In the recent past (and present) I've found myself among friends who are grieving. I care deeply for these friends and grieve with them from my own perspective. I grieve over their grief and face my own grief over the situation.
If someone close to a friend dies, I grieve for my friend's loss. I feel sad, angry, etc, that my friend has to face the loss. I also grieve my own loss, remembering the person who died as I knew them through my friend.
I've come to realize that when I go to a grieving friend, I go from my perspective as a griever. "I can't believe this is happening. I'm shocked." "I'm so sorry for your loss - do you remember that time when I was there with your mom and she said 'such and such' to me?" I end up working through my own grief in the presence of one who is grieving so much more. The "main griever" ends up being my counselor. How backward is that?
In a current grieving situation of a close friend, I'm trying to consciously help her process her grief while leaving mine for other people. I think it's a good start and I hope it helps me to be a better friend to leave my own processing on the shoulders of other friends around the situation and sometimes those entirely outside of the situation.
I also hope that when I am in a situation of grief and the people around me come to support me that I will better understand that they will be coming from their own perspective and may need to bring me their grief as a way to process it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Harry Potter Summer
This summer I read the Harry Potter series. I hadn't read them until now because I don't generally care for the science fiction or fantasy genres of stories. Plus there was the way that "everyone" was "always" talking about Harry Potter This and Harry Potter That. I think that God was secretly keeping me away from the books so that I wouldn't have to wait between reading them. I timed them perfectly... I started the first one just as the last one was released to the public. My biggest problem at that point was trying not to hear any news of the plot of the last book, or even what characters were still around. While it's not hard to surprise me, my enjoyment of a story is pretty much ruined once I know what's going to happen.
I liked the series a lot and even found myself noticing that the author had a good way of writing. That's the way English majors describe good literature, no?
If you haven't read the books yet, I suggest giving the first one a try. You won't lose out on anything by trying it but you might find yourself happily sucked into the story on page 2 the way that I did - kinda like falling into a pensieve.
I liked the series a lot and even found myself noticing that the author had a good way of writing. That's the way English majors describe good literature, no?
If you haven't read the books yet, I suggest giving the first one a try. You won't lose out on anything by trying it but you might find yourself happily sucked into the story on page 2 the way that I did - kinda like falling into a pensieve.
Mama, it doesn't matter
I'm sometimes a bit of a control freak. I fretted over Kevin's lunch items when he started kindergarten because he can't open most of our plastic containers. Before purchasing some that he can open, I accidentally packed him regular containers one day without thinking about it. Then I worried because if I'd been unable to open my lunch items, I would've just put them back in my Pigs In Space lunchbox and not eaten. Kevin, on the other hand, asked the lunch room monitor for help. Huh, how about that?
The second day of school, he asked to buy lunch. In all my years of school, I never bought my lunch. And I haven't seen how Kevin's school does it, so I didn't know how to tell him to proceed. I agreed to let him buy lunch after all but tried to explain how it might work.
"You probably have to pick up a tray and then tell the person behind the counter-" Kevin interrupted me to inform me, "they're lunch ladies." I wasn't sure that was a politically correct label but I guess it is. I continued, "You'll have to tell the lunch lady what you want to eat - tell her cheese pizza. Then you need to pick out a fruit-" He asked, "Will they make me?" I said, "No, but I will. So you have your tray and your pizza and your fruit and then you can pick your milk. Hmm... Maybe the milk is at the beginning of the line. Well, either get your milk at the beginning or the end, I'm sorry, I just don't know."
Kevin replied nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter," as if he had some inkling of the earthquake of uncertainty in my soul, and he grabbed his backpack and bounced out of the house.
The second day of school, he asked to buy lunch. In all my years of school, I never bought my lunch. And I haven't seen how Kevin's school does it, so I didn't know how to tell him to proceed. I agreed to let him buy lunch after all but tried to explain how it might work.
"You probably have to pick up a tray and then tell the person behind the counter-" Kevin interrupted me to inform me, "they're lunch ladies." I wasn't sure that was a politically correct label but I guess it is. I continued, "You'll have to tell the lunch lady what you want to eat - tell her cheese pizza. Then you need to pick out a fruit-" He asked, "Will they make me?" I said, "No, but I will. So you have your tray and your pizza and your fruit and then you can pick your milk. Hmm... Maybe the milk is at the beginning of the line. Well, either get your milk at the beginning or the end, I'm sorry, I just don't know."
Kevin replied nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter," as if he had some inkling of the earthquake of uncertainty in my soul, and he grabbed his backpack and bounced out of the house.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Stylin'
Kevin has been asking for "crocs" for awhile now. Today I told him we could do something special for him (he has the day off from school) if he was good while I shopped for clothes for the wedding reception I'm attending this weekend.
His pair is shaped like race cars. On the back, where the taillights are, they actually light up (feel free to roll your eyes - mine haven't stopped since I handed the cashier my credit card.)
This is a close-up of the pair that Kevin picked out for me. I said, "But they have skulls and crossbones on them." He answered, "Just ignore them."
Monday, August 27, 2007
Kindergartner
No tears from anyone when he got on the bus but I admit I'm nervous about some little things like him not knowing that he can ask to use the bathroom whenever he needs to and how to open all of his lunch items himself (although I used mostly all ziploc bags today because I didn't think to test him on our plastic containers.)
I don't have any worries in the grand scheme of things - he'll be a pro in a few days and I think he'll do well in school and enjoy it.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
It's canning season
I canned strawberry jam early in the summer but now it's time for peaches and tomatoes. Applesauce is still to come.
Yummy, simmering peaches just before putting them into jars
Tomato leftovers - the skin and seeds left after mashing the rest of the tomatoes through the food mill to make tomato sauce
Yummy, simmering peaches just before putting them into jars
Tomato leftovers - the skin and seeds left after mashing the rest of the tomatoes through the food mill to make tomato sauce
Saturday, August 25, 2007
More vacation pictures
This is the man who designed and makes the Christmas Trees at Simon Pearce. It was amazing to watch him make them.
Our twilight canoe ride at Deep Creek Lake State Park
The living room of the cabin/house we stayed in
Dad and Andy enjoying our last few minutes of vacation
Vacation pictures
Surprisingly, I didn't carry my camera with me much on vacation and I don't have many pictures. I'm hoping to snag some of my dad's to supplement my inventory.
Here are a few I did take.
Dianne, Kevin, Andy in the freezing water at Tolliver Falls in Swallow Falls State Park
Kevin being silly
Dianne, Andy, Kevin, Dad, Mom on the trail to Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park
Kevin with Skunky, his new stuffed animal that he asked for 8 times a day after we first saw it at the Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park
Here are a few I did take.
Dianne, Kevin, Andy in the freezing water at Tolliver Falls in Swallow Falls State Park
Kevin being silly
Dianne, Andy, Kevin, Dad, Mom on the trail to Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park
Kevin with Skunky, his new stuffed animal that he asked for 8 times a day after we first saw it at the Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park
Sunday, August 19, 2007
We had the best vacation
Do you know how I know we had the best vacation? The day we left to come home, we wished we could've stayed another week. When we got home, we wished we weren't here. The next day, we still wished we were on our vacation, exactly as it was, and not here.
It's not just that we don't want to go back to work. It's not that we need a vacation from our vacation. It's that we want that vacation we just had to continue just as it was really happening.
Our honeymoon was like that to some extent, although on our way home, we had our new "normal," everyday married life to look forward to.
Not only did this vacation include our son, but we were with my parents. Staying in the same cabin. Participating in the same activities.
And it was awesome.
It's not just that we don't want to go back to work. It's not that we need a vacation from our vacation. It's that we want that vacation we just had to continue just as it was really happening.
Our honeymoon was like that to some extent, although on our way home, we had our new "normal," everyday married life to look forward to.
Not only did this vacation include our son, but we were with my parents. Staying in the same cabin. Participating in the same activities.
And it was awesome.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
How not to respond to someone else's good news
Friend/Acquaintance: Yeah, I got married this weekend.
Me: On purpose?
I can only hope he thinks that I was testifying to the state of my marriage (which, of course, I would get myself into on purpose a million times over) and not to the state of my opinion of his husband-worthiness.
Me: On purpose?
I can only hope he thinks that I was testifying to the state of my marriage (which, of course, I would get myself into on purpose a million times over) and not to the state of my opinion of his husband-worthiness.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Adios, Mi Amigo
This was my last look at the truck while driving away from the lot where I left it tonight.
The Tour de France!
Yes, that's an exclamation point up there, because I LOVE THE TOUR. At the beginning of this year's Tour, I was a bit down about all of the doping BS (pardon my French - haha, get it? French?) throughout the past year. I survived 2 weeks of the 3-week Tour without watching a single "live update newsflash." Then things got really exciting and I couldn't help myself - I turned back into my usual Tour maniac-self. Well, let's say 80% of my usual Tour maniac-self. Here's a summary of this year's Tour:
There you have it, the 2007 Tour de France in a nutshell.
- A few people got kicked out of the race for doping
- A few people got fired from their teams for doping
- The race leader in the first set of mountains was kicked out of the race and off of his team for lying about his whereabouts during missed drug tests in the off-season
- One guy got booted for doping on the same day that he participated in a "sit-in" against doping
- The Discovery Channel team ROCKED THE PELOTON winning 1st and 3rd places overall - Go Disco!
- Levi Leipheimer (who came in 3rd place) STOMPED the last individual time trial
- The overall winner, Alberto Contador, from the Discovery Channel team, is only 24 years old
- Discovery Channel might perhaps be wishing they hadn't already announced pulling out of their sponsorship of the team after this season
There you have it, the 2007 Tour de France in a nutshell.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Thoughts from my last day driving my old truck
I took the S-10 out for a spin today to CarMax to get it appraised to find out whether the charity I will support with it will get more money from it if I sell it and give them the cash or give them the truck outright. While all conditions they check (exterior/body, interior, frame, mechanics, etc.) were listed "as expected for the age of the vehicle" they still only offered me $250 - I guess I'm lucky they didn't try to charge me to take it off my hands. Speaking of which, Andy text messaged me while I was there and said, "Throw $20 on the floor and just walk out." Hmph.
Anyway, here are some thoughts I had while driving "Al" for what was probably the last real time.
Anyway, here are some thoughts I had while driving "Al" for what was probably the last real time.
- Sliding into that seat and pulling out of the driveway was like slipping into an old pair of cotton fleece sweatpants - soft, comfy and worn-in in just the right spots. Sliding into the new car seat and pulling out of the driveway is like slipping into a pair of sweat-wicking, 4-way power stretch, therma-fleece running pants - also soft and comfy but more technologically advanced and designed for moving instead of lolly-gagging.
- The truck accelerates as fast as a snail on downers.
- Country music sounds much better in a pickup.
- What with all the creaks and clunks it lets out, I'm really lucky that truck still runs and never left me (or anyone else) stranded anywhere.
I run like an animal
A friend invited me to do a duathlon with her in September. That's a race where you do a run, ride your bike, and then run again. I used to do them regularly but haven't done a training run or bike ride in AGES. This friend is obviously not someone I talk to on a regular basis or else she probably would have never considered asking me along :-)
Not knowing whether I can even train hard enough to be prepared in 8 weeks, I went for a test run this morning. If I can't run a mile already, there's no way I can be ready for that race in 2 months. Istole borrowed Andy's mp3 player and went out with my running shoes on this morning. I ran for 15 minutes (and walked another 15) so I'm guessing I made it about a mile (not including the walking.) I run very slowly.
I don't usually run with music on so that was a change that I think helped me to stay moving when I would've otherwise felt like I should quit. If I can't hear myself breathing like a raspy ogre, then it doesn't seem like I'm doing such a bad job. Plus, I listened to Nickelback, which is hard to sit still during anyway.
Most of the time I have to consciously slow myself down because I can't run very long if I run at a normal pace and I at least need to get back home from wherever I am at the time. This morning I found the perfect song to match my tempo. Never before has a song actually fit perfectly with my stride/pace/cadence.
It figures that it's the song "Animals." Sheesh.
Not knowing whether I can even train hard enough to be prepared in 8 weeks, I went for a test run this morning. If I can't run a mile already, there's no way I can be ready for that race in 2 months. I
I don't usually run with music on so that was a change that I think helped me to stay moving when I would've otherwise felt like I should quit. If I can't hear myself breathing like a raspy ogre, then it doesn't seem like I'm doing such a bad job. Plus, I listened to Nickelback, which is hard to sit still during anyway.
Most of the time I have to consciously slow myself down because I can't run very long if I run at a normal pace and I at least need to get back home from wherever I am at the time. This morning I found the perfect song to match my tempo. Never before has a song actually fit perfectly with my stride/pace/cadence.
It figures that it's the song "Animals." Sheesh.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
They say it's my birthday
Today is my birthday and the celebration started on Sunday with a surprise "party" set up for me when I got home from church. Amy decorated our dining room table with party plates and napkins, confetti, balloons, flowers, candles, presents and a cake while we were out.
