Goddess Musings
Musings of a baseball loving feminist in Chicago
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Country Mouse, City Mouse
Our weekend with Amy & Isabelle is over and as I write, they are still trying to get home to Maine despite a small blizzard happening there. The girls had a great time together. Amy & I estimate that at least 60% of the time they really did like each other. Not only do the girls have to overcome the fact that this was only the 2nd time they've been together, but they are two head-strong, intelligent & competitive only children put together for 3 days.
Perfect example was when they tried to play Chutes & Ladders together. Isabelle has played it many times and Ella maybe once. I sent them to Ella's room and said that Isabelle would teach Ella. Isabelle knows that the youngest goes first. That's where the fighting began. "I'm the youngest!" "No, I am!" Amy went in and tried to explain to Isabelle that Ella is 3 days younger. Izzy wasn't buying it.
They also aren't exactly the same. Izzy is more aggressive than Ella and Ella has yet to master the skill of defending herself, especially from friends. But I think Ella was trying to hold her own at the end, especially the last car ride where Ella kept saying, "No!" to Izzy's handling of Ella's new books.
The best part, for me, of the weekend was celebrating their 4 1/2 year birthdays. I made cheese enchiladas, Cinnamon made a cake (photos to be on Flickr soon) and Amy & I bought them each matching books. It's one of the best family dinners ever.
Ella got this awesome gift over the summer from girl-BFF, Cranium Hullabaloo, that Izzy & Ella loved playing. They also spent a lot of time in Ella's room doing projects aka gluing, coloring, and other messy things to make cute pictures. They also got up before the adults and we would hear them whispering to each other (yes, they slept in Ella's bed together) while playing.
I feel like 3 days isn't long enough for a visit, but for two 4yos, I think it was just long enough.
Thankfully I now know that Jet Blue flies to Portland and not for an arm & a leg, so maybe I'll finally make it out there soon and Amy can put me up for a few days.
Perfect example was when they tried to play Chutes & Ladders together. Isabelle has played it many times and Ella maybe once. I sent them to Ella's room and said that Isabelle would teach Ella. Isabelle knows that the youngest goes first. That's where the fighting began. "I'm the youngest!" "No, I am!" Amy went in and tried to explain to Isabelle that Ella is 3 days younger. Izzy wasn't buying it.
They also aren't exactly the same. Izzy is more aggressive than Ella and Ella has yet to master the skill of defending herself, especially from friends. But I think Ella was trying to hold her own at the end, especially the last car ride where Ella kept saying, "No!" to Izzy's handling of Ella's new books.
The best part, for me, of the weekend was celebrating their 4 1/2 year birthdays. I made cheese enchiladas, Cinnamon made a cake (photos to be on Flickr soon) and Amy & I bought them each matching books. It's one of the best family dinners ever.
Ella got this awesome gift over the summer from girl-BFF, Cranium Hullabaloo, that Izzy & Ella loved playing. They also spent a lot of time in Ella's room doing projects aka gluing, coloring, and other messy things to make cute pictures. They also got up before the adults and we would hear them whispering to each other (yes, they slept in Ella's bed together) while playing.
I feel like 3 days isn't long enough for a visit, but for two 4yos, I think it was just long enough.
Thankfully I now know that Jet Blue flies to Portland and not for an arm & a leg, so maybe I'll finally make it out there soon and Amy can put me up for a few days.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Math time
The amount of love I have for a visiting friend = 1/cleaning I do for them
That's my explanation for the fact that in 12 hours Amy & Isabelle arrive and I still have dishes to do, books on my coffee table, and the usual every day crap on the dining room table. Oh and Ella sweatshirts all over the couches. But at least Ella's room is pretty much picked up, the hubby bought a new shower curtain, and well, I'm off to wash the dishes & tidy up the kitchen.
Cue Cyndi Lauper...It's a girls weekend!
For the math "impaired" - It's not a real formula rather my lame short hand to say is inversely proportional. Perhaps it's too late for me to do math too...hmmm...should be 1/love = cleaning?
i dunno anymore...someone with a fresh brain comment!
oh...and no one is math impaired. Whether in cooking or figuring out exactly how much those shoes are on sale for...you can do it. :P
That's my explanation for the fact that in 12 hours Amy & Isabelle arrive and I still have dishes to do, books on my coffee table, and the usual every day crap on the dining room table. Oh and Ella sweatshirts all over the couches. But at least Ella's room is pretty much picked up, the hubby bought a new shower curtain, and well, I'm off to wash the dishes & tidy up the kitchen.
Cue Cyndi Lauper...It's a girls weekend!
For the math "impaired" - It's not a real formula rather my lame short hand to say is inversely proportional. Perhaps it's too late for me to do math too...hmmm...should be 1/love = cleaning?
i dunno anymore...someone with a fresh brain comment!
oh...and no one is math impaired. Whether in cooking or figuring out exactly how much those shoes are on sale for...you can do it. :P
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Should I have let my dad sue?
Days after I had Ella my dad told me that he was going to meet with lawyers to begin a malpractice suit against my mom's doctors. I remember vividly holding Miss Ella in one arm and holding his hand with the other. I called my sisters over and said, "Mom did this. She made her choices and she did this to us. She was sick. She knew she had to get her leg amputated. Yes, she was depressed and not thinking straight, but I told you that too. Dad, don't do this. It won't bring her back and I don't think the doctors could have done anything."
I'm thinking of this today only because I just read that John Ritter's family is starting their lawsuits. FOUR years after his death. It'll be five years this May for Mom.
I am always retracing my steps. If I had done this or that, would she be her with us? It's rare that I think back on my decision to not sign paperwork to let a lawsuit proceed. I never saw the paperwork, but I told my dad & sisters I wouldn't support it. Was I just so mad at my mom that I couldn't see (and still don't) a reason to sue?
A few days after I got to North Carolina and saw her in the ICU, a doctor sat down with my youngest sister, my dad, & me and told us that she would eventually die. Not in those words, but that's what he was saying. I questioned him hard about why this hadn't been done, this and that. He had an answer for everything. Added to that, my mom did attend some appointments alone, so the doctor could say anything happened.
Would anything had happened differently? I could care less about the money, even if it would come in very handy with the many home repairs we keep putting off. But I just didn't want to wallow in the medical crap for years and years. It's hard enough with all the emotional crap that I'm still dealing with.
And yes for me the person at the end of the "whose fault was this?" path was my mother. I had called the game months before she died. I warned her and the rest of them of what was coming. I was too far away to do more than that and they were too close to see it.
I wanted to do some linkage back to those posts, but wow...the anger, the frustration. I had almost forgotten all of it. I can so better see that I am a numb person now. Such an emotionally numb/dead person with most of the world. How freakin' sad. For new readers the Cliff Notes is this: My mom got a leg wound, never controlled her diabetes, and ended up dying, three months before her first grandchild was born, of gangrene because she didn't want to get her leg amputated.
I'm thinking of this today only because I just read that John Ritter's family is starting their lawsuits. FOUR years after his death. It'll be five years this May for Mom.
I am always retracing my steps. If I had done this or that, would she be her with us? It's rare that I think back on my decision to not sign paperwork to let a lawsuit proceed. I never saw the paperwork, but I told my dad & sisters I wouldn't support it. Was I just so mad at my mom that I couldn't see (and still don't) a reason to sue?
A few days after I got to North Carolina and saw her in the ICU, a doctor sat down with my youngest sister, my dad, & me and told us that she would eventually die. Not in those words, but that's what he was saying. I questioned him hard about why this hadn't been done, this and that. He had an answer for everything. Added to that, my mom did attend some appointments alone, so the doctor could say anything happened.
Would anything had happened differently? I could care less about the money, even if it would come in very handy with the many home repairs we keep putting off. But I just didn't want to wallow in the medical crap for years and years. It's hard enough with all the emotional crap that I'm still dealing with.
And yes for me the person at the end of the "whose fault was this?" path was my mother. I had called the game months before she died. I warned her and the rest of them of what was coming. I was too far away to do more than that and they were too close to see it.
I wanted to do some linkage back to those posts, but wow...the anger, the frustration. I had almost forgotten all of it. I can so better see that I am a numb person now. Such an emotionally numb/dead person with most of the world. How freakin' sad. For new readers the Cliff Notes is this: My mom got a leg wound, never controlled her diabetes, and ended up dying, three months before her first grandchild was born, of gangrene because she didn't want to get her leg amputated.
Labels: family
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
A late personal Hanukkah recap
I can't believe that life has been so busy that I haven't had a chance to tell ya'll what I got for my personal Hanukkah:
Solstice - This was when we exchanged gifts before we headed out to my dad's for Christmas. The hubby got me some PJs - which I can never have enough. Ella got me the best present - a tea set for two.
Back story -- The hubby asked her what she wanted to get me and she said a tea set for two. I dunno exactly how she described it, but that's what she wanted to get me. The hubby asked why and she said it was so that when she is sick, I could make her tea and we could share it. The hubby thought it was just so perfect that *I* must have told her that's what I wanted. If he was more observant, he would have seen the personal tea pot in the kitchen I bought last year. *poke* One night they went out to EIGHT different stores to find this elusive tea set. The hubby finally had to order it online. A few days ago when Ella was kinda sick, I made us some soy chai lattes in the pot. She loved it!
Christmas brought me mostly gift cards, which I love. I'm trying to buy more grown-up clothes, so they help out a lot. Especially a $50 gift card to Ann Taylor Loft my youngest sister's family got me. At the beginning of December I had to buy a new suit, so I splurged at ATL and got a zillion of those "Buy $50 get $25 off" coupons. So...I ended up buying just over $100 worth of clothes for half off, including this cute sweater I'm wearing today. woohoo! The Huffencoopers also got me a super cute skirt that I'm working hard to find the perfect top to match. I think I can wear it with some other tops, but it feels not quite perfect.
My birthday brought Cinnamon's gift from Levenger which I still have to use. The book I just finished was started with some other sticky notes, so I finished that one up. One thing about gifts like this is that part of me thinks I should wait to use it for something perfect. I still have a leather bound blank book that taunts me to use it. But I guess a bunch of sticky notes are good to go. Seriously, I'm going to use it on my next book. Cinn, don't come kick my ass!
