties yesterday. They are sisters. Sarah named hers 'Spots' and Sydney hers 'Princess Sparkles.' But, based on how quickly her kitty runs, she's thinking of renaming her 'Princess Speedy.'

We are having a tough time reigning the kids in so they let their kitties have some space. Sydney's kitty (the little grey one) is the runt of the litter and at one point the rescue organization wasn't sure she was going to live. She is one fast kitty!

They spent a bit of time hiding in and under furniture yesterday, but by last night they were really starting to get comfortable with the house.

In fact, last night they found their way into the bookcase with the legos.They are so very curious and alot of fun.

Lots to say. . .

I'll have to write more later because I need to tell you all about our new kitties.

BUT,

First.

I have to tell you

that on the last game of the season,

that after playing soccer for 5 years,

Sarah scored her first goal ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I even managed a picture of it (yes Melanie, I'll send it to you after it is developed.)

Then, her coach, know hard she has worked for this, had the team carry her off the field. I missed that picture.

I'm so, so very proud of her.

Class discussion

Tonight in class, we were discussing the movie "An American President."

One of the questions we debated was if the President of the United States has a expectation that his or her private life are not the business of the American people.

In the movie, the approval rating of the president was dropping as he started dating a woman who he had a sexual relationship but wasn't married to.

Should we have to know everything about a president? Is there an expectation that all aspects of a president's life would affect his or her ability to run the country. Does the president have a responsibility to disclose all aspects of their life to the American public?

What do you think?




I'm sorry, does anyone really believe that governmental reforms are coming?

Can anyone tell me what the conflict is in Afghanistan? I really don't understand what the goal is. In Iraq I know that the 'war' (and I put that in quotes because our military action hasn't been acted on by congress except for them to give away the checks and balances outlined in the constitution) will end when the Iraqi government can rule by themselves. But what is the goal in Afghanistan? Why are we there?

Color me shocked!

My chili came in second place at the office chili cookoff. I decided to make a pot of chili last night. Threw in ingredients, modified the flavors today, and got second place.

No prize, no recognition - but personal pride that I held my own.

Your final notice

About a year ago, we paid off our car. Then the phone calls started.

"Your factory warranty may have expired, this is your final notice that you can still reactivate it."

After ignoring the calls for about 6 months, I finally hit 1 and asked to be taken off the list.

Then, the "second and final notice" calls started.

I ignored for a while and asked to be taken off the list.

Today, I get the "third and final notice" call. They promised that after this one my file would be closed.

I hit one and the friendly voice said "how are you doing today?"

I said "I'm getting very angry, I asked to be taken off this list and first and final, second and final, and now I get third and final. What do I have to do to get off this list."

In response I hear a click!

I wonder if I'll still be asking to stop the calls in 5 years?

Today I need to clean the house. On Sat we have kitties coming into the house and we need it to be clean so they can't get into too much trouble. We also have a someone coming over tonight. So, we (I mean *i*) need to get this mess cleaned up before he arrives. I'm going to spend 2 hours cleaning up then 2 hours doing work related tasks.

I'll update more later.

ETA accomplishments: So far, I have two bathrooms clean, the back hall (including sorting through hats/mittens/etc). I've also cleaned the front hall (including the closest). and vacuumed.

While cooking my lunch (tomatoes and shrimp sauteed in lemon and garlic and served over pasta), I cleaned some of the pots and pans in the kitchen.

I still have the living room, playroom, dining room, and kitchen to finish.

I think it's my birthday

Well, sort of I guess. I mean, it's the day I was born, but I don't really feel older.

As has happened for the past few years, we aren't actually celebrating my birthday for a few weeks. Tonight is mother/daughter book group. I thought about making cupcakes, but just couldn't get in the mood.

Tomorrow we have a soccer and an open house at the neighbor's house (it included a note to come hungry). DH is tied up next week, so he's not available to oversee the girls making me dinner. My present didn't come in the mail yet, so no reason to celebrate.

Sarah has a cold, is in a grumpy mood.

The subject of birthday's came up, and I mentioned it was mine while I was picking up kids. My friend Nichole (everyone needs a friend Nichole, she's just the best) said "why didn't we go out for tea, we went for Amanda's birthday, we went for my birthday, well you guys didn't know it when we planned it, we should have gone for tea.

I think we will once things settle down. But, this time of year is so insane that my birthday just feels like it's lost in the chaos.

I need to get Sarah something to eat before we leave so her blood sugar doesn't crash.

I'll update more later about the numerous things that have happened in the past week.

Waiting. . . or why I want to be a fly on the wall

At the girls school last year, they started handing out orange tickets to the kids. You were given a orange ticket when the staff or teachers catch a student doing something good, helpful, etc. These tickets are issued to the students (name written on the ticket), by a teacher (name), and signed by a parent so the parent knows what good they were doing.

These tickets are placed in a bin by grade and each week they draw one ticket per grade and the child gets a prize from the school store.

The other night at dinner, DH was speculating what would happen if the girls gave tickets to the teachers and staff. Sydney was on board immediately, Sarah took some warming to the idea. She is always concerned about breaking rules (real or perceived).

So, last night while I was teaching class, DH and the girls made purple tickets. After some discussion, it was decided the tickets would be issued to teachers (name written on ticket) and signed by the principal (after all, if the parents learn what good the students did, the principal should learn the good the teachers did). The teachers are to return the tickets to Sarah and Sydney and each week they will draw a ticket and award a pencil from our vast collection of pencils.

I want to be a fly on the wall, I can't wait to pick the girls from school and see what they did and what people thought.

Sarah was so excited she couldn't sleep! I hope the teachers had fun with my girls today.

I scream from the kitchen "Burn youself again?"

This is DHs first question.

I'm still not used to my new stove. I turned on the back burner instead of the front and started to melt the lid of my spice jar. I picked up the jar and managed to touch my finger to the melted lid.

