ST lost her other front tooth on Monday. I was so proud of her. Why? Because she pulled her own tooth!
ST was so excited when I picked her up at school Monday. She told me that she went to the bathroom and pulled her own tooth. I have to report that she looks adorable sans the 2 big front teeth.
It was funny how quickly that tooth got loose. She went around for days with that snaggly tooth look. I swear that there were times when I thought that tooth was swinging back and forth. That's when I would check it. It was hanging on by a thread but not really so loose as to be moving by itself. DQ's other big tooth is still firmly in place. It is slightly wiggly but I don't think she'll be able to sing, "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth". Despite the fact that one of her teeth is missing DQ's face continues to look like an older girl.
ST has lost more teeth at school than DQ. MI is beginning to get a bit jealous. I saw the look come across her face. MI gets so frustrated because things do happen to her like they happen to her sisters. I really feel for her because she's right. She's not that much younger than her sisters. But a couple of years still makes a difference at this time in their life.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Anti-American Woman
I am not a red blooded American woman. I realized this truth the day after Thanksgiving when I called a couple of women I know that have Pamper Chef contacts. Neither of them were at home. No they were out shopping. They were contributing to the well being of our economy.
Where was I? I was at home doing nothing. I watched some movies with my dear little girls. I let them play computer games on my laptop. I played with my children. I talked with them. I even read a book. I read books to my children, too. My Saturday was much the same. We never left the house once. PF did. Both Friday and Saturday PF got out of the house. He tried to take a child with him but none of them were having it. Sunday we went to Church. I took the girls down to the barn and we played upstairs. We threw balls around. We danced. The girls built themselves a cool house out of these foam mats. Never imagined that as a possibility. Quite frankly I am rather proud of their ingenuity.
Adjective Queen wanted a Thanksgiving story. Well our Thanksgiving was remarkably uneventful. No one got on anyones nerves. OK. DQ was totally pissed off with the Macy's parade. They kept advertising High School Musical. She just knew they were going to do a number from the movie. All they had were Corbin Bleu and Ashley Tisdale singing on floats that had nothing to do with HSM. So there's DQ first lesson as a consumer.
But anyway here's what happened: my sister hosted the dinner. I got at least 10 phone calls leading up to the day. On one phone call she confesses that she has 27 people coming for dinner. So PF and I start counting heads in the family. We only have 21 people in the extend local family. So obviously she's got some guests coming. Knowing that there is a lot on her table I get to her house early to help out. My dear b-i-l, Tex drives me crazy harassing me about knocking the table where the rolls are rising. Tex also attempts to get me pickled early but I resist. And I do not drink anything all evening so perhaps that is why the night was so uneventful.
So I guess you can sum up my Thanksgiving weekend as a boat floating calmly in the waters. I didn't even brave the crush of people out shopping for their Christmas goods. Luckily I am almost done. I got Tex and my niece's husband's name to shop for Christmas presents. Otherwise I'm good to go. Actually it was because I got Tex's name that I discovered that I am not a normal American woman. And yes folks I know that I am never normal.
Where was I? I was at home doing nothing. I watched some movies with my dear little girls. I let them play computer games on my laptop. I played with my children. I talked with them. I even read a book. I read books to my children, too. My Saturday was much the same. We never left the house once. PF did. Both Friday and Saturday PF got out of the house. He tried to take a child with him but none of them were having it. Sunday we went to Church. I took the girls down to the barn and we played upstairs. We threw balls around. We danced. The girls built themselves a cool house out of these foam mats. Never imagined that as a possibility. Quite frankly I am rather proud of their ingenuity.
Adjective Queen wanted a Thanksgiving story. Well our Thanksgiving was remarkably uneventful. No one got on anyones nerves. OK. DQ was totally pissed off with the Macy's parade. They kept advertising High School Musical. She just knew they were going to do a number from the movie. All they had were Corbin Bleu and Ashley Tisdale singing on floats that had nothing to do with HSM. So there's DQ first lesson as a consumer.
But anyway here's what happened: my sister hosted the dinner. I got at least 10 phone calls leading up to the day. On one phone call she confesses that she has 27 people coming for dinner. So PF and I start counting heads in the family. We only have 21 people in the extend local family. So obviously she's got some guests coming. Knowing that there is a lot on her table I get to her house early to help out. My dear b-i-l, Tex drives me crazy harassing me about knocking the table where the rolls are rising. Tex also attempts to get me pickled early but I resist. And I do not drink anything all evening so perhaps that is why the night was so uneventful.
So I guess you can sum up my Thanksgiving weekend as a boat floating calmly in the waters. I didn't even brave the crush of people out shopping for their Christmas goods. Luckily I am almost done. I got Tex and my niece's husband's name to shop for Christmas presents. Otherwise I'm good to go. Actually it was because I got Tex's name that I discovered that I am not a normal American woman. And yes folks I know that I am never normal.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
It's been a while
It's been a while since I've posted anything. Nothing very extraordinary has happened of late. For those that remember DQ's puppy love from last year and would like a report-- it's over. She's found a new love. He is of Asian descent. It was rather cute because I asked her if she still liked the boy down the street. No it was "Matthew". He is Vietnamese but he can't talk Vietnamese. I thought it was rather cute that she felt compelled to report that he doesn't speak the language. DQ goes to Chinese school to learn Chinese every Saturday morning. She is doing very well. As is MI. The teacher reports that MI does very well for being an Anglo child. I laugh because I know that MI thinks she is Chinese. I'm living in dread for when she tells someone who is Chinese that she is Chinese. What are they going to think? I've tried to correct her but she will have none of it. MI believes and knows deep down inside herself that she is Chinese. Go figure.
Anyway, the other bit of news in our life is that ST is anxious about next year. Apparently 3rd graders do not have the same lunch and recess time as the 1st and 2nd graders. ST doesn't want to have DQ go on to 3rd grade because she feels abandoned. ST wants to have her sister with her during the 1st few weeks of school to play with and hang around. ST talks about this everyday know for the last couple of weeks. I am now beginning to wonder if I should call the school counselor to ask for help with this issue. I mean yesterday, ST asked DQ to flunk 2nd grade! So is it time to intervene?
Besides MI thinking she is Chinese MI is looking forward to when she is in school with her sisters. I hope that I can get into the school in time to get her enrolled in the all day kindergarten; otherwise, MI might as well get use to the idea of Catholic school for one more year. Maybe that is something that will help ST out. ST will be a 2nd grader next year and they use the 2nd graders to help the all day kindergarteners figure out how to get back to class after recess. Yep. I definitely need to talk to the school.
Anyway, the other bit of news in our life is that ST is anxious about next year. Apparently 3rd graders do not have the same lunch and recess time as the 1st and 2nd graders. ST doesn't want to have DQ go on to 3rd grade because she feels abandoned. ST wants to have her sister with her during the 1st few weeks of school to play with and hang around. ST talks about this everyday know for the last couple of weeks. I am now beginning to wonder if I should call the school counselor to ask for help with this issue. I mean yesterday, ST asked DQ to flunk 2nd grade! So is it time to intervene?
Besides MI thinking she is Chinese MI is looking forward to when she is in school with her sisters. I hope that I can get into the school in time to get her enrolled in the all day kindergarten; otherwise, MI might as well get use to the idea of Catholic school for one more year. Maybe that is something that will help ST out. ST will be a 2nd grader next year and they use the 2nd graders to help the all day kindergarteners figure out how to get back to class after recess. Yep. I definitely need to talk to the school.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Jesus' kisses
On Sunday as MI dipped her hand into the holy water font she turns to me and asks whether they (the water) are Jesus's kisses.
Gee. I thought that was one of the cutest things in the world. Better than when her two sisters down my supply of holy water like it was some sort of fantastic potable. Not sure how the Church rules on drinking holy water.
That's it. I have nothing else.
Gee. I thought that was one of the cutest things in the world. Better than when her two sisters down my supply of holy water like it was some sort of fantastic potable. Not sure how the Church rules on drinking holy water.
That's it. I have nothing else.
Friday, October 26, 2007
And the drama continues
Last night we went to the library to hear a local children's author speak about his work. DQ asked if she could sit with her friend. I said sure. I then led my little tribe down to the first row so MI could see the screen without a big person in front of her.
Now this man is a very good storyteller beyond being a good author. He was a very engaging speaker. I really didn't want to miss a bit of it. Unfortunately right in the middle of his talk DQ comes up to me. There she was with a bloody mouth. That snaggly front tooth finally was ready to come out. I got up and took her to the bathroom where I pulled the tooth and cleaned her up.
