Why I'm Not Going to Church Today, part 1

Why a series? Because there's bound to be many more Sundays in the months to come that I will be sitting at home posting to my blog. But how can posting to my blog be more satisfying than sitting in church? It can't, really. It's just easier to plop the mighty mite in front of PBS wrapped up in a warm blanket than to fight with him in church.

We got through the holidays fine. He had been going to Sunday School without too much complaint fairly regularly. But then ... there was NO SUNDAY SCHOOL. Yikes! Now there was a choice. He could either follow the bigger kids and go watch a video (which inevitably was boring, no matter how good it really was, and he would get in trouble for disrupting the other children), or he could stay in church with me, and get bored, and not want to color anymore, and start whining just as the sermon was about to begin, which would soon elevate into a full-blown tantrum, and I would end up rushing him out of there in a really big scene for all to witness and pass judgement.

I get a lot of sympathetic smiles from parishioners I don't know very well. Poor mother can't control her child.

I know plenty of others have been there, done that, and lived to tell. It's just a stage, I hope, and he'll either grow out of it, or he'll never go to church again for the rest of his life.

But today, it's snowing. Not a big storm or anything. Probably won't even get the trucks out for this thing. Just enough to be bothersome, have to clean off the car (curse the roof rack on top of the SUV!), scrape the crusty ice off the windows, and drive carefully because the roads get slick from the merest hint of moisture in the air. (Brilliant idea: concrete highways. NOT) And I've just been told my tires are on the wrong side of legal and need to be replaced yesterday. So church has suddenly become non-essential travel.

Big guy gets to sleep in, and there still won't be enough snow to play with when he finally drags his skinny bod out of bed. But enough for Mom to call a Snow Day.

Stay tuned for next week's excuse.

I'm raising aliens

"I don't know how you do it."

"You must have a lot of patience."

"I bet it takes a lot of energy to keep up with them."

Those are the kinds of words you would expect to hear if you had a big family. At least four, maybe a set of twins in there, just for fun. I hear that stuff all the time.

I only have two.

From my perspective, my boys are a couple of stagnant couch potatoes who would rather sit around and watch tv or play games on the computer all day. But out in public, they literally explode with energy. They race from the car to whatever errand I have on my list, the little one usually behind (but not always) and yelling to catch up. Me, I don't even try. I get a lot of sympathetic smiles from passersby.

And loud is the only volume they have under control. The louder the better.

I try to get them outside as much as possible, but I've got to admit there's not much fun in freezing if there's no snow to play with. Their friend next door hasn't been seen outside since sometime last fall (the last warm and sunny day, I believe). And as soon as they do go outside, the yelling and screaming can be heard all over the neighborhood. With no other kids to come join the fun, they soon get bored with themselves.

Actually, there are other kids, but they disappear into minivans as soon as they get off the bus that stops nearly in front of our house. And they often look at the boys strangely, as if they're aliens or something. I guess to an over-scheduled child stuck in school all day then whisked off to various "activities", the simple joy of running around and screaming your head off is alien.

I'll admit they do use up most of my patience on a daily basis (and every day is a New Day), but it's creativity that keeps us happy, and gets the wiggles out. That and every now and then a little help from my friends. Like the one who forwarded to me a story about a nearby sledding hill, complete with snow-making machine. We'll be checking that one out today.

I just hope we're not the only aliens out there.

Monday musings

It's snowing. If you look real hard you can see snowflakes, little, teeny, tiny snowflakes. They almost look like mist, they're so tiny.

When I checked the weather this morning, one weather guy actually said the predicted storm had been cancelled. As if you can CANCEL the WEATHER?! Wishful thinking. Getting a little puffed up with an exaggerated self-importance. I guess being on TV every day, predicting the weather (and fairly accurately, for the most part) can do that to a guy. But actually CANCELLING A SNOWSTORM! Hah, that's going to come back and bite us all.

On the plus side, there is no snow to be shovelled ... yet. A hard shell of ice covers everything, but no snow.

Monday mornings often find me culling new web links from my various homeschooling newsletters. How many of them do I actually use? Actually, tons and tons. How many do I have? Tons and Tons and Tons and Tons and Tons ... I may actually reach the limit in My Favorites. Only, now I've been asked to organize my links into a useable listing for my fellow homeschoolers. That could take some time. I see a few late nights on the horizon, and I mean really late nights. Did I mention that Organization is not one of my strong points?

Anyway, my peanut has gotten excited by a new "game", called typing. I'll share the link here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ ... now dance away little fingers!

I could probably share a link a day and never get through the whole list. Gee, never thought of that before.

For those of you who are link-happy, here's another one. It seems that the artist depicted in the video I linked to in my previous post was a high school art teacher. Only he was fired for not being a good role model for his students: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070110/ap_on_re_us/teacher_butt_art_2

And just how is an art teacher supposed to be a good role model for his students, if not by practicing his art? The only thing the students at that school have learned is that there are limits to what is acceptable creativity. (Reason #145,986 why I homeschool)

And now, Happy Martin Luther King Day to you.

And now for something truly amazing!

I just have to share ... http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2690376

Happy New Year!

Christmas may be over, but ...

We are still playing with our toys! Yes, I am still fighting with plastic shell cases and impossible twisty ties and heavy duty cardboard that has been stapled and taped and glued in place, all cleverly designed torture devices for parents.

And the batteries. Don't get me started on those impossibly tiny screws they use to keep the battery case closed at all costs, all in the name of safety. I mean really, I got a gift that uses batteries, and all I had to do was flip off the battery cover, insert the batteries (all 6 of them) and then snap it back in place. But for all the kids' toys, there are a number of teeny tiny screws, and if you're successful in getting those off (I finally had to resort to the eyeglass repair kit), then you must manuever it carefully, so as to not snap off any appendages that fit the cover snugly into place so it can't be removed, EVER. And the batteries last for a total of two hours playing time, so then you get to do it all over again.

Yeah, Christmas is so much fun.

Ah, but the pictures! The joy, the rapture ...

No longer a cheap date

Dinner for two at the local pub $57.00
Movie Tickets $16.50
Babysitter $45.00
Pizza to feed the babysitter $16.00

Long-awaited date night with husband ... getting pricier every day.

I didn't have to shop, but ...

Not feeling very empress-like right now, as I sit here, WAITING! And freezing, my fingers are freezing because the thermostat is on a timer and it goes WAY DOWN at night. Otherwise, it gets way too hot upstairs, where I should be right now, all cozy and warm in my bed.

But NOOOOOOO. There's literally a mountain of boxes in the garage, yes it is actually taller than me right now, and I must wrap many, many packages before I sleep. But not until the Peanut and the Pumpkin are SOUND ASLEEP. So far, they have snuck down the stairs 3 times since I put them to bed. Of course, I knew that was going to happen, and I haven't started the excavation project.

But, I promise you, I WILL start tonight ... sometime. I could really use a bit of Santa's magic right now, but so far he hasn't offered any. So, one more cup of coffee, and I will outlast the varmints, tonight.

Tomorrow will be another story altogether.

Queen, Empress, it's all the same around here

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

It's Christmastime!

It's 9.7 degrees (Fahrenheit, not Celsius!). And that's warmer than when I first rose this am. YEP, we got ourselves a real, honest to goodness winter wonderland outside. Just last week, only four days ago, my boys were outside playing in shorts and t-shirts and barefeet. Today it's too cold to even enjoy the snow for more than 15 minutes at a time.

And this isn't even New England.

Nearly every house in our neighborhood is decorated (including ours, even though some of it doesn't show up through all the ice and snow). And now our house is gearing up for FULL-ON CHRISTMASTIME! The boys have already started making decorations, and new ornaments for the tree. The shopping is almost done so we can start the wrapping, always fun with tape-impaired children.

