Oh peer pressure.
It rears it's ugly head in first grade now apparently.
In the form of games where you and your friends are pretending to be a vampires or werewolves, a game which apparently involves pretending to bite victims and at least once leads to real biting and feeling REAL bad about it. Even if you weren't ever caught by the teacher, and no one was physically hurt by what you did.
Good to know that while #2 may not always make the right choices in the moment, she does hear what we say about what is ok and what is not and has true remorse for actions that she knows are not OK. Even better still that she feels safe enough to confess her less than stellar choices to her parents.
Maybe we are doing something right after all.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Because I try to be accomodating...
Since Ali asked here is the recipe for the Double Chocolate Cookies I referred to in my post a few days ago.
Double Chocolate Cookies
Recipe courtesy of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook
1 1/4 C. Butter, softenend
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1 TB pure vanilla extract
2 C. Flour
1 1/4 C. Unsweetened Cocoa
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 C. Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
Preheat oven to 300
In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Fold in the white chips.
Drop the mixture onto baking sheets in 1-inch balls, 3 inches apart. Bake for 16-18 minutes, let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Let stand 30 minutes before serving. HA!
The cooling directions above are only useful if the cookies ACTUALLY MAKE IT IN TO THE OVEN. The dough is so damn tasty that it is hard to wait for them to bake.
Now we used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips, because here at Chez Us we firmly believe there is no such thing as too much chocolate.
I recommend a big ol' glass of milk to wash those babies down.
Enjoy!
Double Chocolate Cookies
Recipe courtesy of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook
1 1/4 C. Butter, softenend
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1 TB pure vanilla extract
2 C. Flour
1 1/4 C. Unsweetened Cocoa
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 C. Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
Preheat oven to 300
In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Fold in the white chips.
Drop the mixture onto baking sheets in 1-inch balls, 3 inches apart. Bake for 16-18 minutes, let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Let stand 30 minutes before serving. HA!
The cooling directions above are only useful if the cookies ACTUALLY MAKE IT IN TO THE OVEN. The dough is so damn tasty that it is hard to wait for them to bake.
Now we used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips, because here at Chez Us we firmly believe there is no such thing as too much chocolate.
I recommend a big ol' glass of milk to wash those babies down.
Enjoy!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
This may be TMI/Please send good and patient thoughts my way
Stats:
#1 and friend sleep time: Between 10-11 PM
#1 typical sleep time: 9:00
#1 and friend wake up time: 5:40 AM! FRICK!
#2 typical wake up time: 7:00
#2 and friend sleep time: As yet undetermined, but likely it was late.
#2 and friend wake up time: As yet undetermined, but again likely it was early.
Mother Stats
One raging case of PMS and Cramps.
Forecast for today:
Mostly Grumpy with a 50/50 chance of Heavy Meltdowns.
I bet BH stays at that Heroclix Tournament a Loooong Time today.
#1 and friend sleep time: Between 10-11 PM
#1 typical sleep time: 9:00
#1 and friend wake up time: 5:40 AM! FRICK!
#2 typical wake up time: 7:00
#2 and friend sleep time: As yet undetermined, but likely it was late.
#2 and friend wake up time: As yet undetermined, but again likely it was early.
Mother Stats
One raging case of PMS and Cramps.
Forecast for today:
Mostly Grumpy with a 50/50 chance of Heavy Meltdowns.
I bet BH stays at that Heroclix Tournament a Loooong Time today.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Portion Control
Uff!
Tonight we are the hosts of a sleepover for #1 and her best friend. So I thawed out some DELICIOUS double chocolate chip cookie dough that I made a couple of weeks ago and baked a pan of cookies for a bed time snack.
These cookies are very rich as I am sure you can imagine. One should and really does suffice. But you see when it comes to things in the sugary food group I can not seem to stop at one. I must have three cookies with a milk chaser. Then of course my stomach is uncomfortably full, and I berate myself because I knew that this would happen. Apparently I don't learn from previous mistakes in this area. I probably need rehab or something.
#2 is experiencing a milestone today...her first time to sleep over at a friend's house. We have been planning this for at least two weeks and endured the daily countdown (I would talk about #2's method of counting down days to anticipated events that somehow manages to shave 2-3 days off the actual number, but it is complicated and I am not sure I understand it. Perhaps she can guest blog for me and discuss.) We have also endured the back and forth between being very excited to the very apprehensive. #2 has some anxious leanings. I don't know WHERE she gets that from!
Hmmm...other news. #1 was selected to participate in the spelling bee today at school. She made it through the first round and then was downed by the word federal. Left out that 2nd e. Bummer. They ran it like a real spelling bee too. Up in front of a crowd with microphones. A little nerve wracking for #1 who is not fond of anything that resembles a performance in front of a crowd. She said that she only did it for the "fun of spelling." Can't argue with that.
Well, I should probably go through the long and arduous process of getting two 10 year olds settled down to sleep. Although I must say that I doubt that it will seem as long and arduous as my afternoon is likely to be tomorrow when I have to deal with the post sleep over hangover ALL BY MYSELF WHILE SOME PEOPLE GO AND PLAY HEROCLIX AT A LOCATION THAT IS NOT THE HOUSE WHERE OVER TIRED AND GRUMPY CHILDREN RULE THE EARTH.
