I see it is past midnight, which means it is my mother's birthday. She passed away 14 years ago July. If she were alive, she'd be 73. I went full circle over these 14 years -- mourning her, then growing up and breaking away from her. Yes, for a few years after her death I was angry at her, mad at the games she used to play. Now I'm back to the beginning. I miss her, but I don't miss the games. I've done some growing up in those 14 years.
It is sad that Thomas never knew his grandma. She was a hands-on, loving grandma. Maybe she smothered the grandchildren too much -- nah, she just loved them all to pieces. She took my oldest niece to Disneyland -- what a trip. She would watch all the kids for a week at a time, sometimes more. She bought them shoes, clothes, toys, trinkets -- spoiled them rotten. Thomas never got that from her, and for that I'm sorry. It's not the stuff that I'm sorry about, it's the love behind it. She loved her grandchildren.
I think in celebration of mom's birthday, Thomas and I should bake a cake. Then I'll surprise him and take him to Shrek, if I can dig enough quarters out of the bottom of my purse! Mom would have taken him.
Thomas's other grandma loves him, but she's not demonstrative. She forgets to ask about him when she calls Bob. She never asks to speak to him on the phone. She always remembers him at Christmas and his birthday, but usually with a trinket that I wouldn't even give to a friend's child at a birthday party. She's so different. Not very grandmotherly at all. I feel sorry for Thomas in that regard, too, because every kid needs a grandparent that dotes on him.
My dad dotes on Thomas when we're together. He sends special things in the mail, such as old train magazines, photos of the Big Boy engines, etc. Dad always asks how he's doing. He's a good grandpa.
And that is why I got my credit card out. See, we can't afford the trek to Denver, but dad will be 81 this year and as he tells me, he's not going to be around much longer. He's been telling me that for years, but I have a fear that I didn't have before -- I can sense something. So we'll use the darned plastic, drive two days (double-ugh) and I will face driving in Denver traffic just for him.
I hate driving into Denver. It is the most stressful thing I have ever/will ever do. (hopefully) The second to last time I drove in, I was on 6th ave. (a highway -- US 6) and a truck in front of me had a mattress fly out right at me. Yeah, we're going 70 probably. Thankfully I got in the other lane and avoided getting hit by it and hitting anybody. I still have nightmares about that. The last time I drove to Denver, I decided to go early on a Sunday morning so there wouldn't be any traffic (or mattresses flying!) So I'm driving out of Cheyenne at 6 am, and a drunk driver comes up behind me. I slowed down to about 40, got way over, and he passed me. The car in front of me wasn't so lucky. He hit him. I watched that pickup do several 360s and end up in the median. I stopped, got out, helped him, and stayed there with him until the Highway Patrol showed up. He was bruised up but walking. He called me later that night to thank me for staying with him and to let me know he was okay. However, when I took off I was shaking so violently, I could barely drive. I called my husband on my cell phone, something I never do -- cell phone while driving -- and he calmed me enough so that I could hang up and just drive in.
Mom always said things happen in threes. I just hope that nothing happens this time.
I hate driving into Denver. I'm fine in the city, I just hate driving into the city.
Sigh.
I don't have definite plans yet, but we are planning our trip so that we can go see the Titanic exhibit at the Denver Museum of Natural History. (They don't call it that anymore, I forget the new name.) Hopefully we'll be there for dad's birthday and mine. Dad's is the 26th. Mine is the 27th. As a child, dad always teased me that I didn't get a birthday cake, I just got his leftovers. Bless mom's heart, she always made two cakes.
And for my birthday? I want a safe trip. Aside from that, I want to eat at the Olive Garden.
So I'm in stress-out mode facing driving into Denver. I'm a wimp and I admit it.
Happy Birthday, Mom. I do love you. I'm not happy with a lot of the stuff you pulled, but I can forgive you. And I do. You were wonderful in so many ways.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
tagged...
I got tagged by Heather but the funny thing is her husband accidentally deleted her meme, but put it back in his version. I'll play along anyway.
The rules are simple… Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
These are 8 facts/habits about me:
1. My favorite color is anything pastel. (Pink probably wins, but I love all pastels.)
2. My favorite decorating style is Cottage Style. Only one room in my house is decorated in cottage style, the rest is very earthy which I like as well.
3. Minnesota is not my favorite place on earth. In the back of my mind, constantly, is: When will I get home? Home is anywhere west of the Missouri River, specifically South Dakota or Wyoming. Perhaps Nebraska, although I have never lived there.
4. I was born in Laramie, but my family was not country/cowboy. I always wanted to be a cowboy. I married one, but he's not a cowboy anymore. Well, he tells me he was never a cowboy, but his dad was and he grew up on a ranch, so close enough. He still has his cowboy boots.
5. I was the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship. I got an AA degree and then transferred to court reporting school where I got an AAS degree. One of my biggest regrets in life (that I will change one day) is that I did not obtain a four-year degree.
6. When I was young, I wanted six children and I had them named: Larry, Barry, Jerry, Carrie, Sherrie, and Mary. (What WAS I thinking???)
7. I am a nonconformist, stubborn, and very opinionated. (And I'm right 99.9% of the time.) (Frankie Straight is not my real name -- a friend told me I was very frank, that's how Frankie Straight was born.)
8. I love barns. Always have, always will. That's one of the good things about living in rural Minnesota -- tons of gorgeous barns.
Tag 8 people:
Hmmm....I know so many have done this meme, so I'm just going to leave an open-ended invitation to play along.
The rules are simple… Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
These are 8 facts/habits about me:
1. My favorite color is anything pastel. (Pink probably wins, but I love all pastels.)
2. My favorite decorating style is Cottage Style. Only one room in my house is decorated in cottage style, the rest is very earthy which I like as well.
3. Minnesota is not my favorite place on earth. In the back of my mind, constantly, is: When will I get home? Home is anywhere west of the Missouri River, specifically South Dakota or Wyoming. Perhaps Nebraska, although I have never lived there.
4. I was born in Laramie, but my family was not country/cowboy. I always wanted to be a cowboy. I married one, but he's not a cowboy anymore. Well, he tells me he was never a cowboy, but his dad was and he grew up on a ranch, so close enough. He still has his cowboy boots.
5. I was the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship. I got an AA degree and then transferred to court reporting school where I got an AAS degree. One of my biggest regrets in life (that I will change one day) is that I did not obtain a four-year degree.
6. When I was young, I wanted six children and I had them named: Larry, Barry, Jerry, Carrie, Sherrie, and Mary. (What WAS I thinking???)
7. I am a nonconformist, stubborn, and very opinionated. (And I'm right 99.9% of the time.) (Frankie Straight is not my real name -- a friend told me I was very frank, that's how Frankie Straight was born.)
8. I love barns. Always have, always will. That's one of the good things about living in rural Minnesota -- tons of gorgeous barns.
Tag 8 people:
Hmmm....I know so many have done this meme, so I'm just going to leave an open-ended invitation to play along.
Whew
This afternoon, after Thomas and I both slept until 11!!!!, we did our last leg of the CAT5. Thomas finished two minutes before the timer was set to go of. He set his pencil down and loudly proclaimed: "I'm a 6th grader, now!" He didn't even whine when I told him we needed to finish up the test. Yeah.
We hopped in the car and drove to McDonald's for a dollar ice cream cone to celebrate. I had to dig in the bottom of my purse before we left. I found nine quarters. I was thrilled that they have reduced the price of these twists and it only cost $1.47. lol We thoroughly enjoyed our treat.
When Bob got home from work, he cornered Thomas and asked where we ate out today. Thomas was stunned that dad knew. He questioned him, "How did you know?" And Bob laughed his evil laugh. The water from the air conditioner on the garage floor was the dead give away. (Bob hates that we do fast food occasionally.)
Thomas and I discussed where to start for summer plans. He has agreed to a good house cleaning this week. It's going to be very cool, in the low 70s, so we'll be able to open windows and air things out. He's excited to get his room done so he can have friends IN the house. lol Our school room is a disaster and will take at least a day to get in order. I'll share an after-the-school-year photo before we tackle it.
Thomas and I listened to Eragon on CD the last couple weeks of school. We finally finished last week. That was a nice treat to listen to it, as we loved the voices of the reader. Thomas begged to rent the movie, so we did tonight. We loved the movie, but Thomas kept complaining: Hey, that's not like the book. All through the movie. I just laughed. Bob just confirmed that movies always destroy the author's books.
Thomas is a chip off the old block. Bob is not much fun to watch movies with -- especially if he's read the book. He analyzes, nitpicks, and complains his way through entire movies. Yup, like father, like son.
I loved the movie, and I really loved the actor that played Eragon. I thought he had a beautiful smile in his eyes.
I guess that's it from the middle of nowhere today. Except that our new geography book arrived, a friend emailed me about next year's plans, and I cannot turn myself "off" and sat at the kitchen table for more than an hour figuring, planning, daydreaming about next year....sigh.
We hopped in the car and drove to McDonald's for a dollar ice cream cone to celebrate. I had to dig in the bottom of my purse before we left. I found nine quarters. I was thrilled that they have reduced the price of these twists and it only cost $1.47. lol We thoroughly enjoyed our treat.
When Bob got home from work, he cornered Thomas and asked where we ate out today. Thomas was stunned that dad knew. He questioned him, "How did you know?" And Bob laughed his evil laugh. The water from the air conditioner on the garage floor was the dead give away. (Bob hates that we do fast food occasionally.)
Thomas and I discussed where to start for summer plans. He has agreed to a good house cleaning this week. It's going to be very cool, in the low 70s, so we'll be able to open windows and air things out. He's excited to get his room done so he can have friends IN the house. lol Our school room is a disaster and will take at least a day to get in order. I'll share an after-the-school-year photo before we tackle it.
Thomas and I listened to Eragon on CD the last couple weeks of school. We finally finished last week. That was a nice treat to listen to it, as we loved the voices of the reader. Thomas begged to rent the movie, so we did tonight. We loved the movie, but Thomas kept complaining: Hey, that's not like the book. All through the movie. I just laughed. Bob just confirmed that movies always destroy the author's books.
Thomas is a chip off the old block. Bob is not much fun to watch movies with -- especially if he's read the book. He analyzes, nitpicks, and complains his way through entire movies. Yup, like father, like son.
I loved the movie, and I really loved the actor that played Eragon. I thought he had a beautiful smile in his eyes.
I guess that's it from the middle of nowhere today. Except that our new geography book arrived, a friend emailed me about next year's plans, and I cannot turn myself "off" and sat at the kitchen table for more than an hour figuring, planning, daydreaming about next year....sigh.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Adjusting
I'm having a hard time adjusting to school being over. All last week we worked on our CAT test. (We have one sub-test left to complete.) My brain is in overload and I just cannot seem to turn it off.
I talked to Bob about this early this morning. I told him I was a little blue or off right now. He laughed and said it is because I'm a very scheduled person and I don't have a schedule for non-school mode yet.
That's all he said, the man of few words. But he was right. He nailed it.
There are so many possibilities. There are so many projects I want to do, so many friends we could get together with that is difficult during the school year, so many places to go.
I just feel stuck and overwhelmed because I don't know where to start!
Ah, I have always been good about making routines and schedules. I think I need a week of nothingness first in order to clear my brain.
I talked to Bob about this early this morning. I told him I was a little blue or off right now. He laughed and said it is because I'm a very scheduled person and I don't have a schedule for non-school mode yet.
That's all he said, the man of few words. But he was right. He nailed it.
There are so many possibilities. There are so many projects I want to do, so many friends we could get together with that is difficult during the school year, so many places to go.
I just feel stuck and overwhelmed because I don't know where to start!
Ah, I have always been good about making routines and schedules. I think I need a week of nothingness first in order to clear my brain.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Starry Starry Night
The only thing that bugs me about this video is at the very end where they spell cemetery cemetAry. I'm just picky.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Not Much to Talk About
Our test arrived today, finally! We've completed two of the legs. I want this done quickly, Thomas wants to take his time and do two sections a day. We'll see about that.
The bunny that we were going to adopt: Well, when Thomas's friend got home from school that day, he came down to inform us that the bunny had died that morning. Very sad. I'm just hoping it didn't perish because it was being held so much.
I have to pay bills. I hate paying bills. I'd rather clean public restrooms. Seriously.