And as soon as I can kick this latest sinus infection we'll all be messing up the kitchen with our baking creations, which actually turn out more like science experiments and art projects. But first, I should clean it.

November was mild. And quiet. Even Thanksgiving was a low-key, quiet family day for us. But now the December winds are blowing, snow is blanketing our world, and twinkling lights brighten up the evenings. All in preparation for the Big Day.

All this to remember the lowly birth of a baby in a stable full of animals. Whether we got the date right doesn't matter. Whether we incorporate pagan rituals into our celebrations doesn't matter. Whether we spend a lot of money or a little doesn't matter. What matters is that I Believe, and I Celebrate and I teach my children the true meaning of Christmas.

May the magic of Christmas shine on all year.

Thankful for the world around me ...

I always seem to be running to catch up to my guys, as they go off on their adventures. But this is my world, and I am thankful for every single day I get to be a part of their world.

What is it about the deep blue sea?

I sometimes feel the need to head for the coast and look out over the horizon, just to be sure it's still there. Yeah, so what if it's 1000 miles away. It's worth the trip.

And the seafood's not too bad, either.

Sharing the Love

Start every day with a hug.

That's practically a rule around here. As the little guys drag themselves from the warm embrace of their blankets, they head right for Mommy, and another warm embrace.

It's still dark. I'm at the computer, sometimes the only light in the room, and a slight shadow steps closer, presents himself for inspection.

"Good Morning Sunshine!" I sing out, sometimes with more enthusiasm than others, as I get down on my knees for a full-on mommy-hug. Sometimes the Peanut only mumbles a sleepy "Good morning" in reply, but always with a hint of a smile. And the Pumpkin, well, he may climb aboard for the full body cuddle, but there's no smile. More of a whine, the beginnings of "I waaaant ..."

How much longer will they go along with this little ritual? The Peanut is already taller than me in the hug position. The Pumpkin is getting too big for my lap, but somehow still manages to spend as much time as possible there. I simply adjust to their growing stature.

I tell myself, this will never end.

I hope it never does.

Words, pictures, now video

I think I'm covered now.

I put my words here. If my family is looking for any quick updates, this is the place. Well, maybe not, but if you want to know what's on my mind. Yeah that's it. My brain is here. No, that sounds too weird. Well, you know what I mean.

I put my picturs on Flickr. Some are public, some are private. Most of the family ones are Private. As in For Invited Guests Only. Kind of like a private family reunion, you wouldn't want any strangers crashing, now would you? But it's a nice place for friends and family to drop in and check out what's new. Especially for the ones who live far away, or are travelling.

Now my videos are up for the same group. Lot's of invitations to come to the party were sent out this am. Now I just upload the kiddies in all their most embarassing moments for all the family and some very good friends to laugh at. And soon I will figure out how to put a sample up right here ... I know I will, just give me a few days.

I'm totally wired. And yet, I still let my cell phone die. (don't ask about the PDA)

One step closer to Totally Insane

Yep, look what I've gone and done now.

Haven't completely finished novel #1 (though I'm not giving up, yet!). #2 fizzled by chapter 3, mercifully. So now I will join a mass hysteria of novel-writing, with a totally new novel #3, 50,000 words, start to finish in the 30 days of November.

A pipe dream, to say the least.

In past years I have sat by the wayside and wished the participants luck, and lots of caffeine. Now it's my turn to stop being a bystander and jump into the fray.

As I get older, I get a little nuttier. Or maybe my kids are truly driving me insane. At least I'm enjoying the ride.

For now it's time to prepare. Get some ideas gelling, maybe a character sketch. Finish up some deadline work AHEAD of schedule (now that would be a first). Maybe even clean up the house, so I at least have a clear space in which to begin. Get organized and set myself up for success.

Just you wait and see what happens next!

Art for the Office

by peanut 0906
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

Art by a soon-to-be famous artist, currently known as The Peanut. It could probably inspire an entire book, if I tried. Hmmm...

What's On Your Desk?

This seems to be a "writerly" type of meme, as I've seen it on other writer's sites. And since I aspire to be writerly, sometimes, I'm joining in on this one.

1. Dell flat panel monitor. Looks cool without being all in-your-face. And everyone who sees it thinks I have a Dell computer, which I don't. But I do like this monitor.

2. Speakers.

3. Pencil cup, packed full of unsharpened pencils, and a couple of pens, which won't be there when I need one.

4. power supply/surge protector

5. One of those adjustable snake-neck kind of desk lamps. I almost never use it, because the halogen bulb gets so hot I will inevitably burn myself on it. But I share this desk, and the other guy uses it. So it stays.

6. My coffe mug of the day, sitting nicely on top of its very own Mug Rug. Don't make fun of my Mug Rug, or I will be forced to write a blog entry about it. I could, you know.

7. Cordless keyboard and mouse, with a WristGlider. Better than one of those ergonomic wrist rests, and portable, too. I've had mine almost ten years, but the web site is still active if you want to git cher own ... www.wristgliders.com

8. The cord to connect my camera ... because I haven't put it away.

9. Dh's mp3 player, because I was borrowing his ear buds.

10. A spiderman glove. I dont' know why. It's been hanging out here for quite awhile now, I think it belongs here.

11. A small, unobstrusive Writer at Work sign. It even says Do Not Disturb, but that doesn't seem to stop anybody.

12. The installation instructions for my new printer. It works fine, I should just put those away now ...

13. A calculator and dh's course outline and a page ripped out of a spiderman comic round out the debris that clutters our desk here. What? No half-eaten cookies? Just a minute, I see one coming ... no, it's gone back to the kitchen ... no, it's gone. And all I got was a cookie-crumb kiss on the cheek.

There's more stuff in the various organized cubby holes and envelope racks and shelves within this desk which is actually the entire office. I'm just going to stop at the desk top ... enough is enough.

So, what's on your desk?

Wake-up Call

I've spent a lot of time complaining about the noise lately. Pretty much all summer, while construction on a new shopping center continues close by. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

We have a noise ordinance in our village, one that ostensibly allows residents a peaceful rest until at least 7 AM. And while I do need to get up earlier than that, I prefer to sip my coffee in peace and let the boys sleep in awhile longer. I'm sure the families that live even closer to the main construction site would agree.

And I'm sure they've lodged more than their fair share of complaints, regarding 5:30 AM wake-up calls. We have another site, directly behind our back fence, that have since been silenced, for the time being.

Anyway, I can only imagine the conversation that may have taken place, causing this morning's noise of a different sort ... a helicopter.

"Hey boss, I got a great idea ... how about a helicopter?"

"A helicopter? For what?"

"To move that stuff up onto the roof."

"But we already have a crane. Why would we need a helicopter?"

"The noise! Picture it: you get woken up by a different noise, look outside and see a helicopter. Cool! Grab a cup of coffee and watch for awhile. It'll be past 7 before anyone bothers to complain!"

"Hmmm. You have a point, but it'll be expensive."

"No noise ordinance violation ..."

"And the crane is probably safer, too."

"I know a great helicopter pilot. Perfect safety record. And we could get some good publicity, too. You know that local paper would send out a reporter and definitely want some pictures."

"Hmm, publicity. Ok, let's go for it. Call your guy and set it up."

6:45 AM ... "Hey, where's your helicopter?"

"Oh, he'll be here at 7. He couldn't take the chance of a noise violation on his license."



update: 8:15 and he's still at it. I even took some video to show the boys when they get up!

Outside my comfort zone

concert pic
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

There's a place in Middle America where the number of cigarette lighters still outshines cell phones ... and I was there.

It's one thing to attend a concert with your contemporaries ... a lot of old people trying to look young, a few young people trying not to look bored. But to travel to someone else's hometown is quite another. A mere 60 miles away is a whole 'nother world.