The holidays went well, but we were happy to get home. We missed Annie a lot and she missed us a lot too. Ella got spoiled rotten -- We had to buy an extra suitcase to get all her clothes & coloring books home! I guess that's what happens when I ask for no toys. We shouldn't have to buy her any clothes, notebooks, crayons, pencils, coloring books, or barrettes for the next 10 years. OK, maybe some new clothes when it's summer time.
Solstice - This was when we exchanged gifts before we headed out to my dad's for Christmas. The hubby got me some PJs - which I can never have enough. Ella got me the best present - a tea set for two.
Back story -- The hubby asked her what she wanted to get me and she said a tea set for two. I dunno exactly how she described it, but that's what she wanted to get me. The hubby asked why and she said it was so that when she is sick, I could make her tea and we could share it. The hubby thought it was just so perfect that *I* must have told her that's what I wanted. If he was more observant, he would have seen the personal tea pot in the kitchen I bought last year. *poke* One night they went out to EIGHT different stores to find this elusive tea set. The hubby finally had to order it online. A few days ago when Ella was kinda sick, I made us some soy chai lattes in the pot. She loved it!
Christmas brought me mostly gift cards, which I love. I'm trying to buy more grown-up clothes, so they help out a lot. Especially a $50 gift card to Ann Taylor Loft my youngest sister's family got me. At the beginning of December I had to buy a new suit, so I splurged at ATL and got a zillion of those "Buy $50 get $25 off" coupons. So...I ended up buying just over $100 worth of clothes for half off, including this cute sweater I'm wearing today. woohoo! The Huffencoopers also got me a super cute skirt that I'm working hard to find the perfect top to match. I think I can wear it with some other tops, but it feels not quite perfect.
My birthday brought Cinnamon's gift from Levenger which I still have to use. The book I just finished was started with some other sticky notes, so I finished that one up. One thing about gifts like this is that part of me thinks I should wait to use it for something perfect. I still have a leather bound blank book that taunts me to use it. But I guess a bunch of sticky notes are good to go. Seriously, I'm going to use it on my next book. Cinn, don't come kick my ass!
The holidays went well, but we were happy to get home. We missed Annie a lot and she missed us a lot too. Ella got spoiled rotten -- We had to buy an extra suitcase to get all her clothes & coloring books home! I guess that's what happens when I ask for no toys. We shouldn't have to buy her any clothes, notebooks, crayons, pencils, coloring books, or barrettes for the next 10 years. OK, maybe some new clothes when it's summer time.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
My New Year's Resolution, Y'all
Reacquaint myself with country music
Yup, it's that simple.
While the local country station is still pre-set in the car, I lost interest after the Dixie Chick incident, which came just months before my mom's death. When my mom died, my desire to listen to country music died too.
I grew up on country music. Singing cheating & drinking songs in the back of the VW bug was my life. David Frizzle & Dottie West's tape was on constantly, especially on road trips. Yes, lil Roni could sing both "You're the reason God Made Oklahoma" and "Jose Cuervo" by heart. So listening to country music just hurt too damn much. Somehow the Chicks weren't the same. Maybe because I felt like I found them and introduced my mom. It was my music that she also loved. Everything else was pretty much hers.
This past trip to NC was rough. It marked five years since the last time I really saw my mom. Finishing that thought it too hard...
I talked to Ella a lot about the five year mark. That five years ago she was just a tiny sprout in my belly, yanking on our umbilical cord for more pancakes & crab Rangoon, and how happy her late-Grandma was knowing Ella was on her way. I've made a lot of progress in that area...Talking to Ella about her grandma. And you know what?
She loves it. The other day she was playing phone and she said to me, "It's your mom." I replied as I usually do, "It can't be, sweetie." She gave me her trademark smirk and said, "Mom, heaven's calling!" She immediately assessed my amusement with my stunned look and said, "I mean, it's Kevin calling!"
Tonight after we put away the Christmas decorations I found what I believe is the last family portrait of my parents & us girls. I showed it to Ella and for the first time she identified 'that lady' as her grandma.
Five years is a good time to mourn. Not that it's stopping...goodness no, but I need to start taking back parts of my lost life. And oddly at this point in my life, that means country music. "The music of pain." - Xander Harris.
I know I still can't listen to George Strait, so I still listen with one finger on the "next station" button, but I'm trying.
So...anyone reading this know of any new country acts I should be listening to? My Dixie Chicks Pandora station plays a lot of the same songs. Maybe I've thumbs-up'd too many songs! ha!
Thanks.
Yup, it's that simple.
While the local country station is still pre-set in the car, I lost interest after the Dixie Chick incident, which came just months before my mom's death. When my mom died, my desire to listen to country music died too.
I grew up on country music. Singing cheating & drinking songs in the back of the VW bug was my life. David Frizzle & Dottie West's tape was on constantly, especially on road trips. Yes, lil Roni could sing both "You're the reason God Made Oklahoma" and "Jose Cuervo" by heart. So listening to country music just hurt too damn much. Somehow the Chicks weren't the same. Maybe because I felt like I found them and introduced my mom. It was my music that she also loved. Everything else was pretty much hers.
This past trip to NC was rough. It marked five years since the last time I really saw my mom. Finishing that thought it too hard...
I talked to Ella a lot about the five year mark. That five years ago she was just a tiny sprout in my belly, yanking on our umbilical cord for more pancakes & crab Rangoon, and how happy her late-Grandma was knowing Ella was on her way. I've made a lot of progress in that area...Talking to Ella about her grandma. And you know what?
She loves it. The other day she was playing phone and she said to me, "It's your mom." I replied as I usually do, "It can't be, sweetie." She gave me her trademark smirk and said, "Mom, heaven's calling!" She immediately assessed my amusement with my stunned look and said, "I mean, it's Kevin calling!"
Tonight after we put away the Christmas decorations I found what I believe is the last family portrait of my parents & us girls. I showed it to Ella and for the first time she identified 'that lady' as her grandma.
Five years is a good time to mourn. Not that it's stopping...goodness no, but I need to start taking back parts of my lost life. And oddly at this point in my life, that means country music. "The music of pain." - Xander Harris.
I know I still can't listen to George Strait, so I still listen with one finger on the "next station" button, but I'm trying.
So...anyone reading this know of any new country acts I should be listening to? My Dixie Chicks Pandora station plays a lot of the same songs. Maybe I've thumbs-up'd too many songs! ha!
Thanks.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Feliz Dia de Pavo o Dia de Gracias
Considering new, to me, information that Thanksgiving started with Spanish speakers in Florida and not in New England, the title seemed fitting.
Due to our rescheduling of our holiday from a super gay dinner (as my grad student put it) to a traditional family dinner at the last minute, we are doing the unthinkable...picking up an already cooked turkey in the morning from a supermarket. Goddess, I hope it turns out ok. And I hope it oozes enough droppings to make some decent gravy. Not that I eat gravy, but everyone else at my dinner table does.
There will be mashed potatoes, my famous pineapple side dish/dessert (it's an ongoing debate), fresh cranberries (to think I hate cranberry sauce growing up!), DoughBoy crescent rolls (original and garlic), cheesy broccoli (younger sister's favorite), and asparagus (a new tradition).
Of course, there will be football, lots of football as well.
The sis is bring dessert - pumpkin and French silk pie. Thank the Goddess that a Baker's Square is on the way to our place!
It's snowing in Chicago, so it'll be fun to wake up and see how Annie does with her first snow fall. Ella is also eager to break in her new snow boots.
Hope that your day goes the way you want.
Due to our rescheduling of our holiday from a super gay dinner (as my grad student put it) to a traditional family dinner at the last minute, we are doing the unthinkable...picking up an already cooked turkey in the morning from a supermarket. Goddess, I hope it turns out ok. And I hope it oozes enough droppings to make some decent gravy. Not that I eat gravy, but everyone else at my dinner table does.
There will be mashed potatoes, my famous pineapple side dish/dessert (it's an ongoing debate), fresh cranberries (to think I hate cranberry sauce growing up!), DoughBoy crescent rolls (original and garlic), cheesy broccoli (younger sister's favorite), and asparagus (a new tradition).
Of course, there will be football, lots of football as well.
The sis is bring dessert - pumpkin and French silk pie. Thank the Goddess that a Baker's Square is on the way to our place!
It's snowing in Chicago, so it'll be fun to wake up and see how Annie does with her first snow fall. Ella is also eager to break in her new snow boots.
Hope that your day goes the way you want.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I'm still here
My host seemed to have died last night and the entire site was down. So my dear 4 readers, if you happened to have tried to come here last night and saw nada, don't fret, I'm still here.
Well physically anyway...mentally, that may have to wait until the New Year.
I've over booked myself...again...for the weekend of Dec 1st, major decision to make there. My dad called last night and decided at the last minute to come in for Thanksgiving and since we have a house, Dad, younger sis, baby nephew are now coming over on Thursday. Yes, I'll be happy to have everyone in the house, but we were planning on going to our non-blood family's home for dinner. I just realized that we still don't have a car rented for visiting my dad in December...how many cars could people rent over Christmas? ACK!!
Oh and there are a few grant to go out the door in the next week. Yum, yeah...I need a mocha IV.
Well physically anyway...mentally, that may have to wait until the New Year.
I've over booked myself...again...for the weekend of Dec 1st, major decision to make there. My dad called last night and decided at the last minute to come in for Thanksgiving and since we have a house, Dad, younger sis, baby nephew are now coming over on Thursday. Yes, I'll be happy to have everyone in the house, but we were planning on going to our non-blood family's home for dinner. I just realized that we still don't have a car rented for visiting my dad in December...how many cars could people rent over Christmas? ACK!!
Oh and there are a few grant to go out the door in the next week. Yum, yeah...I need a mocha IV.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Bears vs. Raiders
First quarter:
So they are kicking to Hester, but Hester can't seem to find a hole.
wow...the Raiders can't stop the run, Benson looks like a real running back!
Too bad we gave up a field goal.
Second quarter:
Scratch that comment about Benson...he's sucking as usual.
Has anyone seen the Raiders as disciplined as they are when keeping Hester from running? Damn.
GROSSMAN?? That sack on Griese was actually a fork.
OUCH....
Halftime:
Soccer game in the back yard.
The neighbors now hate us with all the noise.
Third quarter:
Missed FG?!? Come on Robbie!
The line to kick Ayanbadejo in the ass starts here.
The hubby & I have joked all season that this was going to be a pathetic game. Reason #1-33 why we're watching this at home instead of in Oakland.
