How was Christmas, my friends? Yesterday was Boxing Day - a holiday dedicated to charity, appreciation, and the sharing of leftovers. Love it. Although, I would be much better off if I were to share a few more of mine, instead of eating them!!
Time for my Ode to Christmas Food:
1. Christmas Eve. First of all, there were cream puffs on the table when I walked in. I'm so having those on my next birthday.... Josh's mom had a little problem when her ham spilled juice into the bottom of the oven. It smoked up the house terribly. Otherwise, though, everything went smoothly, and all was delicious. The cheesy potatoes were amazing, the ham was delicious, and Mariah has a thing for sauteed mushrooms, so they were served as a side. They were fantastic on the beef. There were also carrots with pineapple and brown sugar - very good, and Becky made some very tasty cheese broccoli. That is not even all that was there, but let me tell you - it all tasted great. And I ate too much. Two people asked for the recipe of my gooey butter cake, because it was pretty darn yummy, too! Grant told me it was one of his favorite things to eat all day. That's very flattering, after the cream puffs.
2. Christmas Day. I was still full in the morning, but we made cinnamon rolls anyway. Plus, Santa didn't eat all of the delicious cookies... Then, I put the marinated chicken wings in the crock pot and let it start cooking. Mom and Dad and Brother came around 10, and I made rice and veggies and Sister Schubert rolls. But that was nothin'.....Dad brought some of Uncle Raymond's gulf shrimp. When it was thawed, he fried it up in my kitchen in some Zataran's. Amazing. Both of my kids love shrimp. We still had some gooey butter cake, and also Brother had made some red velvet cupcakes. It would seem that he won the mix at a Christmas party he went to, and made them Christmas Eve at my mom's house. They were very yummy! Oink.
3. Boxing Day. Leftover ham? Check. Leftover wings? Check. Leftover cupcakes? Check? Leftover gooey butter cake? Check. Assorted cookies that were homemade by my own mother? Check. Turtle candies from husband for Christmas? Check. Appetite? Well, no, but that's never stopped us before!! I actually was meeting a dear friend for lunch at Denny's. That was pretty great, but all I could manage to order was an English muffin and hot chocolate. We had a nice time, and then I went home to get the kids ready to spend the night at my mom's. Later, Brother took me and Josh to Applebees. Ooof! I tried to order small, but there was this steak with shrimp on it... The waitress actually recommended it to me. By the way, she was flirting with my brother, and when she wasn't serving us, she was watching him from the other side of the room. Sadly, she was neither young nor cute. When we asked Brother how he wanted to handle it, he said, "I think I'll handle it by living in Colorado." And so we left to buy candy at Wal-mart. Yes. I said candy. With absolutely no appetite whatsoever, we went to buy candy to sneak into the movies.....because that's as rebellious as we get. And because we're pretty sure that the 16 year old at the counter doesn't really care that we got for 98 cents what he was going to ask us to pay $3.75 for - he just wants us to go away so he can text his friends about how bored he is. I got Runts. When was the last time you had those? Well, for me it was when they had cherry and lime instead of grape and apple. Still - fun. And what movie did we see? Why, The Hobbit, of course!!! I came home sugary, but happy. Can't wait for the next installment....but probably will, since I have no choice.
So the Christmas Oink is drawing to a close (I hope) and I am very piously planning all sorts of HEALTHY snacks to set out on New Year's Eve next week. With any luck, I can avoid waddling my way into the new year. Cross your fingers for me!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
First Snow or The End of the World as We Know It
Did you know that the local schools are upping their security for today, based on the fact that people really think the world is going to end? Tell me - if the world actually ended.....would that matter so much? And have you consulted Mayan culture for other aspects of your life and safety? Apparently not, because the Mayans have been saying all along that they did NOT mean that the world would end today.
Happy Winter Solstice! We did get our first snow of the season yesterday. It rained all morning, then the temperature dropped, but the crazy, strong wind did not. At first the snow was wet and slushy, but it got colder and colder until it really wasn''t that fun to be out in. The roads were terrible yesterday. Apparently, the local officials looked at a forecast that said, "1. Heavy rain. 2. 20 degree drop in temps. 3. Snow and high winds," and never figured that the roads would ice up. They did nothing until significantly after dark.
The way people are driving, you'd think it was the end of the world! Wait....
Ask me what I did yesterday. Want to know? I'll give you a hint - I did not stay in bed and recover. I also did not work. I also did not do what I planned to do, much, which included many small tasks and a few errands. Guess yet? Probably not. I'll just tell you. I went to Grant's class! They were all wearing pyjamas and watching The Polar Express. I emailed the teacher to ask if she needed any help at the party (today), but she thought I was offering to help yesterday. So I did! I made all the hot chocolates for two classes. Coincidentally, the class that was watching the movie with Grant's was the class I subbed for last month. YAY! I sat by Grant and was swarmed by kids in their PJs. When movie time was over, Grant asked if I could stay with him for the rest of the day. His teacher agreed, so I went to gym. We played games with some "snowballs". Super fun. Almost as fun as the gym coach's sweater. OUCH! Then, we went to music and sang songs about snow. We also played a game where the class sits in a circle and one student is in the middle. He closes his eyes while the class sings, and one student gets up and hides behind the piano. Then, when the song is over, the middle person has 10 seconds to guess which classmate is missing. Fun! On the last round, Mrs. Vahle told me to hide, but Roman knew it was me. The class found that HILARIOUS.