Yesterday I spent the day with two other dear friends, Beth and Elesa, swimming in the pool and just hanging out doing not much of anything. Dinner was terrific and there was home made ice cream and cake afterward - yum!
When I got in the car to come home, I found a new CD (Rascal Flatts) with a bow on it that Andy had put in the car for me to listen to on the way home. This morning I found a card in the refrigerator which Kevin made.
I don't often feel sappy or get teary-eyed about things that Kevin does but this came close to doing it:
Can you see what he wrote at the bottom? "You are the prettiest and greatest Mama." Of course he should think that, as all kids do, but I don't take that for granted. Plus, when I try to make him write things, he stops at his name and asks me to write the rest. Writing that whole statement himself was an effort the likes of which he rarely makes.
Kevin couldn't wait for Andy to come home to give me presents so he had me call Andy so he could talk to him on the phone. Andy walked Kevin through the process of finding the hidden presents in the car and under Kevin's bed so Kevin traipsed outside in his pajamas and rain boots (it's beautifully sunny here today) with the phone to his ear and climbed through the car to find the pack of socks hidden in there for me. After the presents were found, Kevin asked Andy if he could tell me what we're doing this afternoon and Andy obliged. Kevin told me that we're going out to dinner and to play "MINIATURE GOLF!!" Andy says that was Kevin's idea.
It's been a wonderful few days of birthday celebration and it's more than I expected. I'm very fortunate to have friends and family who care for me.
Yesterday I spent the day with two other dear friends, Beth and Elesa, swimming in the pool and just hanging out doing not much of anything. Dinner was terrific and there was home made ice cream and cake afterward - yum!
When I got in the car to come home, I found a new CD (Rascal Flatts) with a bow on it that Andy had put in the car for me to listen to on the way home. This morning I found a card in the refrigerator which Kevin made.
I don't often feel sappy or get teary-eyed about things that Kevin does but this came close to doing it:
Can you see what he wrote at the bottom? "You are the prettiest and greatest Mama." Of course he should think that, as all kids do, but I don't take that for granted. Plus, when I try to make him write things, he stops at his name and asks me to write the rest. Writing that whole statement himself was an effort the likes of which he rarely makes.
Kevin couldn't wait for Andy to come home to give me presents so he had me call Andy so he could talk to him on the phone. Andy walked Kevin through the process of finding the hidden presents in the car and under Kevin's bed so Kevin traipsed outside in his pajamas and rain boots (it's beautifully sunny here today) with the phone to his ear and climbed through the car to find the pack of socks hidden in there for me. After the presents were found, Kevin asked Andy if he could tell me what we're doing this afternoon and Andy obliged. Kevin told me that we're going out to dinner and to play "MINIATURE GOLF!!" Andy says that was Kevin's idea.
It's been a wonderful few days of birthday celebration and it's more than I expected. I'm very fortunate to have friends and family who care for me.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thank you for loitering. Please come again.
7-Eleven knows what they're doing, joining up with The Simpsons movie. The folks buying Buzz Cola, Squishees, Krusty-Ohs and pink sprinkled doughnuts and snapping pics with their pocket digital cameras outnumbered those who appeared to be locals at the Bladensburg, MD, 7-Eleven-turned-Kwik-E-Mart on this sunny Sunday morning.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Without studying
Honestly, though, if they call an A- "excellent," what do they call an A+? They might just be trying to make me feel good but I know better.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Le Tour. (with a period, not an exclamation point)
Yes, Folks, the riders of Le Tour de France are less than 2 weeks from lining up for the Grand Depart in London, England. England? Yup, the Tour makes its debut in London and we avid race fans are wondering, "Will car traffic be held off while the cyclists race through the tunnel?" Just kidding.
Anyway, you haven't heard much from me this year about the Tour because, frankly, there's too much drama. Unfortunately, it's not racing tactics drama so it's not exciting. Well, I guess it actually is racing tactics but it reads more like a gritty tale of drugs, drugs and more drugs. Doping is the word in cycling, yet again (still?) and the stories make my head spin. I wish I could provide a nice, clean summary to catch you all up but I can't. It's too crazy with someone like me being completely unable to know what's true and what's not. I sure hope someone comes up with a way to figure that out sooner rather than later because I'm not sure the professionals know all that much more surely than I do.
Yes, I will keep an eye on the race. Yes, I will get excited about the race. But there will be a piece of me holding back because I have that awful, nagging feeling that nothing is what it seems.
Anyway, you haven't heard much from me this year about the Tour because, frankly, there's too much drama. Unfortunately, it's not racing tactics drama so it's not exciting. Well, I guess it actually is racing tactics but it reads more like a gritty tale of drugs, drugs and more drugs. Doping is the word in cycling, yet again (still?) and the stories make my head spin. I wish I could provide a nice, clean summary to catch you all up but I can't. It's too crazy with someone like me being completely unable to know what's true and what's not. I sure hope someone comes up with a way to figure that out sooner rather than later because I'm not sure the professionals know all that much more surely than I do.
Yes, I will keep an eye on the race. Yes, I will get excited about the race. But there will be a piece of me holding back because I have that awful, nagging feeling that nothing is what it seems.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thoughts from my first day driving our new car
Today I drove our new car to work. It was my first chance to drive it in place of my truck. I had some thoughts along the way.
- It's hard to drive the speed limit in a new car
- I'm no longer a cool chick in a truck
- I'm no longer a weird and/or possibly lesbian chick in a truck
- Feeling safer (real or contrived) feels good
- I'm interchangeable with most other people on the road
- I will miss my truck
- Sitting lower than other drivers provides a new perspective
- It takes longer to change the temperature of the air in a wagon than a truck cab
- I should more closely consider where I park
- Accidentally turning on the heated seats switch makes a 100-degree day feel even hotter
- I look forward to testing the limits of the all-wheel-drive-ity of the new car
- A shorter wheelbase allows one to drive faster over speed humps
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Too many issues to tackle at one time
Me: (looking behind my nightstand) Huh - I have 2 hair ties back here.
Kevin: I hid them from you to punish you.
Me: For what?
Kevin: Because I didn't want to go to the Meaghers' house.
Me: Ohh, I see. But now you're glad that I forced you go to, right? You said you had lots of fun.
Kevin: Right. Did you look around? Is something else missing?
Me: I don't see anything missing. Why, should I?
Kevin: Yes.
Me: What else did you hide?
Kevin: Papi's blanket.
Me: You hid Papa's blanket to punish me?
Kevin: Yes.
Me: That doesn't punish me very much, actually. I do hope that you'll return it to him before he needs it tonight.
[half an hour later, we're still discussing the missing blanket in the midst of taking care of other things - I refuse to search for it and he refuses to tell me or Andy where it is - he finally says something to Andy while I'm out of the room and then I get called back in...]
Kevin: Mami?
Me: Yes?
Kevin: Here's the blanket. But it's not Papi's; it's yours; I was trying to trick you!
Me: Oh, I see. Are you actually just trying to keep me from getting mad at you for punishing me too much?
Kevin: Yes.
Kevin: I hid them from you to punish you.
Me: For what?
Kevin: Because I didn't want to go to the Meaghers' house.
Me: Ohh, I see. But now you're glad that I forced you go to, right? You said you had lots of fun.
Kevin: Right. Did you look around? Is something else missing?
Me: I don't see anything missing. Why, should I?
Kevin: Yes.
Me: What else did you hide?
Kevin: Papi's blanket.
Me: You hid Papa's blanket to punish me?
Kevin: Yes.
Me: That doesn't punish me very much, actually. I do hope that you'll return it to him before he needs it tonight.
[half an hour later, we're still discussing the missing blanket in the midst of taking care of other things - I refuse to search for it and he refuses to tell me or Andy where it is - he finally says something to Andy while I'm out of the room and then I get called back in...]
Kevin: Mami?
Me: Yes?
Kevin: Here's the blanket. But it's not Papi's; it's yours; I was trying to trick you!
Me: Oh, I see. Are you actually just trying to keep me from getting mad at you for punishing me too much?
Kevin: Yes.
Suba-what?
Lady at key counter: What kind of car is this for?
Andy: A Subaru
Lady at key counter: What is the other name for it?
Andy: Outback
Lady at key counter: No, I mean what kind of car - Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet...?
Andy: It's a Subaru
Lady at key counter: I've never heard of that. *looks at catalog for the key blank it matches* Huh - Soo...buh...roo. Oh, Subaru. Sorry, we don't have that in stock.
Andy: A Subaru
Lady at key counter: What is the other name for it?
Andy: Outback
Lady at key counter: No, I mean what kind of car - Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet...?
Andy: It's a Subaru
Lady at key counter: I've never heard of that. *looks at catalog for the key blank it matches* Huh - Soo...buh...roo. Oh, Subaru. Sorry, we don't have that in stock.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Now it's time for a game called Props
If you live anywhere near here and are looking to buy a used car from someone who acts like a normal human being and who treats you like a normal human being, then go to Shoreline Motorcars in Glen Burnie.
Buying our car was so pleasant it felt more like buying a cherry pie from someone's grandma at the farmer's market than what I've ever known buying a car to be like.
Buying our car was so pleasant it felt more like buying a cherry pie from someone's grandma at the farmer's market than what I've ever known buying a car to be like.
My freedom is but a positive side effect
Kevin moved up to a new class in preschool/daycare for the summer. This new class has a summer camp format through August and the kids are over 4 years old so there is no nap requirement.
His second day in the new class, Kevin asked me if he could stay there all day every day. I made sure he understood what he was asking for and then talked to Andy about it. We agreed that as long as he didn't have to nap, we were ok with it. [When Kevin has to participate in nap/rest time, he falls asleep and then doesn't go to bed that night until 10pm - we try to minimize such behavior.]
Now in his second week of the new class, Kevin is thriving. He LOVES the activities, field trips and new friends. He prefers to be there over just about anywhere else. I couldn't be happier to see him so happy.
Yes, I now have even more time at home (or running errands or weeding the garden or what-have-you) with nobody else here but, honestly, I think my thrill from that is overshadowed by my glee at Kevin's thrill of being at school with his classmates and teachers doing fun things and learning and going on field trips and swimming and just experiencing all sorts of life.
Go for it, Little Dude.
His second day in the new class, Kevin asked me if he could stay there all day every day. I made sure he understood what he was asking for and then talked to Andy about it. We agreed that as long as he didn't have to nap, we were ok with it. [When Kevin has to participate in nap/rest time, he falls asleep and then doesn't go to bed that night until 10pm - we try to minimize such behavior.]
Now in his second week of the new class, Kevin is thriving. He LOVES the activities, field trips and new friends. He prefers to be there over just about anywhere else. I couldn't be happier to see him so happy.
Yes, I now have even more time at home (or running errands or weeding the garden or what-have-you) with nobody else here but, honestly, I think my thrill from that is overshadowed by my glee at Kevin's thrill of being at school with his classmates and teachers doing fun things and learning and going on field trips and swimming and just experiencing all sorts of life.
Go for it, Little Dude.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Some facts about Andy
These may help you interpret Kevin's interview responses.
Andy is 5'5" tall.
He has brown eyes and black hair.
He likes to eat salmon but loves to eat watermelon, potato chips and steak.
He likes to drink Coke.
His favorite color is red but he is not a fan of the Redskins.
He works at the government printing office warehouse (nowhere near the harbor.)
He is wild and crazy when it comes to making people, kids especially, laugh.
He is not a teenager. He is 40 years old.
He sings and dances.
He loves Kevin immensely.
Kevin loves him to pieces.
Andy is 5'5" tall.
He has brown eyes and black hair.
He likes to eat salmon but loves to eat watermelon, potato chips and steak.
He likes to drink Coke.
His favorite color is red but he is not a fan of the Redskins.
He works at the government printing office warehouse (nowhere near the harbor.)
He is wild and crazy when it comes to making people, kids especially, laugh.
He is not a teenager. He is 40 years old.
He sings and dances.
He loves Kevin immensely.
Kevin loves him to pieces.
Father's Day Interview
Click here to read the 2005 interview.
Click here to read the 2006 interview.
June 2007
What is Papá’s name? Papá. No! Andy. Aguilera.
Is Papá tall or short? Tall
What color are Papá’s eyes? I don’t know. Brown?
What color is Papá’s hair? Black
What does Papá like to eat? Salmon. And should I add anymore stuff?
[Sure.] Lettuce, tomatoes.
What does Papá love to eat? I don’t know. Uh... fish?
What does Papá like to drink? Coke
What is Papá’s favorite color? Red, like the Redskins.
What does Papá do at work? Works in the harbor and people send him books
What do you like to do with Papá? Play with him.