I now am sporting black plastic and a huge blistery burn on my finger (I couldn't get the plastic off so the burn kept going).

The girls didn't help - the suggested I use my hotpads.

I really need to grade, but my whole body hurts from the pain.

I guess grading may not get done!

Misc

Class went well last night. The class really talked and had some good insights. Now, I'm not sure if they were talking because they wanted to, or if it was because I was rewarding them with a halloween pack of M&Ms for talking. LOL. I can't wait to see if we can continue this during the course of the semester.

I need to start cleaning the house.

So, I'll start with the living room, but first I'm going to spray the fabric for the dining room chairs with spot resistance spray.

Back later as I finish each room.

What feminism means to me.

After reading blogs, bulletin boards, etc, I developed this rant this morning. I got tired of reading "the feminists said this, why are they not supporting Palin, and how could they say that. etc." This was all in the vain of "How could the feminists not be supportive of one of their own." Once again it reminded me that feminism is still considered a negative thing.

So, I wrote this rant, and I thought I'd share it here.

To me, feminism means equal opportunity, it means equal pay for equal work, it means the right to decide to stay home with my kids or to work (or to have my DH be a SAHD instead). As a feminist, I don't believe that primary role of childcare needs to occur by me - I think my spouse can do the job. We get options and should not be beat up for exercising those options. As a feminist, I expect to be treated with respect for wanting my daughters lives to be better than mine, and those before me.

I am a feminist even if the word has been used as a way of describing the most extreme.

I am appalled that Sarah Palin's role as mother has become an issue for whether she is qualified to run this country (because I do believe that we need to vote for our VP with the knowledge that they can be the one to run this country. I don't think it's right that she is criticized for running for office with a special needs child. We don't know what plan her family has made for this child's care. She doesn't have to be primary caregiver - her spouse can be. I hate that her other child's pregnancy has become a criticism for her views on sex education. I'm not certain that I will have as much input in my 17 y.o.s actions, I don't think she is to blame for hers.

I hate that the way she looks or dresses is appropriate for our society to focus on. We don't comment about the fact that our other candidates are attractive, why should that be the focus for Palin?

But, I don't support her as a VP candidate because I don't believe in her politics. I don't agree with her views or what she would likely want to see legislated.

I wouldn't want to see anyone support her just because she is a woman, any more than I would want to see someone rejected as a candidate just because she is a woman.

But, I pride myself on being a feminist. I pride myself on wanted my daughters to be able to hold the job they want, get paid as much for that job as the male sitting next to them, to not have to fight for respect when they chose to work rather than stay home or defend the choice to stay home and not work.

Hell, I look forward to the day I can see the sororities be given the same prize amount for a stupid snow statue competition on our university campus. But DH and I are still working on that battle.

And I look forward to the day I can say I'm a feminist without feeling like it's a bad thing.

Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Daily Show

When I came home from class, I was telling DH about all our talk of Sarah Palin and how she is treated by the press. He told me about the daily show clip he saw that talked about the change in what various people have said. It was pretty funny and sadly true.

Then I found it online.



It is sadly true.

I'm a geek, and now they know it.

In class tonight, we were talking about race, sex, and politics. In the course of the conversation, I mentioned that one Saturday, someone posted a comment on a bulletin board I read. My first though was "that didn't sound right."

So, I looked up the race and sex makeup of the house of representatives, the senate, and the sitting governors. Then I compared it to the race and sex makeup of the population of the United States.

My students just looked at me, and one was even shaking his head at me. Yep, I'm a geek, and now they know it.

The bonus was I gave them some insight about what I'm looking for in their paper assignments, and that if I can do this type of analysis on a Saturday because of an offhand comment, they can do it for a grade.

Being female sucks

Yesterday, I found myself snapping at the girls at the drop of a hat and realized my backache wasn't going away. Oh wait, I guess this is a super duper bad PMS day. Now, I've had a hysterectomy, so my cycle is invisible to me - I kind of have to guess about why I feel off.

So, I grabbed three advil and told DH I was going to bed. After 20 min the darn backache still existed so I grabbed a hot pack. Better but not great. I eventually fell asleep for a while and woke up in a better mood.

So, last night I made a yummy upside down plum tart from my cooking light cookbook. Oh man is it yummy.

This weekend I also made pesto with some of the two pounds of basil the veggie guy brought. I still have more to make, and then I need to freeze it.

Today I'm going to see if I can manage to get some stuff done around the house, and finish my prep for class tomorrow night. Oh, and tomorrow night Sarah needs snack for soccer. Suggestions for favorite treats would be appreciated.

Helping a friend

Meritt, who had a blog everyone should read (even if she is a bit conservative ;-) ), has entered a 'dream job' contest.

Housewife Barbie dream vacation video entry

Everyone should take a wander over to her blog and watch her presentation and then vote! often!

In other news, Sarah had decided that she wants to be a cheerleader for Halloween. I decided that I could make her costume rather than buy it. And Sarah gets to help. WHAT HAVE I DONE!!

Fate??

Yesterday, I saw the Dean who didn't hire me the other week. Thankfully, I knew in advance that he was going to be at the lunch I was organizing. I ended up running into him in the back hall and we were able to chat.

I said hello and asked how he was settling in (he's a new arrival at the University). He indicated he recognized me but wasn't sure why. I told him that I'd interviewed with him and I was the unsuccessful candidate.

I was impressed when he told me that someone from the committee should chat with me. We decided to just chat then rather than later.

Turns out that there were lots of applicants (about 18), and only two people interviewed. It basically boiled down to I had lots of things R didn't have (but he wouldn't elaborate in fairness to R.(?)), she had experience in the one skill I had knowledge of and her undergrad degree was engineering, I'd only worked with them for 15 years.

They spent almost a week debating the direction I could take them vs. R and finally decided on her.

We've left the door open for future employment.