So, while I did get half of the Christmas cards addressed, the other half I had to work on last night. Plus, I didn't get to the post office to mail them, obviously, and I didn't get to stop by Wal-mart, and I didn't get to stop by the Central Office, or do the dishes (oh, darn). Some of that has been moved today's list, but...
Guess what I'm doing today! I'm going to school! Since I was at Grant's party yesterday, I'm going to Abbie's today. I'm also going to stop and get something nice to leave in the teachers' lounge, because being a teacher was really rough this month. And I need to bring cookies for Abbie's class. So, in a minute, I'm going to start getting ready. Hope you are all keeping warm today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPYN0T7DBtw
Happy Winter Solstice! We did get our first snow of the season yesterday. It rained all morning, then the temperature dropped, but the crazy, strong wind did not. At first the snow was wet and slushy, but it got colder and colder until it really wasn''t that fun to be out in. The roads were terrible yesterday. Apparently, the local officials looked at a forecast that said, "1. Heavy rain. 2. 20 degree drop in temps. 3. Snow and high winds," and never figured that the roads would ice up. They did nothing until significantly after dark.
The way people are driving, you'd think it was the end of the world! Wait....
Ask me what I did yesterday. Want to know? I'll give you a hint - I did not stay in bed and recover. I also did not work. I also did not do what I planned to do, much, which included many small tasks and a few errands. Guess yet? Probably not. I'll just tell you. I went to Grant's class! They were all wearing pyjamas and watching The Polar Express. I emailed the teacher to ask if she needed any help at the party (today), but she thought I was offering to help yesterday. So I did! I made all the hot chocolates for two classes. Coincidentally, the class that was watching the movie with Grant's was the class I subbed for last month. YAY! I sat by Grant and was swarmed by kids in their PJs. When movie time was over, Grant asked if I could stay with him for the rest of the day. His teacher agreed, so I went to gym. We played games with some "snowballs". Super fun. Almost as fun as the gym coach's sweater. OUCH! Then, we went to music and sang songs about snow. We also played a game where the class sits in a circle and one student is in the middle. He closes his eyes while the class sings, and one student gets up and hides behind the piano. Then, when the song is over, the middle person has 10 seconds to guess which classmate is missing. Fun! On the last round, Mrs. Vahle told me to hide, but Roman knew it was me. The class found that HILARIOUS.
So, while I did get half of the Christmas cards addressed, the other half I had to work on last night. Plus, I didn't get to the post office to mail them, obviously, and I didn't get to stop by Wal-mart, and I didn't get to stop by the Central Office, or do the dishes (oh, darn). Some of that has been moved today's list, but...
Guess what I'm doing today! I'm going to school! Since I was at Grant's party yesterday, I'm going to Abbie's today. I'm also going to stop and get something nice to leave in the teachers' lounge, because being a teacher was really rough this month. And I need to bring cookies for Abbie's class. So, in a minute, I'm going to start getting ready. Hope you are all keeping warm today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPYN0T7DBtw
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Cough, cough.
Well, Time marches on, but progress seems to have passed by me without initiating contact. I am referring to my health, here. How long have I been sick? It's only a little cold, right? Well, this little cold has had some sort of relapse, and refuses to leave.
I did work yesterday, though. Why? Why would I do that, you ask. Good question. Well, mostly it goes like this: I was looking at SubFinder, as I do every day, and there was a job. I knew something would be there, but I had been so busy since coming home from Music lessons that I hadn't had time to check it until dinner was started and Josh was home. He was sitting near me when I looked at the job. It was for a building I'd never been to before, and it was for a para, not a teacher. Also, I was still pretty sick. I asked him what he thought. He told me to take it, because the guy in his office who had pneumonia was back at work already.
So I did. Who can argue with that?
I should have stayed home, though. It was a pre-school. I was too sick, but hid it as best I could. I got knocked down at recess by a herd of affectionate 4-year-olds. I had assorted children on my lap for large parts of the day. I wiped more noses than merely my own.
I came home feeling awful. I made chicken dinosaurs, fake mashed potatoes, green beans and pineapple for dinner, and then helped Abbie practice music. The teacher recommended some sites where Abbie can play along with a violinist who is doing songs from her book. We worked on two songs extensively, and then I went to lie down. The kids came with me, and we watched Elf in my room, but the phone kept ringing. Very frustrating. Especially since I'm supposed to be on the National Do Not Call list.