How do you like to play with him? Because he’s such a fun, playful guy
Where do you like to go with Papá? To the birdseed store
What do you like to help Papá do at home? Fill the bird feeders and work in the garage
What does Papá do that makes you laugh? Do funny things
What kinds of funny things? Dances funny dances, he sticks out his tongue to make a funny face
How old is Papá? Fourteen. Oh, no, he’s not a teenager!
So how old is he? Twenty four
Is Papá a good singer? Yes!
Is Papá a good dancer? Yes.
Does Papá love you? Yes!
Do you love Papá? Yes!
Click here to read the 2006 interview.
June 2007
What is Papá’s name? Papá. No! Andy. Aguilera.
Is Papá tall or short? Tall
What color are Papá’s eyes? I don’t know. Brown?
What color is Papá’s hair? Black
What does Papá like to eat? Salmon. And should I add anymore stuff?
[Sure.] Lettuce, tomatoes.
What does Papá love to eat? I don’t know. Uh... fish?
What does Papá like to drink? Coke
What is Papá’s favorite color? Red, like the Redskins.
What does Papá do at work? Works in the harbor and people send him books
What do you like to do with Papá? Play with him.
How do you like to play with him? Because he’s such a fun, playful guy
Where do you like to go with Papá? To the birdseed store
What do you like to help Papá do at home? Fill the bird feeders and work in the garage
What does Papá do that makes you laugh? Do funny things
What kinds of funny things? Dances funny dances, he sticks out his tongue to make a funny face
How old is Papá? Fourteen. Oh, no, he’s not a teenager!
So how old is he? Twenty four
Is Papá a good singer? Yes!
Is Papá a good dancer? Yes.
Does Papá love you? Yes!
Do you love Papá? Yes!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Lollipop of Death
+
=
Death to the little suckers tormenting us for the past 4 months.
We tried everything we were supposed to - multiple types of baits w/ poison, peanut butter and jelly with boric acid, washing every dish and wiping every counter at the sight of the smallest speck of spill or crumb, etc. Nothing worked until the night I came home to find the ants parading across the kitchen floor creating a veritable superhighway between their nest (in the wall) and Kevin's bucket o' candy. The ants were mostly on the lollipops - not the dum-dums style pops but the flat kind with the clear wrappers. The ants squeezed through the space between the paper stick and where the wrapper is glued shut.
"Ok," I thought. "If you love those lollipops so much, you can have 'em!" I cleaned up the bucket o' candy and sprayed "deterrent" along their pathway back to their point of emergence where I placed a lollipop dipped in yummy but deadly boric acid powder. The ants were all over it! I placed another one at the back of the countertop where they often emerge.
This week I tempted fate - I put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Lo and behold there was no ant superhighway across the counter culminating in a thousand-strong party of ants in the dishwasher. Woohoo!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Be careful what you ask for
Taylor: I know! Let's play a game where we pretend to fight.
Kevin: Ok. *smacks Taylor in the face*
Taylor: [crying] Ow, Kevin, stop it!
Kevin: Sorry, Taylor, but that's what you said!
Kevin: Ok. *smacks Taylor in the face*
Taylor: [crying] Ow, Kevin, stop it!
Kevin: Sorry, Taylor, but that's what you said!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Brother (4) and Sister (3) and Friend (5)
Taylor (brother): Mom! Alyssa pretended to cut her arms off!
Alyssa (sister): I was just PLAYING. I didn't really do it.
Taylor: Stop it, Alyssa. It's not funny.
Alyssa: *pause* Hahahahahaha!!!
Mom: What was your favorite part of today?
Taylor: Mine was having Kevin come over.
Kevin (friend): Mine was watching TV.
Alyssa: Mine was taking a bath with Kevin.
Alyssa (sister): I was just PLAYING. I didn't really do it.
Taylor: Stop it, Alyssa. It's not funny.
Alyssa: *pause* Hahahahahaha!!!
Mom: What was your favorite part of today?
Taylor: Mine was having Kevin come over.
Kevin (friend): Mine was watching TV.
Alyssa: Mine was taking a bath with Kevin.
Friday, May 25, 2007
1-800-GIVE-LIFE
A number of years ago, a blood mobile visited our office building and I signed up to donate for my first time. I'm a wimp when it comes to needles or much of anything related to the medical field, so it was a big step.
Since then, I've tried to donate a number of times but was always deferred for a low hematocrit level. I've always had low iron but iron supplements had started giving me terrible migraines. I tried other dietary changes but was never up high enough to donate.
Until today.
I've been every day taking a multi-vitamin with iron and that with 3 meals of beans yesterday seemed to have done the trick. After getting an "Ok" on my minimum-but-legal level of hematocrit, the tech took my temperature. 99.8. Too high to donate! She took it again and it was lower. I was set to go.
I made it to the lounge chair and covered my face and twitched my feet, making the technician nervous. She wasn't the one getting her arm jabbed, so I don't know what she was talking about. After all of the prep work, she stuck the needle in and said, "Geeze! You squirted all over!" I thought she was joking but she wasn't. She had to change her lab coat and gloves and my shirt was stained.
That was just what I needed to feel comfortable.
Since then, I've tried to donate a number of times but was always deferred for a low hematocrit level. I've always had low iron but iron supplements had started giving me terrible migraines. I tried other dietary changes but was never up high enough to donate.
Until today.
I've been every day taking a multi-vitamin with iron and that with 3 meals of beans yesterday seemed to have done the trick. After getting an "Ok" on my minimum-but-legal level of hematocrit, the tech took my temperature. 99.8. Too high to donate! She took it again and it was lower. I was set to go.
I made it to the lounge chair and covered my face and twitched my feet, making the technician nervous. She wasn't the one getting her arm jabbed, so I don't know what she was talking about. After all of the prep work, she stuck the needle in and said, "Geeze! You squirted all over!" I thought she was joking but she wasn't. She had to change her lab coat and gloves and my shirt was stained.
That was just what I needed to feel comfortable.
Roundabout tagging
I've never been tagged for a meme. You know, one of those things where a blogger posts an answer to a question (often in list form) and then tags (as in, "You're it") some people to answer the same question on their own blogs.
You could say that because I read Betsy's blogs and she tagged "anyone else who tells me that they read this blog - you know who you are," I have now been tagged. Or, at least, I was back in January, when she wrote that and her answers to the meme.
It has taken me awhile and you all have been very patient (I'm sure you can't wait to read more self-indulgent posts) but here we go.
Five important details about myself that many of you may not know…or remember.
1) If money wasn't so available in my line of work, I'd rather be an administrative assistant. And I think I'd rock at that job.
2) I'd also rather be a librarian.
3) I would like to try being an environmental scientist, too. Half in the office (planning studies, writing reports, analyzing data) and half in the field (wading through streams, counting birds, searching for rare plant species.)
4) I LOVE to play sports.
5) I don't think any of the above answers are important to anyone but I find it intriguing that of all the things I could think of about myself, the first ones to come to mind are about having a job. Specifically, jobs that I don't have now and probably never will (which is ok by me.)
You could say that because I read Betsy's blogs and she tagged "anyone else who tells me that they read this blog - you know who you are," I have now been tagged. Or, at least, I was back in January, when she wrote that and her answers to the meme.
It has taken me awhile and you all have been very patient (I'm sure you can't wait to read more self-indulgent posts) but here we go.
Five important details about myself that many of you may not know…or remember.
1) If money wasn't so available in my line of work, I'd rather be an administrative assistant. And I think I'd rock at that job.
2) I'd also rather be a librarian.
3) I would like to try being an environmental scientist, too. Half in the office (planning studies, writing reports, analyzing data) and half in the field (wading through streams, counting birds, searching for rare plant species.)
4) I LOVE to play sports.
5) I don't think any of the above answers are important to anyone but I find it intriguing that of all the things I could think of about myself, the first ones to come to mind are about having a job. Specifically, jobs that I don't have now and probably never will (which is ok by me.)
Friday, May 18, 2007
Creativity
Did you know there are lots of different ways to put toothpaste on your toothbrush? Two recent attempts at our house include putting the tube on the floor and then stomping on it. This results in copious amounts of toothpaste wasted - much too much to hide.
Another way is to put the tube on the front edge of the sink and then lean your belly on it to squeeze the toothpaste out. This works better than stomping on the tube, but still results in too much toothpaste to use on one set of teeth. If you have friends over to share, this method might work.
Another way is to put the tube on the front edge of the sink and then lean your belly on it to squeeze the toothpaste out. This works better than stomping on the tube, but still results in too much toothpaste to use on one set of teeth. If you have friends over to share, this method might work.
Growing up
I've asked Kevin whether he wants me to go on his preschool field trip to the zoo. One day he answered, "No." Then he said, "Yes." Then he said, "No." Then he said, "Yes." I pressured him the night before the permission slip was due and said that I needed his final answer. He said, "No." I was surprised. He said he didn't need me there. I'm cool with that but wanted him to know that other parents would be there so I explained that parents go on field trips to be chaperones to help keep all of the kids safe while the group is away from the school.
He said, "Ok, you can go to keep the kids safe but I don't have to listen to you - I only have to listen to my teachers."
He said, "Ok, you can go to keep the kids safe but I don't have to listen to you - I only have to listen to my teachers."
Friday, May 11, 2007
Conversation
Dianne: Mine is 5% alcohol.
Amy: Mine is only 4.5%! But I've had two, so I'm up to 9%.
Dianne: Huh? That's not how math works. At least not when you're not drunk.
Amy: I'm not drunk! I can add four and a half to four and a half!
Amy: Mine is only 4.5%! But I've had two, so I'm up to 9%.
Dianne: Huh? That's not how math works. At least not when you're not drunk.
Amy: I'm not drunk! I can add four and a half to four and a half!
This is just the beginning
We once went to the movies and left Kevin with friends of ours (whose child is friends with Kevin.) We went to lunch a couple of times and to a musical and left Kevin with his grandparents. We went to a Bible study meeting once and left Kevin with a friend who was staying at our house for awhile and who Kevin has known as long as he's known us.
Never have we had a "real," teenage babysitter for more than an hour. And never have we not taken Kevin to a party with us.
Until tonight.
All I can say is... FREEEEEDOOOOOM!!
Never have we had a "real," teenage babysitter for more than an hour. And never have we not taken Kevin to a party with us.
Until tonight.
All I can say is... FREEEEEDOOOOOM!!
It's 5:45pm - do you know where your truck is?
While hurriedly getting ready for our night out for a friend's birthday, I noticed through the window that our truck was in the driveway across the street.
"Andy - why is our truck in the neighbors' driveway?"
"I don't know."
"Huh."
"Is it really?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's our black truck with all the stickers in the back window. And it's sitting in their driveway."
I went outside in my bare feet and backed the truck into our driveway. The neighbors weren't home and I didn't see anyone else out on the street, so we got away with it. Andy pointed to the flattened grass next to our driveway and said, "I think it went that way."
"Andy - why is our truck in the neighbors' driveway?"
"I don't know."
"Huh."
"Is it really?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's our black truck with all the stickers in the back window. And it's sitting in their driveway."
I went outside in my bare feet and backed the truck into our driveway. The neighbors weren't home and I didn't see anyone else out on the street, so we got away with it. Andy pointed to the flattened grass next to our driveway and said, "I think it went that way."
Monday, May 07, 2007
It's 7:31am - do you know where your kids are?
Kevin is not only still sleeping (a magnificent feat given that earlier sunrises have had him up before 6am for the past few weeks) but he's sleeping IN HIS OWN BED. He has been there all night.
Let's have a party! I sense Slurpees, pizza, mango and watermelon in the works for dinner tonight!
Since I got up, I've been in his room 8 times checking to see that he's still breathing. At one point he must've been having a dream because his arm twitched and I was afraid he was having a seizure so I stayed in there for an extra couple of minutes to make sure he was ok.
I know, but to spend the night in his room there must be something drastically wrong!
Let's have a party! I sense Slurpees, pizza, mango and watermelon in the works for dinner tonight!
Since I got up, I've been in his room 8 times checking to see that he's still breathing. At one point he must've been having a dream because his arm twitched and I was afraid he was having a seizure so I stayed in there for an extra couple of minutes to make sure he was ok.
I know, but to spend the night in his room there must be something drastically wrong!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Maturity
For his birthday, Kevin received a hooded bear-design towel that Alyssa picked out. He asked to use it after his bath last night and then we had the following snippet of conversation:
Kevin: Why did Alyssa pick out this towel for me?
Dianne: Because she loves teddy bears and wanted you to have one like hers.
Kevin: Why does she love teddy bears?
Dianne: I don't know.
Kevin: I don't want her to like teddy bears. I don't like teddy bears.
Except for cute baby teddy bears. And Mama teddies and Papa teddies.
I don't like sister teddies.
Dianne: Ok.
Kevin: I'm not going to like teddy bears. I like....hmm.... (pause) What
is Alyssa scared of?