I'm glad I didn't have to face this last week, I wasn't ready. But, this week I could be perfectly upbeat about not getting the job because I am. When it's time for me to work full time, it will show up. In the meantime, I'll just keep plugging along!

I do feel better knowing that it was only two of us seriously considered and took almost a week to decide. At 2nd choice I can feel better. And I've been in the situation of trying to decided between two people we'd hirer in a heartbeat and discussing the this direction vs. that direction. We solved that one by a coin toss. Sometimes it's just that close.

AND, I never would have called the Dean to ask about the results so running into him to tell me was even better because now he holds a positive impression of me and I got to hear 'his version' rather than the faculty member who was on the committee. And, he wants to think about applying for a grant like the one we've held and wants to chat about it.

When things go south, they go badly

Last night, the girls had ice skating. Today was test day. Sarah was pumped because she was starting to really get the skills. Then, her buddy passed the skills test and she didn't. OH Boy the tears. Her friend was so sweet, she was ready to give her skating patch back so she and Sarah would not have passed yet. Sarah is so close, she just needs to master two things. Thankfully Sydney didn't pass her skills either.

So, then we went to the fair to see how Sarah, DH and I did on our entries. Sarah entered some poems (Cinquians she wrote about the grandparents), her alien sculpture, the ceramic tile, and a skirt she painted (which I knew wasn't her best work, but I could NOT convince her that she would have an easier time decorating a T-shirt and not a skirt).

Sydney entered a skirt she painted (we replaced the one she did with Sarah with one she did earlier that was nicer), a ceramic tile, and her princess in a pool sculpture. She was suppose to be entered in the 5-6 y.o. mini exhibitor who were not judged, but got participation ribbons.

DH entered the mantle clock he made me for Christmas and I entered four photos.

First we checked out DH's clock and one of my pics. DH got blue ribbon, best of show, and the Adult Gold which makes him eligible to send it to the state fair. My one pic took 6th, prize through 8th.

Then we went to see Sarah's. He poems got 2nd, everything was good. Her sculpture third, still happy. Then we saw Sydney's tile in the entries with a 2nd place ribbon. Yep, someone put Syd's entries in the judging area. Her three entries bested Sarah by one place. Sydney got three 2nd place ribbons and Sarah got three 3rds and the 2nd for the only thing Sydney didn't also enter. And, to add insult to injury, they ran out of third place ribbons and one of hers only had a note.

Sarah was devastated.

I'm seriously thinking about telling DH that we should sign Sarah up for skating for the session that starts Sept 4th. We usually wait until after Soccer, but she's not doing dance this fall and I think if I can get her back on the ice quickly rather than in Nov she'll remember what she's been working on and will pass quickly. I'm afraid if we give her time, she'll backslide.

I guess at some point we have to find out how they made the mistake with Sydney. We need to make sure it's not made next year. If we had know that Sydney would have been judged, we would not have let them enter so many things in the same category. I hope today is a better day.

As for me, my other photos got two 3rds and a participation ribbon. I was pretty impressed because in some of the photography stuff, there are a ton of pictures entered. But, my heart breaks for Sarah.

Thankfully, she enjoyed the rides and games.

*le sigh*

Various

While driving around my town, I've been listening to "French Women Don't Get Fat" on CD. I'm really enjoying it. Her information is pretty basic and common sense. The bottom line is: everything in moderation, know your trigger points, and you need to balance the amount coming in (food) with the energy expended (exercise/movement). After 20 odd years of watching what I'm doing, I have a pretty good idea of what to do. I've done weight watchers on and off for the past 10 years. My weight hasn't changed much with the exception of the years I was doing sprint triathlons and was swimming three mornings a week, running 3-5 days a week, and doing aerobics/weight training 3-5 times a week. Even with all of that, I was only a solid size 12. I'd love a 10, would be satisfied with a 12. Oh yea, did I mentioned that I then met DH and spent more time going out than at the gym?

I think for me, I'd do ok if only I could force myself to plan my meals and document, document, document. I've not really done that part well. But, I digress.

I've been enjoying this book because she talks so much about the different cultures she has lived in (French and U.S.), about her journey. I may have to look at the book in it's traditional form to see if she includes recipes.

But, I'm doing this a bit in preparation for September. Yesterday was my last day working for the institute. 10 hours of my work week, and the one that caused me the most stress, ended. OK, we had a visitor in town on one of my jobs and so I didn't have time to train the new person - so I have to go in for a while today.

Next week I have the girls at home with me, the week after is orientation so I will start everything in earnst on the Tuesday after labor day (shoot, I have to prep everything for the start of the semester!! My students will expect class stuff).

Anyway, I won't be at the office as much which means I have to set the house up for eating. I will join the gym for Sept so I can do weights. And, I will see if losing some of the stress in my life, having more time to myself, and a better plan means I can FINALLY fit in my favorite jeans from 13 years ago that I wore once after Sydney was born before the PTSD resulted in my oreo obsession.

Anyone want to join me? I could always someone to discuss ideas for menu plans!

Poll, of sorts

In comments let me know:

a) Olympics should be all about the events, show me as much as possible and talking should only be post event interviews

b) I love the up close and personals, the balance is nice.

c) Olympics?

d) ticky box.

School shopping Internet syle

This week, we got the letters with teacher assignments. Sydney will end up separated from many of her friends next year, but with half day kindergarten, and most of her friends requesting morning, I knew they would be. Sydney has afternoon.

Sarah didn't get her favorite third grade teacher, but all the teachers are really good and I understand that hers is no exception. She tells great stories and really challenges the kids.

Sydney's teacher is high energy, lots of fun, and keeps lots of order.

So, knowing that school is a few weeks off, it was time to start ordering "First Day of School" outfits. It's a tradition in our family that no matter how many clothes we already own, we always buy one or two news outfits (for reasons I don't understand, our school system has a afternoon only day on the first day so it almost feels like we have two first days).