Uhm, oh -- something cool. I renewed my subscription to ancestry.com (thank you, credit card) and have taken up genealogy again. I worked on it all weekend. One of my goals is to get into the DAR. I was reading a little about the DAR and it used to be a not-so-nice organization if you were anything but white. But it seems they have changed their ways, so I'm okay with it. This is going to be an expensive endeavor. I'll have to contact many states' historical societies and get "proofs" or things such as birth and death records, marriage records, land deeds, etc. To get the death records for my grandparents it will cost $17 each. In the scheme of things, that's not really that much, but when you consider I'll have to get five generations' worth of birth, marriage and death records -- ouch. I have a feeling this will be a slow process.
That's about it. Thomas had his art class today. He has train club tonight. I need to go to the store. I'm out of coffee filters! Oh, the horror of it all, having to make my completely-necessary coffee with a paper towel. I'm also out of cereal. I just cannot start the day without my 40% Bran Flakes -- no wait, that's what they were called in the '70s. Today they're called Complete Bran Flakes. I eat a serving of those with a serving of Kellog's Bran Buds every morning for breakfast. I get about 25 grams of fiber to start my day. Yum. Today we had bagels for breakfast and I just felt off all day. (evil grin)
Oh, the Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Bev's About Homeschooling site.
I like Bev. That makes two great hosts in a row. Hopefully that trend will continue.
That's about it.
The bunny that we were going to adopt: Well, when Thomas's friend got home from school that day, he came down to inform us that the bunny had died that morning. Very sad. I'm just hoping it didn't perish because it was being held so much.
I have to pay bills. I hate paying bills. I'd rather clean public restrooms. Seriously.
Uhm, oh -- something cool. I renewed my subscription to ancestry.com (thank you, credit card) and have taken up genealogy again. I worked on it all weekend. One of my goals is to get into the DAR. I was reading a little about the DAR and it used to be a not-so-nice organization if you were anything but white. But it seems they have changed their ways, so I'm okay with it. This is going to be an expensive endeavor. I'll have to contact many states' historical societies and get "proofs" or things such as birth and death records, marriage records, land deeds, etc. To get the death records for my grandparents it will cost $17 each. In the scheme of things, that's not really that much, but when you consider I'll have to get five generations' worth of birth, marriage and death records -- ouch. I have a feeling this will be a slow process.
That's about it. Thomas had his art class today. He has train club tonight. I need to go to the store. I'm out of coffee filters! Oh, the horror of it all, having to make my completely-necessary coffee with a paper towel. I'm also out of cereal. I just cannot start the day without my 40% Bran Flakes -- no wait, that's what they were called in the '70s. Today they're called Complete Bran Flakes. I eat a serving of those with a serving of Kellog's Bran Buds every morning for breakfast. I get about 25 grams of fiber to start my day. Yum. Today we had bagels for breakfast and I just felt off all day. (evil grin)
Oh, the Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Bev's About Homeschooling site.
I like Bev. That makes two great hosts in a row. Hopefully that trend will continue.
That's about it.
Friday, May 25, 2007
I'm Evil
Last night after Bob went to bed, I hopped online again. I sent him the cute bunny photos and laid on a BIG-time guilt trip.
He called this morning (and woke me up--way to get even, hon) and relented. He told me to tell Thomas he had to buy the chicken wire, he had to build the cage, and the bunny had to be released when it was old enough. ??? Hmmm.
I am evil. I know how to guilt my husband.
And on another note, I decided to quit worrying over geography. I bought a textbook on eBay last night. I love the Buy-it-now feature. Anyway, when it arrives, I'll write up a quick set of lesson plans and sit down for an hour and correlate it with books from the library. Then I'll print some maps out. And I might search some recipes -- yum.
I'm not pro or anti textbooks. We've always enjoyed getting tons of books on a subject from the library and learning freely. However, I am getting to the point that I need things easier. And easier means I can have Thomas read the textbook on his own first. It also means I will have a systematic and sequential plan to follow. I'm loose enough to not get caught in a time trap -- if Thomas is loving something, we go with it. If he isn't, we go over it anyway, but quickly.
I didn't mention in my previous post that I spent an hour drooling over Calvert's website yesterday. It just seemed so easy to click, place an order, and have it all arrive ready to use. Of course after that hour I decided we'd need to replace the math, we'd have to replace their spelling program with Sequential Spelling, that I'd want to add in our logic that Thomas loves, plus Wordly Wise which he loves. And so on.
Our eclectic style works for us. That's the whole point of homeschooling Thomas -- for him to learn, and it's taken awhile to figure him out, but I think we've got it down pat. It's fun to window shop, though.
One thing on Calvert's site that did pique my interest (and that interest was also piqued by my years of reading the Well-Trained Mind boards, is Calvert's series of spelling CDs. I am toying with ordering one. However, I'm clueless which level to buy. Thomas spells phonetically unless he knows a word. Spelling is his worst subject, even though he loves Sequential Spelling. I thought a fun CD might help matters. Which level...that is the burning question.
Our silly CAT tests still have not arrived. I'm climbing the walls in anticipation. I so want to be done!
He called this morning (and woke me up--way to get even, hon) and relented. He told me to tell Thomas he had to buy the chicken wire, he had to build the cage, and the bunny had to be released when it was old enough. ??? Hmmm.
I am evil. I know how to guilt my husband.
And on another note, I decided to quit worrying over geography. I bought a textbook on eBay last night. I love the Buy-it-now feature. Anyway, when it arrives, I'll write up a quick set of lesson plans and sit down for an hour and correlate it with books from the library. Then I'll print some maps out. And I might search some recipes -- yum.
I'm not pro or anti textbooks. We've always enjoyed getting tons of books on a subject from the library and learning freely. However, I am getting to the point that I need things easier. And easier means I can have Thomas read the textbook on his own first. It also means I will have a systematic and sequential plan to follow. I'm loose enough to not get caught in a time trap -- if Thomas is loving something, we go with it. If he isn't, we go over it anyway, but quickly.
I didn't mention in my previous post that I spent an hour drooling over Calvert's website yesterday. It just seemed so easy to click, place an order, and have it all arrive ready to use. Of course after that hour I decided we'd need to replace the math, we'd have to replace their spelling program with Sequential Spelling, that I'd want to add in our logic that Thomas loves, plus Wordly Wise which he loves. And so on.
Our eclectic style works for us. That's the whole point of homeschooling Thomas -- for him to learn, and it's taken awhile to figure him out, but I think we've got it down pat. It's fun to window shop, though.
One thing on Calvert's site that did pique my interest (and that interest was also piqued by my years of reading the Well-Trained Mind boards, is Calvert's series of spelling CDs. I am toying with ordering one. However, I'm clueless which level to buy. Thomas spells phonetically unless he knows a word. Spelling is his worst subject, even though he loves Sequential Spelling. I thought a fun CD might help matters. Which level...that is the burning question.
Our silly CAT tests still have not arrived. I'm climbing the walls in anticipation. I so want to be done!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Oh, the tears . . .
I don't know what I'm going to do with this child. He gets so emotionally attached to critters. Tonight a neighborhood buddy came to play, then they scurried off to his house. While at the friend's house, the friend showed him his baby bunny. They found it in their yard while they were mowing. The dad almost ran over it with his lawn mower. His eyes were still shut, he was so tiny. This baby bunny has been living in the friend's back yard ever since. The friend has been feeding it lettuce and carrots.
The thing is that this family can't keep the bunny. They are gardeners. They have a huge garden and the dad is afraid the bunny will eat the garden.
So they ran to ME because they thought I'd be sympathetic. I am, but ...
Thomas wants to keep the bunny. He's afraid it will die if he doesn't. He wants to build a cage, feed it, love it and take care of it. Well, Bob said NO. No, no, no, no, no.
Thomas and his buddy took the bunny back and Thomas came in for the evening. He begged, pleaded, even took me aside and asked if he could build a secret cage and hide it. He was a little shocked when I came unglued about that. I won't have dishonesty, albeit for a good cause.
Thomas cried and cried. When will he get over this crying stage?
So we tried to switch gears. What could we do for the bunny. We are clueless. We know one family that used to raise rabbits but quit because it was a pain. Tomorrow we'll brainstorm some more.
If Thomas had asked me, I would have said sure, we'll build a cage. I was a little disappointed in Bob's immediate no. Thomas is right, the cute little critter will probably not make it. We have cats that roam the neighborhood, we have neighbors that kill the bunnies.
Sigh.
What to do!
I know where Thomas gets his emotional behavior regarding animals from: ME! One time I fostered two kittens from our animal shelter. When we took them back, one was adopted immediately. I couldn't stand it. I adopted the other.
There are so many things in this life to worry about. Thomas and I will be worried about the little bunny.
Sigh.
In Search of the Perfect (Fill in the blank)
I wonder how many homeschooling parents out there are constantly on the lookout for the perfect X, Y or Z. I know I'm always looking, even when I'm happy with what we're doing.
As our third year of homeschooling is coming to an end, I feel fairly confident with my choices. Thomas is learning, and learning well. We've spent lots of dollars trying to find just the right X, Y and Z. We've done pretty well all. Except for geography.
Would someone please wave their magic wand and present the perfect geography program for me? We've unschooled this year, reading lots of books, studying maps and playing games. Name that Country is a huge hit here.
I want more -- for me. I didn't learn geography well. Thomas wants more. Well, okay, perhaps he isn't asking for more and maybe he doesn't know he wants more, but he does. (the evil mother.)
At the beginning of the year, I purchased Trail Guide to U.S. Geography. We also got their ebook. We both hated it. Well, I liked it, but Thomas hated, hated, hated it. It zapped his love of geography right out of him. He called it busy work. I haven't ever come across anyone else who didn't like this program, just us. We will never fit into a mold -- which is a good thing.
I'm toying with the idea of writing my own program this summer. NOT how I want to spend my summer vacation. I'm also toying with the idea of just getting a text book from eBay to use as a spine and then do all kinds of fun stuff.
We have Mapping the World by Heart. It sits gathering dust. I'm too lazy to put a plan together. Besides that, it's just learning where the countries are. We want more.
So would someone wave their magic wand for me and give me the perfect program that encompasses the five themes?
Sigh...
As our third year of homeschooling is coming to an end, I feel fairly confident with my choices. Thomas is learning, and learning well. We've spent lots of dollars trying to find just the right X, Y and Z. We've done pretty well all. Except for geography.
Would someone please wave their magic wand and present the perfect geography program for me? We've unschooled this year, reading lots of books, studying maps and playing games. Name that Country is a huge hit here.
I want more -- for me. I didn't learn geography well. Thomas wants more. Well, okay, perhaps he isn't asking for more and maybe he doesn't know he wants more, but he does. (the evil mother.)
At the beginning of the year, I purchased Trail Guide to U.S. Geography. We also got their ebook. We both hated it. Well, I liked it, but Thomas hated, hated, hated it. It zapped his love of geography right out of him. He called it busy work. I haven't ever come across anyone else who didn't like this program, just us. We will never fit into a mold -- which is a good thing.
I'm toying with the idea of writing my own program this summer. NOT how I want to spend my summer vacation. I'm also toying with the idea of just getting a text book from eBay to use as a spine and then do all kinds of fun stuff.
We have Mapping the World by Heart. It sits gathering dust. I'm too lazy to put a plan together. Besides that, it's just learning where the countries are. We want more.
So would someone wave their magic wand for me and give me the perfect program that encompasses the five themes?
Sigh...
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Rest in Peace, Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan, author of the book The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less passed away last week. You can read the article here.
Terry wrote my all-time favorite book which was about her mother. That book, and the subsequent movie, have inspired me tremendously. When I'm feeling down, negative, or just blah, I snuggle up in my bed and pop in my DVD. This is one of two DVDs that I have actually purchased in my lifetime for myself. I have played it countless times. The book is more detailed than the movie. I have read it many times. This is one of the few times when I have enjoyed a movie as much as the book it was based upon.
Terry grew up in difficult times. Her parents had ten kids. Her father was an alcoholic, their family was poverty-stricken due to his drinking. Her mother, Evelyn Ryan, had a spirit like no other. She inspired me, she challenged me to be a better person, to be more positive, and as my friend Wisteria said, she made me want to be a better mother.
She also made me thankful -- thankful that I am a product of my times. I did not have to deal with the issues she faced in the 50s and 60s, the challenges of women then.
Some of my favorite "Evelynisms":
That's a problem for another day.
I would never leave the kids with you.
Death by jell-o is highly unlikely.
I just have to sit down and have myself a happy cry!
Everything is possible!
Forgive him so you can embrace the radiance of this day.
I'm tired of this day, I need a new one.