Not that I am bothered by it or anything.
Tonight we are the hosts of a sleepover for #1 and her best friend. So I thawed out some DELICIOUS double chocolate chip cookie dough that I made a couple of weeks ago and baked a pan of cookies for a bed time snack.
These cookies are very rich as I am sure you can imagine. One should and really does suffice. But you see when it comes to things in the sugary food group I can not seem to stop at one. I must have three cookies with a milk chaser. Then of course my stomach is uncomfortably full, and I berate myself because I knew that this would happen. Apparently I don't learn from previous mistakes in this area. I probably need rehab or something.
#2 is experiencing a milestone today...her first time to sleep over at a friend's house. We have been planning this for at least two weeks and endured the daily countdown (I would talk about #2's method of counting down days to anticipated events that somehow manages to shave 2-3 days off the actual number, but it is complicated and I am not sure I understand it. Perhaps she can guest blog for me and discuss.) We have also endured the back and forth between being very excited to the very apprehensive. #2 has some anxious leanings. I don't know WHERE she gets that from!
Hmmm...other news. #1 was selected to participate in the spelling bee today at school. She made it through the first round and then was downed by the word federal. Left out that 2nd e. Bummer. They ran it like a real spelling bee too. Up in front of a crowd with microphones. A little nerve wracking for #1 who is not fond of anything that resembles a performance in front of a crowd. She said that she only did it for the "fun of spelling." Can't argue with that.
Well, I should probably go through the long and arduous process of getting two 10 year olds settled down to sleep. Although I must say that I doubt that it will seem as long and arduous as my afternoon is likely to be tomorrow when I have to deal with the post sleep over hangover ALL BY MYSELF WHILE SOME PEOPLE GO AND PLAY HEROCLIX AT A LOCATION THAT IS NOT THE HOUSE WHERE OVER TIRED AND GRUMPY CHILDREN RULE THE EARTH.
Not that I am bothered by it or anything.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I can't believe I missed it!
Today was National Pie Day!
I consumed no pie! I didn't know! No one told me!
This is an outrage.
I will definitely be making up for this lapse tomorrow.
MMMMmmmmm.....pie.
I consumed no pie! I didn't know! No one told me!
This is an outrage.
I will definitely be making up for this lapse tomorrow.
MMMMmmmmm.....pie.
Now available in Arabic, Hebrew and Persian!
Apparently those are the three new languages that can be found on blogger now.
As I speak none of them, you won't find me using them here. I am glad to know they are available should I suddenly become fluent.
Unfortunately for me the only language I speak fluently is English. Sort of.
If I could choose another language to speak fluently it would have to be Spanish.
Man.... in my field I could just about name my salary if I could speak Spanish.
But I don't, so other people must name my salary for me which is really too bad because who better than I knows what me am worth?
Speaking of my field I have been at my current job for just shy of TWO WHOLE YEARS.
That is almost a record. I believe my record at a job to date is two and a half years.
I am pretty content with what I am doing right now, and not really looking to change. This is a very new experience for me. It might surprise you to hear that I have had some difficulty achieving job satisfaction. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I spent a hell of a lot of time doing things that were not what I spent two point five years of blood, sweat, tears, and a shitload of money at graduate school to become.
This particular job happens to be just what I envisioned when I was in graduate school. It only took me 8 years post graduate school to get there. That 8 year journey is a long story to be sure.
Maybe I will tell it tomorrow.
So...the way I figure it, if you look at my time at this job in terms of what I have called Missy Job Time (MJT) I have actually been working there what would be the equivalent of 10 years of regular non job jumping person time. (NJJPT).
I think that means I am entitled to all the perks of someone who has been employed at agency for 10 years don't you? The vacation accrual increase and back pay for raises that I would have been entitled to will suffice. OR I would settle for being paid at my current rate, if they will allow me to work 30 hours a week instead of 40. I am reasonable and flexible.
What I will get definitely once I reach the 2 year mark? I will accrue more vacation time (three and half weeks a year) AND....AND....a plant.
I have never gotten a plant from my job before. Yet another new experience!
Longevity Rocks!
As I speak none of them, you won't find me using them here. I am glad to know they are available should I suddenly become fluent.
Unfortunately for me the only language I speak fluently is English. Sort of.
If I could choose another language to speak fluently it would have to be Spanish.
Man.... in my field I could just about name my salary if I could speak Spanish.
But I don't, so other people must name my salary for me which is really too bad because who better than I knows what me am worth?
Speaking of my field I have been at my current job for just shy of TWO WHOLE YEARS.
That is almost a record. I believe my record at a job to date is two and a half years.
I am pretty content with what I am doing right now, and not really looking to change. This is a very new experience for me. It might surprise you to hear that I have had some difficulty achieving job satisfaction. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I spent a hell of a lot of time doing things that were not what I spent two point five years of blood, sweat, tears, and a shitload of money at graduate school to become.
This particular job happens to be just what I envisioned when I was in graduate school. It only took me 8 years post graduate school to get there. That 8 year journey is a long story to be sure.
Maybe I will tell it tomorrow.
So...the way I figure it, if you look at my time at this job in terms of what I have called Missy Job Time (MJT) I have actually been working there what would be the equivalent of 10 years of regular non job jumping person time. (NJJPT).