After the talk I went up to DQ and told her how angry I was at her for loosing her tooth. I told her that we had pictures to take on Sunday. I had told her at some point to hang on and not let the tooth fall out until the pictures were taken. Poor thing. I'm either a very good actor or just a regular abusive mother because the poor thing thought I really was angry. I had to assure her that I was only teasing and joking with her.
Now let's fast forward to after we get the kids into bed. PF and I had some words with one another that might be lie the fact that we are truly happily married. I swear he is just as sensitive as I am. I was only reporting what other people thought when they find out we still have a house that we haven't lived in for 3 years. PF then acted all miffed and put-out. He did a real good martyr act. He used phrases like, "I never do anything right. I can't please anyone." Okay. So now you might understand why I got ready for bed as fast as I did. I read myself into drowsiness. I turned the lights off and went to sleep.
Unfortunately the God of sleep thought that I was sleeping too well. Why break a good run with one night of perfect sleep? I was awakened by a knock on the door. ST was out there. She had had a nightmare. I walk her back to her room and lay down with her. Now I am suddenly wide awake because I realize that I haven't put the money under the pillow. I go back to our room and ask PF if he as a dollar. Then I remember my piggy bank in the bathroom. It's where I put all the money I find in the pockets when doing the laundry. I have a perfect dollar. I fold it up and go back to the girls' room.
Now I'm wondering how I will get the dollar under the pillow without ST seeing me doing it. The only way to do it is to wait for her to go to sleep. Seems simple enough in theory. The only problem is ST has programmed herself to awake at the shifting weight of the bed. I lay there in bed worried that I will fall asleep and not do the deed. Then I worry about what I would say to explain the toothfairy failure to show up. Why I'm wondering are we doing this to ourselves. I know the answer is I want my children to have a sense of magic for as long as possible before they turn into the jaded youth of today.
Soon I think I can feel ST relaxing and breathing regularly. I slowly edge away from her. Then I get out of bed. Yep. The little stinker turns to me. She puckers up, and I lean in for a kiss. Then I turn to DQ's bed. I cover her up. Guess what? That stinker wakes and asks me to sleep with her. So I slip into bed. As I make myself comfortable I slip the dollar bill under the pillow. You know I'm wide awake now. So I realize that I can't leave the tooth under the pillow. So I think about what I could tell her about why the toothfairy didn't take it. Of course none of the explanations are going to work. So I dig around and find the nifty little 4H club tooth pillow designed to hold the tooth. I find it but the tooth won't come out peacefully. No it's giving a good fight. Suddenly I become aware that there is movement in the other bed. ST is awake. Now I have no idea whether she realized what I was doing. I hope not.
What an eventful night. This was definitely one of those stories one must preserve. To all of us toothfairies out there, "Good luck and good night."
Now this man is a very good storyteller beyond being a good author. He was a very engaging speaker. I really didn't want to miss a bit of it. Unfortunately right in the middle of his talk DQ comes up to me. There she was with a bloody mouth. That snaggly front tooth finally was ready to come out. I got up and took her to the bathroom where I pulled the tooth and cleaned her up.
After the talk I went up to DQ and told her how angry I was at her for loosing her tooth. I told her that we had pictures to take on Sunday. I had told her at some point to hang on and not let the tooth fall out until the pictures were taken. Poor thing. I'm either a very good actor or just a regular abusive mother because the poor thing thought I really was angry. I had to assure her that I was only teasing and joking with her.
Now let's fast forward to after we get the kids into bed. PF and I had some words with one another that might be lie the fact that we are truly happily married. I swear he is just as sensitive as I am. I was only reporting what other people thought when they find out we still have a house that we haven't lived in for 3 years. PF then acted all miffed and put-out. He did a real good martyr act. He used phrases like, "I never do anything right. I can't please anyone." Okay. So now you might understand why I got ready for bed as fast as I did. I read myself into drowsiness. I turned the lights off and went to sleep.
Unfortunately the God of sleep thought that I was sleeping too well. Why break a good run with one night of perfect sleep? I was awakened by a knock on the door. ST was out there. She had had a nightmare. I walk her back to her room and lay down with her. Now I am suddenly wide awake because I realize that I haven't put the money under the pillow. I go back to our room and ask PF if he as a dollar. Then I remember my piggy bank in the bathroom. It's where I put all the money I find in the pockets when doing the laundry. I have a perfect dollar. I fold it up and go back to the girls' room.
Now I'm wondering how I will get the dollar under the pillow without ST seeing me doing it. The only way to do it is to wait for her to go to sleep. Seems simple enough in theory. The only problem is ST has programmed herself to awake at the shifting weight of the bed. I lay there in bed worried that I will fall asleep and not do the deed. Then I worry about what I would say to explain the toothfairy failure to show up. Why I'm wondering are we doing this to ourselves. I know the answer is I want my children to have a sense of magic for as long as possible before they turn into the jaded youth of today.
Soon I think I can feel ST relaxing and breathing regularly. I slowly edge away from her. Then I get out of bed. Yep. The little stinker turns to me. She puckers up, and I lean in for a kiss. Then I turn to DQ's bed. I cover her up. Guess what? That stinker wakes and asks me to sleep with her. So I slip into bed. As I make myself comfortable I slip the dollar bill under the pillow. You know I'm wide awake now. So I realize that I can't leave the tooth under the pillow. So I think about what I could tell her about why the toothfairy didn't take it. Of course none of the explanations are going to work. So I dig around and find the nifty little 4H club tooth pillow designed to hold the tooth. I find it but the tooth won't come out peacefully. No it's giving a good fight. Suddenly I become aware that there is movement in the other bed. ST is awake. Now I have no idea whether she realized what I was doing. I hope not.
What an eventful night. This was definitely one of those stories one must preserve. To all of us toothfairies out there, "Good luck and good night."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Drama Queen
Oh my gosh folks. Drama Queen is a wreck. I mean it. This morning she spent some time dancing around the kitchen. I had watched her. But then I turned around to stuff the dishwasher. Suddenly I hear this huge loud clunck that reverberated through the whole house.
Drama Queen in all her enthusiasm for the dance must have lost her balance and knocked her head on the door jamb. I knew she had to have the biggest headache. I mean this child is lucky she did not knock herself out with that little stunt.
On my drive to work this morning. I wondered what happened to my graceful little girl. Instead of the beautiful, flowing arm movements DQ slings her arms and her legs around. Inhibition has set in on this child. It makes her stiff. How did this happen? When did she become aware of others. Why? Why is she not graceful anymore? Why do I cringe watching her dance? Now. Now, I must worry about her flinging herself into solid objects. Is she going to be the one who is going to be the walking wounded one?
To top off all this DQ is becoming the most emotional girl in the world. I may run off to a nunnery to survive her coming of age.
Drama Queen in all her enthusiasm for the dance must have lost her balance and knocked her head on the door jamb. I knew she had to have the biggest headache. I mean this child is lucky she did not knock herself out with that little stunt.
On my drive to work this morning. I wondered what happened to my graceful little girl. Instead of the beautiful, flowing arm movements DQ slings her arms and her legs around. Inhibition has set in on this child. It makes her stiff. How did this happen? When did she become aware of others. Why? Why is she not graceful anymore? Why do I cringe watching her dance? Now. Now, I must worry about her flinging herself into solid objects. Is she going to be the one who is going to be the walking wounded one?
To top off all this DQ is becoming the most emotional girl in the world. I may run off to a nunnery to survive her coming of age.
Physical world vs. Cyber world
I've been reading blogs by others in my profession. After this reading I have to say that the thought of dropping out of society seems more attractive than ever. I am a dinosaur. I'm not sure that there is any place for me in this changing world.
I don't want to be plugged in and tuned in. I don't want to have a network of friends that I only interact with through a computer interface.
This makes me think that those people who embrace this "cyber reality" because I just read today that they believe that the cyber world is more real than the physical world, are really being sucked into the beast. For those that don't live in the Bible belt world. The beast is satan. Folks around here believe that those that aren't saved will be marked by the sign of the beast. Years ago I had to suffer hearing about how the UPS symbols on products is the mark of the beast.
I'm a vilifying the Internet? No not really. I'm vilifying the social networking software. I do not have a My Space page; a Face page or any of the multitudes of social networking. This blog comes the closest to this function in my life. I communicate to those I love dearly but am seperated by land. I also have some friends who are in the area that read it. Actual I can only think of 2 that meet that criteria.
Here's my common thread in my blog. People are getting so tied up with these cyber worlds that they are unable to see; interact; function in the physical world. People no longer use their manners. Parents aren't teaching manners. I'm seeing an irony here that I've noted before. How are all these people going to know that the person they were just extremely rude to wasn't the very same person they were "connecting with" just a few minutes ago.
Somehow the nunnery just sounds better and better. Give me peace and quiet. Give me solitude.