The opening act was obviously a local band, and I felt like the only one in the place who didn't know the words, and didn't appreciate the noise. Now, I'm not one to go get myself a beer while a band is onstage, but that night I got two. First, to get away from that awful noise, and second, to try to drown out the pain in my head being caused by that awful noise.

But the lighters were a real blast from the past. Here in smoke-free suburbia, I thought all smokers just hid out on their back porches. But down the road a bit, where sidewalks are still littered with butts, they're still waving their lighters during the slow songs. I bet they even have a drive-in movie theater.

Ahhh Serenity Now

Cape Cod beach path
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

Sometimes I need a boost to get me going in the morning. Like a few minutes daydreaming about my favorite place on earth. I just put on my slide show of Cape photos and I can almost hear the surf above the din of construction vehicles. Almost.

We are studying American History this year, with a special emphasis on the voyage of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims at the moment. The boys both seem interested, but especially the Peanut. This calls for a very special field trip ... we MUST go to Plymouth! And since the Pilgrims first landed at the Cape, well, we'll just have to go there, too.

Homeschooling can be so very rewarding in unexpected ways!

meet Joe90506 2

meet Joe90506 2
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

I proclaim the First Day of School a rousing success. Here, we have our team mascot. I found him at the bottom of the stairs this morning, possibly wishing he didn't have quite so much tape holding his "knees" together.

Both boys claimed school was fun, even though we did do boring things like Math and Penmanship. (Here's a hint: put them both first thing in the morning, and something fun, like Robot-building, at the end of the day, and they'll forget all about the drudgery!)

Now, Joe90506 does indeed have a purpose. But the Art/Science Fair is not until March 2007, so any ideas for how to keep him from falling apart, being trampled (or run over by the car), or just plain running away until then would be appreciated.

And now, to get back to school. What are we going to do today?

Our First Day of School

It seems like everybody else started before us. But dh and I like the idea of starting "after Labor Day" just like when we were kids. So today's the Big Day. And now I'm teaching two.

I have plans. I have ideas. I have dreams. And the boys will change everything.

Well, not EVERYTHING. They do like my field trips!

This year I'm starting with a little experience behind me. I'm no longer a total newbie at this. Yet I'll also be doing something totally new ... teaching the little guy to read and write. And to entertain himself without falling back on videos. I don't know which will be harder.

Well ... here I go!

Four Fascinating Things About Me (or someone I know)

I've been tagged, and for once I'm in the mood to play ...

Subject: Do you know me? For instance, did you know ...

Four places I have worked in my life:
1.Harvard University Art Museums
2. Philadelphia Insurance Company
3. Plymouth County Land Court
4. Oswego School District

Four Movies I would watch over and over
1. Pirates of the Caribbean (I and II)
2. Harry Potter (all 4 so far)
ok, so that's technically 6, with more to come ...

Four places I have lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Oneonta, NY
3. Abington, MA
4. Whitman, MA

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. The Colbert Report
2. Drake and Josh
um, not much else ...


Four places I have been on vacation:
1. The beach in Massachusetts
2. The beach in Mexico
3. The beach in Texas
4. The beach in Greece

Four web sites I visit daily:
1. Flickr
2. Sparkpeople
3. Faster Than Kudzu
4. Miss Snark

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Cookies
3. Ice Cream
4. Pasta

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. on a beach
2. toes in the sand
3. sun beating down
4. waves lapping the shore

and now to tag ... anyone who reads this! (Yep, all 4 of you, you know who you are!)

How to Avoid Housework

I get better at it every day. Not the housework, oh no. AVOIDING the housework ... yes, soon to be awarded expert status in that department. Back in the dark ages before I had children, who are put here solely to MAKE MORE WORK, I was merely an amateur. Now that I have two little buggers whose main mission in life is to make messes, many messes, all over the house and everywhere else they may find themselves, well ... (blushing with modesty) ... shucks ... I can avoid whole boatloads of housework before lunch!

But I can do better, yes, I know I can. You see, we have a fairly small abode. Yep, just about 1000 square feet of clutter, junk, crap, dust, mold, mildew and hard water stains. Oh, and let's not forget the bathrooms. On second thought, let's not even speak of them. Anyway, I'm sure if we just moved on to bigger digs, well, the boys could take care of business in no time, and I'd be busy at my best ... avoiding more housework than any other SAHM in my subdivision.

I didn't learn this skill from my mother. Nor can any of my friends compete at my level (though there is one relative out there who feels she must attempt it, but moving into Wal-Mart doesn't count -- you have to Live with the fruits of your non-labor). Actually, I kinda fell into it. Credit must be given to the Internet, of course, the infamous Time-Stealer. And if it weren't for my dear husband, who refuses to lower his standards, and therefore ends up doing Way More Than His Share of the HW around here, well ... I'd be just a regular ole housewife, wouldn't I?

So here I am, about to impart a mere crumb of my vast experience in housework avoidance. Sure, just about anybody has a computer with hi-speed internet these days, and children can be rented out to the childless (at least mine can ... call me for rates!), but an addiction to newspapers and magazines and library books (yes, you have to actually READ them for total effectiveness) and WRITING ... that could take the cake for most any household. But the coup de grace ... drumroll please ... HOMESCHOOLING!

Maybe I should write a book about it.

Yes, we have roses!

yellow rose 2
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

The payoff for tending my little rose garden meticulously, watering, feeding, weeding ... etc. is a few green thorny bushes.

So I stopped. I left them alone. I even took off and left town for a few days. And while I was gone, something beautiful happened.

Apparently MY roses are the INDEPENDENT type. They prefer to make it on their own, with no interference from lil ole me. And who am I to argue?

We have Visitors

I'm sure you know this one ...

The ants go marching one by one
Hurrah ... Hurrah

The ants go marching two by two
Hurrah ... Hurrah

They found the candy in the chair
I told you not to eat it there!
And now the vacuum hose goes down
into the chair
to get all
of the ants
boom, boom, boom ...


Oh give me time, I'll come up with the rest of the verses. Probably before I get rid of all the ants, who have now set up their colony in The Big Chair.

You know, once you get that feeling of ants crawling across your arm or leg, you just can't shake it. Phantom ants continue to plague me. And the strays are searching out new digs over by the sofa while my back is turned, I just know it!

Underwear Ninja

Underwear Ninja
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

Where would our Superhero be without his underwear?

Underwear is Fun to Wear

In our family, not only is underwear fun to wear, but it’s also become something of a competitive sport around here. Complete with sound effects.


“Hulk MASH RRRRRR!!!”


“King Kong! Aarrgh!!”


“POW-er RAN-GERS!!” (in a sort of superhero sing-song)


“SPI-der-MAN!!” (I can’t spell the noise they make with this one, but believe me, it’s pretty impressive)


They pose like mini body-builders trying to psych each other out. Really, a new package of underwear spawns more excitement around here than the new fall collection in Milan. Even a new pair of sneakers (Teen Titans and flashing lights!) doesn’t compare to a fresh pair of Spiderman Boxer Briefs. Throw in a new Captain Underpants book and the adventures last all day.


At least until the Queen forces them to cover up their superpowers with “street clothes” in public. (evil queen!)

Finding My Own Pathway

(This was originally published in the Beacon News, April 22, 2005.)


There comes a time when you have to make a decision. How far are you willing to go to stand up for your principles? How quickly will you bend, just to keep everybody happy?


As a lifelong individualist, I’ve practiced the balancing act almost to perfection. With the outward appearance of conforming, I still made some unusual choices. When my friends all wanted to take dance lessons, I went ice skating. When all the girls signed up for softball, my mother dutifully signed me up for Little League. And in high school, when all the girl athletes were playing field hockey … there I was on the soccer field. The crowd I hung out with was always a bit small, and somewhat unusual.