I think that means I am entitled to all the perks of someone who has been employed at agency for 10 years don't you? The vacation accrual increase and back pay for raises that I would have been entitled to will suffice. OR I would settle for being paid at my current rate, if they will allow me to work 30 hours a week instead of 40. I am reasonable and flexible.
What I will get definitely once I reach the 2 year mark? I will accrue more vacation time (three and half weeks a year) AND....AND....a plant.
I have never gotten a plant from my job before. Yet another new experience!
Longevity Rocks!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Hmmm I should write something
Thanks to those who commented on my last sad poor pitiful me post. It was appreciated.
I have come to the conclusion that we have far too many animals in this house.
Love the new kitty. Love her. She is cute and it is a good thing she is cute or she may have been dropped out of the third story window recently. Or thrown against the wall in the middle of the night when she decides that my face is a good plaything. Now that she is well we are seeing what a little ball of fire she is. No object is safe from play. Finally she is snoozing or it would take me 5 days to write this post for all of the stopping to get the cat off the keyboard. Because she must conquer the evil cursor. It must be stopped!
The dog could squash the kitty with one paw and has attempted to do just that. Apparently she is not amused by Mittens attempts to subdue her tail and ears. (She is a bassett hound if I haven't mentioned that before, and tiny kitty can NOT resist trying to get those long floppy ears.) So unless we want to play security guard, the kitten and the dog can not be out together at the same time without constant supervision. Can you guess how much fun that is? Since Kansas has recently adopted an artic climate we can not leave the dog out for long so it becomes a game of figuring out which animal deserves freedom.
Senior citizen kitty has hissed, growled, and slapped tiny kitty on numerous occasions and tiny kitty does not give a shit. She just stands there and goes for the tail again and again. Not sure if it is bravery or stupidity but she is not the least intimidated by Kalypso. And she can be one mean cat. She subdues and corners our dog that outweighs her by 36 pounds. She is a badass our senior lady.
Went to see Juno over the weekend. I give it high marks and strongly suggest you go see it if you can find the opportunity. Fun music too.
Hmm I think that is it. I am going to go lie down in my now complete Tempur-pedic bed. We got the base FINALLY on Friday. It is AMAZING. It adjusts at the head and foot. My personal favorite setting is zero gravity. So comfy. It has a massage feature. It is nice. However...our bedroom is on the second floor and we have wood floors. The mechanism that makes the whole bed massage is huge and it kind of sounds like a freight train. We put a rug and carpet pad under the bed and it has helped but it is still loud. BH can not stay awake in the bed any longer. He falls asleep within minutes of lying down. I think he has napped no less than twice a day since we got the base in. It is that comfy. So my official recommendation is get a tempur pedic mattress if you have the means. Totally worth the bend-over required to pay for it.
I have come to the conclusion that we have far too many animals in this house.
Love the new kitty. Love her. She is cute and it is a good thing she is cute or she may have been dropped out of the third story window recently. Or thrown against the wall in the middle of the night when she decides that my face is a good plaything. Now that she is well we are seeing what a little ball of fire she is. No object is safe from play. Finally she is snoozing or it would take me 5 days to write this post for all of the stopping to get the cat off the keyboard. Because she must conquer the evil cursor. It must be stopped!
The dog could squash the kitty with one paw and has attempted to do just that. Apparently she is not amused by Mittens attempts to subdue her tail and ears. (She is a bassett hound if I haven't mentioned that before, and tiny kitty can NOT resist trying to get those long floppy ears.) So unless we want to play security guard, the kitten and the dog can not be out together at the same time without constant supervision. Can you guess how much fun that is? Since Kansas has recently adopted an artic climate we can not leave the dog out for long so it becomes a game of figuring out which animal deserves freedom.
Senior citizen kitty has hissed, growled, and slapped tiny kitty on numerous occasions and tiny kitty does not give a shit. She just stands there and goes for the tail again and again. Not sure if it is bravery or stupidity but she is not the least intimidated by Kalypso. And she can be one mean cat. She subdues and corners our dog that outweighs her by 36 pounds. She is a badass our senior lady.
Went to see Juno over the weekend. I give it high marks and strongly suggest you go see it if you can find the opportunity. Fun music too.
Hmm I think that is it. I am going to go lie down in my now complete Tempur-pedic bed. We got the base FINALLY on Friday. It is AMAZING. It adjusts at the head and foot. My personal favorite setting is zero gravity. So comfy. It has a massage feature. It is nice. However...our bedroom is on the second floor and we have wood floors. The mechanism that makes the whole bed massage is huge and it kind of sounds like a freight train. We put a rug and carpet pad under the bed and it has helped but it is still loud. BH can not stay awake in the bed any longer. He falls asleep within minutes of lying down. I think he has napped no less than twice a day since we got the base in. It is that comfy. So my official recommendation is get a tempur pedic mattress if you have the means. Totally worth the bend-over required to pay for it.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Validation
I once again seem to have hit a posting slump.
My creative juices such as they are have really slowed to a barely perceptible trickle. I have felt the drought coming on for some time now, and I think I have just about reached a critical stage. Cracks in the earth are visible. Vegetation has shriveled up.