Josh, of course, was off at a work party. I texted to ask what time he would come home. He said he'd leave at 8:30. I was asleep when, at 9:50, he texted to say he was about to leave.
I was planning to take the kids to school this morning, but Josh offered, so I let him. I am feeling a lot worse than I did Monday and Tuesday. Don't know what that is about.
Also, is Josh feeling guilty for staying out later than he said, or because he left me alone with the kids all night or something worse? Or does he just think that I'm too sick to take the kids (all of a sudden, after 12 years of not noticing)? Maybe he's sorry for pressuring me into taking a job when I wasn't well enough. More likely, he couldn't remember if he was supposed to or not, and just wanted to be safe, since I was likely to be cranky.
Not reading anything, currently. I'm supposed to be planning Abbie's birthday. She wants an indoor camp out. I think that means board games. I'll put the two kid tents in the living room, and we'll have board games, Pringles, apples and s'mores. How's that? And I think I'll do it on the 5th. She can have 2 friends actually spend the night.
Next project is paying all the bills.
Brother comes to MO on Sunday, and I'm doing some visiting on Saturday, I think. By Monday I need to have the ingredients to that cake I'm making. That might mean out of town grocery shopping. Also, I found 3 new recipes I want to try, but Josh did something to my computer and now my printer won't work. I emailed them to him so he could print them, but he forgot. Maybe I'll ask him again tonight....
I'm not feeling well. I wish I could breathe well enough to sleep. I think I'm feeling cranky, after all. I hope I am better soon. I am tired of missing taiko and tired of feeling guilty anytime I'm around people.
I hope you are well. Did you hear it might snow tomorrow?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Makin' a list and checkin' it twice!
Hi. I am a little better, thank you for asking. The weekend arrived, and I was not really healthy enough for the exertion, but I tried to do all the stuff anyway. Did you hear about my Thursday? That's when Grant, in a fit of happy boy-ness, jumped and accidentally hit me right in the face with his hard head. Got my nose and bloodied both lips. Bottom lip was just a small cut. Upper lip was a mess. Today is the first day I've been able to smile properly. Thursday was not my best day.
Friday, I got out of bed and cleaned the house. I would just like to state for the record that my husband and children pretty much gross me out. Apparently, if I am ill and in bed, crumbs of all sorts cease to be offensive, and are, therefore, given permission to remain where they are comfortable. On the other hand, the bathroom and everything in it becomes offensive to the point of being un-touchable, and certainly un-cleanable. Giant blob of toothpaste? Sorry. Can't get it. My arm will be burned off by the invisible Bathroom Lava. And then there are the floors. It would seem that the chunks of mud that come from the dogs' feet are only visible to Mommies. Not even gonna discuss the dishes. So, that was my Friday. Not the most fun I've had in ages, but kept my mind off of how sick I was, since I didn't really have time to contemplate.
Saturday, it rained, so I knew there was no reason to attempt to straighten my hair. I also knew there was no point in attempting lip color. My getting ready was really pretty quick. I braided Abbie's hair, and we waited for my parents to come. We went with them to Poppy J's. Have I really never taken them there before? Love that place. Anyway, the food wasn't getting ready fast enough, so I took Grant to the school and dropped him off in the music room. When Mom came, we took turns eating. I also brought Grant his sandwich, and he got to eat some before he went on. We had great seats. The play was cute-ish and short-ish. Grant said his lines perfectly, and the girl who had the lead part smiled hugely the whole time - even when she was supposed to be cranky. We loved it. Then, we all visited for a little while at my house. Mom and Dad left to go do some shopping, and we got ready for another Christmas party. I was way too tired for it already, but did some very impressive pretending. Well, at first. I kinda spent most of the party sitting down. The kids were well behaved, and everyone loved the crab dip, so I guess the party was enormously successful from our perspective.
Sunday I should have rested, but I went to get medicine from the store, and bought stocking stuffers while I was there. Is that really all I did yesterday? It was so exhausting! Well, no. I also changed the sheets on the bed. No more sick germs, there! I personally think that pillowcases are prime offenders for re-infecting.
It's only a week until Christmas. Did you notice? I still have to get something for Josh's baby sister, but I already know what I'm getting her. I just have to get there. Otherwise, I think I'm done with the shopping. Good thing, too. I wish you could see our tree. It's taking over the whole room.
And on that decadent and merry holiday note, I would like to very briefly address current national events. What could I be referring to? Why, the only news item that has existed this weekend: I mean the massacre of small children in a school in Connecticut. It's hard to know what to say about the actual event. Violent death at the sweetest of all children's ages is quite a stirring motivation for the emotion, but.... somehow I don't trust myself to feel anything except grief until more is known. That hasn't stopped everyone else, though. People are taking legal and religious stances to the right and left of me, in front AND behind. And I've heard everything. I've heard that it's time to amend the constitution away from guns. I've heard it's time to arm the civilians. I've heard it's the fault of man, or the fault of God, or the fault of Godlessness in schools. Wow. Of all the arguments I've heard, I found this one the most convincing: "Making guns illegal will keep them off the streets? We should make heroine and meth illegal!!" Sorry, but I don't believe in making weapons illegal. I do think they should be better regulated. And I don't think this person was violent because of the gun. It wasn't even his. Neither do I blame the separation of Church and State. I believe the fault is largely on the one man, and partially on his family and caretakers. Everyone else in this case is an innocent.