So, I usually spend a couple of days roaming around the websites we typically buy clothes from finding the options, then sit down with the girls and let them shop. It's fun watching the girls taste in clothes evolve. FINALLY, Sydney is starting to chose what she likes rather than what Sarah chose. I did start having them shop with my alone than together.

Yesterday morning, Sydney chose a pair of shoes and a pair of boots that she fell in LOVE with. When I went to order them last night, I discovered that they were out of her size. I had fun trying to determine what size shoe she wears. She was asleep when I tried to check but amazingly enough I was able to put shoes on and off her feet and finally printed the shoe size sheet and put her foot on it - and she never woke up!!

Mea Culpa

It has been pointed out to me that I failed to update y'all on the outcome of Monday's activities.

Well, I started running. I'm still at the run 30-90 steps, walk 30-90 steps phase, but today I did this to and from campus. With my extra time, I should be able to manage training a few times a week.

Yes, I will have extra time. I told 'unofficial boss' first. And, in one of *those* moments, I decided to tell boss personally. He didn't deserve it, but in the interest. . . . .I did. I gave my two week notice for project number 1. This was the project I really hated. I also gave my notice for the other project- but will continue until the proposal is turned in at the end of Oct. We just have so much going on that feel it's only fair to not desert the project.

I did give Sarah as the official reason.

I also talked with the guy who left the project a year ago. He was a bit surprised to learn that "everyone found me difficult to work with," which made me feel good.

So, I'm going to try to finish up some of my projects, work on handing off others. I'm going to continue to working on the third grant. So, for the next two weeks, I will work on all three grants, then until October I will work the two grants (20 hours) and teach, then after that I will be down to one 8 hour job and teaching.

So, soon I will have no excuses not to keep the house clean, dinner nice and organized, and to exercise regularly.

I did spend a bit of time trying to reconcile myself to being at home again rather than working. I know I'm lucky to have the ability to work just enough to keep my foot in the door. This is important because if some we win some of the larger scale proposals that have included some administrative support, I can be added without too much trouble.

Last night, a friend and I celebrated. She made margaritas and a wonderful Spanikopita using mixed greens from the veggie guy. We watched a very funny and cheesy movie called "The Librarian, Quest for the Spear." We decided we really should have had wine with that much cheese. The cast was wonderful - Noah Wylie, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtain, Olivia Dukakus.

The realization and solution

I figured some of it out.

I've been trying to figure out what has changed this year - why did I not mind my job the first few years, and dread it now? The B was the same, but something else obviously changed.

I realized what it was for both the jobs.

About a year ago, one of the co-directors for the institute quit the project because he was tired of not being respected. He did so by throwing a spectacular email tantrum. Now, to his credit, most of what he said was VERY true. On a side note, the B forwarded this email to all his students (they should never be included in faculty issues) as he way of alerting them to his leaving the project and another grant. Now, this guy wasn't as involved in the grant because he and B fought over control but he was part of the institute. B was great at finding the funding opportunities, M was great at finding the heart - the things you do because it is the right thing to do even if it doesn't make money and sometimes costs it. The focus of the institute shifted from being a well rounded organization to being "how much money can we make."

I stopped liking it. I wasn't go at doing activities I don't believe in, I couldn't just produce a product I didn't think had value or a market that would buy it. As my "failure to produce" on the one project existed - the perception became that I wasn't producing in either project.

The other project was a different ball of wax. I've done more to run the project than an other individual. I would determine what needed to be done and many times make sure someone was doing it. I had very little support and even less thanks or appreciation.

So, now I understand why.

Now that I understand why, I can better prepare what to say. After all, I truly know that telling the truth will not help anything. I'm thinking that I may just say that I'm cutting back my workload because Sarah needs me more (which is true). If pushed about why I'm leaving these projects, I'll start with "I'm ready for a new challenge." I think that will allow the graceful exit.

I did tell my "new boss" that I'm making a change. She thought that it was a big loss for the other projects, but was really glad I was going to stick with her. I didn't tell her that there are some who wouldn't view it as anything big.

I've done the "not really working" thing before. I'm getting comfortable with the idea of doing it again. I just found out a friend is taking over our local dance studio, and is going to relocate it and expand it to include a gymnastics gym - something we have REALLY missed over the past 4 years. I've told her that I'm willing to help any way she needs. If I'm only working a little, I'll have time to do that.

So that is where my brain is! Better than the other day. Now to reconcile myself to not having a reason for my house to be a mess or my dinners not to be organized.

Need help relating to middle school aged kids

At our school, we have a summer youth program where high school students from around the state come to learn about various topics. This year, one of the graduate students asked if I would give a talk on sustainability. I'm not really qualified to talk about sustainability in construction, so we ended up talking about how society affects changes.

This weeks group is y0unger - 7th - 9th grade.

SO - I need some examples of cultural changes they have experiences. Good and bad things they understand. How can I present this information in terms they know?

Previously, I've used two ways to convey this during my 45 minutes. One by having the students try to build a structure working together - except they have been assigned what I call a barrier personality. These are people who can make working together as a team hard (such as the person who won't listen to anyone else's ideas but insists that their ideas are the only right way).

The other way is to talk about how things that are good have negative issues and so we, as a society, must decide if the good outweighs the bad. For example, Amazon will make suggestions to us about books we might enjoy based on previous purchases. That can be useful. But, if they sell that information to say, the republican party, the republican party can filter it with all of the other information they compile to predict the individuals voting tendencies (Applebees America).

So, now that I've given you examples of what I've done in the past, I'd love some ideas for what I can do in the future.

And now I wait. . .

If I don't get the job, it won't be because I didn't prove I was capable, understood the issues, and demonstrated experience in 95% of all items. In fact, the one area that I didn't have direct experience, I was able to describe the university resources, policies, possible models, and disadvantage the School will have in utilizing part of the model (as well as the faculty resistance)..