Fourth Quarter
Scary thought...overtime.
Damn...down 6-3, less than 5 minutes left.
Are we really gonna lose against the Raiders?
OMFG!!!!!!!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Defense! You get the fumble, but it's only a few yards to the TD..I need them fantasy points.
WOOHOO!! TOUCHDOWN!
Ella's razzing the hubby.
BEARS WIN!!!!!!!!!!
"It's ok, Daddy." *kiss*
Hey, what happened to my chicken fingers?!? *cough*cooper*cough* ha! Just joshing...The hubby made the world's largest chicken quesadillas, his fabu guacamole, and beans & cheese. Oh, yeah, we eat awesome during big games.
It's really amazing that Rex Grossman came to our rescue. Insanity!
Technorati tags: raiders, bears, football
So they are kicking to Hester, but Hester can't seem to find a hole.
wow...the Raiders can't stop the run, Benson looks like a real running back!
Too bad we gave up a field goal.
Second quarter:
Scratch that comment about Benson...he's sucking as usual.
Has anyone seen the Raiders as disciplined as they are when keeping Hester from running? Damn.
GROSSMAN?? That sack on Griese was actually a fork.
OUCH....
Halftime:
Soccer game in the back yard.
The neighbors now hate us with all the noise.
Third quarter:
Missed FG?!? Come on Robbie!
The line to kick Ayanbadejo in the ass starts here.
The hubby & I have joked all season that this was going to be a pathetic game. Reason #1-33 why we're watching this at home instead of in Oakland.
Fourth Quarter
Scary thought...overtime.
Damn...down 6-3, less than 5 minutes left.
Are we really gonna lose against the Raiders?
OMFG!!!!!!!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Defense! You get the fumble, but it's only a few yards to the TD..I need them fantasy points.
WOOHOO!! TOUCHDOWN!
Ella's razzing the hubby.
BEARS WIN!!!!!!!!!!
"It's ok, Daddy." *kiss*
Hey, what happened to my chicken fingers?!? *cough*cooper*cough* ha! Just joshing...The hubby made the world's largest chicken quesadillas, his fabu guacamole, and beans & cheese. Oh, yeah, we eat awesome during big games.
It's really amazing that Rex Grossman came to our rescue. Insanity!
Technorati tags: raiders, bears, football
Friday, October 26, 2007
A birthday fit for a (3)5 year old
Well the hubby turned the big 3-5 today. So what was his birthday wish?
To spend it with his chicas at the Museum of Science & Industry to see the "Star Wars" exhibit.
It was pretty damn neat, so if you're in Chicago or will be in Chicago, stop and see it. Yes, it's pricey ($21 for adults), but it's so worth it. Of course we got in free as I received a free membership that came with a voucher. But we still would had gone, we were planning it since we knew it was coming. Anywho, it was a lot of fun.
BUT...at one point we see the Darth Vader costume. Ella runs to grab the hubby, "Daddy! Darth Vader!" We both laugh and smile with pride knowing we're raising her right. Then she says it, "That's Luke Skywalker's dad!"
*thud*
She hasn't seen all the movies yet and we haven't told her that Darth Vader is Luke's dad, but we figure that she figured it out by the snippets she has seen and that Anakin is Vader. And for the record, my stance was that she shouldn't watch snippets out of order, but hey, I'm only her mother.
While we're disappointed that she won't be shocked about the revelation in Empire the way we were, but I think it'll be a great conversation in a few years about how she views the saga versus how we view it.
And hopefully we'll all be in agreement that Han shot first.
Technorati tags: Star Wars, Chicago
To spend it with his chicas at the Museum of Science & Industry to see the "Star Wars" exhibit.
It was pretty damn neat, so if you're in Chicago or will be in Chicago, stop and see it. Yes, it's pricey ($21 for adults), but it's so worth it. Of course we got in free as I received a free membership that came with a voucher. But we still would had gone, we were planning it since we knew it was coming. Anywho, it was a lot of fun.
BUT...at one point we see the Darth Vader costume. Ella runs to grab the hubby, "Daddy! Darth Vader!" We both laugh and smile with pride knowing we're raising her right. Then she says it, "That's Luke Skywalker's dad!"
*thud*
She hasn't seen all the movies yet and we haven't told her that Darth Vader is Luke's dad, but we figure that she figured it out by the snippets she has seen and that Anakin is Vader. And for the record, my stance was that she shouldn't watch snippets out of order, but hey, I'm only her mother.
While we're disappointed that she won't be shocked about the revelation in Empire the way we were, but I think it'll be a great conversation in a few years about how she views the saga versus how we view it.
And hopefully we'll all be in agreement that Han shot first.
Technorati tags: Star Wars, Chicago
Monday, October 22, 2007
T-minus 2 months
This December 22nd will mark 15 years for the hubby & me. It's a sketchy date as he never asked me out, but we figured it was safe. Even if I didn't tell the ex until 2 days later (sorry, C).
But come on, FIFTEEN YEARS!
This from a woman who never really thought she'd be married, much less with the same guy for 15 years. Yes, I fantasized, but in the end, I didn't think I'd find a guy who could put up with me this long.
And honestly, yes, it's a little scary.
But come on, FIFTEEN YEARS!
This from a woman who never really thought she'd be married, much less with the same guy for 15 years. Yes, I fantasized, but in the end, I didn't think I'd find a guy who could put up with me this long.
And honestly, yes, it's a little scary.
Labels: family
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Cue the Twilight Zone music
As I was driving my dad to the hospital to pick up my sister's car (yes, she drove herself and the nephew in pain at 2 am) he reminded me of something. For the past few weeks (2-3) Ella's been signing off on phone calls with "I love you, see you in 2 weeks!"
My mouth dropped and I said, "YEAH! You're right!"
Two weeks later, he's here.
He didn't mention her sign offs before because he thought we were doing a surprise visit. And I didn't mention it because I figured he knew she was being silly. But I guess she really did know what she was talking about. She was super disappointed that he wasn't here for her birthday. He came in June for the nephew's first birthday. I guess he's gonna have to start either coming in June and August, coming in July (splitting the difference), or alternating between their birthdays.
They are both fast asleep and we'll see how the morning goes. Much love to the Huffencoopers for stopping by to lend very timely hands.
My mouth dropped and I said, "YEAH! You're right!"
Two weeks later, he's here.
He didn't mention her sign offs before because he thought we were doing a surprise visit. And I didn't mention it because I figured he knew she was being silly. But I guess she really did know what she was talking about. She was super disappointed that he wasn't here for her birthday. He came in June for the nephew's first birthday. I guess he's gonna have to start either coming in June and August, coming in July (splitting the difference), or alternating between their birthdays.
They are both fast asleep and we'll see how the morning goes. Much love to the Huffencoopers for stopping by to lend very timely hands.
Update
Annie really doesn't like the nephew. I think she's scared of him more than pissed he's here. She growled one too many times and got put in her pen.
We took her for a walk. This is why people have 20 mile long leashes - Annie's paws & the stroller kept knocking into each other. Annie didn't pee or poop. We get home and I leave her outside in the backyard for maybe 15 minutes.
I bring her inside and she pees on the kitchen floor in front of me.
*DEEP SIGH*
She then spends the next hour in her pen.
The nephew is now napping and Annie's roaming relatively free. My biggest mistake was taking Ella with me. I know she wanted to go with me to see her Tia in the hospital and help with her beloved baby nephew. But she is going crazy being inside while he naps and I can't take her outside to play. Again, how do y'all with more than one do it? But I'm trying to give her a long leash as well. A few jumping from the couches, but sometimes it's too much. I'm seriously thinking that maybe the nephew should stay with Grandpa tomorrow, but I also don't want him to spend the whole day playing in the hospital playroom. Plus Ella really wants to take him to school. And I think it'll be easier for my dad to take care of my sister if the nephew isn't all over him.
Ah, life is never boring is it?
We took her for a walk. This is why people have 20 mile long leashes - Annie's paws & the stroller kept knocking into each other. Annie didn't pee or poop. We get home and I leave her outside in the backyard for maybe 15 minutes.
I bring her inside and she pees on the kitchen floor in front of me.
*DEEP SIGH*
She then spends the next hour in her pen.
The nephew is now napping and Annie's roaming relatively free. My biggest mistake was taking Ella with me. I know she wanted to go with me to see her Tia in the hospital and help with her beloved baby nephew. But she is going crazy being inside while he naps and I can't take her outside to play. Again, how do y'all with more than one do it? But I'm trying to give her a long leash as well. A few jumping from the couches, but sometimes it's too much. I'm seriously thinking that maybe the nephew should stay with Grandpa tomorrow, but I also don't want him to spend the whole day playing in the hospital playroom. Plus Ella really wants to take him to school. And I think it'll be easier for my dad to take care of my sister if the nephew isn't all over him.
Ah, life is never boring is it?
I tempted fate
Remember last night when I said it was the hardest day of my life as a mama? Well add a 13mo boy to the mix. Yup, the nephew is over and staying the night. My younger sis is having her gall bladder removed as we speak. Since his daddy is out of the picture, Tia Roni, came to the rescue.
Timeline of first minute at home:
00 secs: Annie runs up yapping
01 secs: Ella starts yelling at Annie
02 secs: Mama yells at Ella for yelling at Annie
20 secs: Mama puts nephew down in bed
20.1 secs: Nephew cries
21 secs: Ella cries she's not tired
22 secs: Mama puts Ella in bed
24 secs: Mama puts Annie in backyard on chain
25 secs: Ella yells MOMMY!
25.5 secs: Mama leaps over doggie gate as if she's back in 7th grade doing hurdles
26 secs: Ella reports that nephew is crying.
OK, maybe it wasn't the first 26 secs, but damn, that's how it felt.
How do you all with more than one child do it?
Now to feed the children and make sure Annie behaves. She does not like babies.
Timeline of first minute at home:
00 secs: Annie runs up yapping
01 secs: Ella starts yelling at Annie
02 secs: Mama yells at Ella for yelling at Annie
20 secs: Mama puts nephew down in bed
20.1 secs: Nephew cries
21 secs: Ella cries she's not tired
22 secs: Mama puts Ella in bed
24 secs: Mama puts Annie in backyard on chain
25 secs: Ella yells MOMMY!
25.5 secs: Mama leaps over doggie gate as if she's back in 7th grade doing hurdles
26 secs: Ella reports that nephew is crying.