It was not possible to NOT tell my kids. It will be everywhere. I told them that a crazy person bad guy killed grown-ups and kids in a school. I told them what state. I told them that the families will probably never get over it, but we should send kind thoughts toward them, and hope that they feel a little better soon. I also said that we were lucky that we had a safe school, even though I am sure the victims had an equally safe one. But you have to make sure you children are not terrorized, you know.
I don't like the media coverage of this. I don't like the attention it's getting. I don't like what it's teaching angry people about how to stay in the news for a week.
I am so glad I don't have TV.
Well, we are not having any seasonal weather today. A little fog. It might not be Christmassy, but at least no plans were cancelled yet.
I still don't know when Brother is planning to get to MO. We are still working on what to cook on Christmas day, too.
I need to get started planning Abbie's birthday. Yikes! SO behind!
By the way, if you happen to have some time, you should visit this place. It's the Rosemariest ever: www.signals.com
Wishing you all a pleasant day, full of good health and serenity.
Friday, I got out of bed and cleaned the house. I would just like to state for the record that my husband and children pretty much gross me out. Apparently, if I am ill and in bed, crumbs of all sorts cease to be offensive, and are, therefore, given permission to remain where they are comfortable. On the other hand, the bathroom and everything in it becomes offensive to the point of being un-touchable, and certainly un-cleanable. Giant blob of toothpaste? Sorry. Can't get it. My arm will be burned off by the invisible Bathroom Lava. And then there are the floors. It would seem that the chunks of mud that come from the dogs' feet are only visible to Mommies. Not even gonna discuss the dishes. So, that was my Friday. Not the most fun I've had in ages, but kept my mind off of how sick I was, since I didn't really have time to contemplate.
Saturday, it rained, so I knew there was no reason to attempt to straighten my hair. I also knew there was no point in attempting lip color. My getting ready was really pretty quick. I braided Abbie's hair, and we waited for my parents to come. We went with them to Poppy J's. Have I really never taken them there before? Love that place. Anyway, the food wasn't getting ready fast enough, so I took Grant to the school and dropped him off in the music room. When Mom came, we took turns eating. I also brought Grant his sandwich, and he got to eat some before he went on. We had great seats. The play was cute-ish and short-ish. Grant said his lines perfectly, and the girl who had the lead part smiled hugely the whole time - even when she was supposed to be cranky. We loved it. Then, we all visited for a little while at my house. Mom and Dad left to go do some shopping, and we got ready for another Christmas party. I was way too tired for it already, but did some very impressive pretending. Well, at first. I kinda spent most of the party sitting down. The kids were well behaved, and everyone loved the crab dip, so I guess the party was enormously successful from our perspective.
Sunday I should have rested, but I went to get medicine from the store, and bought stocking stuffers while I was there. Is that really all I did yesterday? It was so exhausting! Well, no. I also changed the sheets on the bed. No more sick germs, there! I personally think that pillowcases are prime offenders for re-infecting.
It's only a week until Christmas. Did you notice? I still have to get something for Josh's baby sister, but I already know what I'm getting her. I just have to get there. Otherwise, I think I'm done with the shopping. Good thing, too. I wish you could see our tree. It's taking over the whole room.
And on that decadent and merry holiday note, I would like to very briefly address current national events. What could I be referring to? Why, the only news item that has existed this weekend: I mean the massacre of small children in a school in Connecticut. It's hard to know what to say about the actual event. Violent death at the sweetest of all children's ages is quite a stirring motivation for the emotion, but.... somehow I don't trust myself to feel anything except grief until more is known. That hasn't stopped everyone else, though. People are taking legal and religious stances to the right and left of me, in front AND behind. And I've heard everything. I've heard that it's time to amend the constitution away from guns. I've heard it's time to arm the civilians. I've heard it's the fault of man, or the fault of God, or the fault of Godlessness in schools. Wow. Of all the arguments I've heard, I found this one the most convincing: "Making guns illegal will keep them off the streets? We should make heroine and meth illegal!!" Sorry, but I don't believe in making weapons illegal. I do think they should be better regulated. And I don't think this person was violent because of the gun. It wasn't even his. Neither do I blame the separation of Church and State. I believe the fault is largely on the one man, and partially on his family and caretakers. Everyone else in this case is an innocent.
It was not possible to NOT tell my kids. It will be everywhere. I told them that a crazy person bad guy killed grown-ups and kids in a school. I told them what state. I told them that the families will probably never get over it, but we should send kind thoughts toward them, and hope that they feel a little better soon. I also said that we were lucky that we had a safe school, even though I am sure the victims had an equally safe one. But you have to make sure you children are not terrorized, you know.