I don't want to be plugged in and tuned in. I don't want to have a network of friends that I only interact with through a computer interface.
This makes me think that those people who embrace this "cyber reality" because I just read today that they believe that the cyber world is more real than the physical world, are really being sucked into the beast. For those that don't live in the Bible belt world. The beast is satan. Folks around here believe that those that aren't saved will be marked by the sign of the beast. Years ago I had to suffer hearing about how the UPS symbols on products is the mark of the beast.
I'm a vilifying the Internet? No not really. I'm vilifying the social networking software. I do not have a My Space page; a Face page or any of the multitudes of social networking. This blog comes the closest to this function in my life. I communicate to those I love dearly but am seperated by land. I also have some friends who are in the area that read it. Actual I can only think of 2 that meet that criteria.
Here's my common thread in my blog. People are getting so tied up with these cyber worlds that they are unable to see; interact; function in the physical world. People no longer use their manners. Parents aren't teaching manners. I'm seeing an irony here that I've noted before. How are all these people going to know that the person they were just extremely rude to wasn't the very same person they were "connecting with" just a few minutes ago.
Somehow the nunnery just sounds better and better. Give me peace and quiet. Give me solitude.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Miss Independence
Have I ever mentioned that MI talks with a Jewish accent? I remember when she was going through the babbling stage. MI made a lot of German type sounds. Sounds like iech, shin were her favorites. Perhaps I am the cause of her pronounciation? I always thought it was cute to hear the iech coming from her. So I would iech right back. MI uses a lot of oy's in her speech, too. Turkey sounds like toykey. Thoysty for thirsty.
Well last night we were working thourgh the project bag the preschool sent home with her yesterday. They were shapes. Little plastic shapes that you use to create other shapes. Essentially they are math manipulatives. While we worked MI kept saying, "I need a whombus." We all thought that was pretty cute. Passionfruit asked her where she heard that. Passionfruit explained what whombus meant to DQ and ST.
After a while I get the instructions out of the bag to find out what we need to be doing with these things. That's when I realize that MI wasn't saying whombus. She was saying rhombus. Rhombus is a diamond shape. I don't know if I ever knew that. Anyway, I tell PF that MI is saying rhombus not whombus. We both laugh for a while.
Yesterday evening was a very nice evening. ST and MI were pretty wild but they weren't fighting with one another. We had a really nice time with each other. So we spent our 13th wedding anniversary with our children. It was a nice quiet evening. It was cold and wet outside but it was warm and loving inside our house.
Well last night we were working thourgh the project bag the preschool sent home with her yesterday. They were shapes. Little plastic shapes that you use to create other shapes. Essentially they are math manipulatives. While we worked MI kept saying, "I need a whombus." We all thought that was pretty cute. Passionfruit asked her where she heard that. Passionfruit explained what whombus meant to DQ and ST.
After a while I get the instructions out of the bag to find out what we need to be doing with these things. That's when I realize that MI wasn't saying whombus. She was saying rhombus. Rhombus is a diamond shape. I don't know if I ever knew that. Anyway, I tell PF that MI is saying rhombus not whombus. We both laugh for a while.
Yesterday evening was a very nice evening. ST and MI were pretty wild but they weren't fighting with one another. We had a really nice time with each other. So we spent our 13th wedding anniversary with our children. It was a nice quiet evening. It was cold and wet outside but it was warm and loving inside our house.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Big Undertakings
Last night Passionfruit and I watched a very, very funny movie. Undertaking Betty is it's name. YES! Folks, I remembered the name of the movie! It got us laughing. We laughed so hard and so long. We even ended up remembering the many funny things that happened to us during our life together.
See we were getting ready for bed. We were laughing. We couldn't do some things like take our meds because of the laughter. Brushing our teeth, laughing and trying to talk about the movie got us both thinking about the time when I was brushing my teeth. Passionfruit asked me a question and I tried to answer. Well I don't know how I did it, and I've never been able to reproduce the sound but I made a noise that sounded like Chew Bokah on Star Wars. More laughter. Thus began the reminiscing.
Which of course only led to more laughter. See our first year of marriage was pretty funny. I've talked in the past about how finky Passionfruit can be about somethings. Cleaning the lint tray of the dryer is one of them. I was young and in love. I wanted to be a good wife. So I did my best at cleaning the lint tray and trap. I frequently used rubber scrappers as tongs to get clumps of lint out of the lint trap. One time I lost one down there. My hands were too wide to get down there so I tried getting another scrapper to dig it out. Well finally after loosing that one down the trap I finally managed to get one up to where someone could grab it. Unfortunately I didn't have a third hand. So I started calling for help. Passionfruit did hear me calling for help but he thought I was only using profanity. Yes, folks I swear horribly. I also have a horrible temper. So Passionfruit ignored me. I had to go find him and drag him back into the house to help me.
Here's another appliance story. This one involves the dishwasher and Passionfruit. Our dishwasher at the time was the original appliance from when the house was built back in 1975. This was 1994. Anyway Passionfruit became aware that the dishwasher had been running for hours non stop. So he takes the knob off and sees a wire wrapped around the rod for the knob. Passionfruit then picks up a pair of metal scissors and sticks it into that orifice. I grab a wooden spoon and place it next to him. Passionfruit asks, "What's that for?" I reply, "For when you electrocute yourself." Passionfruit scoffs at me. I turn away. The next thing I hear is a popping sound. I turn to see Passionfruit jumping away and giving a very good imitation of someone with voltage running through his body. I mean he had the shimmy and the shake going. Of course the puff of smoke added to my distress. I just knew my new husband had done himself in this time. I imagined that people would accuse me behind my back of killing my older husband. I was so angry with him. I was so scared.
Then Passionfruit brought up the time when I slid off the bed. I love satin. I was wearing a satin night shirt and I had a satin comforter on our bed. I was young back then and I got cold so very easily. Our bed at the time did not have a foot board. So I crawled across the bed to get another blanket that had fallen on the floor, and that's when it happened I lost my balance and went careening off the bed. All I remember is how fast the floor was coming up to meet my face. Passionfruit's perspective was far more amusing because he said that he saw me go slidding and then the next thing he knew my feet were up in the air.
These are the highlights to our first year of marriage. I know there were several others because back then we had weekly dinners at my parents house. When we would get to the table everyone wanted the newest story from our married life. I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a week we weren't able to give everyone a story. Passionfruit and I love to laugh. We laugh at each other. We laugh with each other. But laughter is so very important to us. Life is too short to be so serious.
See we were getting ready for bed. We were laughing. We couldn't do some things like take our meds because of the laughter. Brushing our teeth, laughing and trying to talk about the movie got us both thinking about the time when I was brushing my teeth. Passionfruit asked me a question and I tried to answer. Well I don't know how I did it, and I've never been able to reproduce the sound but I made a noise that sounded like Chew Bokah on Star Wars. More laughter. Thus began the reminiscing.
Which of course only led to more laughter. See our first year of marriage was pretty funny. I've talked in the past about how finky Passionfruit can be about somethings. Cleaning the lint tray of the dryer is one of them. I was young and in love. I wanted to be a good wife. So I did my best at cleaning the lint tray and trap. I frequently used rubber scrappers as tongs to get clumps of lint out of the lint trap. One time I lost one down there. My hands were too wide to get down there so I tried getting another scrapper to dig it out. Well finally after loosing that one down the trap I finally managed to get one up to where someone could grab it. Unfortunately I didn't have a third hand. So I started calling for help. Passionfruit did hear me calling for help but he thought I was only using profanity. Yes, folks I swear horribly. I also have a horrible temper. So Passionfruit ignored me. I had to go find him and drag him back into the house to help me.
Here's another appliance story. This one involves the dishwasher and Passionfruit. Our dishwasher at the time was the original appliance from when the house was built back in 1975. This was 1994. Anyway Passionfruit became aware that the dishwasher had been running for hours non stop. So he takes the knob off and sees a wire wrapped around the rod for the knob. Passionfruit then picks up a pair of metal scissors and sticks it into that orifice. I grab a wooden spoon and place it next to him. Passionfruit asks, "What's that for?" I reply, "For when you electrocute yourself." Passionfruit scoffs at me. I turn away. The next thing I hear is a popping sound. I turn to see Passionfruit jumping away and giving a very good imitation of someone with voltage running through his body. I mean he had the shimmy and the shake going. Of course the puff of smoke added to my distress. I just knew my new husband had done himself in this time. I imagined that people would accuse me behind my back of killing my older husband. I was so angry with him. I was so scared.