Do you know that U.S. Army research has shown a relationship between intelligence and willingness to eat unfamiliar foods? (I use this line in my home, but Thomas just doesn't get it. He is always curious to know what U.S. Army research has to do with anything.)
Spices don't have legs. There are no bugs in the soup.
Thank you, Terry Ryan, for sharing your mother with the world. Thank you for writing this wonderful book. May you rest in peace.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Empty Mailbox
Saturday we got no mail. The mailman drove on by our house again today. Frustrating, because I really want to get our CAT test so that we can finish school for the year. It's not officially due until the end of next week, but she assured me it would probably be much sooner.
I'll continue to hope.
We are almost officially done. Thomas is finishing up his math. I thought we'd be going into the summer, but I wised up. We went through an entire chapter in one day -- it was stuff he could do, so why re-do it. We have two chapters left. I expect to be done by the end of next week.
I've been looking at baby pictures of Thomas. It brings a smile to my face and warms my heart, but it also makes me a little sad, too. I cannot believe time goes by SO fast.
We are trying to get plans together for this summer. One huge obstcale is money. I had saved up $350 for our trip to visit my dad. Well, our back door broke. When they built our house, they did a really crappy job with some things, including this door. Instead of putting the door flush with the concrete step, the put it flush with the floor. What happened as a result is rain and snow would go in between the step and door, thus rotting the casing. The hinges are busted, the wood is completely rotten, and the door itself is in complete disrepair. Who would have thunk that a new door would be over $200.
My biggest mistake was telling my DH that I had that money saved up to begin with. BUT it beats putting it on a credit card. But still. My stash is getting used. I haven't told my dad yet. I have no money to go visit him. And with the gas prices the way they are -- two years ago I went when gas was a whopping $2.25 per gallon and that was horrible. Now it's a buck more per gallon.
Whine, whine, whine. This is one of those times when I regret not working and having my own money. There is definitely a shift that happens when you give up your career to be a stay-at-home mom. Suddenly, money is a big deal both in terms of the lack thereof and that someone else is watching every penny you spend. It stinks.
So planning the summer is tough because of lack of money and because we live in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing to do here. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. We do have a small water park, but it gets boring after the first week or two. Thomas will continue with his ceramics classes and he's taking a wheel throwing class. There's nothing else in the community ed. brochure that interests him. He's not a sports kid. We will do swimming lessons.
I guess we'll avail ourselves of the local beach. Parks are nice, but boring. I could plan some short day trips, but with the price of gas -- ouch! I have always wanted to visit the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN. We can always go visit Walnut Grove, MN -- again.
I miss living in the real world. I grew up in Denver, where there was always something to do. Always. Great museums, mountains, events, classes, etc. I'm still suffering from culture shock, and I've lived here ten years this summer. Aaaack.
I probably shouldn't publish this post because I'm so whiny tonight -- but what the heck -- I'm human. And bored.
I'll continue to hope.
We are almost officially done. Thomas is finishing up his math. I thought we'd be going into the summer, but I wised up. We went through an entire chapter in one day -- it was stuff he could do, so why re-do it. We have two chapters left. I expect to be done by the end of next week.
I've been looking at baby pictures of Thomas. It brings a smile to my face and warms my heart, but it also makes me a little sad, too. I cannot believe time goes by SO fast.
We are trying to get plans together for this summer. One huge obstcale is money. I had saved up $350 for our trip to visit my dad. Well, our back door broke. When they built our house, they did a really crappy job with some things, including this door. Instead of putting the door flush with the concrete step, the put it flush with the floor. What happened as a result is rain and snow would go in between the step and door, thus rotting the casing. The hinges are busted, the wood is completely rotten, and the door itself is in complete disrepair. Who would have thunk that a new door would be over $200.
My biggest mistake was telling my DH that I had that money saved up to begin with. BUT it beats putting it on a credit card. But still. My stash is getting used. I haven't told my dad yet. I have no money to go visit him. And with the gas prices the way they are -- two years ago I went when gas was a whopping $2.25 per gallon and that was horrible. Now it's a buck more per gallon.
Whine, whine, whine. This is one of those times when I regret not working and having my own money. There is definitely a shift that happens when you give up your career to be a stay-at-home mom. Suddenly, money is a big deal both in terms of the lack thereof and that someone else is watching every penny you spend. It stinks.
So planning the summer is tough because of lack of money and because we live in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing to do here. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. We do have a small water park, but it gets boring after the first week or two. Thomas will continue with his ceramics classes and he's taking a wheel throwing class. There's nothing else in the community ed. brochure that interests him. He's not a sports kid. We will do swimming lessons.
I guess we'll avail ourselves of the local beach. Parks are nice, but boring. I could plan some short day trips, but with the price of gas -- ouch! I have always wanted to visit the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN. We can always go visit Walnut Grove, MN -- again.
I miss living in the real world. I grew up in Denver, where there was always something to do. Always. Great museums, mountains, events, classes, etc. I'm still suffering from culture shock, and I've lived here ten years this summer. Aaaack.
I probably shouldn't publish this post because I'm so whiny tonight -- but what the heck -- I'm human. And bored.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wow -- io, Free Books!
A member of one of the yahoo homeschool groups I'm on share a link and I need to share, too. Wowio, free books, free minds.
It's a website that allows you to download free books. There are some great books available, especially for kiddos. You may only download five books a day. So far I've got ten. I don't know what I'll get today, but I'm extremely happy with what we've got so far:
Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself
Great Civil War Projects You Can Build Yourself
Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself
Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece
Tools of Native Americans: a Kid's Guide to the History and Culture of the First Americans
Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself
Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself
Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Rome
Tools of Navigation: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Finding Your Way
Tools of Timekeeping: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Telling Time
Pretty cool, eh?
There aren't too many other children's books that I'm interested in, but the above list was a gold mine for me! I'm off to search for something for me now.
They also have this special deal that if you get ten people to sign up, you get a free ipod shuffle. (I don't even know what an ipod shuffle is!!!) I'm not really interested in that for me (maybe I should be) but just thought I'd throw that out there.
It's a website that allows you to download free books. There are some great books available, especially for kiddos. You may only download five books a day. So far I've got ten. I don't know what I'll get today, but I'm extremely happy with what we've got so far:
Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself
Great Civil War Projects You Can Build Yourself
Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself
Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece
Tools of Native Americans: a Kid's Guide to the History and Culture of the First Americans
Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself
Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself
Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Rome
Tools of Navigation: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Finding Your Way
Tools of Timekeeping: A Kid's Guide to the History and Science of Telling Time
Pretty cool, eh?
There aren't too many other children's books that I'm interested in, but the above list was a gold mine for me! I'm off to search for something for me now.
They also have this special deal that if you get ten people to sign up, you get a free ipod shuffle. (I don't even know what an ipod shuffle is!!!) I'm not really interested in that for me (maybe I should be) but just thought I'd throw that out there.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Great Homeschool eStore Giveaway
I'm on their list, so I knew about the Mother's Day special. I tried yesterday to download some of their ebooks and was proud that I actually got four. On many of the homeschool lists I'm on, there were people who couldn't get any. I think I was lucky because I loosened up my security so I didn't have to wait for a second connection.
This morning I sat down and got a couple more of their free ebooks.
The book I liked the best was Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself by Rachel Dickinson. I liked the fact that it gave information as well as projects. I liked it so much I went to Amazon and did some searching. There are a few books in their Build Yourself Series that piqued my interest.
The only thing about this book -- I would prefer it in book form as opposed to ebook. I'm not going to print the thing out, it would take too much ink and I'm cheap.
I had to try to download this book about six times. Each time I got it the file was corrupted. Finally, this morning within minutes of their promotion being over, I got it. Small victory for me.
I liked this free giveaway because it gave me a chance to see things beyond their teasing previews. It enabled me to figure out what I could use and tweak and what was just out of the question. We'll actually use two of their free ebooks. The others were nice to view.
One of the books I got was the Hands of a Child Mythological Creatures lapbook. Cute book, information provided at the beginning about creatures, but what can I say -- as cute as I think lapbooks are -- and I really do think they're cute -- we have tried to do lapbooks on three different occasions and failed. Why? Because for us, we just don't see the point. I think in the early elementary grades they're perfect and would have suited Thomas well. Thomas thought it was just a bunch of busy work. And I tend to agree -- for him. I'd far rather him write a report than cut and paste and all that.
So Thomas and I will continue to admire the photos of lapbooks that we come across on the web, but we won't partake.
I think it was great that the Homeschool eStore had this giveaway. I know it blew their servers, I know people got testy about it, but they didn't have to give them out in the first place and they are moving to a better more accommodating server in the very near future. Kudos to them. Thanks, we'll enjoy our Pioneer Projects very much.
This morning I sat down and got a couple more of their free ebooks.
The book I liked the best was Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself by Rachel Dickinson. I liked the fact that it gave information as well as projects. I liked it so much I went to Amazon and did some searching. There are a few books in their Build Yourself Series that piqued my interest.
The only thing about this book -- I would prefer it in book form as opposed to ebook. I'm not going to print the thing out, it would take too much ink and I'm cheap.
I had to try to download this book about six times. Each time I got it the file was corrupted. Finally, this morning within minutes of their promotion being over, I got it. Small victory for me.
I liked this free giveaway because it gave me a chance to see things beyond their teasing previews. It enabled me to figure out what I could use and tweak and what was just out of the question. We'll actually use two of their free ebooks. The others were nice to view.
One of the books I got was the Hands of a Child Mythological Creatures lapbook. Cute book, information provided at the beginning about creatures, but what can I say -- as cute as I think lapbooks are -- and I really do think they're cute -- we have tried to do lapbooks on three different occasions and failed. Why? Because for us, we just don't see the point. I think in the early elementary grades they're perfect and would have suited Thomas well. Thomas thought it was just a bunch of busy work. And I tend to agree -- for him. I'd far rather him write a report than cut and paste and all that.
So Thomas and I will continue to admire the photos of lapbooks that we come across on the web, but we won't partake.
I think it was great that the Homeschool eStore had this giveaway. I know it blew their servers, I know people got testy about it, but they didn't have to give them out in the first place and they are moving to a better more accommodating server in the very near future. Kudos to them. Thanks, we'll enjoy our Pioneer Projects very much.
Monday, May 14, 2007
My Perfect Mother's Day
It started out with my favorite breakfast: Two Egg McMuffins and a big fountain pop. From there, Bob and Thomas went to work.
As the day progressed, we got hungry. Thomas made chocolate chip muffins all by himself -- a double batch to boot.
We had a picnic in the yard. This kid melts my heart.
The day got hot, so Thomas decided to run through the sprinkler.
The boys finished the skeleton of the fence. All three of us put the Thompson's water sealer/stain on.
Today after work, Bob and Thomas (and me, too) set out to work again.
They got all the way done with the long fence wall. I don't have a photo because I was cooking. I had to please Bob, so I made his favorite a roast (boring) beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. We'll get the rest up Wednesday because we're busy all afternoon and evening tomorrow.
Let me just say that aside from Thomas himself, this is the BEST Mother's Day/Birthday gift I have ever received. Ever. Privacy, ahhh. The only thing that could surpass it would be if we won the lottery and bought a place in the country.
Ahhhh.
As the day progressed, we got hungry. Thomas made chocolate chip muffins all by himself -- a double batch to boot.
We had a picnic in the yard. This kid melts my heart.
The day got hot, so Thomas decided to run through the sprinkler.
The boys finished the skeleton of the fence. All three of us put the Thompson's water sealer/stain on.
Today after work, Bob and Thomas (and me, too) set out to work again.
They got all the way done with the long fence wall. I don't have a photo because I was cooking. I had to please Bob, so I made his favorite a roast (boring) beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. We'll get the rest up Wednesday because we're busy all afternoon and evening tomorrow.
Let me just say that aside from Thomas himself, this is the BEST Mother's Day/Birthday gift I have ever received. Ever. Privacy, ahhh. The only thing that could surpass it would be if we won the lottery and bought a place in the country.
Ahhhh.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Friday
Not much to blog about lately.
I have spring fever and am ready to throw school out the window. Thomas, on the other hand, wakes up happy and is ready to go -- after he makes himself some muffins or scrambled eggs. (The mean mom makes him cook his own breakfast -- Home Ec 101) He has even requested that he be allowed to continue doing vocab and logic over the summer. Go figure.
