Monday, March 25, 2013
News And Such
Hello, and happy First Day of Spring Break!!
We have about 11 inches of snow outside. Yep. Another late blizzard. It was kinda pretty, and very impressive, and even had some thunder, but we are kind of over it, so we were only mildly amused. It prevented me again from going to taiko practice, for which I was slightly miffed, but we all know that I love a good weather disaster.
The dust has won again, but I am regrouping and forming an attack strategy. The battle is behind us, but the war is far from over. I shall bide my time. I don't want to give too much away, but if I were a dust, I wouldn't venture too near the frontlines toward the end of the week.
Saturday (the last nice day) we went out. We went to the Chesterfield Mall and had lunch. I also bought bubble tea for me and the kids. After lunch, we shopped at a table that was set up full of ROCKS! I wanted Josh to buy me the fossil bookends, but they were expensive. Besides, the way my bookshelves are packed, there isn't really room for bookends, too. I guess. *sulk* Grant got 5 different colors of calcite, and Abbie got a tourmaline "cat's eye" in blue, russet, and green. She also got three tiny polished rocks. I got a pink rose quartz. Pretty! And if you thought rocks were great, we are just getting started. I also got USED BOOKS!!! Abbie got a Nancy Drew and Grant got a Hardy Boys. I got the only Sarah Addison Allen book I hadn't read. I finished it about 24 hours later. Very cute! Makes me want to write.
We chose a park for Josh's giant graduation picnic, but it was booked. I forgot how early wedding season starts. We have another one in mind, and we are seeing about getting it reserved. Cross your fingers.
My in-laws still haven't given me any hints about Easter preparations, so I plan to dye my own eggs with my own children at my own house, and I will bring a particularly delicious dump cake. Problem solved.
There was a huge accident by Wright City on Friday, and Josh was stuck in the traffic. We found out that night that our friend Jenn C was IN THE ACCIDENT. It was a very tense hour until we found out that she was fine. Hug your families, friends.
I think it's going to be a movie day.
Last night, I cooked salmon. It was huge, and the completely wrong size threw off my cooking times. Other than that, though, dinner was excellent. We had baked potatoes with Mexican blend cheese, and the salmon was seasoned with lemon, wine, dill and butter. Perfect.
Obviously, I finished reading Guards! Guards! again, and I read Garden Spells, and now I am reading The Color of Magic, since I've never read it, on the Kindle. (You were expecting a book that starts with G, weren't you? Admit it!!)
Now for the other big news:
Starting a week from today (the regular return to school), I will have a long-term substitute paraprofessional position at the same school as my children. I will work mornings daily, and possibly some full days. There is going to be a new boy who needs his own para, and that duty will be split between myself and another woman. Since he hasn't started attending yet, we don't really know his level of functionality. I am hoping for a non-violent kid who can use the bathroom on his own...but we don't know yet. Wish me luck!
On Wednesday, I will visit my grandmother, then continue to my mother's house. I'll be back on Thursday, but I'm not sure of the time.
Talked to Brother a few times. He made dinner for a sick friend, and when I talked to him yesterday, we was about to leave for Denver again. We made tentative summer plans, but really I know he is hoping for a fancy internship.
Family game night was Stratego.
For breakfast we had orange/cranberry muffins. Yum.
I hope life is good for you!
Here are some songs that I love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5aS5LSrQM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR7OIMc31yo
Happy snowyday!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Rosie vs. Filth, Part I
I hate dust. I hate dusting, and then looking around and seeing dust. I've had this dustlust building up for weeks, and today was the day to breech the peace and wage war against the dust.
Room 1: living room.
With the duster, I dusted the ceiling, doors, door frames, curtain rods, and walls. I took the pictures off the walls. It was dusty behind them. I cleaned the pictures outside, and washed the walls with a wash cloth, water and a little soap. Yes, I washed the walls. I took every book off of every bookshelf, and cleaned each book outside. I dusted the bookshelves dry, and with furniture spray. Anything made of a material that could handle it was washed with water. So THERE!
***
I felt like such a winner. The problem was that I kept being interrupted. It was so bad...that Today is Monday. I started writing this on Friday.