Then Passionfruit brought up the time when I slid off the bed. I love satin. I was wearing a satin night shirt and I had a satin comforter on our bed. I was young back then and I got cold so very easily. Our bed at the time did not have a foot board. So I crawled across the bed to get another blanket that had fallen on the floor, and that's when it happened I lost my balance and went careening off the bed. All I remember is how fast the floor was coming up to meet my face. Passionfruit's perspective was far more amusing because he said that he saw me go slidding and then the next thing he knew my feet were up in the air.
These are the highlights to our first year of marriage. I know there were several others because back then we had weekly dinners at my parents house. When we would get to the table everyone wanted the newest story from our married life. I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a week we weren't able to give everyone a story. Passionfruit and I love to laugh. We laugh at each other. We laugh with each other. But laughter is so very important to us. Life is too short to be so serious.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Driving home
Last week I went to a conference. It was in Little Rock. I got to drive there. Of course driving is one of those times that I get to think. What I thought about the other day was-- how Passionfruit has held me in his arms in two different occassions. It's funny that they were both linked to my father. The first time was before we were even dating. My father was lying in a hospital bed. He was recovering from surgery. We were expecting cancer as diagnosis.
Anyway my mother sent me off to contra. Passionfruit saw me and asked me where had I been all these many monthes. I told him that my father had major surgery and a bleeding ulcer over the last 3 months. Passionfruit put his arms around me. I remember how his chest seemed to be large. I snuggled in and enjoyed the warmth and support he offered me. We started going out within a couple of monthes after that.
Then we need to fast forward by 10 years. We are in Jamaica. We are celebrating the wedding of his nephew. My father had just died 2 monthes before we went to the wedding.At the time there was a song that talked about how a father died and how he wished his parents could have had one last dance together. My parents had met at a community dance hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While Passionfruit and I were dancing that song came on and I broke into tears once again. Once again Passionfruit's chest seemed so large and strong as he held me.
Passionfruit is not a large man. He is short and slender. Passionfruit is not by any means a buff kinda guy. Where he has some nice muscles are in his legs. But he doesn't work that upper body. But you know he is a strong man. My man has always fought for me. Let me correct that. Passionfruit has always fought for me when I am right. When I am running half cocked and wrong he finds a gentle way to bring me back into the reality of the situation. I thank God for this wonderful man. To have and to hold... I love those words in the marriage ceremony. By his touch my husband can give me so much-- so much strength; so much love; so much compassion; so much empathy; so much comfort. Yes, dear Lord you have truely blessed me. Thank you.
Anyway my mother sent me off to contra. Passionfruit saw me and asked me where had I been all these many monthes. I told him that my father had major surgery and a bleeding ulcer over the last 3 months. Passionfruit put his arms around me. I remember how his chest seemed to be large. I snuggled in and enjoyed the warmth and support he offered me. We started going out within a couple of monthes after that.
Then we need to fast forward by 10 years. We are in Jamaica. We are celebrating the wedding of his nephew. My father had just died 2 monthes before we went to the wedding.At the time there was a song that talked about how a father died and how he wished his parents could have had one last dance together. My parents had met at a community dance hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While Passionfruit and I were dancing that song came on and I broke into tears once again. Once again Passionfruit's chest seemed so large and strong as he held me.
Passionfruit is not a large man. He is short and slender. Passionfruit is not by any means a buff kinda guy. Where he has some nice muscles are in his legs. But he doesn't work that upper body. But you know he is a strong man. My man has always fought for me. Let me correct that. Passionfruit has always fought for me when I am right. When I am running half cocked and wrong he finds a gentle way to bring me back into the reality of the situation. I thank God for this wonderful man. To have and to hold... I love those words in the marriage ceremony. By his touch my husband can give me so much-- so much strength; so much love; so much compassion; so much empathy; so much comfort. Yes, dear Lord you have truely blessed me. Thank you.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Our wiggly ways
The other night we ate dinner. Of course, we eat dinner every night. What was singular in this ordinary event is our two oldest daughters.
After the meal was mostly consumed DQ and ST sat wiggling their upper front teeth. Each of them have a loose front tooth. They are the exact opposite of the other. DQ's is so loose that the tooth is just hanging on by a thread. It's really gross to look at her. It gives her a really odd look to that tooth. I mean it's literally slanted. ST's tooth isn't quite so loose. But I suspect ST will lose her tooth first since she tends to be far more active than DQ. ST has reported that it hurts to brush her teeth so I'm guessing she doesn't do much tooth brushing.
Yesterday ST reported that she spent the recess period sitting under a tree wiggling her tooth. DQ doesn't seem quite that pre-occupied with her tooth. I really, really can't wait for her to loose that tooth. Of course once they loose one it makes the other unstable and it generally falls out pretty quickly; or so the dentist says. I wonder if this Christmas DQ and ST will sing "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth."?
After the meal was mostly consumed DQ and ST sat wiggling their upper front teeth. Each of them have a loose front tooth. They are the exact opposite of the other. DQ's is so loose that the tooth is just hanging on by a thread. It's really gross to look at her. It gives her a really odd look to that tooth. I mean it's literally slanted. ST's tooth isn't quite so loose. But I suspect ST will lose her tooth first since she tends to be far more active than DQ. ST has reported that it hurts to brush her teeth so I'm guessing she doesn't do much tooth brushing.
Yesterday ST reported that she spent the recess period sitting under a tree wiggling her tooth. DQ doesn't seem quite that pre-occupied with her tooth. I really, really can't wait for her to loose that tooth. Of course once they loose one it makes the other unstable and it generally falls out pretty quickly; or so the dentist says. I wonder if this Christmas DQ and ST will sing "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth."?
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Fremont St. Rules
I celebrated my birthday Sunday. It was a good birthday. The kids were well behaved and excited about the party. My family came over for a lunch party. I received several cards with cats on them. One of my sisters couldn't resist. I hate cats for those that don't know. Plus we recently had a cat volunteer to be our pet. I finally took it to the pound. I co-worker made me feel better; she said, "That way the owners can be reunited with the kitten." I no longer feel guilty about doing that.
We ate so late in the afternoon that by 6:00PM I wasn't hungry and I had to force myself to fix a dinner for the kids. DQ and I played UNO together. We started out with MI and ST but they quickly lost interest. Actually MI wanted to play the game her way.
Which leads me to last night. MI came home with homework. It's a game. After dinner MI and ST were playing it. Passionfruit, DQ and I were still eating. We over heard MI saying that they were cheating at the game. She said this with pride. I told her she wasn't cheating; she was playing by Fremont St. rules (this is the street my father grew up on and their rules never remained the same and always changed to benefit the players in possession of the ball.) MI turned and told me she was too cheating. So I left it at that since MI was getting upset. I think my father would have loved it.
We ate so late in the afternoon that by 6:00PM I wasn't hungry and I had to force myself to fix a dinner for the kids. DQ and I played UNO together. We started out with MI and ST but they quickly lost interest. Actually MI wanted to play the game her way.
Which leads me to last night. MI came home with homework. It's a game. After dinner MI and ST were playing it. Passionfruit, DQ and I were still eating. We over heard MI saying that they were cheating at the game. She said this with pride. I told her she wasn't cheating; she was playing by Fremont St. rules (this is the street my father grew up on and their rules never remained the same and always changed to benefit the players in possession of the ball.) MI turned and told me she was too cheating. So I left it at that since MI was getting upset. I think my father would have loved it.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Mother Mary help us!
This week my co-commuter no longer commutes with me. MI now goes to what she called, “real school”. Today it’s hit me hard. I was all alone in my drive to work. I never realized how empty the mini van can feel. I was lonely.
Even though MI didn’t talk much while we drove over to the college, she was a presence there. Every once in a while she would have something to say, and the most amazing part was it was frequently something very profound. MI is an observant child so she frequently pointed out the new things in the landscape. New inflatable promotion creatures along the interstate car lots, fire trucks and police cars, were among the many things she would see and point out to me. Sometimes she had an idea that would blow you away that a small child could come up with these ideas. Like my dad being dead and being with God.
Wondering why MI is no longer driving to the college with me? Well it all started with a phone call. I called up the grandma, who’s raising her grandson, who’s MI’s bestest buddy. I asked her how kindergarten was going for Austin. Grandma said he was doing just fine but. Here’s that big word BUT. The child development lab did not prepare Austin for the rigors of kindergarten. This has been my worry now for several months that MI isn’t getting prepared for school.
Now the lab is wonderful. And I know their philosophy is in line with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They are accredited by this organization; however, this organization doesn’t believe small children should be in desks learning yet. They don’t believe in worksheets for young children. Here’s the problem: the public schools expect children to be able to write letters and identify letters and numbers before entering kindergarten. So there is the problem. The NAEYC is not keeping up with the expectations of the schools. They are great for the toddlers and young preschoolers but once their in the 4 to 5 age range they need to be sitting at a desk for 1 hour at least; learning their letters and numbers.