Perhaps we've moved on from the cutesy-type love to the more mature "I'll show her I like her by putting worms down her shirt" type.
Kevin: Why did Alyssa pick out this towel for me?
Dianne: Because she loves teddy bears and wanted you to have one like hers.
Kevin: Why does she love teddy bears?
Dianne: I don't know.
Kevin: I don't want her to like teddy bears. I don't like teddy bears.
Except for cute baby teddy bears. And Mama teddies and Papa teddies.
I don't like sister teddies.
Dianne: Ok.
Kevin: I'm not going to like teddy bears. I like....hmm.... (pause) What
is Alyssa scared of?
Perhaps we've moved on from the cutesy-type love to the more mature "I'll show her I like her by putting worms down her shirt" type.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
A Neighborly Day
This morning I went to Rite Aid and in the parking lot I saw an acquaintance from church (one of few I know up in this area.) On my way out of the store, I saw the neighbor who lives across the street and I stopped to talk with her for a few minutes. This afternoon Kevin and I put flyers on mailboxes on our street for our upcoming "community" yard sale. I went the lazy route and didn't knock on doors this time, but I did meet 2 neighbors I'd never met before because they were outside working in their yards when I came by.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Freedom Writers
After a long day of gardening and such (we planted radish, beet, carrot, lettuce, spinach and squash seeds) we watched a movie, Freedom Writers. It's based on a true story of teacher Erin Gruwell and her high school English classes which have turned into The Freedom Writers Foundation. Amazing stuff.
What I learned about myself through this movie is that while I know that poverty around the world is my problem because I'm human and a child of God and I am moved to live such that I intentionally make a smaller footprint on this planet, my heart is tugged most strongly by issues of the inner city.
That makes no sense because I have no ties to the inner city and my life and experiences are pretty far on the opposite end of the spectrum closest to the Anglo-Rural arrow. But that's how it is.
I'm not sure where to go with this newfound realization, but right now I choose to sleep on it.
What I learned about myself through this movie is that while I know that poverty around the world is my problem because I'm human and a child of God and I am moved to live such that I intentionally make a smaller footprint on this planet, my heart is tugged most strongly by issues of the inner city.
That makes no sense because I have no ties to the inner city and my life and experiences are pretty far on the opposite end of the spectrum closest to the Anglo-Rural arrow. But that's how it is.
I'm not sure where to go with this newfound realization, but right now I choose to sleep on it.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Happy Birthday, Little K
No more coddling now that you're 5 - make your own birthday cupcakes and make mine with extra icing, please.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Preaching to the choir
Not including Kevin's sleep insecurities, he has gotten much less clingy but still always wants to have another person with him - at all times. He's ok staying in a room when I leave if he has a friend or really anyone else in the room with him. He's an only child so it usually means he tags along with Andy or me like a puppy. That can be a bit annoying, especially to a couple of introverts like ourselves.
On Tuesday night, Kevin went out on a date with Elesa to dinner and the toy store. When he got home I asked him, "Was it nice to go out and have fun without Papa and me with you?"
He replied: "Yes, it was nice to have a break from listening to you."
On Tuesday night, Kevin went out on a date with Elesa to dinner and the toy store. When he got home I asked him, "Was it nice to go out and have fun without Papa and me with you?"
He replied: "Yes, it was nice to have a break from listening to you."
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
His first word
In the car the other day, Kevin wanted to read his kids Bible. Usually that means just looking at the pictures but he said, "Look, Mama - I can read!" Then he focused his eyes on the first word of the page and started sounding it out.
"Buh - uh - t."
"Buh - uh - t."
"Buh - uht."
Then his eyes got wide, he clasped his hand over his mouth and he started giggling.
"MAMA! Do you know what this says??"
I started laughing because his reaction was funny but also because he had proven that he was really reading the word on his own. I tried to explain that he was reading the word "but" and not "butt" but he just couldn't stop laughing.
Andy chimed in, "That's the Bible for you."
"Buh - uh - t."
"Buh - uh - t."
"Buh - uht."
Then his eyes got wide, he clasped his hand over his mouth and he started giggling.
"MAMA! Do you know what this says??"
I started laughing because his reaction was funny but also because he had proven that he was really reading the word on his own. I tried to explain that he was reading the word "but" and not "butt" but he just couldn't stop laughing.
Andy chimed in, "That's the Bible for you."
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Ocean's 13 - booyah!
There aren't too many movies made these days that I want to see. On the rare chance we have time and space to go to the movies, we have a hard time figuring out what to see because there isn't always something available that we're interested in.
Exceptions to this are anything by M. Night Shyamalan (I don't love everything he does (see: Lady in the Water) but I love enough to want to see 'em all) and Ocean's 11, Ocean's 12 and - coming June 8th - Ocean's 13. Oh yeah!
Exceptions to this are anything by M. Night Shyamalan (I don't love everything he does (see: Lady in the Water) but I love enough to want to see 'em all) and Ocean's 11, Ocean's 12 and - coming June 8th - Ocean's 13. Oh yeah!
The Twilight Zone
Andy has a collection of DVDs containing original episodes of The Twilight Zone and last night he watched "The Odyssey of Flight 33" in which a commercial jet flies into a jet stream causing them to break the sound barrier and be transported back in time.
Andy: They broke the sound barrier. That's not fast enough for time travel.
Dianne: *blink*
Andy: Theoretically.
Andy: They broke the sound barrier. That's not fast enough for time travel.
Dianne: *blink*
Andy: Theoretically.
Evolution of Laundry
Early marriage:
"Honey, where are you?"
"I'm getting dressed."
"Where??"
"By the clothes dryer, where my clothes are."
Later marriage:
"Could you fold the laundry, please?"
"Yes, if it's a load of towels instead of socks."
Preparing for baby:
"Aww, these clothes are so small they don't even fill the washer. How uncontrollably cute!"
After baby:
"Could you fold the laundry, please?"
"Yes, if it's a load of socks instead of baby clothes."
Growing child:
"Child, put your clothes in the hamper. You don't need my help with that."
Older child:
"Child, let me put those in the hamper for you so I can pre-treat the stains and empty the playground mulch and matchbox cars out of your pockets before they go through the washer."
"Honey, where are you?"
"I'm getting dressed."
"Where??"
"By the clothes dryer, where my clothes are."
Later marriage:
"Could you fold the laundry, please?"
"Yes, if it's a load of towels instead of socks."
Preparing for baby:
"Aww, these clothes are so small they don't even fill the washer. How uncontrollably cute!"
After baby:
"Could you fold the laundry, please?"
"Yes, if it's a load of socks instead of baby clothes."
Growing child:
"Child, put your clothes in the hamper. You don't need my help with that."
Older child:
"Child, let me put those in the hamper for you so I can pre-treat the stains and empty the playground mulch and matchbox cars out of your pockets before they go through the washer."
Vindication
Gmail is off the hook (as in not guilty of anything rather than being the bomb - although that is also true) for putting a message we needed into my spam folder. I am off the hook for deleting that message.
We received a forwarded message of it on Monday morning and when I looked at the original part, it was sent when they said, but our email address was typed wrong so we never got it. I guess the person who sent it found the returned message on Monday morning and re-sent it after we'd already gotten it from other people on Friday afternoon.
Phew!
And the interview went well. Andy doubts he'll accept the job but they haven't officially offered it yet, so we'll see.
We received a forwarded message of it on Monday morning and when I looked at the original part, it was sent when they said, but our email address was typed wrong so we never got it. I guess the person who sent it found the returned message on Monday morning and re-sent it after we'd already gotten it from other people on Friday afternoon.
Phew!
And the interview went well. Andy doubts he'll accept the job but they haven't officially offered it yet, so we'll see.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Can we push the date of that interview back a few days?
Andy has a job interview on Monday. He wasn't looking for a job but a friend forwarded Andy's resume when he saw a job opening at the company where he works.
The recruiting specialist that Andy spoke with said that Andy needs to fill in an online application this weekend before his interview. She said who would be emailing it and to let her know if he didn't get it.
Here's where I step into the story as a key player. I rarely look at my spam messages before deleting them (Gmail's spam filter is amazing) but yesterday as I hit the delete button, my eyes scanned to a message that mentioned a job. That isn't strange as plenty of spam messages mention job opportunities but this one fired more than the usual number of neurons in my brain but it was too late to get the message back when I realized that may have been the message Andy was waiting for.
When Andy got home I told him so he emailed the recruiter to get another copy of the message. He opened the crazy long application page and read through it, filling in the easy stuff before dinner - addresses, etc. - and reading through what else he'd have to do (a couple of extra conflict of interest forms on top of the crazy long application.)
After dinner I was checking email and surfing around when I accidentally hit "Back" while on Andy's application page. I thought I should be concerned about that until I saw the message that came up - "This page is no longer available for security reasons. If you need access to this page, please contact the person who provided you with the address." Then I KNEW I should be concerned. My heart raced, my eyes widened and my skin got prickly. I searched my fairly internet-programming-savvy brain for a solution to cover my tracks. No results were found.
It turned out that we could still access the link from the email message and he didn't have to contact anyone for yet another correction for his space-case wife's mistake (that's what they would've thought I was at that point, I'm sure.) Unfortunately, all of the data Andy already entered was gone.
When Kevin and I returned from running errands this morning, Andy was at the computer. He said he was going to let me type in the information I deleted yesterday but he was filling in some new stuff. Later when he got up from the computer, I asked how far he'd gotten. He said he'd moved on to writing his answers down on paper after accidentally closing the window that he'd typed his answers into.
The recruiting specialist that Andy spoke with said that Andy needs to fill in an online application this weekend before his interview. She said who would be emailing it and to let her know if he didn't get it.
Here's where I step into the story as a key player. I rarely look at my spam messages before deleting them (Gmail's spam filter is amazing) but yesterday as I hit the delete button, my eyes scanned to a message that mentioned a job. That isn't strange as plenty of spam messages mention job opportunities but this one fired more than the usual number of neurons in my brain but it was too late to get the message back when I realized that may have been the message Andy was waiting for.
When Andy got home I told him so he emailed the recruiter to get another copy of the message. He opened the crazy long application page and read through it, filling in the easy stuff before dinner - addresses, etc. - and reading through what else he'd have to do (a couple of extra conflict of interest forms on top of the crazy long application.)
After dinner I was checking email and surfing around when I accidentally hit "Back" while on Andy's application page. I thought I should be concerned about that until I saw the message that came up - "This page is no longer available for security reasons. If you need access to this page, please contact the person who provided you with the address." Then I KNEW I should be concerned. My heart raced, my eyes widened and my skin got prickly. I searched my fairly internet-programming-savvy brain for a solution to cover my tracks. No results were found.
It turned out that we could still access the link from the email message and he didn't have to contact anyone for yet another correction for his space-case wife's mistake (that's what they would've thought I was at that point, I'm sure.) Unfortunately, all of the data Andy already entered was gone.
When Kevin and I returned from running errands this morning, Andy was at the computer. He said he was going to let me type in the information I deleted yesterday but he was filling in some new stuff. Later when he got up from the computer, I asked how far he'd gotten. He said he'd moved on to writing his answers down on paper after accidentally closing the window that he'd typed his answers into.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
If you're ever going to comment, do it now for my sanity
Please, can someone (or someones) please remind me what the federal government is doing for me besides annoying my socks off?
Between umpteen tax forms that were so confusing I lost sleep over them (not because I'm afraid of owing taxes or being audited, I just couldn't figure out what to do on some of the forms that kept telling me to go fill out more worksheets that asked for data from the ones that sent me which just put me in a circle of not having any information and can you tell how aggravating that must've been??) and being denied a simple change at the social security office with the appropriate paperwork except for something that we were not given in the format that they say they need it in even though I have plenty of other proof that was issued by their same federal government who writes their laws and signs their paychecks and to which they owe their existence.... I'm really ticked off.
Between umpteen tax forms that were so confusing I lost sleep over them (not because I'm afraid of owing taxes or being audited, I just couldn't figure out what to do on some of the forms that kept telling me to go fill out more worksheets that asked for data from the ones that sent me which just put me in a circle of not having any information and can you tell how aggravating that must've been??) and being denied a simple change at the social security office with the appropriate paperwork except for something that we were not given in the format that they say they need it in even though I have plenty of other proof that was issued by their same federal government who writes their laws and signs their paychecks and to which they owe their existence.... I'm really ticked off.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
If you're not a programmer, this will not be any fun
The website Worse Than Failure (used to be known as "The Daily WTF") provides sneer-inducing material for programmers. Although it's easy to look down one's nose at the code examples, I know that we've all written code that could be featured on that site.
I enjoyed this quote from the introduction of a recent article:
Good stuff.
I enjoyed this quote from the introduction of a recent article:
Now there are different levels of evil. Ruby is normally elegant but resource intensive. PHP was designed as an example of how not to name functions. Perl has its own special circle, ancient and full of strange characters. If you want real evil, though, you have to find a web application written in C.