OK, maybe it wasn't the first 26 secs, but damn, that's how it felt.
How do you all with more than one child do it?
Now to feed the children and make sure Annie behaves. She does not like babies.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Growing up sucks
Because as we grow up the others around us are growing up too. And sometimes that means people move away.
A former student of mine, who I told would be able to find a job after she graduated, is moving to DC as we speak. At least I have one more reason to visit, one more person in my small army of DC friends.
Jack from book club is moving to Washington soon. I can't recall ever being at book club without Jack at least maybe being there. It's weird to think that I've been going to book club for at least six years. Gawd...that's a long time. The best part is that Jack's new stomping ground is only about an hour from my aunt's place in Washington. In an area where I would LOVE to take a few years and just get away from the hustle & bustle of city life. But of course, I'm addicted to the hustle & bustle. ha!
Thanks for everything, Jack. Take care and send lots of postcards.
A former student of mine, who I told would be able to find a job after she graduated, is moving to DC as we speak. At least I have one more reason to visit, one more person in my small army of DC friends.
Jack from book club is moving to Washington soon. I can't recall ever being at book club without Jack at least maybe being there. It's weird to think that I've been going to book club for at least six years. Gawd...that's a long time. The best part is that Jack's new stomping ground is only about an hour from my aunt's place in Washington. In an area where I would LOVE to take a few years and just get away from the hustle & bustle of city life. But of course, I'm addicted to the hustle & bustle. ha!
Thanks for everything, Jack. Take care and send lots of postcards.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
That's because you're a boy
I grew up in the 'burbs pretty carefree. The hubby, OTOH, grew up in the 'burbs, but more aware that danger lurks everywhere. When we moved to the big bad city aka Chicago, he had a million rules on where I should go and why. 99% of them were true and made total sense. After almost 15 years here, I'm more aware of the dangers that lurk and I try to play things smart. Of course that stubborn part of me still thinks "FU" to danger and if I want to walk alone at 2 am, gosh darn it, I will! One example, the first 2 years we lived here, I carried mace with me. Then I figured, what the hell? F...it.
Kate wrote a brilliant and beautiful piece on "Living while Female" drawing together the kidnapping & murder of Kelsey Smith, the murder of Dua Khalil, and the De Anza gang rape case. Read it. It really should be in the NYTimes (hint, hint, Ms. K.).
Back to the hubby. We were watching The Early Show report on authorities finding her body and the arrest of a suspect. I then looked at the hubby and said, "This is why I park at the TOP of the Target parking garage. For my safety." That light bulb went off, he nodded, and looked at me, "Wow...I never thought if it that way." Just as I was saying, "Because you're a boy." He replied, "Because I'm not a woman!" He kept yeah, yeah-ing & nodding for a few minutes allowing for all of this to settle into his head.
See, he doesn't like to park at the top because people drive a little crazy on the way down and he's afraid of the car getting hit and us getting hurt. When I go alone, I park at the top so I can be out in the open and where 80% of the people park. Why? Because I do fear that someone will pull me into a car after I just bought myself some new shoes & tampons. Why should I fear that each time I go to the store? Why!?!
The good thing is that I think he finally gets it that I am aware of danger and that my ppft'ing of danger is sometimes a reaction of me drowning in danger. Does that make sense?
The hubby's such a sweet guy and really is all about keeping his girls safe. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but I know it's just because he loves me so much and couldn't live with himself if I got hurt the one night he was too tired to come pick me up from some meeting. Oh, Ella, you have no idea what you have in store! And I'm sure she'll push his limits as well. Anyone want to take me in while she's going thru that stage?
Kate wrote a brilliant and beautiful piece on "Living while Female" drawing together the kidnapping & murder of Kelsey Smith, the murder of Dua Khalil, and the De Anza gang rape case. Read it. It really should be in the NYTimes (hint, hint, Ms. K.).
Back to the hubby. We were watching The Early Show report on authorities finding her body and the arrest of a suspect. I then looked at the hubby and said, "This is why I park at the TOP of the Target parking garage. For my safety." That light bulb went off, he nodded, and looked at me, "Wow...I never thought if it that way." Just as I was saying, "Because you're a boy." He replied, "Because I'm not a woman!" He kept yeah, yeah-ing & nodding for a few minutes allowing for all of this to settle into his head.
See, he doesn't like to park at the top because people drive a little crazy on the way down and he's afraid of the car getting hit and us getting hurt. When I go alone, I park at the top so I can be out in the open and where 80% of the people park. Why? Because I do fear that someone will pull me into a car after I just bought myself some new shoes & tampons. Why should I fear that each time I go to the store? Why!?!
The good thing is that I think he finally gets it that I am aware of danger and that my ppft'ing of danger is sometimes a reaction of me drowning in danger. Does that make sense?
The hubby's such a sweet guy and really is all about keeping his girls safe. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but I know it's just because he loves me so much and couldn't live with himself if I got hurt the one night he was too tired to come pick me up from some meeting. Oh, Ella, you have no idea what you have in store! And I'm sure she'll push his limits as well. Anyone want to take me in while she's going thru that stage?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Religion Friday
Last week, MotherTalk hosted a blog tour for a book about parenting and religion. The book, Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Caring, Ethical Kids Without Religion, takes the side of those parents who want to raise their children in a secular vein, without religion. We think the publication of this book gives us a chance to blog about religion and our families and the ways we parent, from a variety of angles.I'm in a mixed marriage. I'm a tree-loving, goddess-worshiping pagan. The hubby is a true Catholic. He likes to label himself that because as far as he's concerned he pretty much lives by what the Bible says, what Jesus would REALLY do, and not so much what TPTB rant about. I'm also a recovering Catholic, so you might really categorize me as a pagan Catholic. I identify a lot with the ethnic part of Catholicism; the way native Mexicans merged their pagan religion with Catholicism.
This Friday, May 25th, we thought we'd invite everyone to blog about religion: what we do; what we don't; what our kids like, or don't; what we argue about; what we feel great about, or guilty of... the list goes on and on and the sky's the limit, bonanzas are all about conversation.
What we do is celebrate Christmas & Solstice and Easter & Ostara, althou I have to admit to being a lazy pagan and not really getting my butt in gear to do a ritual on any holiday. I personally celebrate Halloween and Samhain. I do believe that this year I will bring Ella into my celebration and get in gear with a real ritual for Samhain. (Yes, long-time readers more angst about my late mother!) I wear a goddess around my neck, the hubby wears a cross. The hubby prays each morning and evening and crosses Ella before we leave her somewhere. He's even teaching her how to cross herself. I rub my goddess when I need a little more strength or peace.
Tonight Ella went on and on about how if I die, she'd have to get a new mommy. Oy...Just what I need. I did talk about heaven. I do believe in a heaven/summerland, where we all go, except the most evil, when we die. (If the Catholics are right, save me a place in Hell, k?) But I phrased it as, "Most people believe..." Hopefully as she grows and keeps hearing that phrase, she'll understand that we want her to find her own path.
We don't go to church. The last time either of us went to a church without a wedding or funeral happening was me. Shocked, eh? Being a pagan can be lonely. So I tried out a UU church nearby. It was nice, but I dunno...Maybe later. And honestly I'm too busy to find a coven to really get involved with. Yeah, I know...Don't ask. I'm just confusing like that.
The only thing I feel guilty about is that Ella doesn't have official godparents. Having those seemed to be comforting to me as a kid. Maybe when she's a tad older and can understand what it means, we'll figure out some type of ceremony we can do in the backyard or at a UU church. The two couples who would be her godparents already know who they are. We told them as much around Ella's birth. (Reminder...get that damn will done!)
I hope that this this and that way of infusing religion into Ella's life keeps going as well as it has been. She's just shy of 4, so we have a long way to go. I do wonder what it'll be like when her friends start asking about it. Then again her best friends are one Jewish boy and one half-Jewish, half-some type of Christian girl (the dad doesn't talk about it). So being half-pagan and half-Catholic won't be too weird. Being my daughter will be tough enough!
All that said, I do fear how I'll be able to teach Ella to respect religion when fundamentalism runs rampant in this world. From fundie Christians in this country telling us who we can love and when I can reproduce to fundie Muslims in Iraq stoning girls to death just for falling in love with someone outside her faith. I guess we'll just borrow from the Catholics and hate the follower, love the faith. Or something like that.
Which brings me to our only big argument about religion - Catholic school. Living in Chicago, it's tough to find a good public school and with all this BS-"School Choice" it's almost impossible. Which forces us to look at private, independent, and *gulp* religious schools. Catholic schools are out. Period. No discussion. OK, maybe a little. But the hubby has to do the research and present the case. I can't give money to an institution that continues to lie and cover up about child rape and then call me out for being pro-choice. And that's just the beginning.
I think the best thing for her is to be exposed to as many different faiths as possible so she can choose or build her own path.
Labels: blogging, Books, Ella, family, feminism, goddess, writing
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mother's Day
What a day.
I got up at 6:30 am to get ready for the Y-ME 3 mile walk. A friend, D, asked me to do this with her. She had been doing it for years and asked me a few weeks ago. It took me some time to say yes because it's a Mother's Day thing, but with the hubby, Cinnamon, and Amy poking at me to get my @$$ in gear, I decided to do it. It's all about making MDay mine & celebrating my motherhood.
It was amazing. So many families were out there. Seriously from itty bitty babies to a couple who looked like they were someone's great-grandparents. Men in hot pink boas. Dogs in pale pink bandannas. Since it was a last minute decision, I didn't raise any money and thus didn't get the official t-shirt. Instead I wore my CODEPink hot pink tee. Hey, it's still pink!
The walk itself was good. I could feel it in my hips just before the finish. I haven't been on my workout routine for about a week, so I was rusty.
D was pretty inspired by all the homemade & custom t-shirts and declared that we would do this again next year, bring the hubbies & the kids, and really raise money.
So that's what we're gonna do. I have no idea what our team will be called, but don't fear, you'll know it when it's time to ante up those donations.
For those who aren't familiar, Y-ME...The mission of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. The Y-ME walk/run started here in Chicago, so woot for us!
Afterwards we met the rest of the family for breakfast and while 2 hungry & tired preschoolers didn't make it a totally peaceful meal, it was still great.
When we got home, Ella & I took a nice nap. It was very nice.
I awoke to find my phone flashing. I knew what it meant. Amy's dad had passed away.