My mother called while I was dusting. SubFinder called while I was dusting. Abbie's teacher called while I was dusting (routine stuff - no issues). THE MORMONS KNOCKED WHILE I WAS DUSTING!
I know that religious groups who knock on doors are just trying to convert people. Still....it always makes me feel like they care. I hate to dismiss them without listening politely, before telling them that my decisions were informed and thank them for the thought. This time, though, I was covered in dust, and that made me extra embarrassed. I don't think I was quite decisive sounding, and I suspect they will come back.
On Saturday we had our first ever family haircut day. We all needed one except Abbie, and she decided to join. She got a few inches cut off, and Grant and Josh have short, tidy haircuts. I was the unsuccess. We all know that I'm not the assertive type. Well, when the girl informed me that she had "just added a little mocha" to my usual color (which she appeared to have difficulty reading off of the ticket) I should have said something. But...I didn't know what that meant, and she'd already done it! I didn't want her to have to waste it...or get upset that I didn't like it, and then "accidentally" mess up my hair some other way. I ought to have chanced it, though. My hair is extra dark, she left it on my head for 45 minutes and my scalp still hurts, plus my bangs feel less than soft. Then there is the cut. I didn't notice it the first day, but there is one layer that she did too short and it pokes out like a flag away from my head. She talked a lot, too. A good portion of it was her insisting that I was "going to love it" and she even told me that my roots looked so dark, and that was "why". In my own defence, I must say that I A) Never told her I was trying to dye my hair the color of my roots, and B) Never made a single dis-satisfied noise. Why was she being so defensive?
I am anxious to continue my war against dust. Some dust is already attempting to return to the living room. I have an urge to take everything out of the house, clean like crazy, and then "move" back in. That's how I feel. Of course, the weather is not as suitable today, what with the chilly drizzle and all.
The perfect weather, in short, for Dublin Coddle! Made some for the first time last night (i.e. St. patricks' Day). We ate it with some Sister Schubert rolls and played a game of Scrabble while wearing green. Cookies with green sprinkles for dessert. Not bad, eh?
Since we have spoken, I have read Persuasion by Jane Austen, and have started Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. I'm also reading Mrs. Dalloway on and off, but it is really the kind to give one a headache. It's a stream of consciousness of every main character, plus every one he or she passes. Yes, really. I'm about halfway through, perhaps.
Next week is Spring Break. I know I am going to my Grandmother's for one day, and spending that night at my mom's. I might also take in the zoo one day, or the Botanical Gardens. I don't know what to cook for Easter.
Hope you are all having the happiest possible Monday. I have to rush off to do a few things before getting the kids and taking them to music lessons.
MUAH!
Room 1: living room.
With the duster, I dusted the ceiling, doors, door frames, curtain rods, and walls. I took the pictures off the walls. It was dusty behind them. I cleaned the pictures outside, and washed the walls with a wash cloth, water and a little soap. Yes, I washed the walls. I took every book off of every bookshelf, and cleaned each book outside. I dusted the bookshelves dry, and with furniture spray. Anything made of a material that could handle it was washed with water. So THERE!
***
I felt like such a winner. The problem was that I kept being interrupted. It was so bad...that Today is Monday. I started writing this on Friday.
My mother called while I was dusting. SubFinder called while I was dusting. Abbie's teacher called while I was dusting (routine stuff - no issues). THE MORMONS KNOCKED WHILE I WAS DUSTING!
I know that religious groups who knock on doors are just trying to convert people. Still....it always makes me feel like they care. I hate to dismiss them without listening politely, before telling them that my decisions were informed and thank them for the thought. This time, though, I was covered in dust, and that made me extra embarrassed. I don't think I was quite decisive sounding, and I suspect they will come back.