Got new glasses this week. I got sunglasses and regular glasses. The regular glasses stunk! They were trifocals. The store clerk talked me in to getting no line bifocals which are trifocals. What she did not tell me was that that trifocal business was on the sides, not just in the middle. I don't care about aging -- it's a fact of life, but I refuse to be an old lady who has to turn her head to see everything in focus. $320 for these glasses. I was so upset with myself. Then I noticed that there was a very large gap between the lens and the frame on the right side. I was horrified that brand-new glasses would have such a gap. It was an omen. I fretted about it, but the day after I picked the glasses up, I marched right back and told them I didn't want them. The doctor and the clerk were out there and were not happy. The doctor told me that he'd just order me a new lens. I told him that these have to last two years, and at $320 I expect them to be well made. I told him I didn't feel good about these glasses.
Honestly, I would have kept them and grumbled about the trifocal-blurry-sides business, but that crack really bothered me. The store was quite taken back when I told them I would not be ordering another pair. The sunglasses I got are fantastic, and gladly kept them.
I've been checking glasses online and I think I will order from 39dollarglasses. I can get what I want for 89 bucks -- frames and transition lenses. (Sun really bothers my eyes.) Anyone had any experience with that company?
I finally got around to ordering Thomas's standardized test. We have to test each year, but we don't turn the results in. I waited until the last possible minute to order. What was I thinking? It should come the end of May. The lady on the phone was very nice and explained that there would probably be a delay in our receiving the test. I think she was expecting me to grumble. I laughed and said, "That's okay, I was very delayed in ordering." She laughed -- I think she was relieved. We have always ordered our tests from Family Learning Organization. I have always been pleased with the company.
Our ducks are still with us. They come every evening for some grub.
Bob (the builder, ha ha) has been busy on our privacy fence. Thomas has proven to be of great help and has enjoyed digging post holes. Bob put all the dirt from the holes in our garden and Thomas has enjoyed playing in it. Can we say filthy child? I always figure the dirtier the child is, the more fun he/she is having. So go forth and get dirty, kiddo.
That's about it.
I have spring fever and am ready to throw school out the window. Thomas, on the other hand, wakes up happy and is ready to go -- after he makes himself some muffins or scrambled eggs. (The mean mom makes him cook his own breakfast -- Home Ec 101) He has even requested that he be allowed to continue doing vocab and logic over the summer. Go figure.
Got new glasses this week. I got sunglasses and regular glasses. The regular glasses stunk! They were trifocals. The store clerk talked me in to getting no line bifocals which are trifocals. What she did not tell me was that that trifocal business was on the sides, not just in the middle. I don't care about aging -- it's a fact of life, but I refuse to be an old lady who has to turn her head to see everything in focus. $320 for these glasses. I was so upset with myself. Then I noticed that there was a very large gap between the lens and the frame on the right side. I was horrified that brand-new glasses would have such a gap. It was an omen. I fretted about it, but the day after I picked the glasses up, I marched right back and told them I didn't want them. The doctor and the clerk were out there and were not happy. The doctor told me that he'd just order me a new lens. I told him that these have to last two years, and at $320 I expect them to be well made. I told him I didn't feel good about these glasses.
Honestly, I would have kept them and grumbled about the trifocal-blurry-sides business, but that crack really bothered me. The store was quite taken back when I told them I would not be ordering another pair. The sunglasses I got are fantastic, and gladly kept them.
I've been checking glasses online and I think I will order from 39dollarglasses. I can get what I want for 89 bucks -- frames and transition lenses. (Sun really bothers my eyes.) Anyone had any experience with that company?
I finally got around to ordering Thomas's standardized test. We have to test each year, but we don't turn the results in. I waited until the last possible minute to order. What was I thinking? It should come the end of May. The lady on the phone was very nice and explained that there would probably be a delay in our receiving the test. I think she was expecting me to grumble. I laughed and said, "That's okay, I was very delayed in ordering." She laughed -- I think she was relieved. We have always ordered our tests from Family Learning Organization. I have always been pleased with the company.
Our ducks are still with us. They come every evening for some grub.
Bob (the builder, ha ha) has been busy on our privacy fence. Thomas has proven to be of great help and has enjoyed digging post holes. Bob put all the dirt from the holes in our garden and Thomas has enjoyed playing in it. Can we say filthy child? I always figure the dirtier the child is, the more fun he/she is having. So go forth and get dirty, kiddo.
That's about it.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Backyard Happenings
If you click on this, it enlarges so you can actually see the bunny.
Fred and Ethel came close to the door for their evening feeding. I got a couple close-ups of Ethel. The first shot she sat patiently for me. The second shot she turned her head as if to say, "Would you leave me the h-e-double-toothpick alone?" As I was watching the ducks, two bunnies came hopping into the yard. When they saw me, one ran for the bushes -- you can barely see its eyes -- and the other froze in its place, not far from Fred.
Bob bought me a shepherd's hook this weekend because I begged. I wanted the bird feeder closer to the window so I could actually see the birds without my binoculars. We have counted seven different birds that we had not seen before. Thomas is loving bird watching, as are his father and I. It amazes me to think that these birds have always been here but I have never noticed. Last year I remember watching two robbins flirting and chasing each other, but other than that, I have never noticed. It amazes me, because now we're always watching out the windows.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Phy Ed, or what I call gym class
Bob has decided Thomas needs to lift weights. We dusted off the old--very, very old--Bowflex and got to work. Bob made me exercise, too. I hated every flippin' minute of it. Give me Richard Simmons any day.
As you can tell, Thomas loved it. NOT.
"Does it LOOK like I'm having fun?"
As you can tell, Thomas loved it. NOT.
"Does it LOOK like I'm having fun?"
Our Ducks
Here are Fred and Ethel, still with us. We think that they are nesting at the next door neighbor's house under their shrubs. They like to visit us each morning and evening for some grub. We bought a bag of corn. They come up to the back door now for their dinner. They prefer bread, but we only give that to them every couple days.
Thomas and I discussed the fact that they won't eat here if they're nesting in our yard, and he said he preferred they nest somewhere else because he liked to feed them. So we've marked our calendar (May 2nd) the day they stopped hanging in our yard all day and started making their morning and evening appearances. Should take 26 days, plus or minus.
We have enjoyed sharing our back-yard home with the ducks tremendously.
Now, I need to find I Love Lucy on TV because Thomas still has no idea who Fred and Ethel are!
Friday, May 04, 2007
The Thinking Blogger Award
I am a recipient of The Thinking Blogger Award. Elisheva at Ragamuffin Studies tagged me. What an honor! Thank you so much.
To participate in this, I must follow three rules.
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post (the original) so people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. (This one is optional.) Proudly display the Thinking Blogger Award with a link to the post that you wrote.
It is now my duty to choose five bloggers that make me think. I have been stewing over this since I was tagged. This is very difficult because I read a lot of blogs and I do so because they make me think. How do I only pick five??? I love all the blogs I read and I don't want to exclude anyone. Sigh.
Well, here goes anyway. I sure wish I could include my entire blogroll -- seriously.
1. Carrie Bartkowiak.
2. Steph at A Room of my Own.
3. Gherkin Pickle at Wicked Pickles.
4. Carole at Mt. Pleasant Classical Academy.
5. Audrey at A Small Corner of Nowhere.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
We've been adopted
Meet Fred and Ethel. Five nights ago, we found Fred and Ethel in our back yard. We live four houses from the lake, so they were out taking a stroll. Apparently, they liked our place. Ethel did, for sure. She stayed, Fred left.
The next night we fed Ethel bread. As we were feeding her, we heard "honk, honk, honk" and she started honking and walking away. This honking went on back and forth until the two love birds found each other. They were now in the front of our house. We thought they'd be on their merry way, but no, they came back. They got within two feet of me and three of Thomas. Thomas filled a shallow bucket full of water and Ethel jumped right in and took a bath in front of us. We fed them a few more pieces of bread and went in the house to watch them from the window. They waltzed all around our back yard, but settled in the jungle area.
The next morning, Fred was gone but Ethel was under Bob's car. He made a lot of noise so she ambled along out of his way. She took turns hiding under our other car and our neighbor's car (The neighbor that speaks to us
Later that night as I was washing the supper dishes, I heard "honk, honk, honk." I looked out and there was Fred honking at my window. I grabbed Thomas and out we went. We followed Fred's honking until he met up with Ethel in the back. Again, they settled in the jungle area. This time we were prepared. We had purchased corn pieces from the store and fed them. (If you feed a cat, they'll keep coming back. How about a duck???)
Ethel isn't leaving. This has gone on for five nights. I hope she's nesting back there -- that would be wonderful for both Thomas and I to witness. I haven't spotted a nest yet, and she's still pretty active walking around. She should give 8-12 eggs and won't sit on the nest until they've all been laid. Then it's 26 days of waiting. How cute would it be to see ducklings?
I'm trying not to invade on them too much. We feed the ducks all the time at our lakes, they have bubble gum machines to dispense cracked corn. I figured that must be safe if the city put them up.
Anyway, if they're gone tomorrow, we've had a blast with them. It really seems as if they are in love. lol
Sunday Night Drivel
First off, my apologies for my snarky post about sending Thomas back to public school. I get very vocal about things that, well, rub me the wrong way and I also have a kind of wonky sense of humor.
*****
What a weekend. I know one of my readers doesn't like mention of my neighbors, but I'm going to talk about them a bit. The nasty man who assaulted me almost one year ago April and his wife left town for the weekend. What a celebration that was for us! It was heavenly to be able to be free in the front yard. This is the couple that watches every single move we make. (I know I sound paranoid, but I'm not about this.) I washed the driveway down and I even swept the gutter out.
Our next-door neighbors with that yappy #$Q@ -- um, dog, mow their lawn twice a week and then the guy takes his blower and blows all the clippings onto the street. They end up back in the gutter, and since we have a dip in our driveway gutter part, it all collects at our house. So if the cops drove by, they'd think that we are putting our lawn clippings illegally into the street. It is illegal in our town to do that.
A good friend suggested I call the city and let them know that they need to inform the neighbors that it is illegal to do that. I worry about the karma of doing that.
What would they do to us in return? (Homeschooler paranoia speaking.)
The neighbors with the dog had Demon (not his real name) running loose all day. Yap, yap, yap, yap....if I were them, I'd go crazy listening to that all the time. I go crazy one house over. We can hear that damned dog in my house when he is in his house with each house having its windows shut. FWIW, I am an avid animal lover. I have volunteered at shelters and even done foster care work for homeless pets. I don't hate dogs.
Anyway, we started clearing our jungle/bank at the back of our property. Cutting tree sprouts, trimmed our pussy willow down -- and the woman stands at her back door and screams at me: What are you going to do with all that wood? I ignored her, threw it behind my shed, and walked in the house. Our plans were to build a fire pit and burn it. Well, after thinking about that, our other neighbors -- the people everyone in this neighborhood hates worse than us -- who are actually civil to us, would have problems with the smoke, so we decided to not do that to them. We went in search of the infamous tree deposit site that is run by our city. We drove a few miles in the country and did not find it. I'll be calling the city tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the lack of privacy in our yard has always driven me nuts since the new yappy neighbors moved in. They're out there all the time. They're seniors, and they have nothing better to do than have the perfect yard. (It's okay, but true gardeners wouldn't like their style.) Last year my husband planted six shrubs -- some type of cranberry -- that are very pretty, for privacy. And they're short. They do nothing to give us privacy and I expect they won't for several years. So I decided to get on the net and search. I found a very cheap solution! Bamboo fences. You can buy rolls of bamboo fence that is 6' tall from 25 to 50' in length. I could get some on Ebay for $50. I told Bob I was going to order some and he could get posts to attach it to. Then he'd be happy when snow comes because he could take it down.
It's a good think I didn't jump right on that. Bob decided that he would bite the bullet and BUILD A FENCE around our patio area. Twenty-five feet out from the house and four to six feet perpendicular to that. A nice L-shaped privacy fence. We went to the lumber store, priced it, and this project will be less than $400. And I'm hoping it will give me my sanity back.
Two years ago Bob threw out my outdoor swing. I had used it so much, and it had so much sun rot, that it was not functional. Every night after supper I enjoyed sitting on my swing, watching Thomas play, and then watching the sunset. It was my soul nurturing time. The swing went the same summer yaps moved in. I haven't been able to enjoy my back yard since. So I think this $400 fence is going to restore me beyond belief. I miss my quiet time outdoors.
And now I'll have some actual motivation to get my yard in better shape and my garden going very well. Yeah.
Life is good.
The weather here was gorgeous. Spring sometimes has the air that when it hits you, you just feel good. It can lift a mood quicker than anything I've ever experienced. We were bouncing and happy all weekend.