Good stuff.
First Date?
Andy: Who invited you to their house?
Kevin: Reem
Andy: What did she invite you over for?
Kevin: To watch a Princess movie
Andy: Who was hugging you when I came to pick you up today?
Kevin: Reem
Andy: Were you hugging her back?
Kevin: Yes
Dianne: Who was knocking on the front window when we got there this morning to wave to you?
Kevin: Reem
Dianne: Who was waving at you from the door of the room when we walked in?
Kevin: Reem
Andy: Reem was also waving from the door as we walked down the hall to leave, looking doe-eyed.
Dianne: (looking in Kevin's lunchbag) Oh, good, Grave Digger came home today
Andy: Who wanted to play with that this afternoon?
Kevin: Reem
Fortunately nobody has introduced the term "girlfriend" into Kevin's vocabulary yet and the boys often want to hug him goodbye also.
Kevin: Reem
Andy: What did she invite you over for?
Kevin: To watch a Princess movie
Andy: Who was hugging you when I came to pick you up today?
Kevin: Reem
Andy: Were you hugging her back?
Kevin: Yes
Dianne: Who was knocking on the front window when we got there this morning to wave to you?
Kevin: Reem
Dianne: Who was waving at you from the door of the room when we walked in?
Kevin: Reem
Andy: Reem was also waving from the door as we walked down the hall to leave, looking doe-eyed.
Dianne: (looking in Kevin's lunchbag) Oh, good, Grave Digger came home today
Andy: Who wanted to play with that this afternoon?
Kevin: Reem
Fortunately nobody has introduced the term "girlfriend" into Kevin's vocabulary yet and the boys often want to hug him goodbye also.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Movie Reviews
I've seen these three movies in the past three days - that might be a record for me. Nobody pays me for, or even asks for, my opinion of movies. Here they are anyway.
1) Music & Lyrics (theater, Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore)- We planned to see Breach but it was sold out, even 2 showtimes in advance, so we got tickets for the later showing of Music & Lyrics and went to a restaurant. At 4:30 pm on Saturday afternoon, we were told there was a 50-60 minute wait for a table. ?@#$!@#$?! We didn't necessarily mind as we planned to walk around shopping a little anyway, but the idea of there not being an available time to beat the crowd ticked me off. We arrived at the theater 30 minutes before the show and had to sit in the 5th row, below the main walkway. I got a headache from straining my head up to see the whole screen and from being hot in there. The movie itself was ok. I don't think I'd recommend it, but some people have said they liked it. Hugh Grant's character's one-liners were the best part of the movie.
2) The Pacifier (DVD, Vin Diesel) - I found this pretty funny. Although I didn't like Music & Lyrics because it was too contrived, too predictable, cliche and I didn't think the characters should've been together romantically, I liked The Pacifier even though it was contrived, predictable, cliche and the romance part should've been left out. I would recommend this movie.
3) Flightplan (DVD, Jodie Foster) - Great movie. Good plot with twists and turns, good acting, suspenseful... I definitely recommend it.
1) Music & Lyrics (theater, Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore)- We planned to see Breach but it was sold out, even 2 showtimes in advance, so we got tickets for the later showing of Music & Lyrics and went to a restaurant. At 4:30 pm on Saturday afternoon, we were told there was a 50-60 minute wait for a table. ?@#$!@#$?! We didn't necessarily mind as we planned to walk around shopping a little anyway, but the idea of there not being an available time to beat the crowd ticked me off. We arrived at the theater 30 minutes before the show and had to sit in the 5th row, below the main walkway. I got a headache from straining my head up to see the whole screen and from being hot in there. The movie itself was ok. I don't think I'd recommend it, but some people have said they liked it. Hugh Grant's character's one-liners were the best part of the movie.
2) The Pacifier (DVD, Vin Diesel) - I found this pretty funny. Although I didn't like Music & Lyrics because it was too contrived, too predictable, cliche and I didn't think the characters should've been together romantically, I liked The Pacifier even though it was contrived, predictable, cliche and the romance part should've been left out. I would recommend this movie.
3) Flightplan (DVD, Jodie Foster) - Great movie. Good plot with twists and turns, good acting, suspenseful... I definitely recommend it.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Big Girls Don't Cry
Andy: Waaaahhh! Waaaaahhhhhhh!
Kevin: Papa! Stop crying like a baby.
Andy: I'm not crying like a baby. Waaahhhh!
Kevin: Yes you are.
Andy: I'm crying like a grownup.
Kevin: Grownups don't cry.
Andy: Sure they do.
Kevin: Not like that.
Andy: How do grownups cry?
Kevin: Umm... tears come out of their eyes and run down their cheeks. They don't make any noise.
Kevin: Papa! Stop crying like a baby.
Andy: I'm not crying like a baby. Waaahhhh!
Kevin: Yes you are.
Andy: I'm crying like a grownup.
Kevin: Grownups don't cry.
Andy: Sure they do.
Kevin: Not like that.
Andy: How do grownups cry?
Kevin: Umm... tears come out of their eyes and run down their cheeks. They don't make any noise.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I apologize in advance
Andy's coworker just bought a new house and the guy who lived there before him installed a "theater room." He described it to Andy.
Andy's coworker: Picture this - dark walls, recliners, surround sound system, the screen drops down from the ceiling...
Andy: Picture this - me, in a pink thong, two sizes too small.
Andy's coworker: Picture this - dark walls, recliners, surround sound system, the screen drops down from the ceiling...
Andy: Picture this - me, in a pink thong, two sizes too small.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
They say having a kid changes you
I got new glasses yesterday. My prescription was about 6 years old so I had to have an eye exam, too. Those who know me realize the drama hiding in that simple phrase - EYE EXAM. Did you hear the rumbling thunder as you read the words EYE EXAM? I did.
Obviously I've had EYE EXAMS in the past, in order to have glasses, but I've always signed a waiver stating that I wouldn't allow the doctor to perform all of the portions of the EYE EXAM needed to determine the health of my eyes. No worries about whether I had glaucoma, retinal detachments or that my eye was about to fall out - just give me the glasses so I won't run into anybody and I'll be on my way, thank you.
Yesterday I had Kevin at the eye doctor's office with me. He's extremely well-behaved in such circumstances so I didn't think twice about it until I stepped into the room with the PUFF OF AIR contraption and realized I had a very impressionable audience attending with me.
Hmm...
Over the past few years, I've found myself eating vegetables, considering every word that comes out of my mouth, being brave when I had to talk to someone new and scooping up critters with more legs than seem necessary. Pre-Kevin, I'd have turned around and left all of those situations alone. But now, I have to face them all for the sake of being a good example and strong mother to Kevin.
So what did I do during my EYE EXAM yesterday? I faced up to the bright lights, big machines, puffs of air and retinal scans just to show Kevin WHAT A GOOD MOTHER I AM.
Do you think I can eke out 10 years from this pair of glasses?
Obviously I've had EYE EXAMS in the past, in order to have glasses, but I've always signed a waiver stating that I wouldn't allow the doctor to perform all of the portions of the EYE EXAM needed to determine the health of my eyes. No worries about whether I had glaucoma, retinal detachments or that my eye was about to fall out - just give me the glasses so I won't run into anybody and I'll be on my way, thank you.
Yesterday I had Kevin at the eye doctor's office with me. He's extremely well-behaved in such circumstances so I didn't think twice about it until I stepped into the room with the PUFF OF AIR contraption and realized I had a very impressionable audience attending with me.
Hmm...
Over the past few years, I've found myself eating vegetables, considering every word that comes out of my mouth, being brave when I had to talk to someone new and scooping up critters with more legs than seem necessary. Pre-Kevin, I'd have turned around and left all of those situations alone. But now, I have to face them all for the sake of being a good example and strong mother to Kevin.
So what did I do during my EYE EXAM yesterday? I faced up to the bright lights, big machines, puffs of air and retinal scans just to show Kevin WHAT A GOOD MOTHER I AM.
Do you think I can eke out 10 years from this pair of glasses?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Taking care of business
About 5 years ago, my glasses broke so I got a new pair. Thankfully my prescription was only about a year old then, so I didn't have to get another eye exam. I'm still wearing those same glasses. Needless to say, I should get an eye exam. And new glasses, as these have loose screws that I have to tighten a couple of times every day and the lenses still fall out on a regular basis. And I got hit in the face with a volleyball on Sunday and they got majorly tweaked.
So I made an appointment for this afternoon. Yesterday morning, I woke up with only one eye functioning. The other was stuck shut. Ah, my old buddy, pink eye, has returned. "It's been awhile since I've seen you," I remarked. Then I added, "And really, I haven't missed you." Now I will wait until probably next week to take care of my glasses problem.
On the subject of buying a new car, we test drove some more over the weekend and had one of those "God!" moments. After the first test drive at a major-brand dealership, the sales guy was all like, "Is it the car you've been looking for?" "Aw, I was sure you'd come back and say it was perfect for you." "Do you want to step inside and talk some more?" When we left, I complained to Andy about how a salesperson who would act like a human would be much more likely to make money off of me. I probably complained for a good 10 minutes on our way to the next place.
When we arrived at the next place, it was as if we were on Candid Camera. The people we talked to there were exactly like I described wanting salespeople to be! They treated us like we were family. When Andy turned on a car to test drive it, the fuel light came on. The guy genuinely felt bad (someone else had just had it on a test drive, so we didn't think anything of it) but said, "Well, I'll have to drive it up to the corner to get gas in it or you can" and he handed us their American Express Business credit card.
We didn't find the car we want there, but we now have them looking for a car for us while we sit on the couch watching Ocean's Eleven and eating Bon Bons.
If we find out the service we received wasn't a fluke and they continue to treat us the way we hope, I'll be sure to mention their name and give 'em props - that way they get some free advertising to all 3 of you who read my blog.
So I made an appointment for this afternoon. Yesterday morning, I woke up with only one eye functioning. The other was stuck shut. Ah, my old buddy, pink eye, has returned. "It's been awhile since I've seen you," I remarked. Then I added, "And really, I haven't missed you." Now I will wait until probably next week to take care of my glasses problem.
On the subject of buying a new car, we test drove some more over the weekend and had one of those "God!" moments. After the first test drive at a major-brand dealership, the sales guy was all like, "Is it the car you've been looking for?" "Aw, I was sure you'd come back and say it was perfect for you." "Do you want to step inside and talk some more?" When we left, I complained to Andy about how a salesperson who would act like a human would be much more likely to make money off of me. I probably complained for a good 10 minutes on our way to the next place.
When we arrived at the next place, it was as if we were on Candid Camera. The people we talked to there were exactly like I described wanting salespeople to be! They treated us like we were family. When Andy turned on a car to test drive it, the fuel light came on. The guy genuinely felt bad (someone else had just had it on a test drive, so we didn't think anything of it) but said, "Well, I'll have to drive it up to the corner to get gas in it or you can" and he handed us their American Express Business credit card.
We didn't find the car we want there, but we now have them looking for a car for us while we sit on the couch watching Ocean's Eleven and eating Bon Bons.
If we find out the service we received wasn't a fluke and they continue to treat us the way we hope, I'll be sure to mention their name and give 'em props - that way they get some free advertising to all 3 of you who read my blog.
Monday, January 22, 2007
A reason to buy the Subaru
We're shopping for a car to replace my ailing truck. Yesterday we visited CarMax just to sit in a few different models that may be of interest to see whether they're even comfortable, before dealing with a full-blown test drive. This was particularly the case yesterday as we went out while the temperature was about 25 degrees and it was snowing, so there was no test-driving going on.
To get to Laurel from Ellicott City took much longer than it should have, with people driving 20 mph on I-95, which was merely wet with very light snow falling and lots of cars to melt it off the roadway. Talk about annoying!
We skipped the highway on our way home and took back roads. The back roads were covered in a dusting of snow (covered, but by less than an inch of snow) but they were hilly and curvy. We started down a hill only to see a large gathering of vehicles with their flashers on at the bottom.
"Abort! Abort!" we decided. There was one driveway along the hill so we turned around in it and tried to get back up the hill to go a different way. Unfortunately, we couldn't get back up the hill. Our newly-tired front-wheel drive with traction control van couldn't go anywhere but sideways. Andy and I know how to drive in the snow (really, we do) so we were a bit surprised to find that we were unable to negotiate getting started up the hill. There was a van identical to ours that turned around just after us and got stuck just ahead of us on the hill.
We tried various maneuvers for about 10 minutes before a diesel-engine, dual-rear-wheel Chevrolet truck came by and asked if we needed assistance. You bet! Andy helped him get his tire chains on and hook up the chain to the front of the van. While they were doing this I was wishing we were in his position, being able to help people so practically. I tried to imagine who he was - what kind of job does he do that he has such a truck, is he just out for something else and found all these people in need, etc. I thought through the outward-focused service mindset that our church is really working on and wondered where this man's desire (or at least willingness) to serve came from.