I can't find any words to express what I'm feeling for Amy. I know there isn't anything I can say to make her pain go away. The only solace she has is that he lived a great life, was loved by many, and was ill. He is in a better place. Even if there isn't anything out there after we die, going from late-stage Alzheimer's to nothing must be better.
And of course that brings me back to my mom.
Since we're Mexican, the hubby lit a candle. We have a St. Jude candle for days like today. It helps that when I took a few minutes to talk to Ella about it, I was able to talk about my grandma and the hubby's grandma who are also in heaven. Five more days until it's just about Mom.
She's been asking the hubby questions. She's a smart cookie and wants to know why I'm so sad some days. *sigh* While everyone else poking at me was really pushing me, knowing that Ella is seriously curious has kicked started me. I have no idea what to really do except what everyone has suggested. Just talk about her. Mention her. Talk about what I use to do with her. I'm trying. I really am.
Some days when I feel that I don't have the strength to do it, I know I must. I know I can. And part of that is because of you all who read this and even those of you who don't comment. Thankfully you keep coming back even thou I'm such a basket case some days. So thanks.
I got up at 6:30 am to get ready for the Y-ME 3 mile walk. A friend, D, asked me to do this with her. She had been doing it for years and asked me a few weeks ago. It took me some time to say yes because it's a Mother's Day thing, but with the hubby, Cinnamon, and Amy poking at me to get my @$$ in gear, I decided to do it. It's all about making MDay mine & celebrating my motherhood.
It was amazing. So many families were out there. Seriously from itty bitty babies to a couple who looked like they were someone's great-grandparents. Men in hot pink boas. Dogs in pale pink bandannas. Since it was a last minute decision, I didn't raise any money and thus didn't get the official t-shirt. Instead I wore my CODEPink hot pink tee. Hey, it's still pink!
The walk itself was good. I could feel it in my hips just before the finish. I haven't been on my workout routine for about a week, so I was rusty.
D was pretty inspired by all the homemade & custom t-shirts and declared that we would do this again next year, bring the hubbies & the kids, and really raise money.
So that's what we're gonna do. I have no idea what our team will be called, but don't fear, you'll know it when it's time to ante up those donations.
For those who aren't familiar, Y-ME...The mission of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. The Y-ME walk/run started here in Chicago, so woot for us!
Afterwards we met the rest of the family for breakfast and while 2 hungry & tired preschoolers didn't make it a totally peaceful meal, it was still great.
When we got home, Ella & I took a nice nap. It was very nice.
I awoke to find my phone flashing. I knew what it meant. Amy's dad had passed away.
I can't find any words to express what I'm feeling for Amy. I know there isn't anything I can say to make her pain go away. The only solace she has is that he lived a great life, was loved by many, and was ill. He is in a better place. Even if there isn't anything out there after we die, going from late-stage Alzheimer's to nothing must be better.
And of course that brings me back to my mom.
Since we're Mexican, the hubby lit a candle. We have a St. Jude candle for days like today. It helps that when I took a few minutes to talk to Ella about it, I was able to talk about my grandma and the hubby's grandma who are also in heaven. Five more days until it's just about Mom.
She's been asking the hubby questions. She's a smart cookie and wants to know why I'm so sad some days. *sigh* While everyone else poking at me was really pushing me, knowing that Ella is seriously curious has kicked started me. I have no idea what to really do except what everyone has suggested. Just talk about her. Mention her. Talk about what I use to do with her. I'm trying. I really am.
Some days when I feel that I don't have the strength to do it, I know I must. I know I can. And part of that is because of you all who read this and even those of you who don't comment. Thankfully you keep coming back even thou I'm such a basket case some days. So thanks.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Amy needs us
I got this email when I got home:
I know many of you who read this are also friends with Amy, so I don't need to ask. But those of you who aren't, Amy is a dear friend and please send her good thoughts, put her in your thoughts/prayers, and send her strength. She will need it to get thru this no matter what happens.
Amy, I love you.
I am a friend and colleague of Amy’s and she asked me to email you and share news of her father’s health. He suffered a suspected heart attack last night or this morning and is now suffering complications of pneumonia. Amy is with him and her entire family right now. She says that he is on morphine and is pretty much sedated. He is not expected to live much longer. She asked that I let you know and offer that you may blog about it.
I know many of you who read this are also friends with Amy, so I don't need to ask. But those of you who aren't, Amy is a dear friend and please send her good thoughts, put her in your thoughts/prayers, and send her strength. She will need it to get thru this no matter what happens.
Amy, I love you.
Labels: family
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Dear Goddess take me now
I have a grant due by Friday (and that's stretching it by a day) and all hell has broken loose. At the moment I need to get info from my fellow grant writers. I hate the waiting. Ah...back to editing.
Anywho, just wanted to pop in and remind y'all that today's our anniversary!
Eight years ago we were married in the lovely and holy confines of the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. I could make a political statement, but I won't. We can't believe that in 2 more years we'll be married ten. Or even more insane, December marks 15 - FIFTEEN - years of us as a couple. EGADS!
Thanks to the Huffencoopers for babysitting tonight. A perfect anniversary gift!
Anywho, just wanted to pop in and remind y'all that today's our anniversary!
Eight years ago we were married in the lovely and holy confines of the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. I could make a political statement, but I won't. We can't believe that in 2 more years we'll be married ten. Or even more insane, December marks 15 - FIFTEEN - years of us as a couple. EGADS!
Thanks to the Huffencoopers for babysitting tonight. A perfect anniversary gift!
Labels: family
Maybe it was just his turn
The hubby got accepted to a leadership program!
It's the same program he was accepted to last year, but declined to attend a certain elopement that meant a million times more than any ol' leadership program. That said, he's pretty psyched about this opportunity. I'm very proud and find it funny that he'll have to do homework. He rarely did homework in college! hahahaha!!
I explained to Miss Ella that there will be weekends where it'll be just the two of us just like some weekends are just for her & Daddy. She seemed happy. She will until it's time for one of us to walk out the door.
I seriously doubt we could have handled both of us being in a leadership program at the same time on top of all the other stuff I do. So if my rejection was the Goddess' way of telling me that it's the hubby's time to go out and discover himself, that's fine & dandy.
It's the same program he was accepted to last year, but declined to attend a certain elopement that meant a million times more than any ol' leadership program. That said, he's pretty psyched about this opportunity. I'm very proud and find it funny that he'll have to do homework. He rarely did homework in college! hahahaha!!
I explained to Miss Ella that there will be weekends where it'll be just the two of us just like some weekends are just for her & Daddy. She seemed happy. She will until it's time for one of us to walk out the door.
I seriously doubt we could have handled both of us being in a leadership program at the same time on top of all the other stuff I do. So if my rejection was the Goddess' way of telling me that it's the hubby's time to go out and discover himself, that's fine & dandy.
Labels: family
Friday, May 04, 2007
Checkin' in
I spent a good deal of yesterday crying over my friend's loss, my mom, and the sad reality that I hate, HATE Mother's Day.
The hubby reminded me that I need to reclaim that day for Ella & me. But it's hard. I saw a commercial last night that was so cute. It was a mom walking with her daughter at age 5(?). The girl grows up and the mom just beams. Then the mom is about grandma age and instead of seeing me, I saw my mom and I lost it.
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. It's because of you that I can get thru shit like this. Seriously. Otherwise I'd fall into that deep dark place and never come out. And that's why some of you are truly my family. Love you.
The hubby reminded me that I need to reclaim that day for Ella & me. But it's hard. I saw a commercial last night that was so cute. It was a mom walking with her daughter at age 5(?). The girl grows up and the mom just beams. Then the mom is about grandma age and instead of seeing me, I saw my mom and I lost it.
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. It's because of you that I can get thru shit like this. Seriously. Otherwise I'd fall into that deep dark place and never come out. And that's why some of you are truly my family. Love you.
Labels: family
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I wish I were the only one
When I lost my mom I wished that I could find someone who had gone thru what I was going thru. I just got a call that a dear friend just lost her mom. She's 4 months pregnant. One of her sisters is pregnant as well. The first grandbabies are on the way and there will be one less grandma to hold them. OMG I won't ever understand this shit. The mom lived out of state. All I can do is wait for her to come home and give her an Ella-sized hug.
FUCK!
FUCK!
Labels: family
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Vote for Amy!
Because if you don't, I'll hunt you down.
Amy wants to win a gig so she can blog for a year. Why?
Amy wants to win a gig so she can blog for a year. Why?
The best way for me to do that is to write about it. I’m a high school teacher back in my home town to be closer to my father and there would be nothing finer than to be paid to blog for a year so that I could focus on my father’s disease and create this living document to give to my child when she is old enough to understand it. To understand what life is like around these parts where I’m trapped in a small town, helping to care for a father who doesn’t remember me, being a single mom, and staying sane.And other than I think Amy is the bestest why should we vote for her?
- I miss her blogging. Period.
- When she does write about her Papa, it moves me and it will move others.
- By sharing her experience & pain, she will be helping others in similar situations.
- Can you face Isabelle and tell her that you didn't vote for her mama? Yeah, neither could I.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Family Day
The past few months have been horribly busy at work for both the hubby & myself, so we planned a family day yesterday to give ourselves a break and time with Ella. The plan included a game at Wrigley.
It rained.
It was cold.
It was windy...really windy.
The game started an hour late.
We knew the forecast said rain, heck, even a 100% chance of rain. We peeked outside and it looked dreary, but rain? Nah...it was that drizzly rain that you can't see until you're sitting in it. And boy did we sit in it. We got to Wrigley at 1 pm for a 1:20 start to minimize non-game time at the park. Ah, the days when I'd get there when the gates opened to watch batting practice...Oh, right, back to being a mom. Miss Ella was a tad, er, emotional, I think due to not napping.
The thing with being almost 4 is that she is almost ready to skip naps. Almost. She can be pretty good most of the time, if everything goes right. Yesterday it didn't all go right, so sometimes she just broke into tears. But as soon as Daddy got her nachos, she was fine. We sat in the rain eating nachos bundled up in blankets. I even took one blanket and made a tent out of it.
She had the time of her life!
The hubby & I kept saying, "This is crazy!" Of course, I've sat thru games in weather like that before and yes, as a kid. I have somewhat fond memories of that. He never has and has always considered anyone who would to be certifiable. Hmph...maybe we are.