They did tell me that I'd have to give up teaching for the job - but I told them that I can't work full time and teach and that I recognized that it was an either or situation that I had come to terms with when I applied for the job.

The hope to either make a decision out of today's interviews or hold second interviews next week. They want a quick start date.

I do really want to say more (esp before I forget), but I'm too tired. I hope I don't forget by tomorrow.

Sarah has a friend spending the night tonight, so I may be awake for a bit.

I did come to a realization. I'm not sure if I"m opposed to working full time, or if I'm opposed to working full time if it's going to be at a job that is not at my capability. Maybe if I'm actually doing what I could be, working at my respected level rather than just working at my level in a job that isn't - maybe I won't be so frustrated by in.

In the past 10 years, I've had no real potential at any of my jobs. I came close to my level for 3 mos. This is the closest I've come.

The best part, I know that I'm not going to be stuck forever! When asked if I was available quickly, I said that I'd already thought about my exit strategy. I didn't tell them that it was because I was exiting no matter what.

I did send my email thank you note tonight. I prefer snail mail for thank yous, but I did email because the turn around is fast and I needed to send them a references contact information. (I didn't bring it on purpose so I would have something to contact back with.)

Notes for interview printed, black folio found, suit cleaned, makeup bag found.

Going to get ready now that I've had some coffee (no coffee or food once I put on my suit).

Interview in 90s minutes. I'll update you on the flip side.

Life is better

I feel better. I had my temper tantrum, I got some sleep last night, and I emailed someone at the meeting to see what I should have done.

And, it's OK for now, but I know I'm getting out soon.

Tuesday, while I was emailing a friend of mine that I needed to check on the status of the job I applied for, I got a call from the department to set up an interview. So, first thing Friday morning I go in for an interview for a job I want - except it's full time.

So, I've been doing my research to try to piece together views of the new Dean. I also obtained some information that gave me a couple of good info. They are trying to fill the position quickly - they want the person in by Sept 2nd when classes start.

My suit is dry cleaned. I printed an analysis I did on our website. Tomorrow, I'll go through the job description and line up my experience with the expected job duties. I'm also talking with someone from the dept tomorrow to find out what I can about the direction the Dean wants to take the school and the plan for the programs.

I also ended up talking with the person who does recruitment/marketing for the Grad school. I told him that I was interviewing for the job and he was very encouraging. We've been working together a bit on activities for the projects I work on. He also agreed to be a reference and said he was looking forward to working with the person (and I get to market that I already have experience working with this guy!).

I've decided that even though I'm not sure if I want to work full time, I'm putting everything into the job (you never know what might happen) and I'll just wait until I have something to decide before I make any decisions. BUT, I'm having a tough time trying to not get caught up in the excitement. Up here, Director level jobs RARELY open up.

In the "most embarrassing moment of the day" I give you this story. On July 1, we got a new Department Chair. It was someone who I've known more socially and chatted with here and there over the past few years. I was standing in my friend's office and told her about my interview, doing my happy dance. I noticed behind me "DC" in the doorway. He told us that it was OK, happy dances where ok. "S" said she wasn't dancing. "DC" observed that she doth protest too much and I added "and the other one just blushes." He agreed it was a pretty impressive blush.

Then again, "DC" did see me successfully dance with 3 inch heels at a party one night. LOL.

Maybe I can sleep soon.

I knew my 2:00 meeting would be tough. I was going to confront my boss about something in a meeting so I would have support. It went as well as I expected. I walked out of the room after the meeting and was leaning against the wall waiting for the elevator and one of the attendees patted me on the shoulder. I mumbled something about him not being able to tell me I was wrong and she agreed, very sincerely, that I wasn't (course, none of them said anything to support me, just left it to me to argue the point).

Later I was chatting with my unofficial boss to tell her what happened (CYA ya know) and mentioned a few other things that she missed while out of town. She wasn't exactly happy about some of it which made me feel better.

So, I headed home, made dinner and curled on the couch with my pounding headache. At midnight I headed to bed and laid there for 20 min - brain wound like a top. So, I thought what would Meritt do, got up and decided to work out my feelings reading and blogging. I also tried to call my friend Kelly, but couldn't get the machine to pick up.

It's not a bad thing as I got a cc from a message from my boss asking someone to give me some information needed to reverse something. AND, asked if I thought something else was appropriate. I'm not certain he came to the conclusion himself, but most likely with some help. I have a few days to think about the second question.

With that email, I might be able to calm down some. There's more to the day, but nothing I can put in writing here.

I'm home

I'm exhausted, I'm tired, I have a killer headache, my house is a mess, I'm so thrilled to be home!!

I have missed sleeping with DH. After 11 years of marriage and 2 years of not always sleeping alone before that, I don't always sleep well without DH. I guess that I spent much of last night snuggled up to DH (or as he put it, pushing him out of bed).

The girls did well on our flights home - esp considering that we were flying at bedtime and landed at our home airport at midnight. I had asked my mom to check the girls room to see if I forgot anything, unfortunately, she checked the beds REALLY well, but didn't look at the hooks on the wall. Sydney's pink princess cowboy hat was left in the room. Thankfully, our layover at the airport in Minneapolis occurred such that the shops were still open, so we bought a new one. At $10, it was about the same price as mailing it back to us as to buy another one. I'll post a picture of it later this week.

My dad taught Sarah to play chess this week. She really enjoys it. I might have to see if I can find an online game for her that will play at her level. I suspect there will be one out there.

My mom worked with the girls on making some ceramic tiles. Unfortunately, they didn't dry in time, so she will have to fire them then mail them to us (I just hope she can do that before the fair next month!) I'll need to find someone here to finish the firing after we glaze them, but since I have two friends who do ceramics, I think I'll be able to.

Considering that the girls were sharing a room, not home, and were all out of their normal routine, they did really well!