I saw he had some of those "awareness ribbon" magnets on his tailgate and I assumed they were war/military-related. I squinted to read them and could make out only the first and third ones which said, "Support Farting" and "Support Lap Dancing."
I'm going out on a limb to assume that he probably doesn't get his willingness to serve from feeling full of the Holy Spirit. But I could be wrong.
To get to Laurel from Ellicott City took much longer than it should have, with people driving 20 mph on I-95, which was merely wet with very light snow falling and lots of cars to melt it off the roadway. Talk about annoying!
We skipped the highway on our way home and took back roads. The back roads were covered in a dusting of snow (covered, but by less than an inch of snow) but they were hilly and curvy. We started down a hill only to see a large gathering of vehicles with their flashers on at the bottom.
"Abort! Abort!" we decided. There was one driveway along the hill so we turned around in it and tried to get back up the hill to go a different way. Unfortunately, we couldn't get back up the hill. Our newly-tired front-wheel drive with traction control van couldn't go anywhere but sideways. Andy and I know how to drive in the snow (really, we do) so we were a bit surprised to find that we were unable to negotiate getting started up the hill. There was a van identical to ours that turned around just after us and got stuck just ahead of us on the hill.
We tried various maneuvers for about 10 minutes before a diesel-engine, dual-rear-wheel Chevrolet truck came by and asked if we needed assistance. You bet! Andy helped him get his tire chains on and hook up the chain to the front of the van. While they were doing this I was wishing we were in his position, being able to help people so practically. I tried to imagine who he was - what kind of job does he do that he has such a truck, is he just out for something else and found all these people in need, etc. I thought through the outward-focused service mindset that our church is really working on and wondered where this man's desire (or at least willingness) to serve came from.
I saw he had some of those "awareness ribbon" magnets on his tailgate and I assumed they were war/military-related. I squinted to read them and could make out only the first and third ones which said, "Support Farting" and "Support Lap Dancing."
I'm going out on a limb to assume that he probably doesn't get his willingness to serve from feeling full of the Holy Spirit. But I could be wrong.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
A dandelion in a field of poppies
I visited a Roman Catholic Church last Saturday for a mass in Spanish. I don't speak or understand Spanish. I know a few words, but that doesn't help in a real-life conversation - or a church service. I also was the only blonde in the crowd. I told Andy my hair said, "Look at me!" Then I realized that lots of people live their lives feeling like that everyday and it's good for me to be in that situation. Granted, my situation was insulated in that I was there with Andy's family including relatives visiting from Mexico, so I had a sense of belonging because they looked and sounded like everyone else there and I belong to that family. (And, surprisingly, they do take ownership of me.)
Were I Catholic, I'd know what was going on in the service despite not understanding the language, but I had the double-whammy of not understanding AND not being exposed to Catholic mass in the past except for a few isolated incidents. Yet, I could still tell that I shared something deep with these people - a genuine belief that God is bigger than all of us and that Jesus came to teach us to love.
Andy's dad and aunts asked me whether I liked the service. I thought it a strange question because, obviously, I didn't understand any of the service! But I did say that although I didn't understand any of it, I enjoyed being in that type of situation where I was wildly outnumbered based on my race and cultural experience because it helped me learn about other peoples' perspectives while showing me that deep inside our hearts, we all share so much in common.
Were I Catholic, I'd know what was going on in the service despite not understanding the language, but I had the double-whammy of not understanding AND not being exposed to Catholic mass in the past except for a few isolated incidents. Yet, I could still tell that I shared something deep with these people - a genuine belief that God is bigger than all of us and that Jesus came to teach us to love.
Andy's dad and aunts asked me whether I liked the service. I thought it a strange question because, obviously, I didn't understand any of the service! But I did say that although I didn't understand any of it, I enjoyed being in that type of situation where I was wildly outnumbered based on my race and cultural experience because it helped me learn about other peoples' perspectives while showing me that deep inside our hearts, we all share so much in common.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
So sorry, Mom - but not for when I was sick at night
It's generally not until people become parents that they truly realize the sacrifices that their parents made for them. This has specifically crossed my mind during the many hours I have spent awake when I should've been sleeping but couldn't because Kevin wasn't sleeping.
I've planned to write poignant thank-you letters to my parents but have not done so. I rationalize my laziness with figuring that I can write a letter at each of Kevin's big life changes, including starting elementary school, middle school and then high school, etc.
Last week, I came close to sitting at the computer to compose a letter of apology to my parents. I stopped myself when I realized that after all of the difficulties we've had in the past two years, it was THIS that made me apologize for my behavior as a kid rather than the "important" stuff of needing to be hugged while throwing up overnight, forcing my mother outside on cold nights when I had croup, needing to be run here, there and everywhere for gymnastics practices, meets and ballet classes, etc.
I am not ready to apologize for any of that yet, but I am ready to apologize for all of the "Grody to the max!" and "Yeah, that's the ticket!"'s that I ever said.
Because, really, I've had more "Yeah, Baby!" responses to my questions in the past 3 weeks than I can count and I've had it.
I've planned to write poignant thank-you letters to my parents but have not done so. I rationalize my laziness with figuring that I can write a letter at each of Kevin's big life changes, including starting elementary school, middle school and then high school, etc.
Last week, I came close to sitting at the computer to compose a letter of apology to my parents. I stopped myself when I realized that after all of the difficulties we've had in the past two years, it was THIS that made me apologize for my behavior as a kid rather than the "important" stuff of needing to be hugged while throwing up overnight, forcing my mother outside on cold nights when I had croup, needing to be run here, there and everywhere for gymnastics practices, meets and ballet classes, etc.
I am not ready to apologize for any of that yet, but I am ready to apologize for all of the "Grody to the max!" and "Yeah, that's the ticket!"'s that I ever said.
Because, really, I've had more "Yeah, Baby!" responses to my questions in the past 3 weeks than I can count and I've had it.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Certificate of Citizenship
Kevin and I were interrupted while mixing up Andy's birthday cake (you can see the bowl in the background) by our letter carrier at the door. He had a certified letter for Kevin Aguilera. It was his Certificate of Citizenship! He doesn't have a clue what that means but he knew I was elated to have it and he humored me by holding up the certificate and saying, "Cheese!"
He became a U.S. citizen a year ago, but it's taken this long for me to get the paperwork in and have it processed.
Kevin can use this paper and his Maryland birth certificate to accomplish any official task such as getting into school, proving his age for sports and getting a U.S. passport. Woohoo!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Ten more years, less freaking out
Ten years ago, Andy turned 30 and I thought, "Oh my heavens, I'm dating a guy who's thirty. This isn't going to work - he's too old." Yesterday, Andy turned 40 and I'm just glad that he's still able to walk without a cane.
I'm becoming all sorts of things since becoming a mother
I'm not known for my perseverance/determination/sticktuitiveness/etc. I find it much easier to stop trying than to try hard.
When I became a mom and started scheduling playdates, I thought, "Wow, this will be my chance to let Kevin play with someone else and for me to talk with another mother about how much I hate parenting!" What actually happened was that Kevin and the other kids needed some help learning how to play together. They didn't just need a referee (although they really needed that, too) but with some of his friends, they needed to know what to do besides sit and look at each other.
Playdates were supposed to be about the kids playing, and me on a date with a friend. Didn't happen. But as time went on and the other mothers and I spent a lot of energy working directly with the kids, playdates became easier and more productive regarding the kids playing and me being able to enjoy time with a friend.
This afternoon we had a babysitter come over to play with Kevin while we were here. It was to be a trial-run for having him babysit sometime so that we can go out - on a real date - and see each other without Kevin in between us or trying to talk over us so that we can't have a conversation without him (how dare we?)
I thought that G and Kevin would laugh and play and run around together while I floated about getting all sorts of cleaning done. Alas, what actually happened was that Kevin and G needed some help learning how to play together. This was weird because G babysits other kids, so I really thought he'd be a bit more proactive. Or even reactive. Just some sort of active.
To make a very long story about the first hour he was here much shorter, I spent a lot of time worrying about what to do. HOWEVER, I didn't think to myself that this will never work. I made sure that I instead looked for ways to help it work. And as I was doing so, I was proud of myself for helping the second hour of our trial run be more about G and Kevin playing and me floating about getting all sorts of cleaning done.
This could definitely work out.
When I became a mom and started scheduling playdates, I thought, "Wow, this will be my chance to let Kevin play with someone else and for me to talk with another mother about how much I hate parenting!" What actually happened was that Kevin and the other kids needed some help learning how to play together. They didn't just need a referee (although they really needed that, too) but with some of his friends, they needed to know what to do besides sit and look at each other.
Playdates were supposed to be about the kids playing, and me on a date with a friend. Didn't happen. But as time went on and the other mothers and I spent a lot of energy working directly with the kids, playdates became easier and more productive regarding the kids playing and me being able to enjoy time with a friend.
This afternoon we had a babysitter come over to play with Kevin while we were here. It was to be a trial-run for having him babysit sometime so that we can go out - on a real date - and see each other without Kevin in between us or trying to talk over us so that we can't have a conversation without him (how dare we?)
I thought that G and Kevin would laugh and play and run around together while I floated about getting all sorts of cleaning done. Alas, what actually happened was that Kevin and G needed some help learning how to play together. This was weird because G babysits other kids, so I really thought he'd be a bit more proactive. Or even reactive. Just some sort of active.
To make a very long story about the first hour he was here much shorter, I spent a lot of time worrying about what to do. HOWEVER, I didn't think to myself that this will never work. I made sure that I instead looked for ways to help it work. And as I was doing so, I was proud of myself for helping the second hour of our trial run be more about G and Kevin playing and me floating about getting all sorts of cleaning done.
This could definitely work out.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Of all the (*&*%$ing @%#*&$s
Does posting an entry saying that I want to throw a chair at one of my coworkers constitute a blatant break of the dooce rule that thou shalt not blog about work unless thou is willing to part with thine job, which I ist not?
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
I jinxed it!
I did it! I said my truck was dead and, lo, it is sitting, ever ugly but functional, in our driveway, waiting to cart me off to work tomorrow.
P.S. Andy is pretty handy to have around.
P.S. Andy is pretty handy to have around.
The end is near - I can really feel it this time
This REALLY might be it for the truck. I know I've said it before, but this is different. Up 'til now, everything wrong was either a convenience issue or an easily fixed issue. This time, a headlight is out. The problem is that when I replaced it with a new headlight, wackiness ensued.
The new light didn't come on at first. Then it came on dimly. Then it worked but the other headlight went out. Then they both worked in low mode but one was dim. The new one never worked in high beam mode but then it started to and the other one went out. This went on for awhile last night and Andy cleaned up the connections and we got them both to work in low beam mode but neither to work in high beam mode. That's not a problem, just a convenience factor. Andy never uses high beams, I almost never do because there are always too many cars around where I usually drive.
Andy called from work to say that both low beams worked but only dimly today. And, the high-beam indicator on the dash always stays on. The indicator light is no big deal. Again, a convenience factor. But driving with dim headlights? Definitely a huge safety issue.
I have other wiring problems in the truck but they aren't safety hazards on the level that this is. And we know how expensive it can be to pay someone to track down a wiring problem - and then, who knows how long the fix will last because the whole system is probably corroded to the point of being dust held together by some road grime.
Andy left work early and just got home so that he'd be able to drive in as much daylight as possible. He told me he stopped at the surplus store and bought a couple of grenades.
The new light didn't come on at first. Then it came on dimly. Then it worked but the other headlight went out. Then they both worked in low mode but one was dim. The new one never worked in high beam mode but then it started to and the other one went out. This went on for awhile last night and Andy cleaned up the connections and we got them both to work in low beam mode but neither to work in high beam mode. That's not a problem, just a convenience factor. Andy never uses high beams, I almost never do because there are always too many cars around where I usually drive.
Andy called from work to say that both low beams worked but only dimly today. And, the high-beam indicator on the dash always stays on. The indicator light is no big deal. Again, a convenience factor. But driving with dim headlights? Definitely a huge safety issue.
I have other wiring problems in the truck but they aren't safety hazards on the level that this is. And we know how expensive it can be to pay someone to track down a wiring problem - and then, who knows how long the fix will last because the whole system is probably corroded to the point of being dust held together by some road grime.
Andy left work early and just got home so that he'd be able to drive in as much daylight as possible. He told me he stopped at the surplus store and bought a couple of grenades.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Her sticks are made for walking
Andy and Kevin saw a woman wearing high heels and Kevin asked, "Papa - why is she walking on sticks?"