The game finally started and Ella had a great time. We left before the 1st inning finished. It was that cold and Ella had a bad case of "ants in her pants."
All in all, it was a fun day and it was nice to have a break in all the chaos at work. Of course, now to go back in and catch up from our mini-holiday.
----------------------------------------------
One story I failed to tell about Tuesday night.
There was a line drive foul ball that hit a kid in the section in front of us. A parent's worst nightmare. It was fast & furious, hardly time to really shield the kid. The best thing was that the crowd started cheering "Give the kid the ball!" as some dude ended up with it. After a few minutes of peer pressure, he did. Then someone started a cheer of "Buy the guy a beer!" And yes, someone got up and bought him a beer. Classic Wrigley.
And yes, I think the kid was fine. Security came and checked and I didn't see anything that said medical emergency.
It rained.
It was cold.
It was windy...really windy.
The game started an hour late.
We knew the forecast said rain, heck, even a 100% chance of rain. We peeked outside and it looked dreary, but rain? Nah...it was that drizzly rain that you can't see until you're sitting in it. And boy did we sit in it. We got to Wrigley at 1 pm for a 1:20 start to minimize non-game time at the park. Ah, the days when I'd get there when the gates opened to watch batting practice...Oh, right, back to being a mom. Miss Ella was a tad, er, emotional, I think due to not napping.
The thing with being almost 4 is that she is almost ready to skip naps. Almost. She can be pretty good most of the time, if everything goes right. Yesterday it didn't all go right, so sometimes she just broke into tears. But as soon as Daddy got her nachos, she was fine. We sat in the rain eating nachos bundled up in blankets. I even took one blanket and made a tent out of it.
She had the time of her life!
The hubby & I kept saying, "This is crazy!" Of course, I've sat thru games in weather like that before and yes, as a kid. I have somewhat fond memories of that. He never has and has always considered anyone who would to be certifiable. Hmph...maybe we are.
The game finally started and Ella had a great time. We left before the 1st inning finished. It was that cold and Ella had a bad case of "ants in her pants."
All in all, it was a fun day and it was nice to have a break in all the chaos at work. Of course, now to go back in and catch up from our mini-holiday.
----------------------------------------------
One story I failed to tell about Tuesday night.
There was a line drive foul ball that hit a kid in the section in front of us. A parent's worst nightmare. It was fast & furious, hardly time to really shield the kid. The best thing was that the crowd started cheering "Give the kid the ball!" as some dude ended up with it. After a few minutes of peer pressure, he did. Then someone started a cheer of "Buy the guy a beer!" And yes, someone got up and bought him a beer. Classic Wrigley.
And yes, I think the kid was fine. Security came and checked and I didn't see anything that said medical emergency.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Spent
I'm emotionally done.
First off, because of the work I do and the emotional person I've evolved into, I can't get the Virginia Tech story out of my head. So many issues wrapped up in this tragedy. How do we teach our sons to deal with anger? Do we put too much pressure on college students to succeed? How the hell did a victim turn into the guilty party? Brownfemipower sums up some of the things that have been running in my head:
If you haven't seen Nikki Giovanni's remarks at yesterday's service, you must.
Next, my candidate lost.
I was asked to make some remarks if we won and I had mentioned that to Ella. It was a to be a family moment, all three of us. When we asked her to put her coat on, she was confused. She asked why I wasn't speaking. I told her we lost. She had such a sweet sad & confused look on her face. Obviously she doesn't fully understand. Added to that, we didn't stay for the congrats cake that she so eagerly was waiting for. poor thing stayed up until 10pm because of this.
So I'll just focus on the pile of work that kept me from actually doing anything the past 2 months for my candidate. Ugh.
First off, because of the work I do and the emotional person I've evolved into, I can't get the Virginia Tech story out of my head. So many issues wrapped up in this tragedy. How do we teach our sons to deal with anger? Do we put too much pressure on college students to succeed? How the hell did a victim turn into the guilty party? Brownfemipower sums up some of the things that have been running in my head:
The most horrible thing I’ve heard throughout the coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting has been that police did nothing after the first shootings because they had believed it to be “just” or “only” a “domestic” issue.
If you haven't seen Nikki Giovanni's remarks at yesterday's service, you must.
Next, my candidate lost.
I was asked to make some remarks if we won and I had mentioned that to Ella. It was a to be a family moment, all three of us. When we asked her to put her coat on, she was confused. She asked why I wasn't speaking. I told her we lost. She had such a sweet sad & confused look on her face. Obviously she doesn't fully understand. Added to that, we didn't stay for the congrats cake that she so eagerly was waiting for. poor thing stayed up until 10pm because of this.
So I'll just focus on the pile of work that kept me from actually doing anything the past 2 months for my candidate. Ugh.
Monday, February 05, 2007
A long and very, very, very cold day
It's freakin' cold in Chicago. Really freakin' cold. So much that none of us wanted to go outside, but alas work & school call.
Or rather, school should have called, but they didn't. There was a broken water main in the building (not in the school) and thus school was closed. So after driving 25 minutes, I needed to turn around and drop off Ella & the hubby at home. I had a 10 o'clock that I couldn't miss and the hubby could miss work.
The meeting went very well, thankyouverymuch.
Then I turned around and went home to snuggle up with the family. Ella was on the couch wrapped up in more blankets than I could count. SOOOOO cute!
At 6 pm I ventured back out to do some volunteer work & make some calls. COLD! COLD! COLD! I am certifiable.
Now it's bedtime and I can feel the cold air coming in from the floor of my office. AH, gotta love them old houses.
JFTR - I am still heartbroken from yesterday's loss. I did wear my Bears scarf today - In fact, I wore TWO scarves! And I'll be out soon to buy a NFC championship tee for Ella. I wanted to wait to maybe buy a NFL championship tee. *sigh* At least there is a heck of a lot of chili, chicken fingers, cake, and cookies to drown my sorrows in.
I have a huge work dinner to attend tomorrow night and I have no idea of what to wear. I actually think I may be in the market for a suit that I can wear with a light turtleneck. I've stayed away from those because I thought they looked too Grandma-like. But I met with a woman today who looked fab in it and she wasn't too much older than me...like maybe 5 years. ;) Of course, the dinner is tomorrow and the only place I can really hit in that timeframe is either Ann Taylor Loft ($$$$) or Target. Why can't there be a NY & Co. near my office!?! On top of that, instead of shopping, I really should be hitting the gym tomorrow. AND...I have a ton of work to do!!
I really need a personal assistant. Any volunteers? No-to-low pay, but you get to hang out with me. OK, that wasn't a benefit, but I know some cool people. And they know cool people.
Or rather, school should have called, but they didn't. There was a broken water main in the building (not in the school) and thus school was closed. So after driving 25 minutes, I needed to turn around and drop off Ella & the hubby at home. I had a 10 o'clock that I couldn't miss and the hubby could miss work.
The meeting went very well, thankyouverymuch.
Then I turned around and went home to snuggle up with the family. Ella was on the couch wrapped up in more blankets than I could count. SOOOOO cute!
At 6 pm I ventured back out to do some volunteer work & make some calls. COLD! COLD! COLD! I am certifiable.
Now it's bedtime and I can feel the cold air coming in from the floor of my office. AH, gotta love them old houses.
JFTR - I am still heartbroken from yesterday's loss. I did wear my Bears scarf today - In fact, I wore TWO scarves! And I'll be out soon to buy a NFC championship tee for Ella. I wanted to wait to maybe buy a NFL championship tee. *sigh* At least there is a heck of a lot of chili, chicken fingers, cake, and cookies to drown my sorrows in.
I have a huge work dinner to attend tomorrow night and I have no idea of what to wear. I actually think I may be in the market for a suit that I can wear with a light turtleneck. I've stayed away from those because I thought they looked too Grandma-like. But I met with a woman today who looked fab in it and she wasn't too much older than me...like maybe 5 years. ;) Of course, the dinner is tomorrow and the only place I can really hit in that timeframe is either Ann Taylor Loft ($$$$) or Target. Why can't there be a NY & Co. near my office!?! On top of that, instead of shopping, I really should be hitting the gym tomorrow. AND...I have a ton of work to do!!
I really need a personal assistant. Any volunteers? No-to-low pay, but you get to hang out with me. OK, that wasn't a benefit, but I know some cool people. And they know cool people.
Labels: family
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Crazy Roadtrip Dream
The last few nights I've been having some majorly weird dreams. Last night's took the cake. The hubby, Andrew, Cinnamon, Bran, John, & I were on a road trip. Somehow we kept picking up friends along the way and eventually ended up with 2 vehicles. We'd stop at really crappy rest areas - I think of dream of this rest area a lot because I feel like I've actually been there - where there are no doors, just shower curtains barely allowing for privacy AND it is obvious that no one has cleaned them in ages. *shudder*
At one point, we all slept in some HUGE free area where mostly homeless people sleep. It was like sleeping on church pews, but we weren't in a church. We drove thru some forests, a small town, and a large city. Andrew had piled on so much stuff in the stretch station wagon that we couldn't even drive on the freeways, so we were taking regular streets to get to where ever we were going.
In another scene we were at my childhood home and I went in to get something and Ella saw me. I thought "Damn! Now we'll have to take her." But no, she wanted to stay.
But seriously, I know we all went to NOLA together, but I canNOT imagine all of us in a station wagon. haha!
At one point, we all slept in some HUGE free area where mostly homeless people sleep. It was like sleeping on church pews, but we weren't in a church. We drove thru some forests, a small town, and a large city. Andrew had piled on so much stuff in the stretch station wagon that we couldn't even drive on the freeways, so we were taking regular streets to get to where ever we were going.
In another scene we were at my childhood home and I went in to get something and Ella saw me. I thought "Damn! Now we'll have to take her." But no, she wanted to stay.
But seriously, I know we all went to NOLA together, but I canNOT imagine all of us in a station wagon. haha!
Monday, December 25, 2006
It's over!
We survived another Christmas!
Yes, it was nice to see my Dad, my sister, our baby nephew, and especially to have Brandon over for dinner today. And I was pretty proud of how well I kept myself fairly even keeled while making dinner this afternoon. But the anxiety is always there. To top it off, the kitchen sink decided to really clog up and for about 2 hours the hubby was pouring Drain-O and plunging the sink. Thankfully he got to moving again. It was interesting pouring the potatoes into a colander over the sink in the basement.