I don't like the media coverage of this. I don't like the attention it's getting. I don't like what it's teaching angry people about how to stay in the news for a week.
I am so glad I don't have TV.
Well, we are not having any seasonal weather today. A little fog. It might not be Christmassy, but at least no plans were cancelled yet.
I still don't know when Brother is planning to get to MO. We are still working on what to cook on Christmas day, too.
I need to get started planning Abbie's birthday. Yikes! SO behind!
By the way, if you happen to have some time, you should visit this place. It's the Rosemariest ever: www.signals.com
Wishing you all a pleasant day, full of good health and serenity.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A Lesser kind of SICK.
Here is a list of things that were put off because I got sick:
Dishes
Housecleaning
Abbie's snowman project
Christmas card writing
Taiko
Everything else...
I have done a small amount of cooking, and a small amount of laundry, for which I deserve a reward, considering that I also haven't really slept or eaten since Sunday afternoon. Today, since I've been able to get out of bed, I decided that I might as well dust and vacuum, and maybe start some Christmas cards.
Turns out I'm not quite that healthy yet. But I'll get there. We all know that I try to declare myself healthy prematurely.
I wish I had been keeping an actual list of the books I was reading this year. I would like to see it. The Canterville Ghost, Northanger Abbey, The Mysteries of Udolpho, In The Woods, Vilette, Green Tea and Other Ghost Stories, Her Fearful Symmetry, The Hound of the Baskervilles (plus the rest of the collected Sherlock Holmes works). I know I read Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility and Emma this year. Did I also read Jane Eyre this year? Lets say not. I did read Penrod, The Gibson Upright, Daddy Long Legs, Riki-Tiki-Tavi, lots of Agatha Christie novels, The Wind in the Willows, and Poor Richard's Almanac, but I can't remember if The Peach Keeper, Orchid House, and The Night Circus were this year or last....
Not reading anything this week. You'd think that I'd be dying to, stuck in bed all the time, but I was too sick to read. I was too sick to watch movies, too, until last night.
Still looking for jobs, just in case you know of one. No philosophy or solving the world's problems today. I'm calling in sick. Except, don't you think that it's funny that that scientists are under attack these days for manipulating genes that were already present in plants to help them grow in third world countries by the same people who would by complaining about world hunger if they didn't? I find that ironic.
Also, this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKLAcc9308
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z8xAVwkJw4 (Cuts off right before the end but I don't mind - I bought the song.) ;)
Take your vitamins. There is more illness than what I've got going around. I hear there has been an unusual amount of pneumonia, plus some wicked intestinal viruses.
p.s. I still think it's funny that my spell check suggests I change Baskervilles to bisexuals. Hee!
p.p.s. Happy 12-12-12!!
Dishes
Housecleaning
Abbie's snowman project
Christmas card writing
Taiko
Everything else...
I have done a small amount of cooking, and a small amount of laundry, for which I deserve a reward, considering that I also haven't really slept or eaten since Sunday afternoon. Today, since I've been able to get out of bed, I decided that I might as well dust and vacuum, and maybe start some Christmas cards.
Turns out I'm not quite that healthy yet. But I'll get there. We all know that I try to declare myself healthy prematurely.
I wish I had been keeping an actual list of the books I was reading this year. I would like to see it. The Canterville Ghost, Northanger Abbey, The Mysteries of Udolpho, In The Woods, Vilette, Green Tea and Other Ghost Stories, Her Fearful Symmetry, The Hound of the Baskervilles (plus the rest of the collected Sherlock Holmes works). I know I read Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility and Emma this year. Did I also read Jane Eyre this year? Lets say not. I did read Penrod, The Gibson Upright, Daddy Long Legs, Riki-Tiki-Tavi, lots of Agatha Christie novels, The Wind in the Willows, and Poor Richard's Almanac, but I can't remember if The Peach Keeper, Orchid House, and The Night Circus were this year or last....
Not reading anything this week. You'd think that I'd be dying to, stuck in bed all the time, but I was too sick to read. I was too sick to watch movies, too, until last night.
Still looking for jobs, just in case you know of one. No philosophy or solving the world's problems today. I'm calling in sick. Except, don't you think that it's funny that that scientists are under attack these days for manipulating genes that were already present in plants to help them grow in third world countries by the same people who would by complaining about world hunger if they didn't? I find that ironic.
Also, this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKLAcc9308
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z8xAVwkJw4 (Cuts off right before the end but I don't mind - I bought the song.) ;)
Take your vitamins. There is more illness than what I've got going around. I hear there has been an unusual amount of pneumonia, plus some wicked intestinal viruses.
p.s. I still think it's funny that my spell check suggests I change Baskervilles to bisexuals. Hee!
p.p.s. Happy 12-12-12!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sorry.