They had a blast playing with their cousins, almost enjoyed playing in the bay (except for the various jellyfish stings they both received), loved kayaking (Sarah even took a boat out by herself, with an adult in the water with her),

I even managed to exercise every other day!

Back to reality. I think I'll head to bed now, as there is so much more I want to say, but I'm not completely coherent now.

Tomorrow, Sydney has a followup appointment with the ENT and on Tuesday we drive down to Marshfield to see the neurologist for Sarah. I don't think I've mentioned it much, but Sarah has some nervous tics we want to have checked out.

vacation

We've been on vacation for the past week. I still have a few more days before we fly home. DH couldn't come as he has a student who is defending his dissertation in a few weeks. So, instead of sleeping (which I really, really need to be doing), I'm watching a bad movie because I have a hard time going to sleep when DH isn't with me.

I'll write more another time. But, I have to tell you that I'm really impressed with Sarah. My dad taught her to play chess. She absolutely loves the game.

Me, I'm impressed that I've managed to work out at least every other day.

It's almost 1:00 am and my children will wake at 7:00 am. I guess I should go to sleep.

Night!

She's too smart for our own good

Our house is on a main highway into town, meaning our driveway is off the highway. The speed limit in front of our house is 45 mph. A while ago, probably within the past year, the girls and I were talking about kitties and that the reason we didn't have one was because I thought we needed indoor kitties with the traffic in front of the house, but that DH didn't want indoor kitties because he thought that indoor kitties were schizophrenic.

So, last night DH was asking if our friend's DD was going to get a new kitty. There kitty was killed earlier in the week. I said that I thought they were, but not for a few weeks. Sydney looked at DH and said "I think we should get an indoor kitty."

It doesn't matter how long ago I said something, Sydney files it away for later use. Note, she didn't just ask for a kitty, but the indoor one!

Last night Sarah had baseball. Wednesday night they were playing in the playoffs and after a little over an inning, a nice bolt of lightning flashed ending the game for the night. Last night we were to finish. At starting time, it was raining pretty good but since this was the playoffs, they decided we should play. Thankfully, the rain stopped just as the game began and didn't start again until the game ended. Unfortunately, almost all of the other team showed up and only 5 of our team. So, it was 5 players - 8 players for a while. As a result, we didn't have as much of the field covered. They only batted as many players as we had, but had better field coverage. Eventually, a 6th player showed for us, which helped, but the damage was already done. They had 2 innings of batting right at the grass line and without outfield players, the infield just couldn't manage to stop them.

So, for the playoffs we've pulled bad luck and will be playing this morning for last place honors!

The first game, they had the bad luck to draw the best team (purple) in the league. They will win the title today as one of the three strongest teams. The three strongest teams in the league were the purple team, the red team, and the light blue team. The light blue team played us last night in the loser bracket, and the purple and red played last night, so the "championship" game will be played by the best team and one of the other five teams. We are a pretty good team, but we still lost the first round to the purple team 23 - 6. For reasons that escape me, they didn't call the game on the mercy rule.

If I sound bitter, it's because I am. The coach of the purple team is also the board president. His team was made up of older 8 y.o. to older 7 y.o. (In this league, you have to be 7 or 8 on May 1st to play). He didn't have a single younger player. I wondered how he managed to pull a team of older players, but then I found out that he claimed 5 assistants meaning that of the 9 players on the team, he pre-selected 6 kids (his plus 5 assistants' kids). So, in the 'general' draft, he only had to select 3 kids. Many of the coaches only pre-selected their own kid because they didn't manage to find an assistant.

I'm seriously thinking about contacting the district to review our rules. There were many other things that occurred, but this is the one I can actually manage to change. I can see "freezing" two kids - coach and one assistant - but MOST of the team? Just unfair.

On the other hand, we've been able to help Sarah with playing our best even when things aren't fair.

And I actually had a camera with me

This has been a bad week. I'm tired, I'm stressed, I'm frustrated. The house is a mess and I don't have the energy to clean it. In fact, as soon as I post this I'm going to sleep.

Last night, the girls were waking a bit and at times I couldn't get back to sleep as my brain engaged. At one point I wished I could have rolled over and turned on the light like my friend Merrit does, but instead I popped on the wireless headphones and listened to Murphy Brown while I tried to stop thinking.

Tonight was Sydney's last t-ball game and Sarah's first playoff game in the loser bracket as they lost the opening game Monday (but that is a rant for a different day - I'm almost calm enough to write about it). So, I was sticking around Sarah's game tonight to see how things would go. There was a rain storm rolling in and we could hear rumbles of thunder. All of a sudden, we saw a large crack of lightning immediately followed by a LOUD crack of thunder and all kids were pulled from the field. The parents and kids stood around a bit while the coaches chatted. And then the rain came. It wasn't just rain, it was down pour as we all ran to cars. It was a short and intense rain. The girls ended up with DH because his car was closer which left me driving alone.

All of a sudden, I looked up and saw a rainbow through the rain. I pulled into a parking lot and took some pictures. Then I drove on to see if I could find a shot that didn't include the telephone wire through it. It was almost gone, but there, so I took it too. Then I kept on driving and low and behold, down along the lake was a full end to end rainbow. I couldn't fit it in either of my lenses, but it should be pretty nice.

It's regular 35 mm film because my digital doesn't take action shots so I can't see what I got until I have it developed, but I think I might have some fun pics.

Maybe it's the sign I need that my decisions earlier this week are the right ones. All I can say is that I've never had camera and rainbow occur at the same time.

The gift, the power, the reminder (oh and the kids)

The gift: The other day, I was commenting about something from work that had frustrated me. My very sweet husband reminded me that I could walk away from this job any time I wanted. I don't have to work, I can do what I want.

The power: It's nice being in a position that I can do what I want. I can just decide to teach my one course a semester, I can work only on the grant that we were just awarded, I can keep working in my current capacity. I have the power to walk away whenever I want!