MI was longing for that situation. She was ready to sit and learn. That’s what she wanted to do. Her first day of school I could barely contain her. Once we crossed that road she was running like a gazelle to the school. Her second day was evening cuter. MI didn’t want me walking her to class. She wanted to walk to her class by herself.
Where do I have this sweet little girl? Well it’s a Catholic school. She has to wear a uniform. She looks adorable by the way. So far MI seems really into the uniform thing. I drive MI to school first. Her school starts at 8:20 and gets out at 3:15. Then I drive the older girls to school. My mother is picking up MI for me. Things really have worked out well. So pray for us that this is a good move for her. I think it is.
Even though MI didn’t talk much while we drove over to the college, she was a presence there. Every once in a while she would have something to say, and the most amazing part was it was frequently something very profound. MI is an observant child so she frequently pointed out the new things in the landscape. New inflatable promotion creatures along the interstate car lots, fire trucks and police cars, were among the many things she would see and point out to me. Sometimes she had an idea that would blow you away that a small child could come up with these ideas. Like my dad being dead and being with God.
Wondering why MI is no longer driving to the college with me? Well it all started with a phone call. I called up the grandma, who’s raising her grandson, who’s MI’s bestest buddy. I asked her how kindergarten was going for Austin. Grandma said he was doing just fine but. Here’s that big word BUT. The child development lab did not prepare Austin for the rigors of kindergarten. This has been my worry now for several months that MI isn’t getting prepared for school.
Now the lab is wonderful. And I know their philosophy is in line with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They are accredited by this organization; however, this organization doesn’t believe small children should be in desks learning yet. They don’t believe in worksheets for young children. Here’s the problem: the public schools expect children to be able to write letters and identify letters and numbers before entering kindergarten. So there is the problem. The NAEYC is not keeping up with the expectations of the schools. They are great for the toddlers and young preschoolers but once their in the 4 to 5 age range they need to be sitting at a desk for 1 hour at least; learning their letters and numbers.
MI was longing for that situation. She was ready to sit and learn. That’s what she wanted to do. Her first day of school I could barely contain her. Once we crossed that road she was running like a gazelle to the school. Her second day was evening cuter. MI didn’t want me walking her to class. She wanted to walk to her class by herself.
Where do I have this sweet little girl? Well it’s a Catholic school. She has to wear a uniform. She looks adorable by the way. So far MI seems really into the uniform thing. I drive MI to school first. Her school starts at 8:20 and gets out at 3:15. Then I drive the older girls to school. My mother is picking up MI for me. Things really have worked out well. So pray for us that this is a good move for her. I think it is.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
I am a rhinoceros
My house is a major user of electricity. My husband and children leave the lights on in the house. They will leave a room and leave the lights on in the vacated room. This drives me crazy! Perhaps because I come from a home where we were severly reprimanded for the above infraction.
Thursday night I came home to find the house lit up like a Christmas tree. So I announced that I have a new campaign. Of course this led to explaining what campaign means but that is besides the point. The point is my conservationist husband refuses to conserve energy. Electricity in particular. He leaves lights on in the garage. I wake up the next morning-- wandering out to the garage and low and behold the light is still on! IT'S BEEN ON ALL NIGHT! GRRRRRRRRRRRR! This is not a one time occurance it is a habit of his.
Does anyone remember the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy"? There is a scene in it where a rhinoceros runs into the camp and stomps the fire out. Well that is how I feel. I'm the lone rhinoceros running through the house turning off the lights. Well if you click on the link scroll down to the bottom of the entry. I have joined the ranks of legendary stuff. I will continue to wage my war against lights using up the electricity. And I will continue to think of rhinoceros everytime I turn out the light or make a child turn out the light.
Thursday night I came home to find the house lit up like a Christmas tree. So I announced that I have a new campaign. Of course this led to explaining what campaign means but that is besides the point. The point is my conservationist husband refuses to conserve energy. Electricity in particular. He leaves lights on in the garage. I wake up the next morning-- wandering out to the garage and low and behold the light is still on! IT'S BEEN ON ALL NIGHT! GRRRRRRRRRRRR! This is not a one time occurance it is a habit of his.
Does anyone remember the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy"? There is a scene in it where a rhinoceros runs into the camp and stomps the fire out. Well that is how I feel. I'm the lone rhinoceros running through the house turning off the lights. Well if you click on the link scroll down to the bottom of the entry. I have joined the ranks of legendary stuff. I will continue to wage my war against lights using up the electricity. And I will continue to think of rhinoceros everytime I turn out the light or make a child turn out the light.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Morphing Mom
Tuesday my children's school celebrated Grandparents Day. Passionfruit calls it a contrived holiday by Hallmark; however, if you follow the link you will see that Grandparents Day got started by the very state Passionfruit lived in for several years-- West Virginia. But this is besides the point, it's what happened at the school.
Everyone must know by now that I simply can't stand gushing mothers who think their child is the most talented, wonderful thing God created. You all know of at least 2 women who fit this description. They tend to squeal a lot. They tend to be groomed to immaculate Barbie images. They probably only went to college to find a rich (or potentially rich) hubby to support their superficial hobbies (themselves!).
Well I hate to report that I morphed into one of these chicks sans the grooming. It all started when we were finally able to get into the cafeteria. ST led me into there to get herself some cookies. To get to the table you had to pass the wall with these really nice portraits displayed. ST pointed out that one of those was hers. I said, "Oh really? Which one?" She ran up to this really nice drawing with a nice color wash. "That's yours?" She pointed out where she signed her name. Another mother with her children were standing near it. She said that it was good, and she asked ST whether it was her mommy. I saw little ST's face. Now she's worried because she doesn't want to hurt my feelings. I pipe up with, "NO. It looks like the Mona Lisa, to me." ST breaks into a huge smile, and replies, "Yes, that's who it is."
Now I'm totally floored because I study all the other pictures. They look like 6 year olds drew them but ST's looks more like 12 or 13 year old drawing. I'm dazed, and amazed. I do want to point out that one of them looks like a Picasso study of the Mona Lisa which is pretty cool but still pretty immature looking.
Here, is where I must tell on myself. At this point I turn around and find the art teacher not too far away. I walk up to her and ask her, "Is it just me? or is my daughter really talented?" BING! I have now morphed into that kind of MOM. I mean what is the teacher going to say, "No, Mrs. T. your daughter sucks big time."? I can't believe I put the teacher in such an awkward position. She was nice and charming and told me "Yes, she is and I push her to do more than the other children." Maybe it's true but I feel like a heel for morphing. So, yes Adj. Queen, I'm that lone parent clapping maniacally for my special pumpkin.
Everyone must know by now that I simply can't stand gushing mothers who think their child is the most talented, wonderful thing God created. You all know of at least 2 women who fit this description. They tend to squeal a lot. They tend to be groomed to immaculate Barbie images. They probably only went to college to find a rich (or potentially rich) hubby to support their superficial hobbies (themselves!).
Well I hate to report that I morphed into one of these chicks sans the grooming. It all started when we were finally able to get into the cafeteria. ST led me into there to get herself some cookies. To get to the table you had to pass the wall with these really nice portraits displayed. ST pointed out that one of those was hers. I said, "Oh really? Which one?" She ran up to this really nice drawing with a nice color wash. "That's yours?" She pointed out where she signed her name. Another mother with her children were standing near it. She said that it was good, and she asked ST whether it was her mommy. I saw little ST's face. Now she's worried because she doesn't want to hurt my feelings. I pipe up with, "NO. It looks like the Mona Lisa, to me." ST breaks into a huge smile, and replies, "Yes, that's who it is."
Now I'm totally floored because I study all the other pictures. They look like 6 year olds drew them but ST's looks more like 12 or 13 year old drawing. I'm dazed, and amazed. I do want to point out that one of them looks like a Picasso study of the Mona Lisa which is pretty cool but still pretty immature looking.
Here, is where I must tell on myself. At this point I turn around and find the art teacher not too far away. I walk up to her and ask her, "Is it just me? or is my daughter really talented?" BING! I have now morphed into that kind of MOM. I mean what is the teacher going to say, "No, Mrs. T. your daughter sucks big time."? I can't believe I put the teacher in such an awkward position. She was nice and charming and told me "Yes, she is and I push her to do more than the other children." Maybe it's true but I feel like a heel for morphing. So, yes Adj. Queen, I'm that lone parent clapping maniacally for my special pumpkin.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My Big Accomplishment
Well, I spent my Saturday cleaning out the garage and doing laundry. My goal was to get those 2 things completed. If anyone really knows Passionfruit and I, we are pack rats. Even though we are both pack rats Passionfruit and I differ. Passionfruit has a problem with decision making. He believes that if he gets rid of something that he might need it 2 months later. Let me describe the normal things that Passionfruit finds difficult to throw away-- it's anything! A piece of string becomes invaluable because you just might need to tight something up in the next, oh I don't know, 20 years. Take last night I found some sort of plastic thing. It was quite obiviously broken. I threw it away. I did this right in front of Passionfruit. Passionfruit reaches in and takes it out. Examines it and puts it back where I found it. I picked it up and threw in the trash again. Passionfruit takes it out of the trash again and starts to lecture me because it could possibly belong to something. And then he went on and talked about how we will find whatever it is that it belongs to. I mentioned that it was BROKEN. That didn't seem to matter. So there it sits in my bathroom waiting for the future reunion, that most likely won't happen.