I think the reasons are pretty clear when I really take the time to do some self analysis. Not much is happening for me outside of working and taking care of my family. My social life is pretty much at a standstill, and I haven't engaged in a creatively stimulating activity in......I truly cannot recall the last time.
The fault lies completely with me. Working full time at a job that is somewhat demanding, and everything that comes with taking care of two school age children, seems to take an awful lot out of me at the end of the day, and I just don't seem to have the wherewithall to do much else but numbly peruse the internet, read a non-thought provoking book, or mindlessly flip through TV channels once the children are in bed and taken care of for the day. I have some good intentions, but my follow through sucks. Then it becomes a matter of it having been so long since I have initiated a social and/or creative activity that it seems too daunting...as if I have forgotten how and can't figure out where to begin.
Anyway enough of that morose crap. Since the well is dry I am totally stealing from a fellow blogger Woman With a Hatchet and giving you a link that she had up on her blog today that (rather appropriately in relation to this post) gauges how tired you are.
My outcome. Not too surprising. I need to, "Wake Up Sleepyhead."
So therefore according to this little test, which surely is an acurate measure and totally believable I am officially tired.
Good night!
My creative juices such as they are have really slowed to a barely perceptible trickle. I have felt the drought coming on for some time now, and I think I have just about reached a critical stage. Cracks in the earth are visible. Vegetation has shriveled up.
I think the reasons are pretty clear when I really take the time to do some self analysis. Not much is happening for me outside of working and taking care of my family. My social life is pretty much at a standstill, and I haven't engaged in a creatively stimulating activity in......I truly cannot recall the last time.
The fault lies completely with me. Working full time at a job that is somewhat demanding, and everything that comes with taking care of two school age children, seems to take an awful lot out of me at the end of the day, and I just don't seem to have the wherewithall to do much else but numbly peruse the internet, read a non-thought provoking book, or mindlessly flip through TV channels once the children are in bed and taken care of for the day. I have some good intentions, but my follow through sucks. Then it becomes a matter of it having been so long since I have initiated a social and/or creative activity that it seems too daunting...as if I have forgotten how and can't figure out where to begin.
Anyway enough of that morose crap. Since the well is dry I am totally stealing from a fellow blogger Woman With a Hatchet and giving you a link that she had up on her blog today that (rather appropriately in relation to this post) gauges how tired you are.
My outcome. Not too surprising. I need to, "Wake Up Sleepyhead."
So therefore according to this little test, which surely is an acurate measure and totally believable I am officially tired.
Good night!
Monday, January 07, 2008
13 years and counting....
BH and I have o-ficially been hitched for 13 years as of today.
Wow. That seems like a big number when I see it in writing.
Now we are in the adolescence of our marriage.
So that means naughtiness and rebellion..right?
The good kind of naughtiness and rebellion of course!
Wow. That seems like a big number when I see it in writing.
Now we are in the adolescence of our marriage.
So that means naughtiness and rebellion..right?
The good kind of naughtiness and rebellion of course!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Introducing Mittens the Wonder Kitten!
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas, or whatever holiday it is that you choose to celebrate.
Ours was pretty good. #1 was quite happy with her gifts and #2 was over the moon about her new best friend that she has decided to name Mittens.
Our Christmas was rather eventful. Mittens unfortunately sucumbed to a respiratory infection that was going around the humane shelter. We had to make a trip to the emergency vet Christmas day as she was not doing to0 well. Fortunately some antibiotics, force feeding special food and some water have helped her out and she is doing much better now. We were pretty worried. She is only about 6 weeks old, so illness is pretty scary this kitten was not moving around, nor was she eating or drinking. She was playful today, eating and drinking on her own so all should be well.
Mittens met the dog tonight and apparently thinks that she is a new toy, as there was much chasing of the dog's tail and batting at her very long and floppy ears. The dog was very patient and didn't so much as growl at the baby. I think it was because she was afraid of her. Mittens hasn't met the senior cat yet. We have to keep them separated until the illness has passed.
Ours was pretty good. #1 was quite happy with her gifts and #2 was over the moon about her new best friend that she has decided to name Mittens.
Our Christmas was rather eventful. Mittens unfortunately sucumbed to a respiratory infection that was going around the humane shelter. We had to make a trip to the emergency vet Christmas day as she was not doing to0 well. Fortunately some antibiotics, force feeding special food and some water have helped her out and she is doing much better now. We were pretty worried. She is only about 6 weeks old, so illness is pretty scary this kitten was not moving around, nor was she eating or drinking. She was playful today, eating and drinking on her own so all should be well.
Mittens met the dog tonight and apparently thinks that she is a new toy, as there was much chasing of the dog's tail and batting at her very long and floppy ears. The dog was very patient and didn't so much as growl at the baby. I think it was because she was afraid of her. Mittens hasn't met the senior cat yet. We have to keep them separated until the illness has passed.
Now how about a picture of #2 and her new best friend?
Of course we need a close up of the cutie in all her snot-nosed glory!
Oh yeah! I got a present too! One of these.....
It is tiny! So amazing that something so tiny can do so much!
Now on to the New Year!
It is tiny! So amazing that something so tiny can do so much!Now on to the New Year!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
I kept calm
So we got some snow here in T-town today. A big fat 9 inches of snow supposedly. Along with some blizzard like conditions. There was thunder and lightning during the snow too which was pretty spectacular. I have not experienced a thunder snow in many many years.