Saturday, December 02, 2006
I became "one of them" last night
I was out shopping by myself last night and at Staples, I found something I needed to ask my mom about (because we sometimes help each other out with picking up gifts the other can't find near them.) So I realized I had my cell phone with me and I stood there, inside the fairly quiet store and called my mom. As we were talking, we decided against me getting what I was looking at but we kept talking so I walked out the store and down the sidewalk WHILE STILL ON THE PHONE. I knew I was breaking one of Dianne's Cardinal Rules of Etiquette but it was so... thrilling. And convenient.
Even though I did stop outside of Target to finish my conversation before going inside, I still would have given myself a sneering look had I been watching from outside myself.
Even though I did stop outside of Target to finish my conversation before going inside, I still would have given myself a sneering look had I been watching from outside myself.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Kevin, at the toy store
He winds his way through the toy store, looking for something on which to spend his money. He stops, his eyes widen and he says, "Oooh... is this Polly Pocket?" He picks up the box, viewing the Polly Pocket mermaid playset on sale for $9.99. He puts the box down and says, "Nah, I have enough Polly Pockets at home already."
Sunday, November 26, 2006
I'm so glad we laugh about most things
This morning we got up late for church on the day we were scheduled to subsitute for the kids' classes. Bummer.
We were asked for one of us to report to the 2nd & 3rd grade class. Bummer.
After a few minutes, the teacher determined that there were enough teachers for the few kids and she let me go into the service. Woohoo!
This afternoon, Andy set up the van to change the oil. Woohoo!
Andy found some really light oil on the grille slats and a hole in the AC compressor in front of the radiator. Bummer.
I decided to take Kevin out for the afternoon to do some birthday and Christmas shopping for Andy so that Andy could have some time alone. Woohoo!
Andy pointed out the screw stuck in the front tire of the truck. Bummer.
I decided to put on the spare and let Andy plug the busted tire when he was done changing the van's oil. Woohoo!
The spare tire only had 20 lbs of pressure in it. Bummer.
We remembered that our neighbor has an air compressor. Woohoo!
Andy removed the screw and plugged the tire while it was still on and filled both tires with the compressor. Woohoo!
I unplugged the compressor from the outlet in the truck and the cover wouldn't close. I fiddled with the door (which also covers the other outlet) for 5 minutes trying to convince myself that I could fix it but had Andy confirm that it wasn't possible. Bummer.
Andy discovered that we didn't have enough oil for the van. Bummer.
I went to the auto parts store first and got some oil for the van. Woohoo!
I asked for those rubber replacement covers for the outlets in the truck. They don't have them and suggested I try Radio Shack. Bummer.
I tried Radio Shack and they suggested I try Home Depot. What?? The outlets are still exposed on the dash. Bummer.
I returned home and started making dinner by putting water in a pot. Water shot out of the wrong end of the faucet. Bummer.
I put Andy to work on the faucet and went out to put the rest of the oil in the van. I cleaned up and Andy turned on the van to take it off the ramps. The fan on "high" made a crazy noise. We turned it up and down trying to diagnose the problem and had no clue what was going on. Bummer.
After a minute, the noise stopped. Woohoo!
I realized that Andy will be driving the van tomorrow since I'll take the truck to work. Woohoo!
We realized that we can't take the van in for service of either the possible AC problem or the new tires it desperately needs because we can't all fit in the truck to get back home. Bummer.
We were asked for one of us to report to the 2nd & 3rd grade class. Bummer.
After a few minutes, the teacher determined that there were enough teachers for the few kids and she let me go into the service. Woohoo!
This afternoon, Andy set up the van to change the oil. Woohoo!
Andy found some really light oil on the grille slats and a hole in the AC compressor in front of the radiator. Bummer.
I decided to take Kevin out for the afternoon to do some birthday and Christmas shopping for Andy so that Andy could have some time alone. Woohoo!
Andy pointed out the screw stuck in the front tire of the truck. Bummer.
I decided to put on the spare and let Andy plug the busted tire when he was done changing the van's oil. Woohoo!
The spare tire only had 20 lbs of pressure in it. Bummer.
We remembered that our neighbor has an air compressor. Woohoo!
Andy removed the screw and plugged the tire while it was still on and filled both tires with the compressor. Woohoo!
I unplugged the compressor from the outlet in the truck and the cover wouldn't close. I fiddled with the door (which also covers the other outlet) for 5 minutes trying to convince myself that I could fix it but had Andy confirm that it wasn't possible. Bummer.
Andy discovered that we didn't have enough oil for the van. Bummer.
I went to the auto parts store first and got some oil for the van. Woohoo!
I asked for those rubber replacement covers for the outlets in the truck. They don't have them and suggested I try Radio Shack. Bummer.
I tried Radio Shack and they suggested I try Home Depot. What?? The outlets are still exposed on the dash. Bummer.
I returned home and started making dinner by putting water in a pot. Water shot out of the wrong end of the faucet. Bummer.
I put Andy to work on the faucet and went out to put the rest of the oil in the van. I cleaned up and Andy turned on the van to take it off the ramps. The fan on "high" made a crazy noise. We turned it up and down trying to diagnose the problem and had no clue what was going on. Bummer.
After a minute, the noise stopped. Woohoo!
I realized that Andy will be driving the van tomorrow since I'll take the truck to work. Woohoo!
We realized that we can't take the van in for service of either the possible AC problem or the new tires it desperately needs because we can't all fit in the truck to get back home. Bummer.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
From my outbox
Dear Paul & Sally,
Congratulations! You were the first inadvertent call that I made from
my cell phone because I didn't have the keyguard on. Oops! :-) It
happened this morning so if you have a message or caller-id that
confused you, it might have been my purse calling.
Dianne
Monday, November 13, 2006
Roundup
Phones
We got our phones on Thursday and when Andy was playing around with his on Friday, he unknowingly downloaded a ringtone - "The Ride of the Valkyries." Fortunately, I found out what he did before he downloaded a bunch more because he didn't realize he had to pay for it. Now he has to keep it as his ringtone because he doesn't want to waste the $2.50. I think it fits.
Tour de France
In a controversial but well-calculated move by both parties, the U.S.'s Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team signed superstar Ivan Basso for the next two years. He was the leader of Team CSC last year and he won the Giro d'Italia (a stage race like the Tour de France but in Italy) and then was sidelined days before the Tour de France because of allegations that he was involved in Operacion Puerto, the Spanish doping scandal. He was one of the favorites to win the Tour last year but never had the chance to try. Again this year, he will attempt the rare Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double-win. He's got the goods and I will be cheering him on as I was hoping to do last year.
Cars
Kevin and I watched "Cars" last night at a friend's house. It wasn't as good as I'd expected and hoped. I thought it was pretty slow and most of it I wouldn't expect a young child to understand. It was rated "G" and either I'm a prude, or that wasn't valid. My guess is that I'm a prude but, whatever. I already ordered the DVD for Kevin for Christmas but I wonder whether I would have had I waited until I'd watched it.
We got our phones on Thursday and when Andy was playing around with his on Friday, he unknowingly downloaded a ringtone - "The Ride of the Valkyries." Fortunately, I found out what he did before he downloaded a bunch more because he didn't realize he had to pay for it. Now he has to keep it as his ringtone because he doesn't want to waste the $2.50. I think it fits.
Tour de France
In a controversial but well-calculated move by both parties, the U.S.'s Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team signed superstar Ivan Basso for the next two years. He was the leader of Team CSC last year and he won the Giro d'Italia (a stage race like the Tour de France but in Italy) and then was sidelined days before the Tour de France because of allegations that he was involved in Operacion Puerto, the Spanish doping scandal. He was one of the favorites to win the Tour last year but never had the chance to try. Again this year, he will attempt the rare Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double-win. He's got the goods and I will be cheering him on as I was hoping to do last year.
Cars
Kevin and I watched "Cars" last night at a friend's house. It wasn't as good as I'd expected and hoped. I thought it was pretty slow and most of it I wouldn't expect a young child to understand. It was rated "G" and either I'm a prude, or that wasn't valid. My guess is that I'm a prude but, whatever. I already ordered the DVD for Kevin for Christmas but I wonder whether I would have had I waited until I'd watched it.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
One of the best pictures ever
We went camping in October with Amy and her kids. The kids got along very well over the weekend and had a lot of fun. One day they were running and racing and then decided to tackle each other. They wrestled for awhile and surprisingly, nobody got hurt. We even have proof of how much fun they had. The timing of this shot is perfect.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tonight's after-dinner dinner table conversation
Kevin: Knock-knock.
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha. Knock-knock.
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha. Knock-knock.
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha.
Andy: [ahem] So there was a priest, a rabbi and a duck on an airplane...
Kevin: And a beast and a rabbit and a turkey.
Dianne: And the pilot said, "What is this, some kind of joke?"
Andy: No, that's not it and there was no turkey. But there was a skunk.
Kevin: Ewwww! He said skunk! There was a, uh, beast, a rabbit, an elephant, a turkey...
Dianne: Continue your joke, Andy.
Andy: I was trying to but now I can't keep track of all of the animals involved.
Kevin: There was definitely a turkey!
Andy: So, there was a priest, a rabbi, a duck and a skunk on a plane. And the duck said to the skunk, "P-U, somebody stinks."
Kevin: Ewwwww!
Andy: And the skunk said, "Yeah, but it's not me - check out the priest over there."
Kevin: [gibberish]
Dianne: Go ahead, Andy, finish your joke.
Andy: That was it.
Dianne: Ugh.
Kevin: Knock-knock!
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha. Knock-knock.
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha. Knock-knock.
Andy: Who's there?
Kevin: Boo.
Andy: Boo who?
Kevin: Aww, why are you crying? Hahahahaha.
Andy: [ahem] So there was a priest, a rabbi and a duck on an airplane...
Kevin: And a beast and a rabbit and a turkey.
Dianne: And the pilot said, "What is this, some kind of joke?"
Andy: No, that's not it and there was no turkey. But there was a skunk.
Kevin: Ewwww! He said skunk! There was a, uh, beast, a rabbit, an elephant, a turkey...
Dianne: Continue your joke, Andy.
Andy: I was trying to but now I can't keep track of all of the animals involved.
Kevin: There was definitely a turkey!
Andy: So, there was a priest, a rabbi, a duck and a skunk on a plane. And the duck said to the skunk, "P-U, somebody stinks."
Kevin: Ewwwww!
Andy: And the skunk said, "Yeah, but it's not me - check out the priest over there."
Kevin: [gibberish]
Dianne: Go ahead, Andy, finish your joke.
Andy: That was it.
Dianne: Ugh.
Kevin: Knock-knock!
Monday, November 06, 2006
One small step for most people, one giant leap for us
So what made us finally get cell phones? It wasn't just that we couldn't tell my parents on our way to Cape May that we'd be there late because of traffic, it wasn't just because I made a Dr. appointment over the phone with a doctor who changed practices and offices and I didn't find out until I showed up to my appointment at an empty office, it wasn't just because I needed to contact a volleyball teammate at the emergency room after a dislocated shoulder injury or that I've searched all over Laurel and part of Elkridge in the past couple of weeks for a working pay phone....
No, it was because I found out that my parents, my brother and my sister all have "pay as you go" plans with Virgin Mobile where they pay about $7 per month to use their cell phones. And they are all able to use them just a little, which is what I'd want to do with a cell phone (THIS, I will need to point out to Amy, "[Cell] Phone Queen.")
We placed our order on Friday evening and I have no idea when the phones will arrive, but I am excited to get them.
No, it was because I found out that my parents, my brother and my sister all have "pay as you go" plans with Virgin Mobile where they pay about $7 per month to use their cell phones. And they are all able to use them just a little, which is what I'd want to do with a cell phone (THIS, I will need to point out to Amy, "[Cell] Phone Queen.")
We placed our order on Friday evening and I have no idea when the phones will arrive, but I am excited to get them.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Don't tell Amy
I just ordered mobile phones for Andy and me. I'm going to surprise Amy by calling her from mine after it gets here. She has no idea we have even been thinking about getting them. Shhhh...
Monday, October 23, 2006
Chat Transcript
me: Did you see the picture I posted on my blog? Warning: severe cuteness
Elesa: ...
oh brother!
you have sunk too low in this mommy thing
this is not the real dianne!
come back, dianne, come back!
me: I know - I couldn't believe how INSANELY CUTE he was when he put that costume on. I took a bunch of pictures of him at the zoo yesterday even though I have a million of him there already. I didn't take any of the animals, just him wearing his costume.
and I'm showing off his costume picture to people I work with!!!!
Save me, Elesa
Elesa: I think it's time for an intervention!
me: Tell Jeff you need to fly over here to help me
Elesa: That's true! I fear you're too far gone, though. I wish I could introduce you to old dianne. She would help me make fun of you.
Elesa: ...
oh brother!
you have sunk too low in this mommy thing
this is not the real dianne!
come back, dianne, come back!
me: I know - I couldn't believe how INSANELY CUTE he was when he put that costume on. I took a bunch of pictures of him at the zoo yesterday even though I have a million of him there already. I didn't take any of the animals, just him wearing his costume.
and I'm showing off his costume picture to people I work with!!!!