On Saturday we had our first ever family haircut day. We all needed one except Abbie, and she decided to join. She got a few inches cut off, and Grant and Josh have short, tidy haircuts. I was the unsuccess. We all know that I'm not the assertive type. Well, when the girl informed me that she had "just added a little mocha" to my usual color (which she appeared to have difficulty reading off of the ticket) I should have said something. But...I didn't know what that meant, and she'd already done it! I didn't want her to have to waste it...or get upset that I didn't like it, and then "accidentally" mess up my hair some other way. I ought to have chanced it, though. My hair is extra dark, she left it on my head for 45 minutes and my scalp still hurts, plus my bangs feel less than soft. Then there is the cut. I didn't notice it the first day, but there is one layer that she did too short and it pokes out like a flag away from my head. She talked a lot, too. A good portion of it was her insisting that I was "going to love it" and she even told me that my roots looked so dark, and that was "why". In my own defence, I must say that I A) Never told her I was trying to dye my hair the color of my roots, and B) Never made a single dis-satisfied noise. Why was she being so defensive?
I am anxious to continue my war against dust. Some dust is already attempting to return to the living room. I have an urge to take everything out of the house, clean like crazy, and then "move" back in. That's how I feel. Of course, the weather is not as suitable today, what with the chilly drizzle and all.
The perfect weather, in short, for Dublin Coddle! Made some for the first time last night (i.e. St. patricks' Day). We ate it with some Sister Schubert rolls and played a game of Scrabble while wearing green. Cookies with green sprinkles for dessert. Not bad, eh?
Since we have spoken, I have read Persuasion by Jane Austen, and have started Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. I'm also reading Mrs. Dalloway on and off, but it is really the kind to give one a headache. It's a stream of consciousness of every main character, plus every one he or she passes. Yes, really. I'm about halfway through, perhaps.
Next week is Spring Break. I know I am going to my Grandmother's for one day, and spending that night at my mom's. I might also take in the zoo one day, or the Botanical Gardens. I don't know what to cook for Easter.
Hope you are all having the happiest possible Monday. I have to rush off to do a few things before getting the kids and taking them to music lessons.
MUAH!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sick as a Dog.
You know I can't resist a good upper respiratory virus! ...Literally. No resistance. If someone has a wicked cold within 20 feet of me, we can all pretty much expect me to get it. And 4 times out of 5 it will turn into a sinus infection almost immediately.
On that note, I have contracted a wicked cold and sinus infection. Now, who's surprised? Anyone? Well, I am certainly not. Even if my immune system hadn't been diligently preventing me from coming down with the stomach virus I would have more than likely caught this cold, since it's going around. Considering my worn down state, it was absolutely inevitable.
I read Sarah Addison Allen's book, The Sugar Queen. I do like that lady's writing. It's so lovable. What do you think I should read next?
Abbie is home with me today. I'm confident that she is done with the stomach virus, but she did throw up once yesterday, and she isn't allowed at school because of it. I think if I give her the right kind of food, she will be fine. Probably we just introduced things too quickly for her recently sick tummy. It is also possible that she over-ate, not knowing how sensitive she would be.
We weren't supposed to get this weather today. It rained all day yesterday, but was warm. Today was supposed to be chilly, but not cold, and with no precipitation. Well, what we are getting is a very small, hard snow. It is very close to mini-sleet. Against the dark wood of the wet deck, it looks like someone had been cooking and left a sugar spill. I worry because Callie sometimes slipped on the ice coming out the back door, and once I think it hurt her foot a little.
Speaking of dogs, are you interested in the dog show? Grant and I went, and Abbie stayed here with Josh. We got there right when it opened, and visited with the Great Danes and the smooth collies the most. I ended up with lots of pictures of them, and corgis, too. Abbie had sent me with a list of dogs to photograph, and I loved it. It was like a scavenger hunt, and gave purpose to otherwise languid wanderings. The Afghan hound was the hardest, as there was really only one there before we left. I took a picture of her getting her hair done. Mom joined us, without Ms. Johanna, and then we met with Gran and Nanny. Gran mostly wanted to sit, and I sat with her for a long time. After lunch we went to the cars and transferred goodies, and then Grant and I left. It was a long 4 hours, mainly of standing and walking and meeting dogs. Most dogs and most handlers were great. Grant's favorite dog was a Samoyed who put her paws on his shoulders and gave him a kiss. I find this cosmically perfect. When my brother was around 10 years old, it was his favorite dog, and Grant reminds me of my brother a LOT. He also likes the Danes, corgis and bulldogs. A pretty wide variety!