I made a big, long list of things that needed done around the house and attached it to the fridge. I worked fast and furious -- got the master closet cleaned out, lots of putzy stuff done, fixed my blinds that were broken, washed windows inside and out -- I worked my tail off this weekend. Well, it must have been contagious because Bob dug in, too. He fixed some things that had been driving me wonky since he broke them -- one and two years ago. My bathroom outlet is now not hanging three inches out of the wall and is where it is supposed to be. For that, Bob, I am very grateful.
I have lots to do on my list, but I'm feeling very energized. And I've decided to try to shift my perceptions about my neighbors -- because I do have a lot of anger. I'm just having a little difficulty finding the solution in how I need to shift. The dog people are just annoying and I really don't have anger, I just wish they'd train their dog. It's the man across the street that assaulted me that I'm having difficulties shifting my perceptions. He admitted to me during the assault/confrontation that he watched us all the time. That is just icky. So if someone has any ideas on how I can refocus, please share. I'm sure Mother Crone doesn't want to read another neighbor rant. ;-)
*****
What a weekend. I know one of my readers doesn't like mention of my neighbors, but I'm going to talk about them a bit. The nasty man who assaulted me almost one year ago April and his wife left town for the weekend. What a celebration that was for us! It was heavenly to be able to be free in the front yard. This is the couple that watches every single move we make. (I know I sound paranoid, but I'm not about this.) I washed the driveway down and I even swept the gutter out.
Our next-door neighbors with that yappy #$Q@ -- um, dog, mow their lawn twice a week and then the guy takes his blower and blows all the clippings onto the street. They end up back in the gutter, and since we have a dip in our driveway gutter part, it all collects at our house. So if the cops drove by, they'd think that we are putting our lawn clippings illegally into the street. It is illegal in our town to do that.
A good friend suggested I call the city and let them know that they need to inform the neighbors that it is illegal to do that. I worry about the karma of doing that.
What would they do to us in return? (Homeschooler paranoia speaking.)
The neighbors with the dog had Demon (not his real name) running loose all day. Yap, yap, yap, yap....if I were them, I'd go crazy listening to that all the time. I go crazy one house over. We can hear that damned dog in my house when he is in his house with each house having its windows shut. FWIW, I am an avid animal lover. I have volunteered at shelters and even done foster care work for homeless pets. I don't hate dogs.
Anyway, we started clearing our jungle/bank at the back of our property. Cutting tree sprouts, trimmed our pussy willow down -- and the woman stands at her back door and screams at me: What are you going to do with all that wood? I ignored her, threw it behind my shed, and walked in the house. Our plans were to build a fire pit and burn it. Well, after thinking about that, our other neighbors -- the people everyone in this neighborhood hates worse than us -- who are actually civil to us, would have problems with the smoke, so we decided to not do that to them. We went in search of the infamous tree deposit site that is run by our city. We drove a few miles in the country and did not find it. I'll be calling the city tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the lack of privacy in our yard has always driven me nuts since the new yappy neighbors moved in. They're out there all the time. They're seniors, and they have nothing better to do than have the perfect yard. (It's okay, but true gardeners wouldn't like their style.) Last year my husband planted six shrubs -- some type of cranberry -- that are very pretty, for privacy. And they're short. They do nothing to give us privacy and I expect they won't for several years. So I decided to get on the net and search. I found a very cheap solution! Bamboo fences. You can buy rolls of bamboo fence that is 6' tall from 25 to 50' in length. I could get some on Ebay for $50. I told Bob I was going to order some and he could get posts to attach it to. Then he'd be happy when snow comes because he could take it down.
It's a good think I didn't jump right on that. Bob decided that he would bite the bullet and BUILD A FENCE around our patio area. Twenty-five feet out from the house and four to six feet perpendicular to that. A nice L-shaped privacy fence. We went to the lumber store, priced it, and this project will be less than $400. And I'm hoping it will give me my sanity back.
Two years ago Bob threw out my outdoor swing. I had used it so much, and it had so much sun rot, that it was not functional. Every night after supper I enjoyed sitting on my swing, watching Thomas play, and then watching the sunset. It was my soul nurturing time. The swing went the same summer yaps moved in. I haven't been able to enjoy my back yard since. So I think this $400 fence is going to restore me beyond belief. I miss my quiet time outdoors.
And now I'll have some actual motivation to get my yard in better shape and my garden going very well. Yeah.
Life is good.
The weather here was gorgeous. Spring sometimes has the air that when it hits you, you just feel good. It can lift a mood quicker than anything I've ever experienced. We were bouncing and happy all weekend.
I made a big, long list of things that needed done around the house and attached it to the fridge. I worked fast and furious -- got the master closet cleaned out, lots of putzy stuff done, fixed my blinds that were broken, washed windows inside and out -- I worked my tail off this weekend. Well, it must have been contagious because Bob dug in, too. He fixed some things that had been driving me wonky since he broke them -- one and two years ago. My bathroom outlet is now not hanging three inches out of the wall and is where it is supposed to be. For that, Bob, I am very grateful.
I have lots to do on my list, but I'm feeling very energized. And I've decided to try to shift my perceptions about my neighbors -- because I do have a lot of anger. I'm just having a little difficulty finding the solution in how I need to shift. The dog people are just annoying and I really don't have anger, I just wish they'd train their dog. It's the man across the street that assaulted me that I'm having difficulties shifting my perceptions. He admitted to me during the assault/confrontation that he watched us all the time. That is just icky. So if someone has any ideas on how I can refocus, please share. I'm sure Mother Crone doesn't want to read another neighbor rant. ;-)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Alec Baldwin
How many people out there have heard Alec Baldwin's message he left on his daughter's phone? Raise your hands if you did, I'm watching.
Okay. How many of you that heard it thought that it was awful, demeaning, cruel, abusive, inappropriate, ________ fill in the blank. Raise your hands.
Okay, I see everyone raised their hands on that one. Me too.
Now, how many people out there think that Alec Baldwin is a bad father? Raise your hands.
Guess what? My hand did not raise. I think he screwed up, BIG time. I think he loves his daughter, though. I think he was frustrated that the "supposed" court order that names a designated call time for he and Ireland to connect was not met. I put supposed in quotes because it is extremely common for judges to order such things -- sometimes on a weekly basis, sometimes on a nightly basis. I just haven't read the court order, so that's why I quoted supposed.
Now, how many think that it was unconsinable for Kim Bassinger to release that recording to the public? Isn't that just as harmful to her daughter? Okay, we have no proof that Kim actually leaked it. BUT she's the mom, she has control over the phone, the people she hires, etc. She's the one to point the finger at.
And how many people think that it's Kim's job to have her daughter by the phone at the prescribed time so that she can talk to her dad?
I do.
I guess because I sat in a courtroom for 11 years and have seen many, many, many nasty custody cases, I've seen it all. I think both parents are under extreme stress from the fighting that's going on. Men typically get named for being the bad guys in said cases, but in my experience, the women played the worst games.
Bottom line is that none of this is good for Ireland. My heart breaks for her. I hope her parents can get their acts together and put her interests first.
I read tonight that Alec Baldwin is going to be on The View on Friday. I will watch because I want to hear what he had to say.
I know I'm sending Ireland virtual hugs and love because I think she really needs it.
I also know far worse things were said to me in my childhood. My mother commonly called my oldest sister Two-Ton Tony to her face, in front of friends, etc.
Parents make mistakes, we're human. But for God's sakes, get it together for the kids' sake.
I just needed to share my thoughts on that. I'd like to know what others think of the whole ordeal, if they've been following.
Okay. How many of you that heard it thought that it was awful, demeaning, cruel, abusive, inappropriate, ________ fill in the blank. Raise your hands.
Okay, I see everyone raised their hands on that one. Me too.
Now, how many people out there think that Alec Baldwin is a bad father? Raise your hands.
Guess what? My hand did not raise. I think he screwed up, BIG time. I think he loves his daughter, though. I think he was frustrated that the "supposed" court order that names a designated call time for he and Ireland to connect was not met. I put supposed in quotes because it is extremely common for judges to order such things -- sometimes on a weekly basis, sometimes on a nightly basis. I just haven't read the court order, so that's why I quoted supposed.
Now, how many think that it was unconsinable for Kim Bassinger to release that recording to the public? Isn't that just as harmful to her daughter? Okay, we have no proof that Kim actually leaked it. BUT she's the mom, she has control over the phone, the people she hires, etc. She's the one to point the finger at.
And how many people think that it's Kim's job to have her daughter by the phone at the prescribed time so that she can talk to her dad?
I do.
I guess because I sat in a courtroom for 11 years and have seen many, many, many nasty custody cases, I've seen it all. I think both parents are under extreme stress from the fighting that's going on. Men typically get named for being the bad guys in said cases, but in my experience, the women played the worst games.
Bottom line is that none of this is good for Ireland. My heart breaks for her. I hope her parents can get their acts together and put her interests first.
I read tonight that Alec Baldwin is going to be on The View on Friday. I will watch because I want to hear what he had to say.
I know I'm sending Ireland virtual hugs and love because I think she really needs it.
I also know far worse things were said to me in my childhood. My mother commonly called my oldest sister Two-Ton Tony to her face, in front of friends, etc.
Parents make mistakes, we're human. But for God's sakes, get it together for the kids' sake.
I just needed to share my thoughts on that. I'd like to know what others think of the whole ordeal, if they've been following.
Back to Public School for Thomas
Yep, today we made the decision to send Thomas back to school.
Why? Because he's an only child.
According to toastfloats, that's the way it should be. Parents of onlies have no business homeschooling. I'm referring to her list of 10 reasons why you shouldn't homeschool. Reason 7) You have only one child.
The world already revolves around your child. Take him home and focus your full attention on him all day, every day, until this transient impression becomes a reality. Go ahead.
FAT CHANCE. WE ARE NOT -- REPEAT -- NOT SENDING THOMAS BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Here was my response on her blog: I read this post earlier in the day and I just couldn't respond at that point.
I am a mom of an only child. I am so hurt by your number seven. Why do people treat onlies and parents of onlies like this? WHY?
When my child was in public school, I had a teacher comment that parents ought not be allowed to have just one child. That floored me. Frankly, this stings even worse.
I am just so hurt that the homeschooling community -- your comment and the consensus of the group of which you speak -- could say such a mean-spirited thing.
For the record, we tried to have other children, but it was just not meant to be. So yeah, maybe I'm a bit touchy.
So I guess I should send poor Thomas back to school instead of keeping him at home where he has grown, learned and gained confidence that was stripped from him in public school, just because he's an only.
What a load of crap.
Now, I don't ordinarily make such harsh comments on blogs. But damn it all, we homeschoolers need to stick together. Why insult? Why make such false statements? I just don't get it.
My son is well-grounded, shy, loving, kind, and thoughtful. He is who he is and he IS the center of my world and he knows it and frankly, in my humble opinion, that's what good parenting is. Homeschooling has been the best thing EVER for him.
GOOD GRIEF.
Thanks, Doc, for sharing this.
Why? Because he's an only child.
According to toastfloats, that's the way it should be. Parents of onlies have no business homeschooling. I'm referring to her list of 10 reasons why you shouldn't homeschool. Reason 7) You have only one child.
The world already revolves around your child. Take him home and focus your full attention on him all day, every day, until this transient impression becomes a reality. Go ahead.
FAT CHANCE. WE ARE NOT -- REPEAT -- NOT SENDING THOMAS BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Here was my response on her blog: I read this post earlier in the day and I just couldn't respond at that point.
I am a mom of an only child. I am so hurt by your number seven. Why do people treat onlies and parents of onlies like this? WHY?
When my child was in public school, I had a teacher comment that parents ought not be allowed to have just one child. That floored me. Frankly, this stings even worse.
I am just so hurt that the homeschooling community -- your comment and the consensus of the group of which you speak -- could say such a mean-spirited thing.
For the record, we tried to have other children, but it was just not meant to be. So yeah, maybe I'm a bit touchy.
So I guess I should send poor Thomas back to school instead of keeping him at home where he has grown, learned and gained confidence that was stripped from him in public school, just because he's an only.
What a load of crap.
Now, I don't ordinarily make such harsh comments on blogs. But damn it all, we homeschoolers need to stick together. Why insult? Why make such false statements? I just don't get it.
My son is well-grounded, shy, loving, kind, and thoughtful. He is who he is and he IS the center of my world and he knows it and frankly, in my humble opinion, that's what good parenting is. Homeschooling has been the best thing EVER for him.
GOOD GRIEF.