Ella did make out like a bandit. My aunt from Seattle did get her the Fisher Price camera. I joked with the hubby that we need to get her a camera strap so she can carry it around her neck. *snort* She's so cute with it. Within 5 minutes of me giving her the working camera, she made us pose for a family photo. And yes, she directed the shot. Someone remind me of this when she wins an Oscar, ok?
I told the hubby not to get me anything as I will be finally buying a new phone, hopefully a Treo, after the new year. Ella & I got him jeans & sweaters...much needed gifts! It's crazy how once you have to start buying nice clothes for work, you stop buying decent weekend clothes.
Well hope that your Christmas was good to you. For those of you who don't celebrate, hope that the day was peaceful with us crazy Santa-worshipers inside most of the day.
Yes, it was nice to see my Dad, my sister, our baby nephew, and especially to have Brandon over for dinner today. And I was pretty proud of how well I kept myself fairly even keeled while making dinner this afternoon. But the anxiety is always there. To top it off, the kitchen sink decided to really clog up and for about 2 hours the hubby was pouring Drain-O and plunging the sink. Thankfully he got to moving again. It was interesting pouring the potatoes into a colander over the sink in the basement.
Ella did make out like a bandit. My aunt from Seattle did get her the Fisher Price camera. I joked with the hubby that we need to get her a camera strap so she can carry it around her neck. *snort* She's so cute with it. Within 5 minutes of me giving her the working camera, she made us pose for a family photo. And yes, she directed the shot. Someone remind me of this when she wins an Oscar, ok?
I told the hubby not to get me anything as I will be finally buying a new phone, hopefully a Treo, after the new year. Ella & I got him jeans & sweaters...much needed gifts! It's crazy how once you have to start buying nice clothes for work, you stop buying decent weekend clothes.
Well hope that your Christmas was good to you. For those of you who don't celebrate, hope that the day was peaceful with us crazy Santa-worshipers inside most of the day.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Raising respectful boys
AP reports:
Now you all know that I don't have a son, but I do have a 10-year-old nephew who I do watch as close as possible in terms of how he views women. So let me have a short & sweet talk with this 5yo's Pappa. All you need to say to son is this:
BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE.
You do not touch anyone without their permission.
You NEVER pinch someone's bottom.
Of course, if your son has been watching a lot of football, he may ask why Ravens players touch each other's bottoms. How you deal with that is up to you. I don't know how to explain that to myself! But in terms of boys touching girls, that one is simple. You do not touch someone else without permission. End of story. You want to give someone a hug? You ask them. Want to give someone high 5? Ask them.
The spokeswoman is 1000% correct. Use this as a teaching lesson. There is no reason to have to talk about sex. This is about respecting your body and other people's bodies.
5 is what? Kindergarten? Yeah, I remember that harassment started about then. The idea that the public thinks that kids that young are innocent is bull. They mimic what they see. When we don't correct them, they think it's ok. Harassment has nothing to do with sex. It's about power & respect...or lack there of.
A Maryland kindergarten student has been accused of sexual harassment and written up. The five-year-old boy pinched a girl's buttocks.
A spokeswoman for Washington County public schools says the episode in a hallway at Lincolnshire Elementary School earlier this months fits the state Department of Education's definition of sexual harassment.
The definition in part describes sexual harassment as inappropriate physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others.
The spokeswoman says the reprimand is a learning opportunity for the boy even though he may not understand that what he is doing is sexual harassment.
But the boy's father says he doesn't know what to say to his son. He told The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown that the boy thinks of it as just playing and doesn't know anything about sex.
Now you all know that I don't have a son, but I do have a 10-year-old nephew who I do watch as close as possible in terms of how he views women. So let me have a short & sweet talk with this 5yo's Pappa. All you need to say to son is this:
BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE.
You do not touch anyone without their permission.
You NEVER pinch someone's bottom.
Of course, if your son has been watching a lot of football, he may ask why Ravens players touch each other's bottoms. How you deal with that is up to you. I don't know how to explain that to myself! But in terms of boys touching girls, that one is simple. You do not touch someone else without permission. End of story. You want to give someone a hug? You ask them. Want to give someone high 5? Ask them.
The spokeswoman is 1000% correct. Use this as a teaching lesson. There is no reason to have to talk about sex. This is about respecting your body and other people's bodies.
5 is what? Kindergarten? Yeah, I remember that harassment started about then. The idea that the public thinks that kids that young are innocent is bull. They mimic what they see. When we don't correct them, they think it's ok. Harassment has nothing to do with sex. It's about power & respect...or lack there of.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Where to donate?
Amy asks a great question, so if we're going to teach our kids to be good kind-hearted citizens of this world and clean out unloved toys from our homes, where do we put the toys? As a feminista, where do we put the toys?
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1) A local charity resale shop. Here in Chicago, my shop of choice is the Howard Brown Brown Elephant. It's a shop that is near my house and there is always that fear that I'll buy back something, but hey, I guess I really did like it!
2) Women's shelter. Women do leave abusive situations with kids in tow. Knowing that the transition can be especially hard on the lil ones, why not have some awesome toys waiting for them? Chances are, the escape was quick & light...meaning they left their toys at home. Call first to make sure they even accept mothers with children at their shelters. Here's one I found on Blingo.
3) A community organization that works with the poor. I found this nifty org based in Massachusetts. Who knew there were poor people in Massachusetts? I kid...of course.
4) The EPA has a page on recycling old toys!
5) Hold a yard sale and donate the money!
Please note that some children's hospitals do accept used toys, but most only accept new toys due to strict health codes. So if your kids gets a few doubles and you can't get the receipt, consider that. I know Ella has a 2nd Dora memory game that I still haven't figured out what to do with. Now I do!
Also, most places don't accept stuffed animals due to allergy concerns. So send me your old Poohbears. ;) AND it's best to clean the toys as best as possible.
Lastly...If that toy is so old and battered that you'd never accept it, don't donate it. It's time for toy heaven. Poor people do have diginity. I think we all forget that at times. I know I do, but it's more that part of me that thinks, "these pants are still good, just faded!"
So good luck! And let me know how it goes.
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1) A local charity resale shop. Here in Chicago, my shop of choice is the Howard Brown Brown Elephant. It's a shop that is near my house and there is always that fear that I'll buy back something, but hey, I guess I really did like it!
2) Women's shelter. Women do leave abusive situations with kids in tow. Knowing that the transition can be especially hard on the lil ones, why not have some awesome toys waiting for them? Chances are, the escape was quick & light...meaning they left their toys at home. Call first to make sure they even accept mothers with children at their shelters. Here's one I found on Blingo.
3) A community organization that works with the poor. I found this nifty org based in Massachusetts. Who knew there were poor people in Massachusetts? I kid...of course.
4) The EPA has a page on recycling old toys!
5) Hold a yard sale and donate the money!
Please note that some children's hospitals do accept used toys, but most only accept new toys due to strict health codes. So if your kids gets a few doubles and you can't get the receipt, consider that. I know Ella has a 2nd Dora memory game that I still haven't figured out what to do with. Now I do!
Also, most places don't accept stuffed animals due to allergy concerns. So send me your old Poohbears. ;) AND it's best to clean the toys as best as possible.
Lastly...If that toy is so old and battered that you'd never accept it, don't donate it. It's time for toy heaven. Poor people do have diginity. I think we all forget that at times. I know I do, but it's more that part of me that thinks, "these pants are still good, just faded!"
So good luck! And let me know how it goes.
Clarification
In yesterday's post, I stated that "[Ella's] starting to think that she gets whatever she wants and honestly, she kinda does." I don't want y'all to think that I think Ella's spoiled. She isn't. But just as any 3yo thinks they are the center of the universe, Ella does as well.
I'm just so hyper-vigilant about not raising a spoiled child that perhaps I'm a bit ahead of myself. There are times when I think I was a spoiled child and still am. I've seen really spoiled children - went to high school with a lot of them. I'm even aware that as an only, people see Ella as spoiled.
We don't buy her toys. Of the toys she does have, most are my toys, and the rest are gifts from others. We don't buy her toys because we know others do. For Christmas this year, we know others are getting her toys, so I'm getting her clothes and the hubby is getting her books. OK, I got her a book too...but that's for the Winter Solstice!
I talked with a veteran momma last night and she nodded...a lot. Her kids have everything they would need, but she walks that tightrope of spoiled as well. I also know she's an awesome momma and her kids *know* how freakin' lucky they are to have so much. In the latest Bitch magazine (more on that later), Katha Pollitt talked a bit about raising her daughter and the difficulties of explaining black poverty to her at 5. I think it all goes together. As I attempt to teach Ella to be grateful for all she has, I also have to teach her about poverty & all the other social ills. At an age-appro level.
Gotta say, this parenting gig is tough. Really tough.
I'm just so hyper-vigilant about not raising a spoiled child that perhaps I'm a bit ahead of myself. There are times when I think I was a spoiled child and still am. I've seen really spoiled children - went to high school with a lot of them. I'm even aware that as an only, people see Ella as spoiled.
We don't buy her toys. Of the toys she does have, most are my toys, and the rest are gifts from others. We don't buy her toys because we know others do. For Christmas this year, we know others are getting her toys, so I'm getting her clothes and the hubby is getting her books. OK, I got her a book too...but that's for the Winter Solstice!
I talked with a veteran momma last night and she nodded...a lot. Her kids have everything they would need, but she walks that tightrope of spoiled as well. I also know she's an awesome momma and her kids *know* how freakin' lucky they are to have so much. In the latest Bitch magazine (more on that later), Katha Pollitt talked a bit about raising her daughter and the difficulties of explaining black poverty to her at 5. I think it all goes together. As I attempt to teach Ella to be grateful for all she has, I also have to teach her about poverty & all the other social ills. At an age-appro level.
Gotta say, this parenting gig is tough. Really tough.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
What a weekend!
I am pooped!
Friday night we had a holiday party, Saturday Ella got her hair cut then we went to the in-laws for Christmas, and today we had two holiday parties. One was a menorah lighting party. It was our first and it was so much fun with all the potato pancakes. YUM! Ella got to help light one of the candles - there were 4 menorahs.
On top of all the parties, Ella got to stay up Friday & Saturday until 11 pm. So tonight she went to be waaaaay early. But it was all fun.