I still like the smooth collies. I met one named Jasper. Sweet dog. As I learned about the small differences between the rough and smooth collies' personalities, I understand why the Humane Society claims Callie to have some of the genes. Smooth collies tend to rub their bodies against you (just like Callie) like a cat. They do it when they want to be loved on, but also when they want to push you in a direction - say...toward the dog food container. Also, Callie doesn't really have lab eyes. I think they must be collie eyes, or a hybrid.
I saw some of Jake's ancestral clan, as well: My other favorite, the 15 inch beagle. Sturdy legs, cute noses, floppy ears, big eyes... This year, though, I only got to pet a puppy who wouldn't sit still. I didn't feel the urge to rush out and get one. I wasn't able to even get a picture of the Basset hounds. I only saw one all day, with its ears up in a shower cap. So funny.
The only thing I have this week is Grant's dentist appointment on Thursday. I guess it isn't the worst time ever to get a bad cold.
I bought lottery tickets last week. Didn't win, of course. I really could use a giant windfall right now. Josh is claiming that we will have to buy furniture in order to sell the house. Isn't that the most counterproductive thing you have ever heard? I'm doing my best to hold him off. Why can't a decent down payment fall out of the sky, so we can sell this house quickly for what houses of this sort are actually going for these days? We've saved what to me is a huge amount of money for the purposes of down payment, but it still doesn't cover the difference between what we owe on the house and what we could get for it.
We are considering Dardenne Prairie or O'Fallon. Josh has been telling me about this neighborhood that a co-worker lives in that he considers perfect. I looked it up. It's about 100,000.00 outside of our price range.
Figures.
Off I go to get rest and regain my former health!
Happy Monday!
On that note, I have contracted a wicked cold and sinus infection. Now, who's surprised? Anyone? Well, I am certainly not. Even if my immune system hadn't been diligently preventing me from coming down with the stomach virus I would have more than likely caught this cold, since it's going around. Considering my worn down state, it was absolutely inevitable.
I read Sarah Addison Allen's book, The Sugar Queen. I do like that lady's writing. It's so lovable. What do you think I should read next?
Abbie is home with me today. I'm confident that she is done with the stomach virus, but she did throw up once yesterday, and she isn't allowed at school because of it. I think if I give her the right kind of food, she will be fine. Probably we just introduced things too quickly for her recently sick tummy. It is also possible that she over-ate, not knowing how sensitive she would be.
We weren't supposed to get this weather today. It rained all day yesterday, but was warm. Today was supposed to be chilly, but not cold, and with no precipitation. Well, what we are getting is a very small, hard snow. It is very close to mini-sleet. Against the dark wood of the wet deck, it looks like someone had been cooking and left a sugar spill. I worry because Callie sometimes slipped on the ice coming out the back door, and once I think it hurt her foot a little.
Speaking of dogs, are you interested in the dog show? Grant and I went, and Abbie stayed here with Josh. We got there right when it opened, and visited with the Great Danes and the smooth collies the most. I ended up with lots of pictures of them, and corgis, too. Abbie had sent me with a list of dogs to photograph, and I loved it. It was like a scavenger hunt, and gave purpose to otherwise languid wanderings. The Afghan hound was the hardest, as there was really only one there before we left. I took a picture of her getting her hair done. Mom joined us, without Ms. Johanna, and then we met with Gran and Nanny. Gran mostly wanted to sit, and I sat with her for a long time. After lunch we went to the cars and transferred goodies, and then Grant and I left. It was a long 4 hours, mainly of standing and walking and meeting dogs. Most dogs and most handlers were great. Grant's favorite dog was a Samoyed who put her paws on his shoulders and gave him a kiss. I find this cosmically perfect. When my brother was around 10 years old, it was his favorite dog, and Grant reminds me of my brother a LOT. He also likes the Danes, corgis and bulldogs. A pretty wide variety!