Thanks, Doc, for sharing this.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
First Still-Life Sketch
After Bob got home from work, the boys discussed still life. Bob searched the house for something easy and they both sketched. I was pretty impressed with Thomas's picture.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sunday night ramblings
Waiting for the sleeping pill to kick in...
Yesterday I felt cooped up and needed to break out of the house. I was even just a tad crabby. I gave Bob the lecture about "not ever having anything to do, anywhere to go, or anything to look forward to just tears me up." I give him that lecture a lot. So he appeased me by suggesting the car show and Subway today.
We woke up this morning fairly early for a Sunday. Thomas was still asleep so Bob and I were sipping coffee and talking about his art. Of course we only thought T was asleep, he was wide awake in his bed listening to everything we were saying. Grrr.
Our conversation was mainly about his "flair" for art. He's always loved to draw, he's always hated to use any color. He got reprimanded on a daily basis in K and 1st at public school because he wouldn't color.
We were discussing his Titanic picture. That really is the first time he has ever start to finish painted a picture. It took him a few hours. Granted, I know there were lots of flaws -- the water line wasn't straight, the propellers weren't right -too much showing, but the fact that he did the lights reflecting in the water, the fact that you could actually see depth on his decks, and the fact that in the original you could see where the water was different colors. (It didn't show up on the scan.) Obviously, he's got a raw flair.
Thomas's ceramics teacher pulled me aside and told me he had a flair for art. She said he had some natural talent and sees things other kids don't see. So that's what we were talking about, then Thomas joined us. As I was making a second pot of coffee, Bob ran downstairs and pulled all the art books again. (I had looked them all over earlier in the week.) He also pulled his painting box out. We had an art lesson at the kitchen table. Brushes, brush care, colors, color mixing, styles, translucent, opaque, yada, yada, yada. I ran and grabbed one of Thomas's sketch books. Bob grabbed the Primsacolor things that are like colored pencils but not really. (See how good I am at art?) Our kitchen was covered head to to in art stuff.
Thomas sketched the morning away. He's pumped. We've decided we need to make a mini art studio in the house. This stuff just takes over my small kitchen and there is carpeting in our school room. Plus, there's not enough room in there. So that will be the project of the week, cleaning out a corner of the laundry room. Bob's going to get his easel out and set everything up. He volunteered to teach Thomas art.
Ahem. That makes two subjects Bob will be teaching now: physics and art. If only he'd take over math. lol The only bad thing about this is Bob is, well, not as gentle as I am. He's gentle, but he's brutally honest as well. The first night the two had physics together, Thomas bawled. Now it's great, but they had to get used to each other. I had to keep telling Bob that Thomas is a kid and doesn't know what you know. Go figure.
So an artsy morning, everyone was happy. This afternoon we hit the car show. Basically it's a car club in our small town. Mostly old cars, but there were a few newer cars, too. That took about a half hour. Bob and I both drooled over the Chargers, Mustangs, Firebirds and Cameros. Thomas drooled over the '50s trucks and some butt-ugly station wagon. I still don't know what he was thinking. I should have snapped a photo of it, it was that ugly. lol
We went to one of our two mart stores, made eye appointments, and picked out our new glasses. Sheesh, so much for a new furnace -- $500 for new glasses for Bob and I. And darn it all, it would have been much cheaper if we both didn't need bifocals. Ugh. Oh, and of course I'm getting prescription sunglasses -- a must for driving. (My blue eyes cannot handle bright sun.) Those frames were on sale for $19.99. That worked out really well because I'm just so stressed after an eye appointment and I hate picking out glasses. So the hard part is done. Now we just need to wait a week.
We then went to Subway, ate, and came home. I cleaned my filthy kitchen -- and it was filthy. I was lazy this weekend. There was paint on all the counters. Thank God it was tempera, Clorox Clean-up took it right off.
And, well, here I am. Still waiting for the sleeping pill to kick in.
One final comment. I felt a "scout" rant coming on while replying to a comment, so I'll take this opportunity to rant because I'm so good at ranting.
Thomas had debated back and forth about joining boy scouts. Yes, no, yes, no -- I was the same way. Yes, you may join; no, you may not join. I finally gave in and said okay. So back in March there was a scheduled food drive. We got the letter in the mail two days before the activity. We show up at 9 sharp, and not a soul was there. I parked, scratched my head (well, I really didn't do that, I probably said a cuss word) and then the old cub master walked out of the church. He told me that the boy scouts had postponed it and they were meeting at another time. He didn't know when. Honestly, I was a little ticked off. I'm not one to be out of the house and presentable by 9 am on a Saturday morning. Plus, I always liked doing that food drive. So when I got home, I called the troop leader and one of the assistant troop leaders. None returned my call.
Strike one.
Strike two: They have not had a single troop meeting since the night before my den crossed over in February. That's over two months. No meetings. NOT acceptable.
Strike three: I'm friends with the manager of our local grocery store. His son was in my den. His other two sons are in boy scouts. We chat about scouts every time I'm at the store and he sees me. Really nice guy, and his son was my favorite boy (except for Thomas, that is.) His oldest son works at the store, too. That boy "let me have it but good" that he was not happy about the state of affairs of that troop. He talked to me in the milk aisle for a good twenty minutes. I could tell he just needed to unleash his frustrations on someone. He told me nightmares about the new scout master. Seems if you upset him, he gives the boy a toothbrush and has them go clean the toilets. He told me the TM is very hard no the boys and frankly is no fun. He shared how the former troop masters made it fun, did things, and, well, cared. There have been two *women* troop masters before our current male leader. They would have never gone two months without a troop meeting. Anyway, I thought the toilet thing was bad enough, but he told me that the TM would tease the boys and make it hard on them if they got homesick when they went away to the big camp.
Pardon my language, but that was strike three and I said screw it, Boy Scouts "ain't gonna happen" for us.
Thomas is highly sensitive. If he was given a toothbrush and told to clean the toilets (they're not flush toilets, either) he'd freak. And darn it all, if a kid is homesick and having a hard time being away for a week, IMHO that child needs gentle encouragement, not someone riding their tush about it. That only makes things worse.
So there's my rant about scouts. DONE. FIN. Cubbies was fun, and we both really miss it, but unless they get an adult who knows what s/he is doing, forget it.
And here I sit, my eyelids are starting to droop, thank you Ambien. Enough ranting, time to prepare for a new day.
Yesterday I felt cooped up and needed to break out of the house. I was even just a tad crabby. I gave Bob the lecture about "not ever having anything to do, anywhere to go, or anything to look forward to just tears me up." I give him that lecture a lot. So he appeased me by suggesting the car show and Subway today.
We woke up this morning fairly early for a Sunday. Thomas was still asleep so Bob and I were sipping coffee and talking about his art. Of course we only thought T was asleep, he was wide awake in his bed listening to everything we were saying. Grrr.
Our conversation was mainly about his "flair" for art. He's always loved to draw, he's always hated to use any color. He got reprimanded on a daily basis in K and 1st at public school because he wouldn't color.
We were discussing his Titanic picture. That really is the first time he has ever start to finish painted a picture. It took him a few hours. Granted, I know there were lots of flaws -- the water line wasn't straight, the propellers weren't right -too much showing, but the fact that he did the lights reflecting in the water, the fact that you could actually see depth on his decks, and the fact that in the original you could see where the water was different colors. (It didn't show up on the scan.) Obviously, he's got a raw flair.
Thomas's ceramics teacher pulled me aside and told me he had a flair for art. She said he had some natural talent and sees things other kids don't see. So that's what we were talking about, then Thomas joined us. As I was making a second pot of coffee, Bob ran downstairs and pulled all the art books again. (I had looked them all over earlier in the week.) He also pulled his painting box out. We had an art lesson at the kitchen table. Brushes, brush care, colors, color mixing, styles, translucent, opaque, yada, yada, yada. I ran and grabbed one of Thomas's sketch books. Bob grabbed the Primsacolor things that are like colored pencils but not really. (See how good I am at art?) Our kitchen was covered head to to in art stuff.
Thomas sketched the morning away. He's pumped. We've decided we need to make a mini art studio in the house. This stuff just takes over my small kitchen and there is carpeting in our school room. Plus, there's not enough room in there. So that will be the project of the week, cleaning out a corner of the laundry room. Bob's going to get his easel out and set everything up. He volunteered to teach Thomas art.
Ahem. That makes two subjects Bob will be teaching now: physics and art. If only he'd take over math. lol The only bad thing about this is Bob is, well, not as gentle as I am. He's gentle, but he's brutally honest as well. The first night the two had physics together, Thomas bawled. Now it's great, but they had to get used to each other. I had to keep telling Bob that Thomas is a kid and doesn't know what you know. Go figure.
So an artsy morning, everyone was happy. This afternoon we hit the car show. Basically it's a car club in our small town. Mostly old cars, but there were a few newer cars, too. That took about a half hour. Bob and I both drooled over the Chargers, Mustangs, Firebirds and Cameros. Thomas drooled over the '50s trucks and some butt-ugly station wagon. I still don't know what he was thinking. I should have snapped a photo of it, it was that ugly. lol
We went to one of our two mart stores, made eye appointments, and picked out our new glasses. Sheesh, so much for a new furnace -- $500 for new glasses for Bob and I. And darn it all, it would have been much cheaper if we both didn't need bifocals. Ugh. Oh, and of course I'm getting prescription sunglasses -- a must for driving. (My blue eyes cannot handle bright sun.) Those frames were on sale for $19.99. That worked out really well because I'm just so stressed after an eye appointment and I hate picking out glasses. So the hard part is done. Now we just need to wait a week.
We then went to Subway, ate, and came home. I cleaned my filthy kitchen -- and it was filthy. I was lazy this weekend. There was paint on all the counters. Thank God it was tempera, Clorox Clean-up took it right off.
And, well, here I am. Still waiting for the sleeping pill to kick in.
One final comment. I felt a "scout" rant coming on while replying to a comment, so I'll take this opportunity to rant because I'm so good at ranting.
Thomas had debated back and forth about joining boy scouts. Yes, no, yes, no -- I was the same way. Yes, you may join; no, you may not join. I finally gave in and said okay. So back in March there was a scheduled food drive. We got the letter in the mail two days before the activity. We show up at 9 sharp, and not a soul was there. I parked, scratched my head (well, I really didn't do that, I probably said a cuss word) and then the old cub master walked out of the church. He told me that the boy scouts had postponed it and they were meeting at another time. He didn't know when. Honestly, I was a little ticked off. I'm not one to be out of the house and presentable by 9 am on a Saturday morning. Plus, I always liked doing that food drive. So when I got home, I called the troop leader and one of the assistant troop leaders. None returned my call.
Strike one.
Strike two: They have not had a single troop meeting since the night before my den crossed over in February. That's over two months. No meetings. NOT acceptable.
Strike three: I'm friends with the manager of our local grocery store. His son was in my den. His other two sons are in boy scouts. We chat about scouts every time I'm at the store and he sees me. Really nice guy, and his son was my favorite boy (except for Thomas, that is.) His oldest son works at the store, too. That boy "let me have it but good" that he was not happy about the state of affairs of that troop. He talked to me in the milk aisle for a good twenty minutes. I could tell he just needed to unleash his frustrations on someone. He told me nightmares about the new scout master. Seems if you upset him, he gives the boy a toothbrush and has them go clean the toilets. He told me the TM is very hard no the boys and frankly is no fun. He shared how the former troop masters made it fun, did things, and, well, cared. There have been two *women* troop masters before our current male leader. They would have never gone two months without a troop meeting. Anyway, I thought the toilet thing was bad enough, but he told me that the TM would tease the boys and make it hard on them if they got homesick when they went away to the big camp.
Pardon my language, but that was strike three and I said screw it, Boy Scouts "ain't gonna happen" for us.
Thomas is highly sensitive. If he was given a toothbrush and told to clean the toilets (they're not flush toilets, either) he'd freak. And darn it all, if a kid is homesick and having a hard time being away for a week, IMHO that child needs gentle encouragement, not someone riding their tush about it. That only makes things worse.
So there's my rant about scouts. DONE. FIN. Cubbies was fun, and we both really miss it, but unless they get an adult who knows what s/he is doing, forget it.
And here I sit, my eyelids are starting to droop, thank you Ambien. Enough ranting, time to prepare for a new day.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Earth Scouts
Surfing on the net today, I found Earth Scouts. There is also a yahoo group. I am looking it over to see if I think it would be good for Thomas. Just thought I'd pass the info on. It appears that you can do this as a family if there is not a group in your area.