What was not so spectacular was attempting to drive in it today. We were trying to deliver gifts to the family we adopted and it required highway driving. Now why we didn't turn around when we could barely see to do the in-town street driving I will never know. I can say that a short while after we got on the interstate I strongly suggested that we turn around and go back home. BH responded with a "but we're halfway there already." Fortunately I did not have to get loud and insistent, and after missing the first available turn around exit because we couldn't see it, we got off and turned around. We had a very scary moment as we were on the entry ramp and despite the slow pace we hit a slick spot and spun completely around and appeared to be headed down an embankment. Thankfully we came to a stop before that happened, and were able to get back on the road without any further excitement. I was able to keep remarkable calm. The spinning around seemed to go on forever and the children were beginning to get scared and vocal about their fright. As we spun I just kept repeating in my most calm and motherly voice that we were ok and everyone is fine. Now in my head I was thinking, nay... screaming "OH MY GOD WE ARE GOING TO DIE!" (I can be dramatic when the occasion calls for it!) At the same time I remember thinking that if we went down the embankment it would be ok as long as we did not flip the car, and then began the praying that we would not flip the car. That was a lot for what was probably 10 seconds of spinning around. Needless to say we decided to get off at the first available exit and go through town to get the rest of the way home. Not that it was any picnic either. Couldn't see more than a few feet ahead. We camped at home for the remainder of the day.
Not going down as one of our better decisions. Both BH and I agreed that we have never been in such terrible driving conditions ever. He also admitted that he was glad I was in the car to override his testorone thinking that he could make the trip becuase he is MAN! BH is nothing if not reasonable most of the time.
Now we have 9 inches of glorious snow to play in! We have been hoping for a really good snow and it is finally here. We don't usually get amounts like this from one snow. 1-3 inches isn't uncommon, but 9!! That is something. So it looks like we may have a white Christmas this year. I can not remember the last time that happened. Wait! I think it was actually ten years ago, about three weeks after #1 was born. I could be wrong, but that is the last one I remember.
I do think that Mother Nature needs to be informed that after the holidays my tolerance for such weather will be gone. Unless it is weather significant enough that we close businesses and I get to stay home from work! That I will put up with.
What was not so spectacular was attempting to drive in it today. We were trying to deliver gifts to the family we adopted and it required highway driving. Now why we didn't turn around when we could barely see to do the in-town street driving I will never know. I can say that a short while after we got on the interstate I strongly suggested that we turn around and go back home. BH responded with a "but we're halfway there already." Fortunately I did not have to get loud and insistent, and after missing the first available turn around exit because we couldn't see it, we got off and turned around. We had a very scary moment as we were on the entry ramp and despite the slow pace we hit a slick spot and spun completely around and appeared to be headed down an embankment. Thankfully we came to a stop before that happened, and were able to get back on the road without any further excitement. I was able to keep remarkable calm. The spinning around seemed to go on forever and the children were beginning to get scared and vocal about their fright. As we spun I just kept repeating in my most calm and motherly voice that we were ok and everyone is fine. Now in my head I was thinking, nay... screaming "OH MY GOD WE ARE GOING TO DIE!" (I can be dramatic when the occasion calls for it!) At the same time I remember thinking that if we went down the embankment it would be ok as long as we did not flip the car, and then began the praying that we would not flip the car. That was a lot for what was probably 10 seconds of spinning around. Needless to say we decided to get off at the first available exit and go through town to get the rest of the way home. Not that it was any picnic either. Couldn't see more than a few feet ahead. We camped at home for the remainder of the day.
Not going down as one of our better decisions. Both BH and I agreed that we have never been in such terrible driving conditions ever. He also admitted that he was glad I was in the car to override his testorone thinking that he could make the trip becuase he is MAN! BH is nothing if not reasonable most of the time.
Now we have 9 inches of glorious snow to play in! We have been hoping for a really good snow and it is finally here. We don't usually get amounts like this from one snow. 1-3 inches isn't uncommon, but 9!! That is something. So it looks like we may have a white Christmas this year. I can not remember the last time that happened. Wait! I think it was actually ten years ago, about three weeks after #1 was born. I could be wrong, but that is the last one I remember.
I do think that Mother Nature needs to be informed that after the holidays my tolerance for such weather will be gone. Unless it is weather significant enough that we close businesses and I get to stay home from work! That I will put up with.
Yay For ALI!!!
Ali FINALLY had her baby! He weighed in at 9lbs 6 oz, and is about 22 inches long. Both are doing well. I will let her fill you in on the name, my conversation with her was fast and I forgot to ask if she wanted the child's name all over the internet. Or you can e-mail me and I will be glad to pass on the information that way. Congrats to Ali and Family!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Crazy in more ways than one
Good Lord, I am beginning to feel that this week may never end.
Right before Christmas is not the best time to be a professional in the field of children's mental health.
I will just leave it at that.
I have two appointments to make it through tomorrow, a scary amount of paperwork (if it is all done on computer and never printed out can we still call it paperwork? If not then what do we call it? These are the things that plague me late at night.) to be completed, phone calls to make, e-mails to return, AND an office to clean then.... I am OFF WORK UNTIL JANUARY 2!!!!!