The reminder: Yesterday I had my first meeting with the faculty members of the new grant. We were going to discuss the database I was setting up for them. I spent about an hour the night before looking over the proposal and setting up fields to collect all the information that was necessary. We only could manage 1/2 meeting, so I knew we needed to start with something to modify rather than from scratch.

We had a lovely meeting where we discussed things that needed to be modified, changed, or deleted. All of them were necessary changes and not just change for change sake. J commented how thrilled she was with the work I had done and how surprised she was that I came in with a solid product. She was expecting that we would talk about what was needed, not modify something that was already started.

What a interesting reminder of how it is be to treated like a professional!

The bonus (I mean the girls): Yesterday was haircut day. Sarah has wanted her hair cut short for MONTHS. We told her that we need to wait until dance show because I wasn't doing a ballet bun with short hair. Then, she was planning to try to grow it long enough to donate. She finally decided she couldn't take it anymore and low and behold she wanted it short enough that we could just eek out 9 inches which one group will accept for donation. I'll post pics after I take them.

(and the weird): When we got the stove, I had cut the box open with a razor blade, which I promptly lost. I was stripping the wax off the floor, so the kitchen was torn apart and I never found it. I finally decided that I must have dropped it into the empty box and didn't think about it until last night when DH walked into the kitchen and called to me (I was in the living room) asking if I wanted to leave the razor blade on the kitchen floor [yea, that was my plan - rolls eyes]. I didn't see it there 1/2 hour earlier! Really weird.

The Tuesday accomplishments

Today, I woke up, made coffee. It was a bit chilly out so I made the flavored kind. I was originally going to grind beans of dunkin donuts brand, but then changed my mind to the already ground Godiva Creme Brulee coffee. Instead of measuring it into my coffee filter, I measured it into the coffee grinder. I guess I really needed the coffee. Then I checked my blogs and . . .

then cleaned the hair out of the bathroom drain. Oh, this consisted of taking the u joint of the drain out and running a ripped tea towel through the drain several times. But, it's done and I didn't have to pour draino down our septic!

Then I did 45 minutes of the Carmen Electra dvd until my muscles were so shakey that I turned it off figuring that if I couldn't stand I didn't need to do my arms.

Now I need to vacuum and clean the bathroom before I take a shower and order lunch.

UPDATE1: I only managed to vacuum the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom and clean the shower (taking one as my reward). The rest will have to wait. Will she complete her list for today?

The after lunch list is washing the floors and cleaning the fridge. Can she do it?

Today

Today I feel accomplished!

I woke up this AM and exercised for 30 minutes. I wanted to sleep, I didn't.

Today, I didn't get anything done that was on my plan. I'm going to get slammed on Wed because it's not done and my boss will ignore that he told me to do this first. But that is ok.

Because after I finished doing the work that couldn't wait to be done in the efficient manner I submitted my resume to both HR and directly to the hiring manager for the job that I can't decide if I want.

I even received a nice note from the hiring manager thanking me for my email and letting me know that they are not going to interview until the end of July when the new Dean arrives. So, it's just as well that I didn't rush my application, but waited until my brain would allow me process this and do the best job I could at drafting my package.

Then I went to Sydney's t-ball practice and walked the field for another 20 minutes.

All in all, it wasn't a bad day.

Saturday morning

Life is unique here up north. This morning, Sydney woke up early. I'd been up late reading so I expected to be tired when Sydney woke up. I looked out the window when she came into my room. The sun was up, the sky was bright blue, I looked at the clock, it was 5:50 AM. Yep, the sun comes up so early in the summer that it's bright really early. It's only 8:17 at the moment and the sun is above tree lines already.

I told her that if she wants to go to the fireworks tonight, she will get back to bed. I managed to convince her to sleep until almost 7:00.

So, I got up with her, put on my exercise clothes, popped in my exercise video, and managed to get 15 minutes of the video done before the girls started clamoring to watch their shows. I gave in. I went into the kitchen and started making a frozen coffee drink I had made yesterday when poultrygeist99 was over yesterday. By the time I finished, they were playing in the other room and informed me that I could finish my exercising if I wanted.

Um, yea.

So, I need to get a quick shower and get kids ready for baseball/t-ball. We all need breakfast and today is snack day for both teams.

But, I have managed to exercise four of the past five days!! Only another couple of weeks to a habit, right? Course, my habit will be interrupted by a two week trip to my parents house.

Mother's Day Present

I finally got around to taking pictures of my Mother's Day present that DH made. I'm a total dork because I have no idea what to get DH (or have the girls make).

Anyway, it's not the best presentation, but here is the Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear cutting boards:


Application is almost done. I stayed a little bit late last night and typed the application on my co-worker's computer since she has the full version of Adobe so I could actually save the form in case I had a typo. I'll get it out today!

Missing Motivation

My job is driving me crazy. I'm very tired of it. I do feel like I can talk about it here. But, it basically boils down to a lack of respect and constantly doing the same tasks over again if the answer is not what was wanted.

There is a full time job that is right up my alley - and at the level I should be working. For once I would not be under-employed. But, it's full time. I'd have to give up my 20 hours and work full time for an unknown person (new dean has been hired, but not started but people seem to think he's an OK person). I've been staring at my application for two weeks, but can't get motivated to finish it.

So, keep the hours I like but a situation I don't or full time for a job I think I would like.

UGH.

Kid count update

Some nights are just not made for sleepovers.

At 10:50 I got the call to come pick up Sarah. She was feeling fine, but she really, really wanted to fall asleep and E and S kept whispering. We tucked her in bed, and I told her how proud I was of her to call to come home if she needed sleep and couldn't get it.

One funny thing about earlier in the night, when I was talking to Sarah earlier about coming home, she exclaimed "why did this horrible thing have to happen tonight." I asked her what horrible thing and she told me that it was "not feeling well."