I still like the smooth collies. I met one named Jasper. Sweet dog. As I learned about the small differences between the rough and smooth collies' personalities, I understand why the Humane Society claims Callie to have some of the genes. Smooth collies tend to rub their bodies against you (just like Callie) like a cat. They do it when they want to be loved on, but also when they want to push you in a direction - say...toward the dog food container. Also, Callie doesn't really have lab eyes. I think they must be collie eyes, or a hybrid.
I saw some of Jake's ancestral clan, as well: My other favorite, the 15 inch beagle. Sturdy legs, cute noses, floppy ears, big eyes... This year, though, I only got to pet a puppy who wouldn't sit still. I didn't feel the urge to rush out and get one. I wasn't able to even get a picture of the Basset hounds. I only saw one all day, with its ears up in a shower cap. So funny.
The only thing I have this week is Grant's dentist appointment on Thursday. I guess it isn't the worst time ever to get a bad cold.
I bought lottery tickets last week. Didn't win, of course. I really could use a giant windfall right now. Josh is claiming that we will have to buy furniture in order to sell the house. Isn't that the most counterproductive thing you have ever heard? I'm doing my best to hold him off. Why can't a decent down payment fall out of the sky, so we can sell this house quickly for what houses of this sort are actually going for these days? We've saved what to me is a huge amount of money for the purposes of down payment, but it still doesn't cover the difference between what we owe on the house and what we could get for it.
We are considering Dardenne Prairie or O'Fallon. Josh has been telling me about this neighborhood that a co-worker lives in that he considers perfect. I looked it up. It's about 100,000.00 outside of our price range.
Figures.
Off I go to get rest and regain my former health!
Happy Monday!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Well! ..No, Just Kidding.
Sorry. Bad joke.
I guess I should start with the orthodontist appointment, since that's where this latest saga began.
The orthodontic news: The office (description later) x-rayed Grant's teeth and Dr. M told us that she does, in fact, recommend the removal of two baby teeth that are preventing proper let down of the permanent tooth above. She also recommends removing a lower baby tooth that is particularly unhealthy, and a tiny piece of tooth on the other side of Grant's mouth that was actually part of his very first baby tooth to come out. Poor kid. I can't wait for him to have a mouth full of healthy permanent teeth, and so far, so good. His appointment for all of this is next Thursday.
The car ride: Abbie threw up. Fortunately, she warned me that she didn't feel well, and I was able to correctly interpret her whimpering in enough time to pull over. Three times.
That was the beginning: Wednesday around 4pm. It is now Friday, around 8 am. Abbie is still vomiting. She did hold down Pedialite once for about 30 minutes. Nothing before or since. Not even water. It has been rough, and neither of us have had much sleep the last two nights. She has been sick at least twice every hour. Right now she is asleep, and I have hopes that she is finished, but am not sure.
Tomorrow we are meant to go to the dog show in Columbia. As of 4-ish this morning I had decided to cancel completely, but before he left for work, Josh said Abbie could stay home with him. I'm relieved that I don't have to make everyone upset. We have been planning this trip for a year, you know. If Abbie recovers and feels like going tomorrow, I will let her - and pack light food for her to eat that won't make her worse. If not, she can rest at home, and I can bring her lots of pictures.
I had such angry dreams last night. (And when I say "last night, I mean between 4:30 and 6:02, when we actually got a nice, long break.) There was a meeting for Substitutes that I had to attend, and I met my mom at a restaurant on the way, and A was there with his wife and my mom was cranky about that. I left before eating because I was late. Then there was some thing about the wrong bus, and a chase, and me shouting angrily in the face of a real acquaintance of mine, with whom I've actually been getting along with quite smoothly lately, so I don't even know what that was about. Well, in the dream he said something completely degrading and used me as the example, but I mean I don't know why it was him who said it in the dream. There is no real problem at present.