Of course I may be there until 10:00 tomorrow night, but really who is keeping score here?
We have no plans during our time off here at Chez Us and I am mightily glad about that. Nuthin' but playing with children, sleeping in, and maybe MAYBE a small household project or two. Nothing major and if we don't do it...eh!
Oh yeah! We got our teeny weeny kitty today. Oh my goodness is she cute. Grammy and Poppie are having a lot of fun with her, and apparently they were reluctant to let her go at the vet's office today. Our vet's office is really good about the making goo goo eyes over our animals. That's why we like them. Hopefully the grandparents will relinquish her when the time comes. If she doesn't use the litterbox, I think it will help. Not that I am hoping for this mind you...I am just saying. She is only about 6 weeks old(and I can not get over how TINY she is. Really I could fit her in my coat pocket!!) so I am not at ALL confident that she is litter box trained. That will be fun.
What are your plans for the holiday?
Right before Christmas is not the best time to be a professional in the field of children's mental health.
I will just leave it at that.
I have two appointments to make it through tomorrow, a scary amount of paperwork (if it is all done on computer and never printed out can we still call it paperwork? If not then what do we call it? These are the things that plague me late at night.) to be completed, phone calls to make, e-mails to return, AND an office to clean then.... I am OFF WORK UNTIL JANUARY 2!!!!!
Of course I may be there until 10:00 tomorrow night, but really who is keeping score here?
We have no plans during our time off here at Chez Us and I am mightily glad about that. Nuthin' but playing with children, sleeping in, and maybe MAYBE a small household project or two. Nothing major and if we don't do it...eh!
Oh yeah! We got our teeny weeny kitty today. Oh my goodness is she cute. Grammy and Poppie are having a lot of fun with her, and apparently they were reluctant to let her go at the vet's office today. Our vet's office is really good about the making goo goo eyes over our animals. That's why we like them. Hopefully the grandparents will relinquish her when the time comes. If she doesn't use the litterbox, I think it will help. Not that I am hoping for this mind you...I am just saying. She is only about 6 weeks old(and I can not get over how TINY she is. Really I could fit her in my coat pocket!!) so I am not at ALL confident that she is litter box trained. That will be fun.
What are your plans for the holiday?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Oh F@&%#
Hmmm...if your child comes complaining to you that their eye has been hurting today and you take a gander and see that it is red and goopy it probably doesn't mean good things. I am waiting to see what things look like tomorrow, but we may be in for the next chapter of "The House Where Germs Live and Attach to Young Children Every G-D Week."
I was really hoping for an illness free holiday season this year. If you go back to the holiday time postings on this blog, you will get the history of sickness on Christmas for this family. Apparently it is our tradition.
I for one am really looking forward to Christmas this year. I hope that this doesn't come off as me being a commercialized Christmas person because I am not...but a big reason that I am excited is that for once we have managed to decide on gifts that will be meaningful to nearly every person on our Christmas list and make them happy I think. In particular our children and parents will be very pleased.
I am really excited to give people their gifts and I am having a hard time keeping quiet about it.
So maybe if I put it out here it will get me by until the big day.
The gift I am most excited about is the kitten we have just adopted for #2. She has been wanting a furry lovey pet that is hers (we have the old lady cat, we got the dog for #1) and she was all geared up for a Guinea Pig as some of you may recall. Well when it came down to it, BH and I just could NOT bear the thought of another rodent in the house (#1 also has a hamster). However we had kind of already said that she could get it if she had the money. Well she will after Christmas and we do the annual "see how much we have in the savings bank each child has and let them spend some if they wish" day. My response to BH when we talked about how much we don't want a Guinea Pig I said that I would far rather have another kitten before getting a GP. BH agreed and it was decided that a kitten would be procured for Christmas. We went to the shelter yesterday and found a teeny tiny 6 week old mostly black kitty with a white nose and mouth. Oh is she cute! I could expire from the cuteness. We finished the adoption paperwork today and will pick her up from the vet Thursday afternoon. She will spend the weekend with Grammy and Poppie and we will go get her Monday night after the kiddies are in bed. Can't Wait. #2 loves kitties more than anything and is constantly talking about the cats she will have when she grows up. This child is going to be over the moon. I wish I had a digital video camera so that I could show her reaction. Wait! My camera takes short videos!!! If it goes like I think I will try and post it here. At the very least I will post pictures of our new baby.
Speaking of pictures we are way excited about the gifts we chose for our parents. They are eternally disappointed in our lack of sharing/taking pictures of the children. So this year we got 4 digital photo frames and are loading them up with pictures of the kiddoes. This will be especially nice for my dad who is on the road and away from home from October through June.He gets pretty homesick and we hope this will help him out a little. My mom hopefully will stop harassing me about how she has no new pictures to put up at work. It will be easy now!
We also adopted a family this year. The girls each have a bank that they put a dollar a week from their allowance in to for charitable donations. We have said that we will match any donation they make from their bank. We all decided to use the funds to adopt a family. That delivery happens Saturday and we are very excited about it. I am glad that the kids for a change will get to see directly the recipients of their generosity. Past donations have been to organizations and I think that it is too abstract concept-wise for them to really understand what they are doing.
All in all our house/family has been bursting with Christmas surprises.
As always I am interested in the surprises that others are keeping this season!