Most of the time, to outward appearances, I follow the straight and narrow line of what’s expected of me. I went to college (picked one nobody heard of , six hours away) and finished in the prescribed four years, with a major I created myself. Any radical ideas that may have been picked up along the way were assimilated into my mild-mannered conservative demeanor. Never dressed too outlandishly, never too trendy, never attracted too much attention.


Soon after graduation, as everyone expected, I married my high school sweetheart and settled down to a life of work (at an art museum), staying close to home and family, keeping all the same old friends, going to the same church, hoping to eventually start my own family. Ever the non-conformist, that spirit that is usually kept so well-hidden broke out of the mold and moved me from the Northeast to the Midwest, a thousand miles from home and family and all those old friends.


Away from my comfort zone, but still with my faithful companion by my side, I stuck by some of the old rules … back to another full-time job. Or rather, a series of them. A relatively brief series. And finally to starting my own family. And that’s where the armor started falling off.


Motherhood gave me a power and a conviction in my choices that wasn’t there before. Being given ultimate responsibility for a helpless babe turned on a switch. Having to stand up for my children, for what I believe to be in their best interests, has given me the confidence to stand up for myself when necessary. Well, as long as it’s not at their expense, anyway.


Like many mothers, I went back to work after my first was born, thinking that was best for the family, still bowing to that all-important paycheck. Yet, I no longer fit into the work world; I couldn’t switch easily from my role as new mother back to loyal employee devoting all my energies to the company bottom line. I couldn’t look my boss in the eye and tell him his priorities were my priorities, at least not with a straight face. And the Christmas gift watch with my name printed on the face, Mommy, probably sealed my fate, as it soon became my job title as well.


As much as I love being a full-time mom, the lure of the paycheck beckons. Yet there are always compromises that come with employment. How far am I willing to go to stand up for my principles, when I know those closest to me will not agree? Maybe principles aren’t all that important when facing a pile of bills and rising gas prices.


And maybe those principles are strong enough to stand on their own, without any backing from my wishy-washy self. After all, the children are watching, and learning, from what I do as well as what I say. So the time has come to stop following the lemmings toward the security of a weekly paycheck, and to follow my heart down the path of the freelancer.


Whether it leads to poverty or riches doesn’t even matter. Life is too short to follow someone else’s path while my own lies out there still.

The Space Between

There’s a space between what’s going on in my brain and what gets written down on paper. It’s a vast chasm today. There’s no rhyme or reason as to what makes the leap, and what gets sucked into the void forever. I’m convinced there’s some literary genius mired in the muck at the bottom with my usual drivel.


I was in the middle of one of my rare brilliant surges of inspiration this morning, just after finishing my first cup of coffee, but it got pushed over the edge by the sound of my husband’s voice. I just lost my train of thought, my fingers poised at the keyboard, blank screen waiting to be blessed with my genius … oh, there it goes again.


There are lots of trains, one right after the other. But instead of stopping and dropping off a few characters, they just head on down the tunnel, into the abyss. Occasionally one slows down, waits on the other side for just the right moment to cross over. Trouble is, I never know when that is, or what’s waiting on the other side.


There must be a narrow bridge over that space, the great between. And it’s a perilous crossing, often crashing into a pile of debris once it makes it to this side … the page. But once in awhile one really long train makes it across, slowly and confidently, unaware of the editor just waiting to derail a car or two, or three. Or the child, waiting to scribble on the nice shiny engine once it comes to a complete stop.


I like to delude myself that I’ll find a way to close up the between, or at least make it smaller. Maybe it’s just a hiding place, and the really good stuff will come back and make to it the other side one day.


And maybe someday I’ll have a quiet space in which to write, free from the interruptions and distractions of family life. A girl can always dream.

When it's not enough to be Queen ...

I had to know. This being the home of superheroes and all ... surely I have some superpowers of my own. But of course! But just to be sure ... I took the quiz:

My results:
You are Supergirl (I KNEW IT!)

Supergirl 70% Wonder Woman 70% Robin 70% Superman 60% Spider-Man 60% The Flash 60% Green Lantern 40% Catwoman 40% Iron Man 40% Batman 20% Hulk 20%

Lean, muscular and feminine. Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Keeping up with the children

Yesterday I was able to post my very first picture to this here blog. Yep, quite proud of myself, really. I didn't even have to ask my son for help!


I used to be the Techie Queen of the household. Don't get me wrong, I'm still In Charge of all things relating to the family computer, as long as we have only one. All repairs, anti-virus and firewall protections, new software installations, all my domain. But for anything new and cool ... ask the boychild.


I got a new digital camera for my most recent birthday. It took awhile to load my new pictures to the computer, as in a couple weeks. I had to try out a few online sites for sharing them with the various friends and relatives (and their various levels of techno-geekiness and/or cluelessness). A couple more weeks. And a couple more weeks. And now, finally, I put one up here on the blog (see Scooby Van below). For those who are counting, we're now up to SEVERAL weeks.


In one evening, my son grabbed my precious camera, took pictures of all his Bionicle Piraka, even taking them apart and building a new one out of their parts, and posted his pictures to the web site. Just like that.


At least I can program my own VCR. I know, that's so last century.

On our way to the candy store ...

Scooby van2
Originally uploaded by momsworking01.

We always look for a candy store when we travel. Every town has one, somewhere ... but every town does not have it's own Mystery Machine. Our two superheroes discovered this one parked in Galena, IL (which I know has some very nice candy stores!)

Unfortunately, our travel plans did not allow enough time to wait for Scooby to return to the van.

In search of ... Jr Mints!

I'm always in search of something around here, usually misplaced socks or tiny pieces of legos.

One of the inhabitants, who prefers not to be named, (although he doesn't mind being referred to as the king) happens to like Jr Mints. In the Big Box. And he has come to expect to find such a box on the kitchen counter after I have just done The Shopping. The weekly gathering of boxes of stuff whose ingredients I can't pronounce but yet it puts a smile on the faces of the natives so I keep on buying it -- that's called The Shopping (as opposed to the semi-weekly gathering of stuff that grows out of the ground and has to be washed and cut and comes in pretty colors and causes the natives to make all kinds of distorted contortions with their faces).

But lately there have been problems with The Shopping. At first, I thought it was just me hitting the store at the wrong time, like maybe just before they stock it, when they're out of everything. Then it was the re-decorating, which became a re-configuration, which morphed into a Total Upgrade. In other words, I couldn't find a damn thing!

And when one store goes into Upgrade Mode, they ALL do it. So now I can't find anything in any store I go into. Every shopping trip has turned into a great big SCAVENGER HUNT! At least the kids are having fun.

Yesterday was yet another Grand Re-Opening Extravaganza! Mob scene ... concession stand out in the parking lot, taking up at least 4 parking spaces ... free samples of exotic concoctions all over the store. All I wanted was a couple gallons of milk and ... of course ... JR MINTS!

No Jr Mints. But I won a free DVD player.

We're making do with York Peppermint Pattie Bites, but they're just not the same. Still searching for Jr Mints.

The Fireworks Scrooge

I love a good fireworks show. A good, PROFESSIONAL fireworks show. Watching them last night with the boys screaming and dancing around ... now THAT'S A SHOW!

The amateur let's-go-light-some-bottle-rockets-in-the-driveway do not impress. In fact, they're quite annoying. Especially when your driveway is barely 20 feet from my driveway. And particularly when your bottle rockets land in my yard for me to clean up.

All in the spirit of the holiday, I have kept quiet about all the illegal firworks in the neighborhood. Even though my local police have advertised a zero-tolerance policy for this year, I have not reported any of the neighborhood shenanigans. I'm sure there's worse goings on somewhere else, so I leave well enough alone.