The chase and the being late directly translate into yesterday, though. It was terrible. It was nearly time to get Grant from school, and I went to tell Abbie. I asked her if I could take her in the car with me, but she said no. But I've never left my kids ALONE. And I would never leave a sick person alone. But it was true. She couldn't be away from the bathroom that long. So I told her she could sleep and that I would come right back. I hated it. But there was no right answer. Naturally, I was anxious to get a good spot in line, but the world conspired against me. First, I was behind a tractor on the highway. Second, when I finally could pass him, it was almost the first stop light.....where the lady in front of me stalled her car. I'm not kidding. I had to let traffic pass, and then pass her. Then, two blocks later, the man in front of me nearly hit an oncoming car. Totally his fault. They both stopped dead in the road - inches from each other. By the time I got to the school, I was so far back that I was across the street from the parking lot. Then, inexplicably, two cars got in the lane I was meant to be in, so I had to go in the other one (the one that doesn't go fist at dismissal). Grant finally got into the car, and for some reason the two cars in front of us hadn't had their kids come out yet. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!!? So we had to wait for another complete round of dismissal before we could leave.
I cried all the way home. Fortunately, Abbie was awake and no worse when we got there. I'm not going to complain, since it ended well, but I can understand that part of my unhappy dreams.
Other, less important stuff:
Callie was a huge glutton and ate Jake's food for two days in a row. Then, when I was giving crackers to my poor, sick daughter, she kept eating those, too. Well, I fixed her. I've been doing all the dogs' feeding since Abbie got sick, and they are both learning an important lesson about portion control.
The crock pot food was dark meat chicken, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms in white wine. I liked it a lot.
Going to apply for another job today. Did I mention that Scottrade turned me down? It's true.
I need to return that library book.
I am super tired. I'm going to lie down while Abbie is still resting. Cross your fingers that we are donw with the worst, and can rest up and feel better by dinner time.
Happy Friday and good health to you, Friends!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAH2ow2fnTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytxwXeQbZpc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaP1OBDFqI
I guess I should start with the orthodontist appointment, since that's where this latest saga began.
The orthodontic news: The office (description later) x-rayed Grant's teeth and Dr. M told us that she does, in fact, recommend the removal of two baby teeth that are preventing proper let down of the permanent tooth above. She also recommends removing a lower baby tooth that is particularly unhealthy, and a tiny piece of tooth on the other side of Grant's mouth that was actually part of his very first baby tooth to come out. Poor kid. I can't wait for him to have a mouth full of healthy permanent teeth, and so far, so good. His appointment for all of this is next Thursday.
The car ride: Abbie threw up. Fortunately, she warned me that she didn't feel well, and I was able to correctly interpret her whimpering in enough time to pull over. Three times.
That was the beginning: Wednesday around 4pm. It is now Friday, around 8 am. Abbie is still vomiting. She did hold down Pedialite once for about 30 minutes. Nothing before or since. Not even water. It has been rough, and neither of us have had much sleep the last two nights. She has been sick at least twice every hour. Right now she is asleep, and I have hopes that she is finished, but am not sure.
Tomorrow we are meant to go to the dog show in Columbia. As of 4-ish this morning I had decided to cancel completely, but before he left for work, Josh said Abbie could stay home with him. I'm relieved that I don't have to make everyone upset. We have been planning this trip for a year, you know. If Abbie recovers and feels like going tomorrow, I will let her - and pack light food for her to eat that won't make her worse. If not, she can rest at home, and I can bring her lots of pictures.
I had such angry dreams last night. (And when I say "last night, I mean between 4:30 and 6:02, when we actually got a nice, long break.) There was a meeting for Substitutes that I had to attend, and I met my mom at a restaurant on the way, and A was there with his wife and my mom was cranky about that. I left before eating because I was late. Then there was some thing about the wrong bus, and a chase, and me shouting angrily in the face of a real acquaintance of mine, with whom I've actually been getting along with quite smoothly lately, so I don't even know what that was about. Well, in the dream he said something completely degrading and used me as the example, but I mean I don't know why it was him who said it in the dream. There is no real problem at present.