I either have Abbie's cold, or the flu. The one and only flu. Why don't we say a flu, like we say a cold? Either way, I've had a fever for four days. I also have cold symptoms, and my ears hurt. It's pretty much the sickness I hate the most. I haven't been out of bed much today, but I also have not been able to sleep for the last 48+ hours. Pretty bad stuff.
Sunday we saw Josh's Uncle Jim and his paternal grandmother. Uncle Jim set out lots of snacks, and I did my best to make them feel appreciated. The kids were pretty good. Only one incident: Grant knocked his tooth out. I'm not upset. He didn't injure anyone in the process, including himself, and it was a particularly gross tooth, so I'm glad it's gone. Yay.
Yesterday was Monday, and I really shouldn't have gone out, but I did. I picked up the kids from school, then sat out in the car during their music lessons so I couldn't contaminate the teacher's family. That can't have been good for me. Then we went to Culvers, and then bought Christmas presents. I took Abbie to get one for Grant (and Josh), and Josh took Grant to get one for Abbie (and not me, because he never thinks of it). I was a mess when we got home.
Last week, I subbed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as a Paraprofessional at the middle school, in the special education room. It was a rough week, but I must say, they were much nicer than regular middle school students. I didn't like the teacher much. She made the kids wait for her to finish her cheerleading coach stuff at least twice a day. Very dis-heartening. I did get to do a science lab with a boy named Noah. I like Noah. Nice kid.
My skin looks like yellow wax, with two bright red circles on my cheeks. Guess it's time for more fever reducing meds. And then - off to pick up the kids.
Good health to you!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Boo and the Yay.
I feel so defeated.
I just sent an email to Kelly Services telling them that I am available to be a temp again in January. Before that, I sent an email saying that there is too much sickness in our house for me to go to taiko practice tonight. Is it wrong to feel sulky that I don't get to learn Omiyage back today?
Yesterday, Abbie stayed home with a fever. It threw me off horribly, but at least it was not too serious. Just a low-grade fever to go with the head cold she's getting. It's a doozy. And I'm sure I'm next. My best plan is to drink ridiculous amounts of orange juice, and then when I catch the cold it will be mild, and only last a day or two. Right? Well, I'll have to buy more orange juice, though. I gave most of it to Abbie yesterday. I just don't want to get sick. I really, really don't. Especially since Josh's work party this weekend will be the first date we've had since May.
Anyway, do you want to hear about the awesome first weekend in December?
First of all: Thursday's performance was super fun! It had its share of nit-picky stuff wrong with it, but it was a pretty good show, especially since we had brand new members playing some "real" songs, not just easy beginner stuff. Very cool. I played Tobihi in the yatai style, and I did pretty well, if I do say so myself! Hanabi was not my most brilliant ever. It was the first time I was in a show, but not on Omiyage in probably years, and I yelled as much as I could. Hope it helped. It sure was fun! They gave us leftovers, too, which made me giggle.
Friday, Josh worked late, and I cooked and cleaned.
Saturday morning, we drove to Hermann, and parked in front of the bakery and chocolate store. Double MMMMM! We had doughnuts, and then bought chocolates as presents. We met Mom up by the rectory, and then after Nanny and Gran were done being lost (second year in a row) we met up with them, and all walked through the rectory together. It was pretty fancy, but I think I liked it better last year. My favorite room was a little sun room that overlooks the courtyard. Probably would be my favorite room even if it wasn't decorated. Abbie loved the Wizard of Oz room, of course. She also loved the table full of nutcrackers and German windmills. Grant loved it when a lady came and played Christmas carols on the piano in the hall. Afterward, we drove up to Stone Hill Winery. We walked through the market, but Gran didn't find the vendor she was looking for. Josh put our name down for lunch, but it was over an hour's wait. That was not great. I felt bad about that. A group who did caroling were passing through, and we got to hear them for a few minutes, which was great. When we finally got our table, Josh and I were expecting things to pick up, but we were wrong. We sat for another hour before any kind of food showed up. I felt bad again, but my food was so incredible that I got over it pretty easily. Yum.
I knew Gran had been ready to leave for a while, and I also assumed that my mom would go, too. She had mentioned it. I wanted to make it up to the kids, though, for having to sit still for so long. There were kids' activities downtown, so I wanted to go there, but then my mom decided that she was following me home to my house, so we had to leave right away. Poor kids. At least we sang Christmas carols all the way home...
Sunday we made biscuits with egg, cheese and ham here at the house. Then, we drove to North Handley to hop on the Metro Link. The kids were SO funny!! They loved it. We got to the stadium right before the doors opened, and Josh told Abbie she should use the port-a-potty while we waited. I think that's where the germs came from, but don't know for sure. Anyway, once inside, we decided to get food. Next time I'm going to ask around about what to get. That 7 dollar pizza was gross. The kids wouldn't even finish it. Such a huge waste of money. After my parents showed up, the kids latched onto them and that was that. We were right in front of these two guys who were super funny. It was great. Poor Josh was in front of a little flamboyantly gay and rather cranky black 49ers fan. I stood over there for a while. He did nothing but complain to his date about everyone he'd ever met the whole game. Poor date. Can't have been fun. The game was fun, and the Rams were much better the second half. Our cheerleaders are not so great. I think their main talent involved all wearing the same size of hot pants. Anyway, the last time the Rams played the 49ers, it ended in a legitimate TIE, so the place went crazy when we went into overtime! 5th quarter was intense, and I actually got a picture of the winning kick going through the goal posts. WOOT! Josh's voice might never be the same. Did I mention that we won?