Back to the garage-- Saturday was the first day of Chinese school DQ and MI go to Chinese school. Passionfruit takes them, and he takes a class, too. So I was going to be alone with ST. I get to work at 8:00 AM. ST assists me from time to time but I'm pretty much going it alone. I start on the North wall first. It's the easiest wall. It had been cleaned before. Then I progressed to the East wall. Again, there is not as much there as the South bay. Much of it is the bikes and the wagon for the kids. I get these two sections done. I feel really, really good about all of this. I mean the garage looks really, really good.
Now I'm hungry. So I break for lunch and some laundry folding. I cool down. Take a bathroom break. Drink lots and lots of water, water in a glass with ice cubes. I get a call from Passionfruit asking whether or not to take the kids he has to lunch. I say, "SURE!" I'm thinking, "Great! Now I have more time to work without the meddling hubby!"
So I scurry back into the garage and start working on the most difficult part of the garage: the South bay. By the way it's a 3 car garage. As I work I discover that most of the stuff is empty boxes. I find boxes of clothes that I meant to give away to some sort of charity. I have a couple of boxes of kids shoes, too. Some of them have never been worn. Other shoes have very little wear and tear. I'm looking at all this stuff wondering what to do with it.
Then I remember that the Faculty Association is having a garage sale soon. So I'm going to donate all these boxes of stuff to that. I'm even giving my big old limo stroller away (seats 2 kids). I do have some trepidation about giving all this stuff away. It's my talisman against getting pregnant. This morning while I was packing up the baby bumper; comforter, sheets; crib skirt, and the mobile, I thought about having another baby. Well I decided that it shouldn't matter because if I do get pregnant then I deserve another baby shower. After all, I've waited 5+ years before getting pregnant again. Plus it would be my luck to have a boy this time.
While I'm working away up drives Passionfruit. I can see his face. It reminds me of the pictures of soldiers suffering from shell shock. The kids hop out and act normallly. They're pretty interested in the activity too because I've unearthed alot of their toys they haven't seen for several months to years. I'm already for the ensuing fight. I'm ready to demonstrate that I have my recycling piles all organized. Finally Passionfruit steps out of the car. He walks right past me in what can only be described as a hurried pace. What's going on? I ask DQ where's your dad going? DQ says that he is going in to watch the football game. BINGO! I've strucked gold once again. Passionfruit must watch the games for the schools he's attended. I continue to work away.
At one point Passionfruit comes out to the garage. He asks where he can help? I tell him he can go watch his football game. Passionfruit tells me that it is half-time. BUMMER! I think. Okay. So I set him to working. I'm amazed he's not pitching a fit. Okay! Is this the invasion of the body snatchers? The hours continue to wear on.
Somewhere along the way Passionfruit suggests that it is dinner time. I tell him, "NO! I've got to keep going." So I work until 8PM. It's been 12 hours. I'm filthy, grimy and sweaty. But I feel so good. I got the garage cleaned out. I realize that this is the first time over 12 years of marriage that I've cleaned out a garage. It's the first time in 3 years to clean out this particular garage. I didn't realize that this garage is so large. It's great. It's huge. It's wonderful to walk into it with bare feet. I feel so successful I'm ready to get to work on my bedroom. Really cleaning out the garage was the first step in cleaning my bedroom. Once my bedroom is done I'm planning to go to town on the study that Passionfruit occupies. Of course I know that that won't be easy, and Passionfruit will behave very territorial. I think a fight might ensue because he'll feel threatened. But that won't be for a while yet.
Later that night I asked Passionfruit how he felt about the garage. He said he was really proud of what we accomplished. He did tell me that when he drove up he could tell that I was in my "get it done mode". I don't think Passionfruit ever, has a get it done mode. He has more of a "ponder it mode". I always laugh at him when he talks about his sister having an inertia problem. To me it seems to effect him, too. I would never say this to him but I think it's pretty true. I don't know about his sister. Actually I think she's more like me. She'd rather read a good book than do house work. No shame there really. We just aren't the neat freak type.
Back to the garage-- Saturday was the first day of Chinese school DQ and MI go to Chinese school. Passionfruit takes them, and he takes a class, too. So I was going to be alone with ST. I get to work at 8:00 AM. ST assists me from time to time but I'm pretty much going it alone. I start on the North wall first. It's the easiest wall. It had been cleaned before. Then I progressed to the East wall. Again, there is not as much there as the South bay. Much of it is the bikes and the wagon for the kids. I get these two sections done. I feel really, really good about all of this. I mean the garage looks really, really good.
Now I'm hungry. So I break for lunch and some laundry folding. I cool down. Take a bathroom break. Drink lots and lots of water, water in a glass with ice cubes. I get a call from Passionfruit asking whether or not to take the kids he has to lunch. I say, "SURE!" I'm thinking, "Great! Now I have more time to work without the meddling hubby!"
So I scurry back into the garage and start working on the most difficult part of the garage: the South bay. By the way it's a 3 car garage. As I work I discover that most of the stuff is empty boxes. I find boxes of clothes that I meant to give away to some sort of charity. I have a couple of boxes of kids shoes, too. Some of them have never been worn. Other shoes have very little wear and tear. I'm looking at all this stuff wondering what to do with it.
Then I remember that the Faculty Association is having a garage sale soon. So I'm going to donate all these boxes of stuff to that. I'm even giving my big old limo stroller away (seats 2 kids). I do have some trepidation about giving all this stuff away. It's my talisman against getting pregnant. This morning while I was packing up the baby bumper; comforter, sheets; crib skirt, and the mobile, I thought about having another baby. Well I decided that it shouldn't matter because if I do get pregnant then I deserve another baby shower. After all, I've waited 5+ years before getting pregnant again. Plus it would be my luck to have a boy this time.
While I'm working away up drives Passionfruit. I can see his face. It reminds me of the pictures of soldiers suffering from shell shock. The kids hop out and act normallly. They're pretty interested in the activity too because I've unearthed alot of their toys they haven't seen for several months to years. I'm already for the ensuing fight. I'm ready to demonstrate that I have my recycling piles all organized. Finally Passionfruit steps out of the car. He walks right past me in what can only be described as a hurried pace. What's going on? I ask DQ where's your dad going? DQ says that he is going in to watch the football game. BINGO! I've strucked gold once again. Passionfruit must watch the games for the schools he's attended. I continue to work away.
At one point Passionfruit comes out to the garage. He asks where he can help? I tell him he can go watch his football game. Passionfruit tells me that it is half-time. BUMMER! I think. Okay. So I set him to working. I'm amazed he's not pitching a fit. Okay! Is this the invasion of the body snatchers? The hours continue to wear on.
Somewhere along the way Passionfruit suggests that it is dinner time. I tell him, "NO! I've got to keep going." So I work until 8PM. It's been 12 hours. I'm filthy, grimy and sweaty. But I feel so good. I got the garage cleaned out. I realize that this is the first time over 12 years of marriage that I've cleaned out a garage. It's the first time in 3 years to clean out this particular garage. I didn't realize that this garage is so large. It's great. It's huge. It's wonderful to walk into it with bare feet. I feel so successful I'm ready to get to work on my bedroom. Really cleaning out the garage was the first step in cleaning my bedroom. Once my bedroom is done I'm planning to go to town on the study that Passionfruit occupies. Of course I know that that won't be easy, and Passionfruit will behave very territorial. I think a fight might ensue because he'll feel threatened. But that won't be for a while yet.
Later that night I asked Passionfruit how he felt about the garage. He said he was really proud of what we accomplished. He did tell me that when he drove up he could tell that I was in my "get it done mode". I don't think Passionfruit ever, has a get it done mode. He has more of a "ponder it mode". I always laugh at him when he talks about his sister having an inertia problem. To me it seems to effect him, too. I would never say this to him but I think it's pretty true. I don't know about his sister. Actually I think she's more like me. She'd rather read a good book than do house work. No shame there really. We just aren't the neat freak type.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Terrifying Tuesday
My Tuesday went well. Things were rocking along. My mom and I had come up with a plan for the new school year. I mean... who was going to take whom where. With 3 kids I can't be everywhere at one time and the girls activities have a couple that are at the same time in 2 different places.