I was really hoping for an illness free holiday season this year. If you go back to the holiday time postings on this blog, you will get the history of sickness on Christmas for this family. Apparently it is our tradition.
I for one am really looking forward to Christmas this year. I hope that this doesn't come off as me being a commercialized Christmas person because I am not...but a big reason that I am excited is that for once we have managed to decide on gifts that will be meaningful to nearly every person on our Christmas list and make them happy I think. In particular our children and parents will be very pleased.
I am really excited to give people their gifts and I am having a hard time keeping quiet about it.
So maybe if I put it out here it will get me by until the big day.
The gift I am most excited about is the kitten we have just adopted for #2. She has been wanting a furry lovey pet that is hers (we have the old lady cat, we got the dog for #1) and she was all geared up for a Guinea Pig as some of you may recall. Well when it came down to it, BH and I just could NOT bear the thought of another rodent in the house (#1 also has a hamster). However we had kind of already said that she could get it if she had the money. Well she will after Christmas and we do the annual "see how much we have in the savings bank each child has and let them spend some if they wish" day. My response to BH when we talked about how much we don't want a Guinea Pig I said that I would far rather have another kitten before getting a GP. BH agreed and it was decided that a kitten would be procured for Christmas. We went to the shelter yesterday and found a teeny tiny 6 week old mostly black kitty with a white nose and mouth. Oh is she cute! I could expire from the cuteness. We finished the adoption paperwork today and will pick her up from the vet Thursday afternoon. She will spend the weekend with Grammy and Poppie and we will go get her Monday night after the kiddies are in bed. Can't Wait. #2 loves kitties more than anything and is constantly talking about the cats she will have when she grows up. This child is going to be over the moon. I wish I had a digital video camera so that I could show her reaction. Wait! My camera takes short videos!!! If it goes like I think I will try and post it here. At the very least I will post pictures of our new baby.
Speaking of pictures we are way excited about the gifts we chose for our parents. They are eternally disappointed in our lack of sharing/taking pictures of the children. So this year we got 4 digital photo frames and are loading them up with pictures of the kiddoes. This will be especially nice for my dad who is on the road and away from home from October through June.He gets pretty homesick and we hope this will help him out a little. My mom hopefully will stop harassing me about how she has no new pictures to put up at work. It will be easy now!
We also adopted a family this year. The girls each have a bank that they put a dollar a week from their allowance in to for charitable donations. We have said that we will match any donation they make from their bank. We all decided to use the funds to adopt a family. That delivery happens Saturday and we are very excited about it. I am glad that the kids for a change will get to see directly the recipients of their generosity. Past donations have been to organizations and I think that it is too abstract concept-wise for them to really understand what they are doing.
All in all our house/family has been bursting with Christmas surprises.
As always I am interested in the surprises that others are keeping this season!
Friday, December 14, 2007
A little psychology humor for the holidays
I am not much of one for forwarding the e-mails unless they are the kind that are so funny it makes me laugh so hard that I snort. Those are pretty rare indeed. This one while not laugh-snort inducing does give me a chuckle whenever I see it. You have probably seen it too, but I don't care I am gonna post it any way!
Christmas Carols for the Psychologically Challenged
1.) Schizophrenia---Do You Hear What I Hear, the Voices, the Voices
2.) Amnesia---I Don't Remember If I'll Be Home for Christmas
3.) Narcissistic---Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
4.) Manic---Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and..........
5.) Multiple Personality Disorder---We Three Kings Disoriented Are
6.) Paranoid---Santa Claus is Coming to Get Us
7.) Borderline Personality Disorder---You Better Watch Out, You Better not Shout, I'm Gonna Cry and I'll not Tell You Why
8.) Full Personality Disorder---Thoughts of Roasting You on an Open Fire
9.) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
10.) Agoraphobia---I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day but Wouldn't Leave My House
11.) Senile Dementia---Walking in a Winter Wonderland Mile from My House in My Slippers and Robe
12.) Oppositional Defiant Disorder---I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus so I Burned Down the House
13.) Social Anxiety Disorder---Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate
14.) Attention Deficit Disorder---We Wish You....Hey Look! It's Snowing!!
1.) Schizophrenia---Do You Hear What I Hear, the Voices, the Voices
2.) Amnesia---I Don't Remember If I'll Be Home for Christmas
3.) Narcissistic---Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
4.) Manic---Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and..........
5.) Multiple Personality Disorder---We Three Kings Disoriented Are
6.) Paranoid---Santa Claus is Coming to Get Us
7.) Borderline Personality Disorder---You Better Watch Out, You Better not Shout, I'm Gonna Cry and I'll not Tell You Why
8.) Full Personality Disorder---Thoughts of Roasting You on an Open Fire
9.) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
10.) Agoraphobia---I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day but Wouldn't Leave My House
11.) Senile Dementia---Walking in a Winter Wonderland Mile from My House in My Slippers and Robe
12.) Oppositional Defiant Disorder---I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus so I Burned Down the House
13.) Social Anxiety Disorder---Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate
14.) Attention Deficit Disorder---We Wish You....Hey Look! It's Snowing!!
My personal favorites are 12 and 14. That is likely due to the whole working with emotionally disturbed children thing.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Oh my stars and garters I need your help!
I am a bad Room Mother.