"Earth Scouts
Imagine a community where children and youthAppreciate one another's differences
Have awe and a sense of wonder about nature and the cosmos
Engage in making their school and community better
Value independence and cooperation
Seek peaceful solutions to problems
Welcome new knowledge and experiencesEarth Scouts is a new
national program developed by Earth Charter US that inspires the above qualities in boys and girls from 3 to 13 years of age and engages them in actions. It is based on the Earth Charter: A Declaration of Interdependence, with badges centered on universal human rights,
eliminating poverty (economic justice), participatory democracy, respect for nature and a culture of peace.
Our slogan, 'Changing the World One Fun Badge
at a Time', was developed by a 10 year old member of our design group."
Toilet Monster
The little imp...
I woke up this morning and this is what I was greeted with. The lid was down and he taped the monster to the seat and lid. I am not a morning person so this actually gave me a start. Not because it scared me, but because I had to go and it interrupted my actions.
He's such a character.
I woke up this morning and this is what I was greeted with. The lid was down and he taped the monster to the seat and lid. I am not a morning person so this actually gave me a start. Not because it scared me, but because I had to go and it interrupted my actions.
He's such a character.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Where's the Beef?
Or, Where's Thomas's Titanic?
Well, I asked him to bring it to me so I could scan it and we can't. He had painted over the white Titanic letters and I don't want wet paint on my scanner. I could take a photo, but I would have to find the camera, clear a spot in my messy kitchen and shoot it, come back down, upload it....I'm lazy. Tomorrow.
This is the first time he has sat down to paint. He draws a lot and is fairly good at that. He's been learning perspective from little hints from dad and from a book I try to read. He just really wants to paint now.
We've been using Tempera paints. Did you know that Tempera paint stinks? My husband walked through the kitchen and asked, "Is something burning?" No, hon, it's just the paints.
DH scrounged up about 20 of his art books. They cut some plywood on the saw for painting boards and primed them. Tomorrow DH is going to dig out his "good" brushes that he has hidden from me. We may have to make a trip to a hobby store and get Thomas his own set. We will also take stock of our acrylics supply. We're going to move him on to acrylics. I need a 48-hour day to keep up.
Anyway, tonight Thomas used the stinky paint to make a Titanic poster. He was surprised that he wouldn't' be able to finish in one night. Imagine that. He wants the poster hanging in his room. I tell him it looks great. Dad says it looks great but the Titanic is out of proportion. Huh? I look and again, Dad is right.
Bob has agreed to add an art teacher feather to his cap. He's now official science teacher, he's always been the unschooling science guy, but now artist.. I think it works out great that Bob and I are so different that we are good at different things. We've got Thomas covered!!!
Time to close, as it's an early day tomorrow. Our library is having a book sale. I don't know a single homeschooler that doesn't take advantage of library book sales. I'm hoping to find some goodies tomorrow!
Well, I asked him to bring it to me so I could scan it and we can't. He had painted over the white Titanic letters and I don't want wet paint on my scanner. I could take a photo, but I would have to find the camera, clear a spot in my messy kitchen and shoot it, come back down, upload it....I'm lazy. Tomorrow.
This is the first time he has sat down to paint. He draws a lot and is fairly good at that. He's been learning perspective from little hints from dad and from a book I try to read. He just really wants to paint now.
We've been using Tempera paints. Did you know that Tempera paint stinks? My husband walked through the kitchen and asked, "Is something burning?" No, hon, it's just the paints.
DH scrounged up about 20 of his art books. They cut some plywood on the saw for painting boards and primed them. Tomorrow DH is going to dig out his "good" brushes that he has hidden from me. We may have to make a trip to a hobby store and get Thomas his own set. We will also take stock of our acrylics supply. We're going to move him on to acrylics. I need a 48-hour day to keep up.
Anyway, tonight Thomas used the stinky paint to make a Titanic poster. He was surprised that he wouldn't' be able to finish in one night. Imagine that. He wants the poster hanging in his room. I tell him it looks great. Dad says it looks great but the Titanic is out of proportion. Huh? I look and again, Dad is right.
Bob has agreed to add an art teacher feather to his cap. He's now official science teacher, he's always been the unschooling science guy, but now artist.. I think it works out great that Bob and I are so different that we are good at different things. We've got Thomas covered!!!
Time to close, as it's an early day tomorrow. Our library is having a book sale. I don't know a single homeschooler that doesn't take advantage of library book sales. I'm hoping to find some goodies tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tomorrow
Tomorrow I will post a painting Thomas made today of the Titanic. It's still wet now and I want to scan it rather than shoot it. His ceramics class as had the benefit of instilling a desire to learn to paint. Let's run with it, I say.
Thomas painted from 4 pm until 10 pm tonight, taking a short break only to eat. Bob insisted on postponing the physics lesson because Thomas was so grossly absorbed in what he was doing.
He did a pretty good job. He asked me my honest opinion and I said honestly, for your first-ever painting, it is great. He asked me what I would do different. That one was hard to answer. See, he had the great painting and at the top he painted "titanic" in white on the sky background. In D'Nealian letters. You know, those happy, upturned cheerful letters. I said I'd paint over "titanic". You don't need it because anyone who looks at the painting will know what it is. And besides that, it's too happy because at that very moment that you chose to paint, people are screaming and dying. It's not a happy scene.
I then asked him if he'd like to get out dad's painting books. NO, I know how to paint, mooooom. But honey, one of the best ways is to learn better is to get instruction.
He marches to the beat of his own drummer. Getting a painting book out might kill the love. What's a mom to do.
I'm going to get the books out anyway, leave them on the breakfast table, and see what he does.
I am so happy we found the ceramics class. I just wish we could find other art classes in our town.
Thomas painted from 4 pm until 10 pm tonight, taking a short break only to eat. Bob insisted on postponing the physics lesson because Thomas was so grossly absorbed in what he was doing.
He did a pretty good job. He asked me my honest opinion and I said honestly, for your first-ever painting, it is great. He asked me what I would do different. That one was hard to answer. See, he had the great painting and at the top he painted "titanic" in white on the sky background. In D'Nealian letters. You know, those happy, upturned cheerful letters. I said I'd paint over "titanic". You don't need it because anyone who looks at the painting will know what it is. And besides that, it's too happy because at that very moment that you chose to paint, people are screaming and dying. It's not a happy scene.
I then asked him if he'd like to get out dad's painting books. NO, I know how to paint, mooooom.
He marches to the beat of his own drummer. Getting a painting book out might kill the love. What's a mom to do.
I'm going to get the books out anyway, leave them on the breakfast table, and see what he does.
I am so happy we found the ceramics class. I just wish we could find other art classes in our town.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Who is this boy and what happened to MY child?
Tonight Thomas and I went to Subway for dinner because Bob wouldn't be home for dinner. Any excuse for me to eat out and I'll take it.
So we're in line, waiting our turn and because there was nothing else to do, I watched the two guys working behind the counter. One I knew, and he's very friendly. There was a new guy and he was, um, well, not very enthusiastic about his job. Yeah, that's how I'll say it.
So it comes our turn and Thomas orders his sandwich. He asks for extra cheese. The guy making his sandwich takes two chunks of cheese and slaps them down on his sandwich. Normally, with that extra cheese bit, they peel them all apart so that you can distinctly see four pieces of cheese. This guy was just, well, not enthusiastic enough to do that. Well, apparently that made Thomas angry.
What happened next blew me away. Thomas said, in a very MEAN and NASTY voice: "I SAID EXTRA CHEESE." It was so rude. I stood there with my chin frozen to my chest. The guy behind the counter actually stepped back and gave Thomas the look of death. He then said in a nasty voice: 'THERE ISSS EXTRA CHEESE."
This was one of those moments that I was so stunned that I was speechless. I ordered my sandwich, paid and went to get my drink. We were taking the food home instead of eating there, so while I was at the pop dispenser, I told Thomas that we were not leaving this store until he apologized to the guy behind the counter.
Now Thomas is a very shy young man. Doing something like that is a huge deal to him. He started shaking and begged me to not have to do it. I stood my ground. There were so many people that we got in line again. The nice guy asked us if there was a problem and I told him "No, my son just needs to speak to that gentleman over there." We moved down the line and Thomas did it.
In a very nervous voice Thomas said, "I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." The guy stepped back again. A very big smile came over his face. He said, "Thank you, that's okay, don't worry about it." He stood there with huge eyes smiling at my son. Then he looked at me, I just smiled and nodded and he nodded back.
When we got into the car I told Thomas I was very proud of him, that it takes a big person to apologize and admit when they are wrong. I also told him that he just cannot treat people the way he did when he's upset. Thomas was just upset. I told him that he was rightfully upset, as the guy was a jerk. I'd been watching him and he was slamming things around. He had no pride in his work whatsoever. He had better places to be than behind the counter of Subway. BUT...that didn't matter.
What bugged me was the way Thomas approached the situation. He did stand up for himself, which was good. However, it was so powerfully rude that I just couldn't believe Thomas could do that. So on the way home we talked through ways that he could have been assertive without being rude. You know, a
you-can-catch-more-flies-with-honey kind of thing.
So why would I share such a thing on the internet? Because in the blogging world, we always seem to share the great things our kids do. We share the funny and crazy things our kids do. But kids are human and they make mistakes. While I want this to be a positive blog, I also want to be honest that life isn't always peachy, there are a few bumps in the road.
Thomas is a great kid. I don't know where that came from, but hopefully we've nipped it in the bud. I'm very proud of him, no matter what, and love him to pieces.
So we're in line, waiting our turn and because there was nothing else to do, I watched the two guys working behind the counter. One I knew, and he's very friendly. There was a new guy and he was, um, well, not very enthusiastic about his job. Yeah, that's how I'll say it.
So it comes our turn and Thomas orders his sandwich. He asks for extra cheese. The guy making his sandwich takes two chunks of cheese and slaps them down on his sandwich. Normally, with that extra cheese bit, they peel them all apart so that you can distinctly see four pieces of cheese. This guy was just, well, not enthusiastic enough to do that. Well, apparently that made Thomas angry.
What happened next blew me away. Thomas said, in a very MEAN and NASTY voice: "I SAID EXTRA CHEESE." It was so rude. I stood there with my chin frozen to my chest. The guy behind the counter actually stepped back and gave Thomas the look of death. He then said in a nasty voice: 'THERE ISSS EXTRA CHEESE."
This was one of those moments that I was so stunned that I was speechless. I ordered my sandwich, paid and went to get my drink. We were taking the food home instead of eating there, so while I was at the pop dispenser, I told Thomas that we were not leaving this store until he apologized to the guy behind the counter.
Now Thomas is a very shy young man. Doing something like that is a huge deal to him. He started shaking and begged me to not have to do it. I stood my ground. There were so many people that we got in line again. The nice guy asked us if there was a problem and I told him "No, my son just needs to speak to that gentleman over there." We moved down the line and Thomas did it.
In a very nervous voice Thomas said, "I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." The guy stepped back again. A very big smile came over his face. He said, "Thank you, that's okay, don't worry about it." He stood there with huge eyes smiling at my son. Then he looked at me, I just smiled and nodded and he nodded back.
When we got into the car I told Thomas I was very proud of him, that it takes a big person to apologize and admit when they are wrong. I also told him that he just cannot treat people the way he did when he's upset. Thomas was just upset. I told him that he was rightfully upset, as the guy was a jerk. I'd been watching him and he was slamming things around. He had no pride in his work whatsoever. He had better places to be than behind the counter of Subway. BUT...that didn't matter.
What bugged me was the way Thomas approached the situation. He did stand up for himself, which was good. However, it was so powerfully rude that I just couldn't believe Thomas could do that. So on the way home we talked through ways that he could have been assertive without being rude. You know, a
you-can-catch-more-flies-with-honey kind of thing.
So why would I share such a thing on the internet? Because in the blogging world, we always seem to share the great things our kids do. We share the funny and crazy things our kids do. But kids are human and they make mistakes. While I want this to be a positive blog, I also want to be honest that life isn't always peachy, there are a few bumps in the road.
Thomas is a great kid. I don't know where that came from, but hopefully we've nipped it in the bud. I'm very proud of him, no matter what, and love him to pieces.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
What a Dope I Am
I had on my calendar this morning: field trip, 10 am. We were going to the local bakery four a tour with the local homeschool group.
Thomas and I showed up at 9:50, and because it's snowing so heavily, we decided to wait in the car and enjoy the snow show. Not a single family showed up. At ten after, we decided to just head home. I thought perhaps the trip was canceled due to snow.