I went and picked-up MI from preschool. When I get back in the car my cell is ringing. I answer... my first reaction was not to since it was an 800 number. I remember muttering in my brain about damn telemarketers. It was not a telemarketer. It was a person from our home security system. We still have 2 houses. The operator told me that there was a medical emergency out at the lake house. I then immediately hung up. I cold knot of dread developing in my chest. I made a point not to freak out. I call Passionfruit's cell phone. No answer. I call his work phone. No answer. Okay. I lost it for about half a second. I start praying frantically. MI's in the back saying, "Daddy's dead. Daddy's dead." It was kind of weird for the child was so matter fact about that. I calm down immediately. I explain to the girls that we have no information and that we can't jump to conclusions. I told them that it could have been anyone out there. I mean the house is up for sale people go in out showing the house all the time. It could even be a friend that we hire as a handy-man. (He sometimes drinks; and he has fallen from the roof before.)
So I'm racking my brains trying to think how I can find out what's going on out at the lake. I don't want to take the kids out there if something really ugly is going down. My first fear was Passionfruit was having a heartattack. Then I remembered that real estate agents are often victims of violent crimes. So I didn't want to take the kids out to where there might be blood and gore. I continue with the plan. Tuesdays is gymnastics for ST and MI. DQ goes to tap at the same time. My mom had DQ. I call mom to let her know that I want to switch out cars with her, and that she needs to pick-up all the kids. Then I call my sister, I Don't Get Mad; I Get Even, if anyone can found out something it's her. I asked her to find a number for someone/anyone in Passionfruit's office. When I Don't Get Mad calls back she tells me that the call was in reference to a one Jim Jones. BINGO! It's our friend! It's not my husband! IDGM tells me that she called the police and they told her it was Jim Jones and that he was taken to the local hospital. She then had called the local hospital only to find out that Jim Jones was released. Here's the confusing fact both the hospital and police said that it had been hours ago.
Next phone call I make is to Jim. He answers his cell. "Hey dude! What's up?" He replies that it's been a shitty day. I told him to tell me about it. He asks where do you want me start? I said, "How about the release from the hospital."
"Hospital?"
"Yeah, the hospital."
"I haven't been to any hospital today", says Friend Jim.
"You haven't?"
"No."
"Okay, tell me about your day from where the firemen showed up."
"Hey! That was really cool! They showed up in 5 minutes. You know I'm pretty sure I punched in the code correctly. Next thing I know the alarm's going off. I talked to the monitoring center. Told 'em who I was and what I was doing out here but they still sents the firemen. And you know what they were all pretty fat (firemen)."
"Really. Normally that towns firemen are pretty buff and cute, too boot."
"You should let potential buyers know how quick the response for the firemen was. It would be a great selling point."
By the end of that conversation I realize that my mom is probably freaking out. I didn't tell her any of my fears but I still hadn't shown up to switch out cars. I go into the gymnastics joint. I find a mother with a daughter about the age of my MI. I ask her if she's going to the same class. They are. I tell her that I'm really not a bad mommy and I don't normally dump my kids with total strangers, but would you mind keeping an eye on my child while I drive off to tell my mom that my husband isn't mortally wound/sick? She said sure. I drive off and find my mom. I tell her everything that happened.
I just wanted to share this rather heart stopping; heart palpitating experience.
I went and picked-up MI from preschool. When I get back in the car my cell is ringing. I answer... my first reaction was not to since it was an 800 number. I remember muttering in my brain about damn telemarketers. It was not a telemarketer. It was a person from our home security system. We still have 2 houses. The operator told me that there was a medical emergency out at the lake house. I then immediately hung up. I cold knot of dread developing in my chest. I made a point not to freak out. I call Passionfruit's cell phone. No answer. I call his work phone. No answer. Okay. I lost it for about half a second. I start praying frantically. MI's in the back saying, "Daddy's dead. Daddy's dead." It was kind of weird for the child was so matter fact about that. I calm down immediately. I explain to the girls that we have no information and that we can't jump to conclusions. I told them that it could have been anyone out there. I mean the house is up for sale people go in out showing the house all the time. It could even be a friend that we hire as a handy-man. (He sometimes drinks; and he has fallen from the roof before.)
So I'm racking my brains trying to think how I can find out what's going on out at the lake. I don't want to take the kids out there if something really ugly is going down. My first fear was Passionfruit was having a heartattack. Then I remembered that real estate agents are often victims of violent crimes. So I didn't want to take the kids out to where there might be blood and gore. I continue with the plan. Tuesdays is gymnastics for ST and MI. DQ goes to tap at the same time. My mom had DQ. I call mom to let her know that I want to switch out cars with her, and that she needs to pick-up all the kids. Then I call my sister, I Don't Get Mad; I Get Even, if anyone can found out something it's her. I asked her to find a number for someone/anyone in Passionfruit's office. When I Don't Get Mad calls back she tells me that the call was in reference to a one Jim Jones. BINGO! It's our friend! It's not my husband! IDGM tells me that she called the police and they told her it was Jim Jones and that he was taken to the local hospital. She then had called the local hospital only to find out that Jim Jones was released. Here's the confusing fact both the hospital and police said that it had been hours ago.
Next phone call I make is to Jim. He answers his cell. "Hey dude! What's up?" He replies that it's been a shitty day. I told him to tell me about it. He asks where do you want me start? I said, "How about the release from the hospital."
"Hospital?"
"Yeah, the hospital."
"I haven't been to any hospital today", says Friend Jim.
"You haven't?"
"No."
"Okay, tell me about your day from where the firemen showed up."
"Hey! That was really cool! They showed up in 5 minutes. You know I'm pretty sure I punched in the code correctly. Next thing I know the alarm's going off. I talked to the monitoring center. Told 'em who I was and what I was doing out here but they still sents the firemen. And you know what they were all pretty fat (firemen)."
"Really. Normally that towns firemen are pretty buff and cute, too boot."
"You should let potential buyers know how quick the response for the firemen was. It would be a great selling point."
By the end of that conversation I realize that my mom is probably freaking out. I didn't tell her any of my fears but I still hadn't shown up to switch out cars. I go into the gymnastics joint. I find a mother with a daughter about the age of my MI. I ask her if she's going to the same class. They are. I tell her that I'm really not a bad mommy and I don't normally dump my kids with total strangers, but would you mind keeping an eye on my child while I drive off to tell my mom that my husband isn't mortally wound/sick? She said sure. I drive off and find my mom. I tell her everything that happened.
I just wanted to share this rather heart stopping; heart palpitating experience.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Quickie
For those of you who are more interested in my girls activities than my rants I'll provide you with a few quick happenings. The other day when we were heading out to the neighborhood pool I discovered how the girls have been opening up the garage door. I thought that they were pulling something up and climbing to get to the button; however, this is not the case-- instead they pick up the mop standing next to the button and press the end to the button. My! Don't I have some clever girls!
Saturday I took the girls to a local department store. We were looking for bathing suits. I know it is not the season; however, I was hoping to find a good sale. Indeed I did, unfortunately, the rack was pretty much picked clean. DQ was hoping I would break down and buy her a bicini. I do not believe little girls should were such things. I did consider a tankini at one point but realized that it would be very easy to end up slipping down that slippery slope towards caving into everything.
Anyway, I lost ST and MI. I ran through the store with DQ at my side. I really was getting anxious. I made two laps around the area I thought they would be. Finally after starting the third lap ST and MI came running up to me. They each had a bathing suit on and were carrying their clothes. When I got them back to the dressing room we discovered that MI had lost her shirt. I again made a couple of laps around the area where we had been shopping looking for the lost shirt. In the past I've learned that these things are gone. So I didn't make a great attempt at searching. I found a sale rack and found her a top for $3. It's cute and she liked.
After we got through the cashier line we went to the car and dropped the stuff off. We then went over to the "river" walk. We saw 2 school of fish and several turtles. One of those turtles were massive. His head was a good 12in. long. I never did see the rest of him. But I don't think I'll go swimming in that creek bed anytime soon.
DQ is giving me a complex. I can't look at her without her saying, "What!??" She claims that I look at her and make faces. She says she thinks she's in trouble. Finally tonight I asked her was there ever a time when she didn't know that she was in trouble with me. I'm wondering where she picked up this little behavior. Which older girl at school does this.