Save me, Elesa
Elesa: I think it's time for an intervention!
me: Tell Jeff you need to fly over here to help me
Elesa: That's true! I fear you're too far gone, though. I wish I could introduce you to old dianne. She would help me make fun of you.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Can you tell which one is the costume?
(Yes, I know the real one is very small and far away but elephants at the zoo don't respond to, "Here, Dolly... come here, Girl... come on, Anna, you too...")
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The only dogs barking in my house are my feet - and they're loud
God designed me as a beautiful creation but he got my feet a bit mixed up. They have a lot of problems from extra bones (which don't seem to cause problems but make for interesting facial expressions by doctors the first time they see an x-ray of my feet) to weak arches to nerves running right where the most pain is felt to shorter than average tendons which don't like to stretch and are therefore inflamed most of the time.
My point isn't to get you to feel pity for me (although if you do, feel free to send a note of sympathy.) My point is to say that I wear orthotics to treat some of my problems and they cost hundreds of dollars and health insurance doesn't cover them because they are not orthotic shoes and I can transfer them from shoe to shoe (excuse me for needing them in athletic shoes, cleats AND hiking shoes - darn my active interests.) Moreover, Flexible Spending Accounts don't cover them either. Keep in mind that Tylenol and Band-Aids are now eligible for FSA coverage so that we can buy them with pre-tax money, but orthotics, which cost hundreds of dollars plus copayments for doctor visits for casting and such....
*BEEP* I interrupt this rant to bring you (and myself, more importantly) the news that orthotics appear now to BE ELIGIBLE for payment through a Flexible Spending Account. Wahoo!
*BEEP (again)* This issue is not as clear as it should be. I can't find on the IRS website any specific mention of orthotics although some employee benefit administration providers say that they are eligible.
So, um, nevermind - maybe.
My point isn't to get you to feel pity for me (although if you do, feel free to send a note of sympathy.) My point is to say that I wear orthotics to treat some of my problems and they cost hundreds of dollars and health insurance doesn't cover them because they are not orthotic shoes and I can transfer them from shoe to shoe (excuse me for needing them in athletic shoes, cleats AND hiking shoes - darn my active interests.) Moreover, Flexible Spending Accounts don't cover them either. Keep in mind that Tylenol and Band-Aids are now eligible for FSA coverage so that we can buy them with pre-tax money, but orthotics, which cost hundreds of dollars plus copayments for doctor visits for casting and such....
*BEEP* I interrupt this rant to bring you (and myself, more importantly) the news that orthotics appear now to BE ELIGIBLE for payment through a Flexible Spending Account. Wahoo!
*BEEP (again)* This issue is not as clear as it should be. I can't find on the IRS website any specific mention of orthotics although some employee benefit administration providers say that they are eligible.
So, um, nevermind - maybe.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
A proclivity for laziness starts early in some boys
Kevin: I want to wear my sleeper to bed without underwear.
Me: You may not wear your sleeper without underwear.
Kevin: But if I want to go to the bathroom, then I'll be all ready.
Me: You may not wear your sleeper without underwear.
Kevin: But if I want to go to the bathroom, then I'll be all ready.
We now own 2 new fire extinguishers
After all the hype, this isn't all that exciting but it is still funny (since nobody was hurt.)
We really love our new woodstove insert in our fireplace. We're still learning how well it works.
Thursday night we had a fire and on Friday after work, Andy shoveled out some of the ashes into a bucket. He put some kitchen trash on top of the ashes and left the bucket for about an hour and then dumped the contents into the compost bin. He and Kevin walked up the backyard into the shed and then as Kevin was milling around he noticed a problem and yelled, "Papa! There's fire in the compost!" Andy walked out to see 3-ft high flames above the bin. He ran inside for a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. He walked away but turned around one last time to see flames coming out the vent holes on the side of the bin so he used the extinguisher again. Then he doused the whole thing with the garden hose. The hard plastic bin was melted and is deformed with holes in it.
That was all on Friday. On Saturday, Andy and Kevin went to the local firehouse's Open House where Kevin learned all about fire safety and fortunately didn't tell the firefighters about the fire the previous day.
We really love our new woodstove insert in our fireplace. We're still learning how well it works.
Thursday night we had a fire and on Friday after work, Andy shoveled out some of the ashes into a bucket. He put some kitchen trash on top of the ashes and left the bucket for about an hour and then dumped the contents into the compost bin. He and Kevin walked up the backyard into the shed and then as Kevin was milling around he noticed a problem and yelled, "Papa! There's fire in the compost!" Andy walked out to see 3-ft high flames above the bin. He ran inside for a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. He walked away but turned around one last time to see flames coming out the vent holes on the side of the bin so he used the extinguisher again. Then he doused the whole thing with the garden hose. The hard plastic bin was melted and is deformed with holes in it.
That was all on Friday. On Saturday, Andy and Kevin went to the local firehouse's Open House where Kevin learned all about fire safety and fortunately didn't tell the firefighters about the fire the previous day.
I finished reading Life of Pi
My last post was so mysterious that I thought the comments you all would leave would fill up my gmail inbox (get it? gmail inbox? which is so large it's theoretically limitless? haha?) Anyway, no comments. Perhaps nobody wants to hear what happened.
Anyway... if you have read Life of Pi and would be willing to discuss it with me, please let me know. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet but I'd LOVE to talk to (or email) someone about it. Thanks.
Anyway... if you have read Life of Pi and would be willing to discuss it with me, please let me know. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet but I'd LOVE to talk to (or email) someone about it. Thanks.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Email from home
I was away this weekend, scrapbooking with friends. This morning, I borrowed Kirsten's laptop and read this email message:
Hi mama!
I hope you are having a good time. Papa is taking good care of me.
Papa says that he hopes you are having a good time also.
kevin313-808593179317. You guys have to get a new compost bin but
don't worry Papa has already bought a new fire extinguisher. I miss
you and papa says he misses you too. See you tomorrow.
Love,
Us
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Happy Two-Year Anniversary
Dear Kevin,
Tomorrow marks the two-year anniversary of you joining our family and of us joining yours. Usually when I note some sort of appropriately significant amount of time since we met you, I spend more time thinking about what it was like at the beginning. This year, I’m ready to tell you more about who you are now.
1. You are charming to those people that you allow to see some of the real you.
2. You dance like there may be no music left tomorrow.
3. You love to look at books and have them read to you. Lately you have a strong interest in learning to read.
4. You love role-playing, whether with toys or other people.
5. Your feet are more coordinated with a ball than your hands are.
6. You love swimming lessons.
7. You can turn off the TV and the video player by yourself.
8. You enjoy watching Leapfrog videos, Thomas the Tank Engine, Blue’s Clues, Kipper and Berenstain Bears.
9. Your favorite books are Berenstain Bears stories and you like to pick out stacks of dinosaur books from the non-fiction section of the library.
10. You are testing the waters of telling lies, particularly when we ask if you did something wrong.
11. You are learning to play independently and that is usually with little people or other toy figures.
12. You have a grand time playing energetic and rough-house type games with your cousin, Julia.
13. You don’t like most people touching you, especially younger kids.
14. Your favorite part of preschool is Show ‘n Tell on Fridays.
15. Your imagination is off the charts.
16. You take good care of Alyssa, watching out for her.
17. You use words like "actually" and "similar."
18. You’ve learned to ask Papa, "Are you joking?" instead of immediately crying when he tells you something you don’t want to hear.
19. You know that you like the taste of orange medicine but not always the red kind.
20. You like to help in the kitchen, particularly with measuring and mixing ingredients.
21. Your tastebuds have become more refined and pizza is still your favorite food.
22. You eat all of your vegetables when your teachers at preschool tell you to.
23. You would like to drink “Sprite soda” all day but you are happy enough with milk when I say no to soda (which is 99% of the time.)
24. You have figured out how to solve the cases of Freddi Fish and Putt Putt on your computer.
25. You have a tendency to tell us you can’t do something because you’re too lazy to try or because you tried once and it didn’t immediately work.
26. Your manners are impeccable for a 4-yr old.
27. You rarely have to go to timeout.
28. You delight in making us proud of you.
29. You work hard to make me laugh.
30. You are afraid of dogs, although you sometimes try taking steps to get past that.
Know that no matter what I’ve left off the list, you are an incredible person and I can now see past myself to want the best for you and to enjoy seeing you as my child.
Love,
Mama
Tomorrow marks the two-year anniversary of you joining our family and of us joining yours. Usually when I note some sort of appropriately significant amount of time since we met you, I spend more time thinking about what it was like at the beginning. This year, I’m ready to tell you more about who you are now.
1. You are charming to those people that you allow to see some of the real you.
2. You dance like there may be no music left tomorrow.
3. You love to look at books and have them read to you. Lately you have a strong interest in learning to read.
4. You love role-playing, whether with toys or other people.
5. Your feet are more coordinated with a ball than your hands are.
6. You love swimming lessons.
7. You can turn off the TV and the video player by yourself.
8. You enjoy watching Leapfrog videos, Thomas the Tank Engine, Blue’s Clues, Kipper and Berenstain Bears.
9. Your favorite books are Berenstain Bears stories and you like to pick out stacks of dinosaur books from the non-fiction section of the library.
10. You are testing the waters of telling lies, particularly when we ask if you did something wrong.
11. You are learning to play independently and that is usually with little people or other toy figures.
12. You have a grand time playing energetic and rough-house type games with your cousin, Julia.
13. You don’t like most people touching you, especially younger kids.
14. Your favorite part of preschool is Show ‘n Tell on Fridays.
15. Your imagination is off the charts.
16. You take good care of Alyssa, watching out for her.
17. You use words like "actually" and "similar."
18. You’ve learned to ask Papa, "Are you joking?" instead of immediately crying when he tells you something you don’t want to hear.
19. You know that you like the taste of orange medicine but not always the red kind.
20. You like to help in the kitchen, particularly with measuring and mixing ingredients.
21. Your tastebuds have become more refined and pizza is still your favorite food.
22. You eat all of your vegetables when your teachers at preschool tell you to.
23. You would like to drink “Sprite soda” all day but you are happy enough with milk when I say no to soda (which is 99% of the time.)
24. You have figured out how to solve the cases of Freddi Fish and Putt Putt on your computer.
25. You have a tendency to tell us you can’t do something because you’re too lazy to try or because you tried once and it didn’t immediately work.
26. Your manners are impeccable for a 4-yr old.
27. You rarely have to go to timeout.
28. You delight in making us proud of you.
29. You work hard to make me laugh.
30. You are afraid of dogs, although you sometimes try taking steps to get past that.
Know that no matter what I’ve left off the list, you are an incredible person and I can now see past myself to want the best for you and to enjoy seeing you as my child.
Love,
Mama
Uncharted territories
This afternoon, Kevin watched TV while Andy and I took a nap. We're great parents, aren't we? After the video was over, Kevin asked me to read some books to him. When I leaned over to sit next to him on the couch, I noticed his brand new pants were ripped. Some thoughts ran through my head:
1. I wonder what happened?
2. This is the first time he's worn those pants!
3. Maybe he got pinched and is hurt?
I asked him how it happened and if his leg was ok. He looked up at me strangely - I couldn't read the look on his face. He didn't say he was hurt but he didn't really answer my question. Then I noticed that his shirt was ripped, also. His pants had a small, neat "V" cut in the thigh area and his shirt had a 4-inch long jagged tear.
I couldn't help but crack up laughing when I realized that he'd done this to himself with his scissors. He was pretty upset at my laughter but I couldn't hold it in. He was really afraid of getting into trouble so I told him that he wouldn't this time but that we had to go show Papa. He was vehemently opposed to that because he didn't want to get into trouble. This is also new territory for him - wanting to hide what he's done so we don't get mad at him.
We guess that the cut in his pants was an accident and then he thought, "Hmm... I wonder what happens if I try to cut my shirt?" This part was definitely not an accident.
1. I wonder what happened?
2. This is the first time he's worn those pants!
3. Maybe he got pinched and is hurt?
I asked him how it happened and if his leg was ok. He looked up at me strangely - I couldn't read the look on his face. He didn't say he was hurt but he didn't really answer my question. Then I noticed that his shirt was ripped, also. His pants had a small, neat "V" cut in the thigh area and his shirt had a 4-inch long jagged tear.
I couldn't help but crack up laughing when I realized that he'd done this to himself with his scissors. He was pretty upset at my laughter but I couldn't hold it in. He was really afraid of getting into trouble so I told him that he wouldn't this time but that we had to go show Papa. He was vehemently opposed to that because he didn't want to get into trouble. This is also new territory for him - wanting to hide what he's done so we don't get mad at him.
We guess that the cut in his pants was an accident and then he thought, "Hmm... I wonder what happens if I try to cut my shirt?" This part was definitely not an accident.
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