The in-laws got Ella a Dora doll house WITH almost all of the accessories. I have no idea where we're going to put it, but we have to find a place.
I did talk with Ella that for each new toy she gets, she needs to give one away. She's starting to think that she gets whatever she wants and honestly, she kinda does. But I also want her to know that there are people out there who aren't as lucky.
But I got one package in the mail yesterday and most of my holiday cards are ready to go in the mail tomorrow.
It's Sunday and it can't be left unsaid...The Bears are giving me a heart attack! And it'll be official on Tuesday, but the hubby beat me 5 times this year in fantasy football. So he'll move on to the fight for 4th place and I'll be headed for the battle for the basement of the league. woot.
Back to the holiday cards!
Friday night we had a holiday party, Saturday Ella got her hair cut then we went to the in-laws for Christmas, and today we had two holiday parties. One was a menorah lighting party. It was our first and it was so much fun with all the potato pancakes. YUM! Ella got to help light one of the candles - there were 4 menorahs.
On top of all the parties, Ella got to stay up Friday & Saturday until 11 pm. So tonight she went to be waaaaay early. But it was all fun.
The in-laws got Ella a Dora doll house WITH almost all of the accessories. I have no idea where we're going to put it, but we have to find a place.
I did talk with Ella that for each new toy she gets, she needs to give one away. She's starting to think that she gets whatever she wants and honestly, she kinda does. But I also want her to know that there are people out there who aren't as lucky.
But I got one package in the mail yesterday and most of my holiday cards are ready to go in the mail tomorrow.
It's Sunday and it can't be left unsaid...The Bears are giving me a heart attack! And it'll be official on Tuesday, but the hubby beat me 5 times this year in fantasy football. So he'll move on to the fight for 4th place and I'll be headed for the battle for the basement of the league. woot.
Back to the holiday cards!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
10 Year Night
Dear Grandma,
It's been ten years since I last saw you. I still miss you terribly. I know that you are around looking in on us. I can see you in Ella. She has this way of scrunching up her face when upset that looks just like your upset face. Her daddy likes to remind Ella that she comes from a long line of stubborn women. That always makes me laugh because I often remember that time when I was little and we were at McDonald's. I had ordered a strawberry sundae with peanuts and they forgot them. For some odd reason they were arguing about the fact that they had screwed up and you had to get angry. Over peanuts. So silly.
For some reason Ella asks for bologna sandwiches on occasion, despite the fact that it's been years since I've even bought bologna.
I'd like to think that you're looking down at us proud. We work hard, I still yearn for more education, and Miss Ella is smart, sassy, and stubborn. Oh, how you'd love her!
Ten years...It's amazing. I can still remember how your skin was soft, yet cool to the touch. Thank you for all that you taught me.
It's been ten years since I last saw you. I still miss you terribly. I know that you are around looking in on us. I can see you in Ella. She has this way of scrunching up her face when upset that looks just like your upset face. Her daddy likes to remind Ella that she comes from a long line of stubborn women. That always makes me laugh because I often remember that time when I was little and we were at McDonald's. I had ordered a strawberry sundae with peanuts and they forgot them. For some odd reason they were arguing about the fact that they had screwed up and you had to get angry. Over peanuts. So silly.
For some reason Ella asks for bologna sandwiches on occasion, despite the fact that it's been years since I've even bought bologna.
I'd like to think that you're looking down at us proud. We work hard, I still yearn for more education, and Miss Ella is smart, sassy, and stubborn. Oh, how you'd love her!
Ten years...It's amazing. I can still remember how your skin was soft, yet cool to the touch. Thank you for all that you taught me.
Labels: family
Monday, November 28, 2005
No, there is too much. Let me sum up
* 13 hours in a car with a 2-year-old ain't too bad when she's sleeping most of the way and you have a DVD player to bail you out for 1-2 episodes of "Dora" and her car song. Seriously, she was pretty good. Will we do it again soon? Hell no!
* My younger sis should play the lottery. She got pregnant while on the pill. She's 28 and in a good relationship with the bf. Marriage? Not in the cards...yet. She's scared shitless, but also pretty happy. It'll be a fun pregnancy to witness.
* Ella's cool with losing the baby label. "Where's the baby, Ella?" "In auntie's belly!" That was 2 minutes after the sis told me the news.
* The youngest sis's soon-to-be-step-kids are cute. 12 & 9, sister and brother. Typical sis-bro stuff. The girl looks like she could be my sister's daugher or young sister. It's kinda scary.
* Stopped in Louisville, KY to see friends on the way home. I hadn't seen some of them in 20 years (the grandparents of my gf) and it felt more like home than at my dad's in some ways. Ella was comfortable right away. My gf's mom pulled out her guitar and Ella sat down right in front of her and gave us all a performance. I am so happy that I can take videos on the digicam.
* Illinois NOW had 3 protests around the state on Black Friday to protest Wal-Mart as a Merchant of Shame. Check out the great video! (Hint: Look for the vidoe clip with the NOW logo)
* Illinois NARAL had a small counter-protest outside the Chicago American Girl Store. It was pretty last minute and the suburban NOW folks were tied up with the Wal-Mart protest. But I'm proud that NARAL was out there. They are always up for a good protest.
* The DCCC has decided to not support the proven home-grown candidate in Christine Cegelis and instead has drafted a member of the Illinois National Guard to run for Henry Hyde's seat. I have no idea if this candidate is a good candidate. All I do know is that Christine has been campaigning for 3 years, had a great showing last year, and deserves the support of the party. Instead, the boys went out and got another candidate. Sure, it's a woman, but it's not Christine. This is why I hate politics and why I am quickly cutting out the idea of ever running for office myself. Now Christine has a fight for the primary. With the DCCC running the other candidate's campaign - it'll be ugly in terms of the money spent. Sources say that David Axelrod is to be her campaign manager. He ran Rahm Emanuel's campaign. That's why I say the DCCC is running the campaign.
* I'm so tired today. I'm trying to wade thru my work and get out early. Tomorrow night is the Depeche Mode concert, so I doubt that I'll be getting much sleep until the Christmas holiday week. Coffee. I think I need some.
* Despite the fact that I swore I wouldn't leave my dad's without my mom's sewing machine and grandmother's sewing kit, I did. I decided that I should buy my own sewing machine, no matter how cheap it is. And that I'll get the sewing kit another time. I did get out of there with a lot of photos that will be Flickr'd. Stay tuned.
* I got my butt kicked in both fantasy leagues this weekend. Oh well. At least my Bears won. Ggggrrroowwwlll!!!!!!!!
* Oh..and if you were like me and still traveling this Sunday and missed Susan Wood on 60 Minutes. Here's the video.
* AND...it's never fails that each time I head down South, there's a new racist ad on TV. This time a new ad from a new group called the Coalition for the Future American Worker. The gist is that there is no job that an American won't do so stop saying that we need illegal migrants (I always hear that to say Mexicans) to do certain jobs. The best part of the ad that has people telling President Bush to stop giving away jobs to illegal immigrants is a close-up of a white man in his 40s looking at the camera saying, "President Bush, I'll do that job!" I'd like to see that man (I know, he's an actor!) cut up chicken all day for less than minimum wage.
* My younger sis should play the lottery. She got pregnant while on the pill. She's 28 and in a good relationship with the bf. Marriage? Not in the cards...yet. She's scared shitless, but also pretty happy. It'll be a fun pregnancy to witness.
* Ella's cool with losing the baby label. "Where's the baby, Ella?" "In auntie's belly!" That was 2 minutes after the sis told me the news.
* The youngest sis's soon-to-be-step-kids are cute. 12 & 9, sister and brother. Typical sis-bro stuff. The girl looks like she could be my sister's daugher or young sister. It's kinda scary.
* Stopped in Louisville, KY to see friends on the way home. I hadn't seen some of them in 20 years (the grandparents of my gf) and it felt more like home than at my dad's in some ways. Ella was comfortable right away. My gf's mom pulled out her guitar and Ella sat down right in front of her and gave us all a performance. I am so happy that I can take videos on the digicam.
* Illinois NOW had 3 protests around the state on Black Friday to protest Wal-Mart as a Merchant of Shame. Check out the great video! (Hint: Look for the vidoe clip with the NOW logo)
* Illinois NARAL had a small counter-protest outside the Chicago American Girl Store. It was pretty last minute and the suburban NOW folks were tied up with the Wal-Mart protest. But I'm proud that NARAL was out there. They are always up for a good protest.
* The DCCC has decided to not support the proven home-grown candidate in Christine Cegelis and instead has drafted a member of the Illinois National Guard to run for Henry Hyde's seat. I have no idea if this candidate is a good candidate. All I do know is that Christine has been campaigning for 3 years, had a great showing last year, and deserves the support of the party. Instead, the boys went out and got another candidate. Sure, it's a woman, but it's not Christine. This is why I hate politics and why I am quickly cutting out the idea of ever running for office myself. Now Christine has a fight for the primary. With the DCCC running the other candidate's campaign - it'll be ugly in terms of the money spent. Sources say that David Axelrod is to be her campaign manager. He ran Rahm Emanuel's campaign. That's why I say the DCCC is running the campaign.
* I'm so tired today. I'm trying to wade thru my work and get out early. Tomorrow night is the Depeche Mode concert, so I doubt that I'll be getting much sleep until the Christmas holiday week. Coffee. I think I need some.
* Despite the fact that I swore I wouldn't leave my dad's without my mom's sewing machine and grandmother's sewing kit, I did. I decided that I should buy my own sewing machine, no matter how cheap it is. And that I'll get the sewing kit another time. I did get out of there with a lot of photos that will be Flickr'd. Stay tuned.
* I got my butt kicked in both fantasy leagues this weekend. Oh well. At least my Bears won. Ggggrrroowwwlll!!!!!!!!
* Oh..and if you were like me and still traveling this Sunday and missed Susan Wood on 60 Minutes. Here's the video.
* AND...it's never fails that each time I head down South, there's a new racist ad on TV. This time a new ad from a new group called the Coalition for the Future American Worker. The gist is that there is no job that an American won't do so stop saying that we need illegal migrants (I always hear that to say Mexicans) to do certain jobs. The best part of the ad that has people telling President Bush to stop giving away jobs to illegal immigrants is a close-up of a white man in his 40s looking at the camera saying, "President Bush, I'll do that job!" I'd like to see that man (I know, he's an actor!) cut up chicken all day for less than minimum wage.