We said our goodbyes in front of the stadium. My family took the metrolink back to our car, and Mom and Dad met the Whitakers at the casino, had dinner, and then went home.
Then, yesterday, Abbie had a fever.
Josh didn't go to work yesterday, he was taking his fancy (not going to try the name in case I get it wrong) test. He passed! YAY! Next are his regular finals, and then he gets a few weeks off. As for me, I paid bills, made lunch, took Grant to music lessons, took care of the dogs and dinner...the usual stuff. Couldn't do any of my sneaky Christmas shopping with Abbie watching, though.
We also got a call about another Christmas "party" this weekend. I have just got to say this: I HATE it when people "invite" me and then tell me what to bring. Either you are the hostess or you're not. If I didn't offer to bring that exact item, maybe you should get it your damned self, if you can't live without it.
I am not doing this soul-less Christmas anymore. Next year I will do things my way. I will invite EVERYONE over for an open house. Between meal times. No getting fat required. I will set out a variety of snacks, from utterly decadent, to fairly harmless. No food required. I will put on carols, make tea and cider, and let the kids play games if they choose. Board games, not computer games. And if you like me enough to travel out to my house - that is all I want from you. No GIFT REQUIRED!! There is not an entry fee to my open house. The point is to be together without stress. At least without adding stress. Want to come?
Enough about that.
Our neighbors got a new dog. We visited Sunday evening. And they also lent us the Robert Downy Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie. We finally watched it last night. I don't think it was that good. It was something to watch, but I don't intend to see it again. You might think that it was because I'd read all the stories and it was so different. Well, that was part of it - I got tired of Watson, who was always so cheerful and helpful and a fond, constant, admirer of his dear friend's genius being so unwilling and cranky. Plus, there is the part where he met his fiance on one of their cases, and that Holmes found her reasonably impressive, with a clear, organized mind - for a girl. Or that Holmes was not so much a talker, and totally incapable of the kid of relationship he supposedly has with Irene, who was not a criminal, just an opportunistic survivor. All that you sort of expect. I just didn't think that the story was extra great, or that the newly refurbished characters were terribly lovable. The whole thing was highly improbable (Hollywood doesn't even care about that part these days, but I do) and the dialog didn't save it, so there wasn't much to like. I prefer the modernized BBC Sherlock by quite a bit, and I don't even call that one great.
Today I am shopping again. I really did go on Thursday, but it was a bad time or something, and many things we needed were nowhere to be found. Today should be better. I told Josh that is all I am doing today, but I've already done more than that. Oh, well.
This warm weather is really messing with my perspective. Hopefully, it can at least get cool again. I'm really in the mood for some snow now, but I don't want to ask for too much....
Hope your week has more Yay than Boo.
I just sent an email to Kelly Services telling them that I am available to be a temp again in January. Before that, I sent an email saying that there is too much sickness in our house for me to go to taiko practice tonight. Is it wrong to feel sulky that I don't get to learn Omiyage back today?
Yesterday, Abbie stayed home with a fever. It threw me off horribly, but at least it was not too serious. Just a low-grade fever to go with the head cold she's getting. It's a doozy. And I'm sure I'm next. My best plan is to drink ridiculous amounts of orange juice, and then when I catch the cold it will be mild, and only last a day or two. Right? Well, I'll have to buy more orange juice, though. I gave most of it to Abbie yesterday. I just don't want to get sick. I really, really don't. Especially since Josh's work party this weekend will be the first date we've had since May.
Anyway, do you want to hear about the awesome first weekend in December?
First of all: Thursday's performance was super fun! It had its share of nit-picky stuff wrong with it, but it was a pretty good show, especially since we had brand new members playing some "real" songs, not just easy beginner stuff. Very cool. I played Tobihi in the yatai style, and I did pretty well, if I do say so myself! Hanabi was not my most brilliant ever. It was the first time I was in a show, but not on Omiyage in probably years, and I yelled as much as I could. Hope it helped. It sure was fun! They gave us leftovers, too, which made me giggle.
Friday, Josh worked late, and I cooked and cleaned.