Oh, my drama queen!

kid count

Today, while Syd and I were at a birthday party, Sarah was playing at a friends house. I got there to pick her up about 10 minutes too late.

It seems that 10 minutes earlier, Sarah and her friends E and S decided that they should have a sleep over at E's apartment. This included a trip to the bowling alley for dinner and to play video games . . . part of me wanted to tell Sarah "no," after all I finally got her settled back down after the dance recital week.

But, I'm weak. I decided that with my schedule and hers this week, It would be ok.

Unfortunately, I got a call at 9:40 from Sarah telling me that her ear and throat hurt and could I bring her some medicine. I brought her the meds and tried to decide if she was getting sick or just having allergies. I gave her some meds and forced her to sit with me for a while so I could hear if she was stuffy. I also thought that she might unwind some and go to sleep faster.

Her eyes were a little red and puffy, but she didn't sound stuffy at all and her voice was a little rattly, but that could just be from not drinking enough (which she had not).

So, I left her at the sleepover. I hope I didn't make a mistake.

The weekend in review

This weekend was the annual dance recital. Just don't let our owner hear you call it that! LOL. She really does an amazing job. Sarah was in two dances this year - and was a little stressed about it. She did a wonderful job. Here is her ballet number - Belles of the Ball.




Sydney was a Dally Daffodil. The entire audience went "Awwww" when they saw these preschoolers come on stage and climb in their flower pots.


There was alot more that went on this weekend, but I'm wiped out from working so much and I think I can't think. The house needs to be cleaned - so I guess I will do that.

Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, my dance went really well too! I really want to find a better way to take tap classes. I just don't get to move my skills forward because I am always taking lessons with a group who are beginners. But, I don't have time right now. Maybe in another year when things settle down.

So, now to go clean before I have to meet friends for lunch.

Today's accomplishments

Today I finally finished Sarah's room darkening roman shade for her room. If you look at the closed pic, I took that one at 7:30 pm (the open one at 5:30 pm). Because DH thought that it would be easier to hide the seam where I joined the fabric if I quilted the shade, well, it was a pain. Unfortunately, I learned a trick and discovered that I really needed a walking foot to quilt neatly as I was finishing the shade.

In the summer, sunset is closer to 11:00 pm and sunrise at near 6:00 am, so room darkening is necessity. Insulating is also nice for winter.

Now I need to make one for Sydney (but I will not quilt it the way I did Sarah's).

Ialso made Pine Nut biscotti. It was from Cooking Light, and yummy. I'm having fun playing with the convection oven. Last night it was pizza.

Here is the recipe:

Pine Nut Biscotti

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour (about 13 1/2 ounces)

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 large eggs

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in pine nuts. Combine 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, rind, vanilla, and eggs, stirring with a whisk. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring until well blended (dough will be dry and crumbly). Knead dough lightly in bowl 7 or 8 times or until a dough forms (dough will be sticky). Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 8-inch-long roll. Place rolls 6 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; flatten each roll to 1-inch thickness.

Bake at 325° for 30 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet (do not turn oven off); cool 10 minutes on a wire rack.

Cut each roll diagonally into 15 (1/2-inch-thick) slices using a serrated knife. Place slices, cut sides down, on baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 15 minutes. Turn cookies over, and bake an additional 10 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on wire racks.

Yield 2 1/2 dozen (serving size: 1 biscotto)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 94(21% from fat); FAT 2.2g (sat 0.3g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.9g); PROTEIN 2.2g; CHOLESTEROL 21mg; CALCIUM 14mg; SODIUM 84mg; FIBER 0.4g; IRON 0.8mg; CARBOHYDRATE 16.6g

Julianna Grimes and Ann Taylor Pittman , Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2007

The week in review

I've been reading, but have been lacking in either motivation or time to write.

The other week, work became extraordinarily horrible. Let's suffice to say that I am applying for full time jobs now (although I only want to work part time) because I keep thinking that full time is better than what I have not. Unfortunately, unless the new job would give me some release time to teach, I think I will have to stop teaching for a while. There is a job that I am planning on applying to. I really need a job where I can work for people who actually respect my capabilities.

Last week, we started rehearsals for the dance recital. Sarah is in two dances, Syndey in one, and I'm in one. Next week, we have rehearsals Tues - Thurs and performances Fri and Sat. It will be a busy, busy week. At some point, my ILs are coming, the house needs to be cleaned, and I have HUGE deadline at work.

My new stove arrived on Tues. Needless to say, since the old stove was moved from the wall, I had to clean the floor and decided to strip the wax from the linoleum floor and rewax it. I did burn my first set of rolls in the small oven. Last night, I made pizza and used both the proofing setting for raising the dough and the convection oven for baking. I'm glad I spent the extra money to get the stove will all the bells and whistles (multi ring setting for the cooktop and the convection/conventional oven options for the lower oven. I really want to bake some biscotti today.

Earlier this week, I started waking at 6:15. The first day, I decided that I should get up and exercise (and was proud of myself for doing so). Sydney woke up as I was finishing and glanced at me as she walked to the bathroom. I was impressed with her as she commented to me later that "sometimes when I get up in the morning I see you doing yoga and following the TV." Then she commented that she really wanted to do the kids yoga DVD, but I told her we needed to get to work and we would do it another day.

Friday, we had Sydney and Mommy day! We went out to breakfast and then went the the local rock labyrinth. Sydney has been wanting to go for the past year. We had fun. Then we went to one of her friend's house for a playdate and then out to lunch with a friend of mine. It was a lovely day. This was my last chance to spend a day with only Sydney before she starts kindy. Esp if I start working full time.

I did want to share pics of the old and new stove. When/if we redo the kitchen, we will switch the locations of the range and fridge. It's on the list.

This next week will be slow to update, but I'll post recital pics later.