The chase and the being late directly translate into yesterday, though. It was terrible. It was nearly time to get Grant from school, and I went to tell Abbie. I asked her if I could take her in the car with me, but she said no. But I've never left my kids ALONE. And I would never leave a sick person alone. But it was true. She couldn't be away from the bathroom that long. So I told her she could sleep and that I would come right back. I hated it. But there was no right answer. Naturally, I was anxious to get a good spot in line, but the world conspired against me. First, I was behind a tractor on the highway. Second, when I finally could pass him, it was almost the first stop light.....where the lady in front of me stalled her car. I'm not kidding. I had to let traffic pass, and then pass her. Then, two blocks later, the man in front of me nearly hit an oncoming car. Totally his fault. They both stopped dead in the road - inches from each other. By the time I got to the school, I was so far back that I was across the street from the parking lot. Then, inexplicably, two cars got in the lane I was meant to be in, so I had to go in the other one (the one that doesn't go fist at dismissal). Grant finally got into the car, and for some reason the two cars in front of us hadn't had their kids come out yet. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!!? So we had to wait for another complete round of dismissal before we could leave.
I cried all the way home. Fortunately, Abbie was awake and no worse when we got there. I'm not going to complain, since it ended well, but I can understand that part of my unhappy dreams.
Other, less important stuff:
Callie was a huge glutton and ate Jake's food for two days in a row. Then, when I was giving crackers to my poor, sick daughter, she kept eating those, too. Well, I fixed her. I've been doing all the dogs' feeding since Abbie got sick, and they are both learning an important lesson about portion control.
The crock pot food was dark meat chicken, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms in white wine. I liked it a lot.
Going to apply for another job today. Did I mention that Scottrade turned me down? It's true.
I need to return that library book.
I am super tired. I'm going to lie down while Abbie is still resting. Cross your fingers that we are donw with the worst, and can rest up and feel better by dinner time.
Happy Friday and good health to you, Friends!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAH2ow2fnTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytxwXeQbZpc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaP1OBDFqI
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I can read.
I thought I would be busily writing the taiko newsletter this week, but it has been scheduled later this time, so I am not. I should be getting ready to rush to the grocery store today, but...it's cold. I would like to pretend that I'm waiting for the ice on the streets of my neighborhood and presumably the Wal-mart parking lot to thaw. Really, though, I'm just cold, and it's winter out there.
Books I have read this week: (Week, in this case, meaning since last Wednesday, not the most recent Monday, which would be yesterday.)
-The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Attwood (Library)
-Fallen, by...um....Lauren Kate (Present from Josh)
-The Eyre Affair, Jasper Fforde (Re-read from personal stash)
I was not expecting to enjoy The Handmaid's Tale. And I didn't. It's not that kind of book, which I understood going in. It reminded me a little of 1984. Like 1984, I can't deny that it was well done. Unlike 1984, the uncertain end is given an uplifting epilogue, which implies that there was a happy end (at least temporarily) for the protagonist.
Fallen. What can I say about that book? Josh bought it for me because he was amused that the cover said something about fallen angels being The Next Big Thing in fantasy lit. Well, I can see a certain amount of aesthetic in that. I was very open to the idea, despite the fact that it was obviously juvenile lit. That cover secret being out, however, the attempted suspense didn't really work. Also, it was hauntingly familiar...in a bad way. Let's see if you catch it:
Beginning. 17year old girl at new school, separated from her formerly familiar and reasonably happy surroundings sees boy of unearthly beauty and feels herself powerfully drawn to him, despite his obvious distaste for her, which sometimes borders on hostility. (Sounding familiar yet?)
Boy saves girl from strange accident. (Now, where have I heard that before...?)
Low on dialogue, but high on internalized obsession, Girl tries to figure out Boy. (Yes, really.)
Girl, who claims to be super smart and on the honor roll (Deja-vu?) still shows us her total ignorance by putting herself in a completely dangerous position, forcing Boy to come and save her. Please note that we are supposed to be cheering for this girl even though she shows little regard for rules or advice that is meant to keep her away from harm.
Boy confesses that he has secretly had an unnatural interest in Girl all along, and they decide they are in love.....based on an acquaintance of less than a week (or all eternity, depending on how you look at it).
Girl finds out that Boy is immortal....and supernatural....and that there is some bigger, scarier, superhuman battle going on that somehow....yes, it's true....involves her.
They must escape.