But the holiday is over. So, for the next month, I become the Fireworks Scrooge. Until every last one is confiscated and the noise finally dies down, I will rant and rave and complain and YES, I WILL CALL THE POLICE.

Because ... I'm the Fireworks Scrooge.

Whooosh!

That's the sound of summer days flying by.

Ahhhh Summertime!

Now that school is out (yes, even us homeschoolers need a break!), sun and warm temperatures beckon us outside. So does the Pool Pass. If it weren't for summer thunderstorms, I might never come in.

While my trusty notebooks are portable, alas my computer remains chained to my desk. That's right, no laptops here.

These are the days I dream about all winter long. Now I'm savoring every moment.

Spiderman is Missing

So I am still recovering from another Family Road Trip. Really, I think it's the unpacking that gets me. And the lack of sleep, while everybody adjusts to Sleeping In Their Own Beds.

I sleep better in my own bed. Certainly that goes for most people? I think it has something to do with not having my pillow or blankets pulled away from me all night. And not being kicked in the head. Yeah, that's a biggie. Oh, and the hot breath in the face (and no, it's not as sweet as baby milkbreath anymore).

But the unpacking seems to go on forever. Maybe because I'm the one folding all the clothes. And re-folding. Day after day after day.

It was a couple days after our return that I sat down and committed to relieving the overflow in my email. Over one hundred (not including the junk). Took some time, and some concentration. So while the boys wrestled on the floor behind my chair, I skimmed, filed, read and sometimes even replied.

I was deep into the project when the little guy decided he needed to get dressed. He certainly can dress himself, but can he pick out his own clothes? Of course he can! He has very definite tastes, particularly anything that belongs to the big guy. And I had recently organized their bureaus to make dressing easier for them to do independently (and crossed that off my To-Do list!). Unfortunately, big brother was in no mood to help little brother to Find the Perfect Shirt. Yep ... told him to go find it himself.

Looking back, I really should've just nipped it in the bud. Especially the first time he came downstairs saying he couldn't find the shirt he wanted. Maybe even if I had acknowledged the second request for help, I may have averted disaster. But no, I was BUSY. And I assured myself that the drawers were neatly arranged and ANYBODY could find what they needed up there. In That Room.

Not only did he empty ALL of the drawers in BOTH bureaus, making sure each and every neatly folded item was shaken out and tossed about the room so as to completely cover every square inch of floorspace ... he also searched (meaning emptied) every nook and cranny, every cubby and basket, every toy box. And they have WAY TOO MANY toys. The evidence is spread out for all to see.

I can demand that he clean up his mess till I die, we all know that's not going to happen. Besides, everybody knows that Boys Can't Fold Clothes. I tell them to wear what they find on the floor. Eventually, through the miracle of Laundry, it will all find it's way back to its rightful spot. Or else they'll grow out of it.

And what have I learned from this? Big guy has at least seven Spiderman shirts. At least that's how many we've found so far ...

Memorial Day

In memory of those who have passed this way before us ...

I think I'll plant some flowers. Perennials, the ones that bloom again year after year.

Another Look at the Alphabet

Seen at Perpetual Chocoholic http://perpetualchocoholic.blogspot.com (and promptly "borrowed"!)

Accent – Depends on who I'm speaking to. Mostly bits of Boston mixing with a touch of New York drying out to a Midwestern Bland, and an occasional y'all thrown in for fun.

Breakfast of Champions - was "Booze of choice" but my boys are currently making their own breakfasts right now instead of asking me! How grown up! How independent! How much Baked Cheetos can you fit in that bowl? And let's not forget the chocolate chipped cookies! (They're still waiting for Mom to bring the chocolate milk)

Chore I hate – Cleaning.

Dog or Cat – Dog. Just not in my house (see above).

Essential electronics – Yup. Electronics are essential, expensive toys.

perFume - (Never would've found it here if I was lookin!) Yep, just a dab, every morning, so that no matter what I look like, at least MOMMY SMELLS NICE!

Gold or Silver? - Gold. or silver. as long as there's Diamonds, who cares?

Hometown – a nice quiet place in the suburbs.

Insomnia? – Child induced. I'm sure I could sleep through the night if ALLOWED.

Job Title – you may address me as Your Highness.

K? Where's K? I could add one: Killed anything? (or anyone?) Unfortunately, the Queen of the Castle is also the Spider Killer of the Castle

Living Arrangement – You mean I'm allowed to Arrange the Living? Hmmm, things are gonna change around here!

Most-admired trait – Integrity

Number Of Penguins In Your Bathtub – No penguins presently, probably eaten by the dinosaurs.

Overnight Hospital Stays – twice, and came home with a prize both times!

Phobia – stairs, as in falling down them. Do it enough times and you start to worry.

Quote – I read Wisdom Quotes regularly. I liked this one this morning.
H. L. Mencken:
In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.

Religion – another quote, from yesterday's sermon: "I believe in the separation of church and hate."

Siblings – yes. one of each. I'm the middle child. Yes, I know, that explains a lot.

Time I wake up – when the snoring becomes too loud to sleep.

Unusual talent/skill – Sometimes able to "Pull It All Together" in time.

Vegetable I refuse to eat – Brussel sprouts. Just don't like the sound of it.

Worst habit – putting the piles of clean clothes too close to the piles of dirty clothes. Some people around here get upset when that happens.

X-rays – yeah, that's an X word. So is xylophone. So?

Yummy foods I make – Chocolate chip cookies, home baked bread, banana bread ... oh, I should go make some now.

Zodiac sign – The bull. No laughing.

But hey. . .what about you?

It's Not My Fault ... Really!

I'm feeling a bit like a jinx.

First Steven Tyler. Now Keith Richards. Who's next?

Let me explain. This past year I finally got to see two of the greatest rock bands still touring after all these years. I don't know how I missed them before (yeah I do, something like MONEY getting in the way) but now I'm finally working on my list of Concerts To See Before They Retire (or die, but really, who wants to think of that?)

So then, not too long after seeing Aerosmith LIVE and being all amazed that they can still do all that rock star stuff and sing and play and ... well. Amazed. And then, Mr. Tyler came down with a bit of a throat problem. A big enough problem that he actually had to cancel shows. WHOA! That may have been my last chance to see them. I hope not, but you never know.

Recently, after many attempts over the last several years, I scored tickets to see the Rolling Stones. Another AMAZING show (in my humble opinion, which is what this blog is so please go on). Again, thinking they're not getting any younger, wow, this could be my last chance. And by the way, I'm not getting any younger, either.

And here we have Keith Richards, recovering from a head injury. Well, at least he doesn't have to have brain surgery, I read today. And so far, there's no plans to cancel any upcoming shows. At least not yet.

Just wondering who's next ...

(Madonna!)

The Case of the Exploding CD

BANG!

"What just happened?" We both turned and looked at my son accusingly. He was sitting at the computer, playing his favorite dinosaur game.

"Nothing! I didn't do anything!" He was looking around the desk area for any signs of damage, but neither he nor I could find anything wrong.

My husband then confessed that "he's been at that computer all day." Oh good, so much for Turn Off the TV Week, just give 'em a substitute and business as usual. "Finish up and let your brother have a turn," I said.

No more noises, until Lil Guy wanted to change the cd. "Mom, it's stuck!"

Great. Add that to the list. This computer isn't very old, but it's showing signs of wear and tear ... as in children having a little too much freedom to download cool stuff off the internet which will therefore wreak havoc with parents IMPORTANT STUFF (also downloaded off the internet).


"OK, move aside, let Mom get to work here." I shut down. I restarted. I shut down and restarted again. I pushed on the CD door. I jiggled it. I shut down and started again. (I did a few other things that would take too long to explain and might even sound like I knew what the heck I was doing so we just won't go there). Anyway, eventually, it opened for us.