Saturday morning, we drove to Hermann, and parked in front of the bakery and chocolate store. Double MMMMM! We had doughnuts, and then bought chocolates as presents. We met Mom up by the rectory, and then after Nanny and Gran were done being lost (second year in a row) we met up with them, and all walked through the rectory together. It was pretty fancy, but I think I liked it better last year. My favorite room was a little sun room that overlooks the courtyard. Probably would be my favorite room even if it wasn't decorated. Abbie loved the Wizard of Oz room, of course. She also loved the table full of nutcrackers and German windmills. Grant loved it when a lady came and played Christmas carols on the piano in the hall. Afterward, we drove up to Stone Hill Winery. We walked through the market, but Gran didn't find the vendor she was looking for. Josh put our name down for lunch, but it was over an hour's wait. That was not great. I felt bad about that. A group who did caroling were passing through, and we got to hear them for a few minutes, which was great. When we finally got our table, Josh and I were expecting things to pick up, but we were wrong. We sat for another hour before any kind of food showed up. I felt bad again, but my food was so incredible that I got over it pretty easily. Yum.
I knew Gran had been ready to leave for a while, and I also assumed that my mom would go, too. She had mentioned it. I wanted to make it up to the kids, though, for having to sit still for so long. There were kids' activities downtown, so I wanted to go there, but then my mom decided that she was following me home to my house, so we had to leave right away. Poor kids. At least we sang Christmas carols all the way home...
Sunday we made biscuits with egg, cheese and ham here at the house. Then, we drove to North Handley to hop on the Metro Link. The kids were SO funny!! They loved it. We got to the stadium right before the doors opened, and Josh told Abbie she should use the port-a-potty while we waited. I think that's where the germs came from, but don't know for sure. Anyway, once inside, we decided to get food. Next time I'm going to ask around about what to get. That 7 dollar pizza was gross. The kids wouldn't even finish it. Such a huge waste of money. After my parents showed up, the kids latched onto them and that was that. We were right in front of these two guys who were super funny. It was great. Poor Josh was in front of a little flamboyantly gay and rather cranky black 49ers fan. I stood over there for a while. He did nothing but complain to his date about everyone he'd ever met the whole game. Poor date. Can't have been fun. The game was fun, and the Rams were much better the second half. Our cheerleaders are not so great. I think their main talent involved all wearing the same size of hot pants. Anyway, the last time the Rams played the 49ers, it ended in a legitimate TIE, so the place went crazy when we went into overtime! 5th quarter was intense, and I actually got a picture of the winning kick going through the goal posts. WOOT! Josh's voice might never be the same. Did I mention that we won?
We said our goodbyes in front of the stadium. My family took the metrolink back to our car, and Mom and Dad met the Whitakers at the casino, had dinner, and then went home.
Then, yesterday, Abbie had a fever.
Josh didn't go to work yesterday, he was taking his fancy (not going to try the name in case I get it wrong) test. He passed! YAY! Next are his regular finals, and then he gets a few weeks off. As for me, I paid bills, made lunch, took Grant to music lessons, took care of the dogs and dinner...the usual stuff. Couldn't do any of my sneaky Christmas shopping with Abbie watching, though.
We also got a call about another Christmas "party" this weekend. I have just got to say this: I HATE it when people "invite" me and then tell me what to bring. Either you are the hostess or you're not. If I didn't offer to bring that exact item, maybe you should get it your damned self, if you can't live without it.
I am not doing this soul-less Christmas anymore. Next year I will do things my way. I will invite EVERYONE over for an open house. Between meal times. No getting fat required. I will set out a variety of snacks, from utterly decadent, to fairly harmless. No food required. I will put on carols, make tea and cider, and let the kids play games if they choose. Board games, not computer games. And if you like me enough to travel out to my house - that is all I want from you. No GIFT REQUIRED!! There is not an entry fee to my open house. The point is to be together without stress. At least without adding stress. Want to come?
Enough about that.
Our neighbors got a new dog. We visited Sunday evening. And they also lent us the Robert Downy Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie. We finally watched it last night. I don't think it was that good. It was something to watch, but I don't intend to see it again. You might think that it was because I'd read all the stories and it was so different. Well, that was part of it - I got tired of Watson, who was always so cheerful and helpful and a fond, constant, admirer of his dear friend's genius being so unwilling and cranky. Plus, there is the part where he met his fiance on one of their cases, and that Holmes found her reasonably impressive, with a clear, organized mind - for a girl. Or that Holmes was not so much a talker, and totally incapable of the kid of relationship he supposedly has with Irene, who was not a criminal, just an opportunistic survivor. All that you sort of expect. I just didn't think that the story was extra great, or that the newly refurbished characters were terribly lovable. The whole thing was highly improbable (Hollywood doesn't even care about that part these days, but I do) and the dialog didn't save it, so there wasn't much to like. I prefer the modernized BBC Sherlock by quite a bit, and I don't even call that one great.
Today I am shopping again. I really did go on Thursday, but it was a bad time or something, and many things we needed were nowhere to be found. Today should be better. I told Josh that is all I am doing today, but I've already done more than that. Oh, well.
This warm weather is really messing with my perspective. Hopefully, it can at least get cool again. I'm really in the mood for some snow now, but I don't want to ask for too much....
Hope your week has more Yay than Boo.
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