I've been volunteering at their school every Thursday. This has caused some strife with the PTA chicks. The treasurer says that I need to join the PTA because volunteering at the school is a PTA activity. I don't see it that way. I don't care to join their little sorority. Been there done that and didn't like their attitude. So I continue to boycott the PTA and volunteer to boot. DQ and ST love it because they have to come to the media center to get me. I am usual so engrossed in my projects at the media center that I don't pay any attention to the time and must be reminded that the end of school has happened. DQ will rush in asking if she can help. In the past I've allowed her to check-in books but the past Thursday the media specialist was there so I asked if it were okay to allow DQ to do this little job. Yep, it sure was. ST brought in her new friends to show off. It's fun to see this. I never had friends. I had Sophia in 1st and 2nd grade but we frequently didn't get along with one another. I don't remember having another friend until high school. I'm still friends with her but we had a falling out over a child (16 year old boy with a mouth like a sewer). She kept expecting me to over look his behavior and I kept expecting her to understand I didn't want my children exposed to this young man. I think we are slowing on the mend now that she found a real home for this boy and he is no longer living with her.
My mom is doing well. She forced me to have a Partlite party for her. We had fun. She pretty much made the show because my heart wasn't in it. I told her to have the party herself and that she could use my house. But for some reason she won't do that. So you can see that mom is as feisty as ever.
Our house out by the lake continues to be for sale. Lots of folks have looked at it. No one has made an offer. So I guess nothing will happen for a year or two. By February we will own the stupid thing. So I suppose it will all be profit if it does take a year to sale. I don't know why Passionfruit won't use a regular real estate agent. But he won't. At this rate I really think I ought to cash in my moneymarket and finish the mortgage off. I've also tried talking him into doing one of those reality shows where they help you sell your home. He's just not that kind of guy.
Saturday I took the girls to a local department store. We were looking for bathing suits. I know it is not the season; however, I was hoping to find a good sale. Indeed I did, unfortunately, the rack was pretty much picked clean. DQ was hoping I would break down and buy her a bicini. I do not believe little girls should were such things. I did consider a tankini at one point but realized that it would be very easy to end up slipping down that slippery slope towards caving into everything.
Anyway, I lost ST and MI. I ran through the store with DQ at my side. I really was getting anxious. I made two laps around the area I thought they would be. Finally after starting the third lap ST and MI came running up to me. They each had a bathing suit on and were carrying their clothes. When I got them back to the dressing room we discovered that MI had lost her shirt. I again made a couple of laps around the area where we had been shopping looking for the lost shirt. In the past I've learned that these things are gone. So I didn't make a great attempt at searching. I found a sale rack and found her a top for $3. It's cute and she liked.
After we got through the cashier line we went to the car and dropped the stuff off. We then went over to the "river" walk. We saw 2 school of fish and several turtles. One of those turtles were massive. His head was a good 12in. long. I never did see the rest of him. But I don't think I'll go swimming in that creek bed anytime soon.
DQ is giving me a complex. I can't look at her without her saying, "What!??" She claims that I look at her and make faces. She says she thinks she's in trouble. Finally tonight I asked her was there ever a time when she didn't know that she was in trouble with me. I'm wondering where she picked up this little behavior. Which older girl at school does this.
I've been volunteering at their school every Thursday. This has caused some strife with the PTA chicks. The treasurer says that I need to join the PTA because volunteering at the school is a PTA activity. I don't see it that way. I don't care to join their little sorority. Been there done that and didn't like their attitude. So I continue to boycott the PTA and volunteer to boot. DQ and ST love it because they have to come to the media center to get me. I am usual so engrossed in my projects at the media center that I don't pay any attention to the time and must be reminded that the end of school has happened. DQ will rush in asking if she can help. In the past I've allowed her to check-in books but the past Thursday the media specialist was there so I asked if it were okay to allow DQ to do this little job. Yep, it sure was. ST brought in her new friends to show off. It's fun to see this. I never had friends. I had Sophia in 1st and 2nd grade but we frequently didn't get along with one another. I don't remember having another friend until high school. I'm still friends with her but we had a falling out over a child (16 year old boy with a mouth like a sewer). She kept expecting me to over look his behavior and I kept expecting her to understand I didn't want my children exposed to this young man. I think we are slowing on the mend now that she found a real home for this boy and he is no longer living with her.
My mom is doing well. She forced me to have a Partlite party for her. We had fun. She pretty much made the show because my heart wasn't in it. I told her to have the party herself and that she could use my house. But for some reason she won't do that. So you can see that mom is as feisty as ever.
Our house out by the lake continues to be for sale. Lots of folks have looked at it. No one has made an offer. So I guess nothing will happen for a year or two. By February we will own the stupid thing. So I suppose it will all be profit if it does take a year to sale. I don't know why Passionfruit won't use a regular real estate agent. But he won't. At this rate I really think I ought to cash in my moneymarket and finish the mortgage off. I've also tried talking him into doing one of those reality shows where they help you sell your home. He's just not that kind of guy.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Dinosaur Tracks
We went on a very quick family vacation this weekend. We drove to an area of our state that is suppose to have dinosaur tracks. We got there and asked a couple of people for directions. The second person really made me feel very welcome. Phrases like the ranchers want to blast the prints to get rid of the tourists; ranchers don't like the tourists coming. Made me wonder if we were going to end up in a situation out of "Deliverance".
Once we made it to the creek bed we wandered around not finding any tracks. We gave the girls lessons in geology and wilderness safety. They really enjoyed tramping through the dried up creek bed. I was disappointed that the prints weren't in view. So we packed the kids up and went on to the next state where they have dinosaur prints and use them as a tourist draw.
While we drove we got the girls singing songs. After one song DQ asked her father, "Is there another virgin of that song?" Well I wasn't very good at keeping the giggles at bay. I laughed for several miles.
Yesterday we ended our trip with a drive through Palo Duro canyon. It was beautiful. Passionfruit and I tried to go there once before ten years ago but there was such a sand storm going on that we aborted that trip and went on to New Mexico.
It was a great time. I really enjoyed our little excursion.
Once we made it to the creek bed we wandered around not finding any tracks. We gave the girls lessons in geology and wilderness safety. They really enjoyed tramping through the dried up creek bed. I was disappointed that the prints weren't in view. So we packed the kids up and went on to the next state where they have dinosaur prints and use them as a tourist draw.
While we drove we got the girls singing songs. After one song DQ asked her father, "Is there another virgin of that song?" Well I wasn't very good at keeping the giggles at bay. I laughed for several miles.
Yesterday we ended our trip with a drive through Palo Duro canyon. It was beautiful. Passionfruit and I tried to go there once before ten years ago but there was such a sand storm going on that we aborted that trip and went on to New Mexico.
It was a great time. I really enjoyed our little excursion.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Work on a Saturday at the college
I'm sitting at the reference desk today. It's our special orientation day for new students. Half the librarians are over in the main building grabbing students to issue them their print cards. Students and parents are wandering all over the campus trying to get their bearings.
What I find so interesting is the wide range of individuals walking past my desk. I only started this blog after watching a young woman walk past who so obviously was working hard to walk like a tough nut. To smile for her would have meant to break her face.
Next, it's really interesting the diverse parents who play a role in this day. There are the mothers who lead their young adult around like a mother duck with her ducklings. Then there are the mothers who attempt to not be involved. They come to the library and sit reading a book waiting for their child to return from the various activities. Then there are the mother daughter teams. You can tell they have a good relationship. The child and parent are interested in the things being offered but the mom is pretty cool about not smothering the child. Of course not to be forgotten is the lone mother coming because she can't get her child to come.
I've just come back from the main building. It's very quiet. Nothing like last year. Maybe the weather is keeping people away. I don't know. While I was over there I took the role of the carnie hawker. You know, "GETTCHAYAR HOTDOG!" Only my call was, "GETTCHAYAR PRINT CARD!" Wonder how many cards they'll give out now that I'm gone. I'll wonder over later to see what's going on.
What I find so interesting is the wide range of individuals walking past my desk. I only started this blog after watching a young woman walk past who so obviously was working hard to walk like a tough nut. To smile for her would have meant to break her face.
Next, it's really interesting the diverse parents who play a role in this day. There are the mothers who lead their young adult around like a mother duck with her ducklings. Then there are the mothers who attempt to not be involved. They come to the library and sit reading a book waiting for their child to return from the various activities. Then there are the mother daughter teams. You can tell they have a good relationship. The child and parent are interested in the things being offered but the mom is pretty cool about not smothering the child. Of course not to be forgotten is the lone mother coming because she can't get her child to come.
I've just come back from the main building. It's very quiet. Nothing like last year. Maybe the weather is keeping people away. I don't know. While I was over there I took the role of the carnie hawker. You know, "GETTCHAYAR HOTDOG!" Only my call was, "GETTCHAYAR PRINT CARD!" Wonder how many cards they'll give out now that I'm gone. I'll wonder over later to see what's going on.
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