And there sat the shattered pieces of the dinosaur game.

"Well, at least we know what that noise was."

From Chaos to Harmony

Front hall closet: DONE

(One box of shoes to send to younger cousin, one bag of shoes for Salvation Army, one small pile of jackets to sort and distribute - but it's OUT of that closet!)

We've got a long road ahead of us, but step by step, one small section at a time, this cluttered house will once again become a serene home.

Oh, and I have to add, I can still fit my car into the garage!

Just dropping by to say "Hi"

That's about all I ever have time for these days. "Just a minute" seems to be my favorite phrase, since it's all that comes out of my mouth.

Just ask the kiddos. Even they're getting tired of waiting for me to finish what I'm doing (which is usually something for them in one way or another) in order for them to drop yet another request. For me to DO something else for them.

It would be a lot easier if I could just get organized.

I've been saying that for many years, but now I mean business. It seems that homeschooling has turned this moderately disorganized but comfy home into UTTER CHAOS & CLUTTER.

Not that I have never seen worse. My college dorm may have been worse ... yeah, probably was. But there was just me and my mess to contend with. Right now we have the combined messes of a growing family, and two of them are learning their slovenly ways from the wrong parent.

Dad tries to step in and make things right, but he's in a losing battle. It's up to me, since I am officially the Home Administrator and Queen in Residence, to shape things up.

I may be gone for long periods of time, since blogging must drop ever lower on my list of priorities. But when I'm back, it'll be better than ever. Or not, but at least I'm giving it my best shot.

Wish me luck.

Stuck in a Time Warp

What year is it? 2006 ... a long way from 1968, doncha think? But have we evolved, or has our government gone back to the "good ole days" of spying on us?

James Carroll wrote a column in yesterday's Boston Globe, also reprinted at http://www.commondreams.org, entitled "The Politics of Pacifism Meets FBI Monitoring."

So it's true, it's not just the President who's spying on us, but his minions, as well. And they've been doing it (or rather, they've been CAUGHT doing it) for the last FOUR YEARS. But you won't find it in any news reports. No, No, NO! Because, after all, it's just one columnist's OPINION (a very well-respected columnist who backs up his assertions with FACTS, but, well, you know).

So now you know what really ticks me off. Besides the ugly business of war and all that war-profiteering going on, that is. Stepping on the toes of our hard won civil rights. Yeah, some of which were won through war, I know. BUT STILL!

Don't make all our past mistakes in vain. Let's not repeat history. If we didn't do it right the first time, then things ought to be done differently. And labeling pacifism a "left-wing political cause" is ... oh, let me be the first to say, it's UNPATRIOTIC.

Maybe the FBI should go back to investigating UFO's.

Climbing Back into the Saddle

OK, so I'm not as back as I thought I was. Still on the mend, here, as I try to regain both my strength and the upper hand in the household.

That might take awhile.

Everybody else around here recovered pretty quickly, and thanks to the tireless efforts of both my mother and my husband, the world did not come to an end. Although I did find it somewhat amusing that it took BOTH of them to handle my various tasks around the house, and yet they left some for me.

In the eternal wisdom of my mother, "You have too much to do."

Don't we all.

I'm Baaaack

Wow, I didn't realize how long I had been away. Well, for those who have been in the dark, I've been recovering from my tonsillectomy. This is one of those things that's easy for kids, HAAAARD for parents.

I thought I had things all under control. In the days leading up to the surgery, while both boys developed colds and lovingly shared those colds with their father, I popped the Airborne like candy. It was actually kind of a treat, like drinking soda all day. Anyway, it got the job done, and I remained healthy enough to go through with the procedure.

Since my mother was flying up from sunny Florida to spend a week in confinement with my demolition crew, I thought the least I could do was start her off with a clean house. Cleaning is something that I just am no good at, I barely keep this place acceptable to my husband (who has had to DRASTICALLY lower his standards in order to live here). But since the last two times my mother came to help out she landed in a disaster zone, she was pleasantly surprised this time.

Everything was going pretty smoothly. The boys' colds had abated (dh was still pretty miserable, but coping), the house was clean, my mother even bought me my Last Meal ... PIZZA, (which, by the way, is No. 2, after chocolate) with plenty left over for the crew to reheat the next day. Even the boys ate well that night. Little Guy had two whole slices of pizza.

Which he promptly threw up all over me, all over the Big Chair, all over the BEIGE carpet (well, it was beige when we bought it), all over the end of the sofa (which I didn't notice until the next morning, eww), and a trail down the hallway to the bathroom, where he stubbornly refused to aim for the toilet. No, the floor was working just fine for him.

I'm sure my mother was thinking "I didn't sign up for this!" as she helped to clean up the mess. Things only got better from there.

He was sick throughout the night. Lucky for me (and my bed!) it was mostly dry heaves, since he had already thrown up everything he had ever eaten. But still, pretty hard to get a good night's rest when every cough, every whimper caused me to jump up and shove a bowl under his chin all night long.

But still, we stuck with the plan. In the morning, DH went to get "sick" supplies, and then we left for the surgery center, left my mother to care for one sick little boy, and one healthy (so far) big boy. (Sick Boy had no fever, so we were hoping it was just a case of overeating) Good Luck.

The surgery was quick and easy (I was asleep, real easy) and I was back home in time for supper, only I wasn't going to be eating any supper anytime soon. Mom had a pretty easy day, too. Sick Boy lounged around, didn't eat, drank his flat coke as directed by Dr. Gram. He was a very good Sick Boy. And Healthy Boy was good too, occupied himself with cartoons and computer games, read books with Gram, wrote in his Thursday Journal (the only school work he was required to do all day).

So in the early evening, as I was trying to get comfortable sleeping upright in my bed, with Sick Boy squeezing in beside me, DH totally passed out after his marathon (work all night, stay with me all day ... 22 hours), I heard the coughing start downstairs. Too late, Healthy Boy had just lost his supper (why did he pick now to finally eat?) and my dear mother was cleaning up another mess.

Since I was drugged up on pain meds, and clearly out of my brain, I went down to help. We eventually got Big Sick Boy settled into a makeshift bed on the floor of his bedroom (since the top bunk is NO PLACE for a Sick Boy). Mom took the couch to be away from Big Sick Boy and what was now clearly a HORRIBLE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE. I joined her, finding the Big Chair (totally Febreezed the smell out of it by now) to be more comfortable than propping myself against the wooden headboard in my bed upstairs. Little Not-as-Sick Boy squeezed in.

Big Sick Boy had a rough night. We ALL had a rough night. Well, not me, really, as I was pretty drugged. And Little Guy slept pretty well, too.

So now comes the part where DH tries to be me. And take care of me at the same time. Homeschooling Big Sick Boy was out for the day, so he was off the hook there, but pretty soon it was apparent that Mom was succumbing to the DREADED DISEASE.

She totally didn't sign up for this.


(sorry, this is getting too long ... to be continued)

Getting rid of your domestic aliens

My own personal grafitti artist has struck again.

Despite all our rules about putting crayons away, no pens within reach of our youngest little artist, all art supplies neatly LOCKED UP ... somehow, he found a pencil.

One innocuous little pencil turned several walls into an Alien Castle. Big enough for all the aliens to live in. And, apparently, we have an overabundance of aliens around here. So we NEEDED an alien castle, so they would go away.

I hope they were all safely nestled in their beds when I got out the cleaning supplies and helped the artist wipe away his creation. So now they can't come out and bother us anymore.

And for now we're looking forward to spring, and that great vast canvas known as the SIDEWALK (clean-up provided by Mother Nature).