The holiday party is a week away and I am just now sending out requests for help. That sumbitch snuck up on me. I swear to all that is holy I have some kind of calendar reading disorder, because I am forever off by a week when it comes to deadline sorts of things.
Hopefully people will be responsive and this won't end up being a solo gig for me. I have earned my stripes in previous years doing the solo class party and it ain't fun. (Not because of last minute preparation on my part, but because of a lack of parental involvement.)
I think I have mentioned before that this school has a healthy party snack policy, and I just am not coming up with healthy and fun snack ideas this time. There are tons of really cute ideas out there for holiday party snacks, but for the kiddie crowd those tend to be of the cupcake and cookie variety which helps me not at all.
So I am putting out the call for assistance to all you mommies out there. I need healthy and fun holiday party snack ideas STAT!
The holiday party is a week away and I am just now sending out requests for help. That sumbitch snuck up on me. I swear to all that is holy I have some kind of calendar reading disorder, because I am forever off by a week when it comes to deadline sorts of things.
Hopefully people will be responsive and this won't end up being a solo gig for me. I have earned my stripes in previous years doing the solo class party and it ain't fun. (Not because of last minute preparation on my part, but because of a lack of parental involvement.)
I think I have mentioned before that this school has a healthy party snack policy, and I just am not coming up with healthy and fun snack ideas this time. There are tons of really cute ideas out there for holiday party snacks, but for the kiddie crowd those tend to be of the cupcake and cookie variety which helps me not at all.
So I am putting out the call for assistance to all you mommies out there. I need healthy and fun holiday party snack ideas STAT!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
#1 and #2 say, "BE PREPARED!"
We have had one or two power flashes today, which is not surprising given the amount of ice on the power lines and trees.
A short time ago we had a pretty good flash and that sent #1 and #2 into action.
They have prepared a pillowcase filled with things needed if the power should suddenly go out.
The pillowcase includes:
What is left of #1's blankie (literally a few scraps) loving placed in not one but TWO small boxes for safekeeping.
#2's infamous snowbear
Numerous flashlights
#1's 20 questions game
They asked to put snacks in there, but I was able to assure them that we would be able to find the food if the power went out.
Now...they are practicing getting the "power's out sack."
This involves them placing the pillowcase on the edge of our bed, one of them being in another room, yelling "Oh no! Power's Out!" Then they run and grab the bag on the go.
In case you were wondering #1 is an expert in the best way for this to happen and is offering detailed instruction on how #2 needs to 'Gracefully run to grab the bag", as well as helping her with her curve. #2 just assured us that we don't need to worry because she is going to save the world.
Good to know we are in such caring and expert hands.
A short time ago we had a pretty good flash and that sent #1 and #2 into action.
They have prepared a pillowcase filled with things needed if the power should suddenly go out.
The pillowcase includes:
What is left of #1's blankie (literally a few scraps) loving placed in not one but TWO small boxes for safekeeping.
#2's infamous snowbear
Numerous flashlights
#1's 20 questions game
They asked to put snacks in there, but I was able to assure them that we would be able to find the food if the power went out.
Now...they are practicing getting the "power's out sack."
This involves them placing the pillowcase on the edge of our bed, one of them being in another room, yelling "Oh no! Power's Out!" Then they run and grab the bag on the go.
In case you were wondering #1 is an expert in the best way for this to happen and is offering detailed instruction on how #2 needs to 'Gracefully run to grab the bag", as well as helping her with her curve. #2 just assured us that we don't need to worry because she is going to save the world.
Good to know we are in such caring and expert hands.
Views from my front porch
So....we got some ice. Not nearly as bad as it could have been.
Looking down the street
Tree in our front yard
Looking down the street
Tree in our front yardThere is an identical tree next to it on the left that I obviously did not include in this photo. For some reason it does not look quite as pathetic as this one. Those trees always look awful when we get ice like this, but somehow they manage to bounce back once the ice melts.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Clarification
When I said that the skies could open up once I was done traveling this weekend I did not mean that the skies could dump up to an inch of ice. I was really looking for just enough wintry weather to maybe spark a snow day tomorrow...but that much ice we are talking snapped power lines and other assorted serious inconveniences.
Apparently that is what is in the plans beginning tomorrow evening.
I am trying to counteract that statement by being all prepared to hunker down in the even that we do get an inch of ice..groceries bought, flashlights, candles at the ready, replaced the sad tires on the car...
Because if we prepare then it won't happen, or at least it won't be as significant right??
Unless I have just undone what I was trying to counteract by making bold statements about it.
Crap?? How do I fix this??
Quick! I need a chant or sage to burn..something!
I guess at least an inch of ice is not as bad as 52 inches of snow out near Hatchet's neck of the woods!
Apparently that is what is in the plans beginning tomorrow evening.
I am trying to counteract that statement by being all prepared to hunker down in the even that we do get an inch of ice..groceries bought, flashlights, candles at the ready, replaced the sad tires on the car...
Because if we prepare then it won't happen, or at least it won't be as significant right??
Unless I have just undone what I was trying to counteract by making bold statements about it.
Crap?? How do I fix this??
Quick! I need a chant or sage to burn..something!
I guess at least an inch of ice is not as bad as 52 inches of snow out near Hatchet's neck of the woods!
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