Umyeah. Well, her writing does not resonate, penetrate or even gleam slightly, but it's still better than the total ineptitude of Stephanie Meyer. However, Meyer might have the upper hand in dialog writing. Also, there were occasionally sentences whose subject or object were unclear. Editing oversight?
I feel no love for the main character, and not more than a little curiosity for the male lead. However, there is so much that was brought forward but not addressed that I am tempted to read the rest of the series just to get a few questions answered. Not immediately, though. Yikes.
No, I do not recommend this book. Not even if you are 15.
However, Jasper Fforde always makes me feel better. I like The Eyre Affair, because it presumes that I am a literature nerd. Correctly, I need not add.
Today, Grant goes to the orthodontist. He was home sick yesterday, which threw off my productive plans. No big deal, really. Sometimes you have to snuggle a little boy instead.
Today I am needing ingredients to make a new and exciting dinner in the crock pot, since I don't know what time we will get home from the orthodontist, who's office is located in Troy.
This weekend we will go to the dog show in Columbia. YAY! Wanna come?
I really should do something productive....
Books I have read this week: (Week, in this case, meaning since last Wednesday, not the most recent Monday, which would be yesterday.)
-The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Attwood (Library)
-Fallen, by...um....Lauren Kate (Present from Josh)
-The Eyre Affair, Jasper Fforde (Re-read from personal stash)
I was not expecting to enjoy The Handmaid's Tale. And I didn't. It's not that kind of book, which I understood going in. It reminded me a little of 1984. Like 1984, I can't deny that it was well done. Unlike 1984, the uncertain end is given an uplifting epilogue, which implies that there was a happy end (at least temporarily) for the protagonist.
Fallen. What can I say about that book? Josh bought it for me because he was amused that the cover said something about fallen angels being The Next Big Thing in fantasy lit. Well, I can see a certain amount of aesthetic in that. I was very open to the idea, despite the fact that it was obviously juvenile lit. That cover secret being out, however, the attempted suspense didn't really work. Also, it was hauntingly familiar...in a bad way. Let's see if you catch it:
Beginning. 17year old girl at new school, separated from her formerly familiar and reasonably happy surroundings sees boy of unearthly beauty and feels herself powerfully drawn to him, despite his obvious distaste for her, which sometimes borders on hostility. (Sounding familiar yet?)
Boy saves girl from strange accident. (Now, where have I heard that before...?)
Low on dialogue, but high on internalized obsession, Girl tries to figure out Boy. (Yes, really.)
Girl, who claims to be super smart and on the honor roll (Deja-vu?) still shows us her total ignorance by putting herself in a completely dangerous position, forcing Boy to come and save her. Please note that we are supposed to be cheering for this girl even though she shows little regard for rules or advice that is meant to keep her away from harm.
Boy confesses that he has secretly had an unnatural interest in Girl all along, and they decide they are in love.....based on an acquaintance of less than a week (or all eternity, depending on how you look at it).
Girl finds out that Boy is immortal....and supernatural....and that there is some bigger, scarier, superhuman battle going on that somehow....yes, it's true....involves her.
They must escape.
Umyeah. Well, her writing does not resonate, penetrate or even gleam slightly, but it's still better than the total ineptitude of Stephanie Meyer. However, Meyer might have the upper hand in dialog writing. Also, there were occasionally sentences whose subject or object were unclear. Editing oversight?
I feel no love for the main character, and not more than a little curiosity for the male lead. However, there is so much that was brought forward but not addressed that I am tempted to read the rest of the series just to get a few questions answered. Not immediately, though. Yikes.
No, I do not recommend this book. Not even if you are 15.
However, Jasper Fforde always makes me feel better. I like The Eyre Affair, because it presumes that I am a literature nerd. Correctly, I need not add.
Today, Grant goes to the orthodontist. He was home sick yesterday, which threw off my productive plans. No big deal, really. Sometimes you have to snuggle a little boy instead.
Today I am needing ingredients to make a new and exciting dinner in the crock pot, since I don't know what time we will get home from the orthodontist, who's office is located in Troy.
This weekend we will go to the dog show in Columbia. YAY! Wanna come?
I really should do something productive....
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