Happy Valentine's Day

My favorite holiday of the year! (Christmas seems just so far away right now) What could be better than a day devoted to love and chocolate?

The boys, at least the little ones, cringe when I get all smoochy and huggy around them. But they like the candy. So they dutifully cut out paper hearts for me, in hopes of getting more candy.

Chocolate for breakfast, today! And hugs and kisses all around!

CODEPINK

Library Day

Today is Library Day in our household. It's a very important day, as we ALWAYS have lots of books and videos that are DUE TODAY. Always.

And sure, we spend most of our time in the Youth Services Department, aka The Children's Section. But I make sure to get myself some light reading, and I'm making an effort to pick out a movie of the week for myself, now, too.

So, for this week, the picks are ... (drumroll please)

Wise Blood, by Flannery O'Connor. A recommendation from a fellow writer.
Pendragon, The Lost City of Faar by DJ MacHale (book 2 in a series, and yes it's for kids, but irresistible)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (another book 2 for those who've lost count)

And the movie of the week ... Spanglish. I've been waiting for this one to be in for weeks and I finally found it. Now let's hope I find the time to actually watch it!

So, anybody have any favorite books or movies that I MUST check out? Go ahead now ... make yourself heard ...

Biggest Event of the Year

As the BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR, the Rolling Stones concert is going to be pretty tough to beat, at least in this family. Even if it is still only January.

IT WAS AWESOME!

Even if I wasn't feeling my best. Should've known ... been fighting tonsilitis since Thanksgiving ... yep, it's baaaaack. With a vengeance. Went from "eh" to not sleeping, not eating, not talking, barely breathing in only a couple days.

The first dr to look down my throat said "Oh holy Pete!" and promptly ran out to call a specialist. Who said "Come in Now." As in NOW.

And when he looked, he said "Ooh those are gonna have to come out. But not today ...first let's see about relieving some of your pain." And he took out his medical stuff (NEEDLES and STUFF) and waved his magic wand and ...

After a few hours I really did feel better. And I can drink and talk and even eat food (and I love to eat food, especially chocolate!). But the nasty things that have been ailing me and slightly inconveniencing my family have got to come out, and soon.

Surgery is a scary word, even if it's "day surgery". But especially when the dr wants to discuss the entire procedure and recovery with my husband, because, well, I'm "very important to your family and he needs to understand what's going to happen". Made it sound so ... serious.

Could even be the biggest event of the year. Let's hope not. Nothing's bigger than Mick Jagger. Keith Richards. As Tears Go By LIVE . Yeah, I'm still basking in concert after-glow.

Mommy gets to have a little fun

I've been keeping it pretty quiet, not getting too emotional or anything but ... I'M GOING TO SEE THE ROLLING STONES!

Whew! That felt good.

My dh, who is NOT a fan, bought the tickets as my Christmas present. Isn't he the GREATEST HUSBAND EVER? So while he may not enjoy the show as much as I will, he gets all the credit for making me so happy.

I showed my boys the commercial on tv, and they seem a little puzzled as to why I want to go see a bunch of old guys try to be rockers. I guess it's going to be a stadium full of old people trying to relive their youth.

And we're gonna have fun, Fun, FUN!

Sponge Painting

It takes both creativity and energy to set up any kind of art projects around here. So I was quite proud of myself yesterday for taking advantage of tv time and using it to cut up some sponges into neat little shapes ... for painting.

I cleared the table and covered it with newspaper. Removed any extraneous furniture (to avoid having to clean up the inevitable splatters), got out glitter paint (because who can refuse GLITTER PAINT?!), got the whole place set up nicely for them and then ... when their show was over I announced: Who wants to paint?

Usually that's like asking for a stampede of elephants. But not this time. They casually walked over to the table, saw the sponges, sat right down and began to build with them. Monsters. Robots. A castle.

At least I took pictures before I cleaned up.

Morning Coffee

I've just had a good long (uninterrupted!) night's sleep (it's an event to be celebrated) and now I sit here, my mind still not awake, just a blank slate, waiting for the day to start.

No coffee yet, cause that's just a command, like "Gentlemen, start your engines!" and then the brain floods with ideas and plans and all kinds of tid bits that don't fit together and I try to write them down as fast as I can before I get interrupted by the family ruckus.

No, right now I can just look out the sliders and watch the sky clearing and think "what a beautiful morning" and not be inundated with the rest of the world. There's a sprinkling of snow left on the grass, and I know later I'll be asked to make a snowman out of it. But for now it lies untouched, like my brain before coffee.

A moment in time that comes to pass all too quickly. I hear them coming ... better get my coffee!

Stayin Home and Lovin It

No, I'm not going to start in on my newest home business that would be just right for you! I know, I see that slogan everywhere, and I know exactly what it means.

Staying home, and loving it, is what my son now says about school. It's a huge responsibility, taking his education into my own hands, and I feel the pressure. But it's worth it every day. And I'm lovin' it, too!

Don't get me wrong, we have our down times: there's boredom, there's lack of motivation, there's endless review to see where we stand ... there's fun math games and computer web sites, there's dinosaurs and skeletons and drawing and music and reading "cool stuff" and writing and so much more ...

I love it so much, I cleaned yesterday. Oops, sorry, should've warned you that was coming. Hey, it happens, occasionally. I do know how to clean, and I invited friends over just to make sure I finished (at least finished the common areas!)

And we're gonna do it again, today! More school, more cleaning, more friends. It's taking me awhile to get into a groove (we just don't do "routine" around here, so I settle for a groove). But it's working.

And we're never going back to "reglear" school again!

There's No Place Like Home

It's good to be home. After more than two weeks of travelling with the family, in the car, it is so good to be home. Now I can catch up on piles of laundry, mail and email, (and take down the Christmas decorations) and get back to the routine of family living. And start homeschooling. Yep, today's the day I have waited for since we made the Big Decision last fall. Am I ready? Well, as ready as I'll ever be. Is the Big Boy ready? He spent the last couple of weeks telling all his relatives how great it was going to be ... now it's the real thing. It may take us a few days to wind down from the Family Holiday Road Trip, but it has been a good transition period, and I think we're ready. Nobody wants to get back in the car today anyway ... might as well school at home! There's definitely no place like home ... for school!

Happy New Year!

May 2006 be your best year yet!

Merry Christmas!

Peace on Earth
Goodwill to All Mankind!

Writing, Wrapping, It's All Good

Now those were some great memories last week, and I hope I never forget 'em! In fact, I may just go out and try a few do-overs ... nah. It's never as much fun the second time around.

And as for waiting a week, or more, to post again ... well, 'tis the Season. To Procrastinate, that is. Should I write or should I wrap, that is the question. Trying to squeeze in a little of both. Unfortunately, deadlines reign supreme, on both ends, so something's gotta give.

And that would be sleep. Which, unfortunately, will affect both tasks rather unfavorably. My rough drafts look an awful lot like a badly wrapped package, and there are quite a few of those piling up in my closet right this minute. At least I can edit the bad writing; there's no help for Santa's helper.

Just excuses, and right now I better start thinking of some good ones.

Thanks for the Memories ...

This came from True Blue Semi-Crunchy Mama ... and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL MEMORY OF YOU AND ME. It can be anything you want–good or bad–BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you’re finished, post this paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON’T ACTUALLY remember about you.

Newsflash

"Santa's bald underneath that hat, you know," my six-year-old announced this evening.

He is? I didn't know that! You'd think by now, at my age, I mean, I'm even a Certified Santa's Helper and everything! And I had no clue.

"Yep, that's why he wears the hat all the time. It gets pretty cold up there."

Just one more example of the parade passing me by. What would I ever do without my kids to set me straight?

Where's Everybody Goin?

Late to the party again.