I am just thankful that I didn't go in. I could have gone in and asked if it had been cancelled, but knowing my experience with the group and that they show up at the very last minute, I knew no one was in there. I didn't recognize any cars.
Well, what a dope I am. We were 10 minutes and one WEEK early.
Good grief.
Back to Titanic. We checked out about half the library's books on Titanic. Thomas read two of the books last night, watched volume one of a four-volume Titanic documentary, and has been working on his lapbook. He just loves Titanic. We're going to snuggle up and watch volume 2 this morning -- instead of touring a bakery.
He has his ceramics class this afternoon, and he is going to get a dinner plate and paint the Titanic on it.
Thomas and I showed up at 9:50, and because it's snowing so heavily, we decided to wait in the car and enjoy the snow show. Not a single family showed up. At ten after, we decided to just head home. I thought perhaps the trip was canceled due to snow.
I am just thankful that I didn't go in. I could have gone in and asked if it had been cancelled, but knowing my experience with the group and that they show up at the very last minute, I knew no one was in there. I didn't recognize any cars.
Well, what a dope I am. We were 10 minutes and one WEEK early.
Good grief.
Back to Titanic. We checked out about half the library's books on Titanic. Thomas read two of the books last night, watched volume one of a four-volume Titanic documentary, and has been working on his lapbook. He just loves Titanic. We're going to snuggle up and watch volume 2 this morning -- instead of touring a bakery.
He has his ceramics class this afternoon, and he is going to get a dinner plate and paint the Titanic on it.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
In my morning routine of checking email, blogs, and all that important online stuff, I discovered something. Someone must think I'm funny. Someone nominated me for the Homeschool Blog Awards in the Funniest category.
I was completely blown away. Thank you to whoever nominated my blog. It made my day. Then I started thinking -- maybe it was a joke nomination. You know, like back in high school when the jerks would nominate the ugly girl as a joke for homecoming queen? Maybe the joke was on me. Maybe I got nominated because I'm so stupid that people laugh at me. Ha-ha.
Nah, I know that some people out there (besides Bob, Thomas and me) actually like my blog. ;-)
So then I was faced with the decision of what to do about this nomination. See, I'm always on the outside circle of homeschoolers. I never quite fit in. My cousin calls me a nonconforming nonconformist, a label that I actually like. I am not "the average" homeschooler. So I decided to not mention it on the blog.
Obviously I changed my mind.
I voted this morning. I actually spent quite a bit of time actually checking out nominated blogs. I only voted for one blog that I had never read before. Some categories I left open. The rest I voted for MY blogging buddies. I was thrilled to see your names on the list as well! I even discovered some of the bloggers I like were on group blogs! I'm living under a rock, because I didn't know.
After I voted, I thought about it all day. I obviously had nothing better to do. Well, we were studying Titanic, and that subject is really kind of depressing to me, so this was a nice diversion.
I came to the conclusion that yes, I would share the nomination on the blog. The face of homeschooling is changing. All homeschoolers are not made the same. Some of us are very unique and don't fit the mold, and our voices need to be heard. We do count. So that's why I decided to mention it.
So let your voices be heard. Go vote for your favorite homeschool blogs.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Titanic Stuff
April 15 marks the 95th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Thomas loves all things Titanic, so we are doing a unit study on the Titanic this week.
I was up late last night due to insomnia (as usual) and decided to poke around Titanic websites. Bob was up late because he injured his leg and he was icing it. (Yeah, right, any excuse to play Runescape, eh?)
I found a statistic that just blew me away. The price of a 1st class parlor suite on the Titanic was $4,350. The price of a 1st class berth was $150. A second-class ticket was about $60 and a third-class ticket, or steerage, was $35-40.
So I'm reading statistics to Bob who isn't remotely interested, but because our computers are in the same room, he was forced to listen to me. I wondered out loud what that $4,000 ticket in 1912 would cost today. Bob told me to google and find my answer. (I know he was thinking, "Just leave me alone.") So I did.
I found a great website that I can plug in my date and dollar amount to find out what it's worth today -- well, 2006. I about fell out of my chair with the results.
1st Class Titanic Parlor Suite 1912 - $4,350. Today that ticket would cost: $93,293.62.
Holy cow, holy cow, holy cow. I just cannot fathom having that much money!
1st Class Titanic Berth 1912 - $150 today would be $3217.02. Okay, that is definitely more doable, but honestly, out of my price range. lol
2nd Class Titanic Ticket 1912 - $60 today would cost $1286.81.
3rd Class Titanic Ticket 1912 - $35 today would cost $750.64.
Guess who would be buying the steerage ticket? No wonder I have a fear of large bodies of water.
After Bob and I discussed this, I was reminded of a strange Amtrak experience I once had. Thomas and I rode Amtrak to Denver to visit my dad on Easter years ago. Because we were going to be on the train less than 12 hours, I bought coach tickets. Thomas was four at the time. It was his first-ever train trip.
We boarded that train around eight in the evening, and Thomas stayed awake all night long. He has always been a train buff, and that first train ride was a fantastic experience. He was wired. Thomas finally fell asleep at 4 am. He woke me up at 6 am with "Let's eat in the dining car, mom." We went downstairs to the restrooms, washed our faces, brushed our hair and teeth, did some other things, and then went to the dining car for breakfast.
When you ride Amtrak and eat in the dining car, you must share a table with other parties. The porter seats you -- you have no choice. So we were the first in there and were seated at a table. Five minutes later, a couple joined us. They were well dressed. In fact, I'll even say their attire was completely inappropriate for train travel. He was in an expensive suit and she was wearing a beautiful dress with high heels. High heels -- on a train. Walking can be difficult on a train at times, one jerk and you lose your balance. Not too smart to wear high heels.
They sit down and we make our introductions. Thomas orders biscuits and gravy, surprise, surprise. I sip my coffee and secretly wish I were home alone in my quiet kitchen because I am so not a morning person. The woman really liked to talk, which was nice because I only had to smile and nod occasionally. He was a sheriff in New Jersey. I learned their whole life history. (And I still remember it.)
Then she asked me a question. "What was your room like?" Before I could answer, she was complaining that the shower was over the toilet in her room. I laughed inside at that because I've showered over a toilet in a train a few times in my life. She finally asked me again about my room. I smiled and said we were traveling coach this trip. She gave me a look that I will never forget. It was as if I suddenly stunk to high heaven. And then THE question.
"How are your accommodations in coach?"
Now, this is one of those instances where you just cannot get the gist of a question in print. She asked me in that same snooty way that the first-class passengers talked down to poor Jack Dawson in the Titanic movie. Very pointed, each syllable spoken slowly as if the words inflicted pain or disgust as she spoke them. It was all I could do to keep from busting out laughing. Thomas was oblivious, staring out the window. I told her they were wonderful, thank you.
That is one of the very few times I have experienced being looked down upon due to class. Maybe the only time. I have to say, I think it was one of the most hilarious things I've ever experienced. When we arrived in Denver, I got another laugh out of "my couple." They rode the luggage cart instead of walking along the platform to get into the depot. They looked SO silly.
The funniest thing about that whole experience, and how it is actually related to the topic of Titanic, is what Thomas said after the fact. Thomas has always appeared like he wasn't paying attention, doing his own thing, and in his own world. He's usually listening, though. He heard every single word that woman spoke. And this was his comment: Mom, that woman reminded me of Rose's mom in Titanic.
***
$93,000 -- I can think of better things to do with $93,000. I think the grass is actually greener on my side.
I must admit, though, that the next time we rode Amtrak to dad's house, we rode first class in what is called a roomette. That was a, well, substandard version of first-class accommodations on Amtrak. No bathroom, but we had beds. In my mind, I was prepared to be meet that woman again, I was ready to say that our room was wonderful. Thankfully, we dined with a woman who was pleasant and down to earth and didn't give a hoot where our accommodations were on the train. And that's the way it should be.
I was up late last night due to insomnia (as usual) and decided to poke around Titanic websites. Bob was up late because he injured his leg and he was icing it. (Yeah, right, any excuse to play Runescape, eh?)
I found a statistic that just blew me away. The price of a 1st class parlor suite on the Titanic was $4,350. The price of a 1st class berth was $150. A second-class ticket was about $60 and a third-class ticket, or steerage, was $35-40.
So I'm reading statistics to Bob who isn't remotely interested, but because our computers are in the same room, he was forced to listen to me. I wondered out loud what that $4,000 ticket in 1912 would cost today. Bob told me to google and find my answer. (I know he was thinking, "Just leave me alone.") So I did.
I found a great website that I can plug in my date and dollar amount to find out what it's worth today -- well, 2006. I about fell out of my chair with the results.
1st Class Titanic Parlor Suite 1912 - $4,350. Today that ticket would cost: $93,293.62.
Holy cow, holy cow, holy cow. I just cannot fathom having that much money!
1st Class Titanic Berth 1912 - $150 today would be $3217.02. Okay, that is definitely more doable, but honestly, out of my price range. lol
2nd Class Titanic Ticket 1912 - $60 today would cost $1286.81.
3rd Class Titanic Ticket 1912 - $35 today would cost $750.64.
Guess who would be buying the steerage ticket? No wonder I have a fear of large bodies of water.
After Bob and I discussed this, I was reminded of a strange Amtrak experience I once had. Thomas and I rode Amtrak to Denver to visit my dad on Easter years ago. Because we were going to be on the train less than 12 hours, I bought coach tickets. Thomas was four at the time. It was his first-ever train trip.
We boarded that train around eight in the evening, and Thomas stayed awake all night long. He has always been a train buff, and that first train ride was a fantastic experience. He was wired. Thomas finally fell asleep at 4 am. He woke me up at 6 am with "Let's eat in the dining car, mom." We went downstairs to the restrooms, washed our faces, brushed our hair and teeth, did some other things, and then went to the dining car for breakfast.
When you ride Amtrak and eat in the dining car, you must share a table with other parties. The porter seats you -- you have no choice. So we were the first in there and were seated at a table. Five minutes later, a couple joined us. They were well dressed. In fact, I'll even say their attire was completely inappropriate for train travel. He was in an expensive suit and she was wearing a beautiful dress with high heels. High heels -- on a train. Walking can be difficult on a train at times, one jerk and you lose your balance. Not too smart to wear high heels.
They sit down and we make our introductions. Thomas orders biscuits and gravy, surprise, surprise. I sip my coffee and secretly wish I were home alone in my quiet kitchen because I am so not a morning person. The woman really liked to talk, which was nice because I only had to smile and nod occasionally. He was a sheriff in New Jersey. I learned their whole life history. (And I still remember it.)
Then she asked me a question. "What was your room like?" Before I could answer, she was complaining that the shower was over the toilet in her room. I laughed inside at that because I've showered over a toilet in a train a few times in my life. She finally asked me again about my room. I smiled and said we were traveling coach this trip. She gave me a look that I will never forget. It was as if I suddenly stunk to high heaven. And then THE question.
"How are your accommodations in coach?"
Now, this is one of those instances where you just cannot get the gist of a question in print. She asked me in that same snooty way that the first-class passengers talked down to poor Jack Dawson in the Titanic movie. Very pointed, each syllable spoken slowly as if the words inflicted pain or disgust as she spoke them. It was all I could do to keep from busting out laughing. Thomas was oblivious, staring out the window. I told her they were wonderful, thank you.
That is one of the very few times I have experienced being looked down upon due to class. Maybe the only time. I have to say, I think it was one of the most hilarious things I've ever experienced. When we arrived in Denver, I got another laugh out of "my couple." They rode the luggage cart instead of walking along the platform to get into the depot. They looked SO silly.
The funniest thing about that whole experience, and how it is actually related to the topic of Titanic, is what Thomas said after the fact. Thomas has always appeared like he wasn't paying attention, doing his own thing, and in his own world. He's usually listening, though. He heard every single word that woman spoke. And this was his comment: Mom, that woman reminded me of Rose's mom in Titanic.
***
$93,000 -- I can think of better things to do with $93,000. I think the grass is actually greener on my side.
I must admit, though, that the next time we rode Amtrak to dad's house, we rode first class in what is called a roomette. That was a, well, substandard version of first-class accommodations on Amtrak. No bathroom, but we had beds. In my mind, I was prepared to be meet that woman again, I was ready to say that our room was wonderful. Thankfully, we dined with a woman who was pleasant and down to earth and didn't give a hoot where our accommodations were on the train. And that's the way it should be.
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