Apparently, on my momwriters (tm) list there was a big to do that started last week, and everybody was in an uproar over the weekend, and I'm still figuring out what happened. As if the parade went by at full speed and I'm still watching for the Garfield balloon.

Life happens (yes, I actually have one), I miss a few emails, and all hell breaks loose. Hurt feelings and anger fly around me, nothing really touching me. At first, I thought it was mainly a few members who were probably going to be leaving anyway. But jumping around on some blogs, there's a real division going on, and I'm torn as to what to do.

Should I stay or should I go? Maybe try out a few more writers lists? Maybe dump the whole "online community" idea since I'm such a failure at keeping up anyway. Would I even be missed?

My good friend recently told me at one point she spent up to 5 HOURS a day keeping up with her blogroll. I'm lucky if I can spare 20 minutes to catch up on email, scan a couple blogs, maybe post on my own (maybe not).

Maybe I should go back to x-stitching my evenings away, and leave this internet stuff for the young insomniacs.

So did I miss the Garfield balloon?

Paris and Nicole Aren't That Interesting

I have no idea why, but I've been getting a TON of spam with Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie in the subject line. Somebody, actually lots of spammers, think I won't be able to resist opening their spam with those two as the subject. I can't think of a single reason why, or what they might be trying to sell me. But frankly, Paris and Nicole just don't do it for me.

Granted, some spammers are a little more enticing, with "Registration Confirmation", especially the one with the email address: Admin @ cia . gov. Okay, I could see how someone might fall for that one, or even just let their curiosity take over. But I didn't.

I remain adamant; I will not open anything I do not recognize. So if you change your email, don't send me a message that says: i ve chnged mi emal. That won't work. (Yup, I've gotten at least twenty of those in the last two days, as well).

It's good to know the bulk mail folder at Yahoo is working well for me. I still have to check, just in case an important newsletter falls through the cracks. But for the most part, I am a very satisfied customer.

Albeit one who has not taken advantage of the Best Prices on Prescription Drugs lately.

Black Friday

Does it feel like you just jumped out of the starting gate? Ready to go after those Christmas presents and wrapping paper and bows. It's the Holiday Season, in full swing, so let's get moving!

Actually, my husband has taken care of most of our holiday shopping, via the internet. He even got some new decorations for outside (and I know he's just dying to get out there and put it all together!) I've just got a few more presents to buy/make, and of course, I get to do all the wrapping.

And all the crafty stuff with the boys. That is totally my domain and I know dh won't ever step into that realm. He doesn't even like to be home when we get out the glue. But with most of our holiday errands already done, we have time to get crafty. And that's the best time of all ... getting all messy and glittery and seeing the pride on their faces when they've created something wonderful.

And I may just find time to send out cards this year!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm thankful I have my family around me so that we can all sit down together and enjoy a nice homemade lasagna today. I'm thankful we're all in good health and nobody will go hungry, except by choice (picky eaters!).

I'm thankful for the myriad interruptions while I try to write. It means I have my rambunctious family surrounding me. One day I will have peace and quiet and be thankful for that, I hope.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

In Support of Our School

I'm baking cookies at 12:45 AM.

This has got to be the ultimate in procrastination. I've had all day. Little guy took a HUGE nap, as in ALL AFTERNOON. Ideal time for me to bake cookies without getting into the mess of baking with the kids. Big Guy wasn't even interested in helping.

So what did I do? Nothing. Absolutely Nothing. Totally wasted the day.

Didn't talk on the phone.
Didn't do any housework (God forbid I lift a finger in That Direction).
Didn't catch up on some reading.
Didn't even watch a movie on TV. (okay, I did turn it on and flip channels some)

Nope. Little Guy fell asleep and I was so dumbfounded by it all I just watched.

Then he woke up, evening snuck up on us, supper, baths, toothbrushing, bedtime ... hmmm, should've known there'd be a catch there. Bedtime did not come easily, my friend.

And so I'm baking cookies at 12:45 AM. For the school Bake Sale.

Welcome to the Sick House, part 2

Now they get it ... when they are sick too and want to cuddle with Mom on the sofa, they finally get it!

But then somebody needs some more medicine.
And somebody else needs some more juice.

The person who claims to be feeling better first, is the one to get up ... this time it's Dad.

But then there's the inevitable midnight uproar, and it takes both parents to clean up, launder, bathe and soothe my sick little boy back to sleep.

And so it continues ...(let's hope there's no Part Three!)

Welcome to the Sick House

"Mommy's sick," I whisper, over and over and over again. Will they ever get it?

Not if they want a refill on the chocolate milk.
Not if the little guy is busy dive bombing off the back of the sofa, right on top of me.
Not if the bigger guy wants help drawing Batman so he's "Perfect".
Not if it's supper time, and they actually want to eat.
Not if they can't find their favorite video in the mess that now covers the living room floor.
Or their favorite book. Or any book.

Not even when Daddy's sick, too.

Not until bedtime comes early. Too early for them ... not early enough for me.

Mommy's not supposed to get sick. Ever. So somebody better FIX it. Right Now.

NaNoWriMo? Not I

November is National Novel Writers' Month, aka NaNoWriMo (no Mork involved). There's a whole event going on, where writers have signed up to write 50,000 words, all in the month of November. Quality is not an issue here, just quantity.

Ten reasons why I did not sign up:
1. Fear of Failure
2. Fear of Failure
3. Fear of Failure
4. Fear of Failure
5. Fear of Failure
6. Fear of Failure
7. Fear of Failure
8. Fear of Failure
9. Fear of Failure
10. I started my latest story in October, and am now working on two simultaneously. No need to start another, I assure you. (The voices in my head can all sit quietly now until further notice.)

So I admit I only really have one reasonably good excuse not to join in the fun (a sick bunch of folks to think that torturing yourself into writing 50,000 words on deadline with barely any chance of coming out with something publishable). I'm already overworked and underpaid and I don't even have a "real job".

To all of you brave (insane) souls who have taken the plunge, may you be blessed with an overabundance of words ... some of them good. For now I'll stick with the usual Chicago refrain: Maybe next year.

LOTS of toes

"These are All Mine, Mom," he said, pulling off his sock and proudly displaying his cute little foot.

I sat down next to him on the stair to get a closer look (ok, so I didn't know what he was talking about, at first).

"One, two, three, four, five, six! I have six toes!" (I only counted five, but what's one extra toe)

He puts his sock back on. "I don't want to lose any. I have LOTS of toes, Mom."

Go (yawn) Sox

All is quiet. Children are sleeping. I have the TV all to myself. If it wasn't for the World Series, I honestly wouldn't know what to do with it.

Yes I would. I'd turn it off and go to bed. Darn those Sox!

So, once again, I'll be sleeping in tomorrow morning. The writing will have to squeeze into the rest of the day. Because I may never see another Series in Chi-town in my lifetime.

I think my muse is routing for Houston, in seven games, with extra innings.

Movin on up

I submitted my last column last night.

I've had a monthly column in our local daily newspaper for the last two years. Every couple years they put out a call for some new blood, and now there's a new editor to boot. In other words, she didn't pick me before, so I don't think my chances of being picked again are very good. They even extended the deadline, to encourage more applicants. Which leads me to believe she is not going to renew any of the current crop.

Oh well, it was a good learning experience. I've got two years' worth of clips, even one reprint. Some nice feedback from readers.

Time to move on. And up!

Go Sox!

These late nights are killing me.

If I don't go to bed early (and I mean EARLY), I can't get up early. If I don't get up early, I don't get to write. If I don't get to write, then ... well ... um ...(MAJOR BRAIN JUMBLE).

But how often do I get to root for the home team in the playoffs? I mean, nothing much happens around here once the regular season is over (at least not since MJ retired, anyway). Frankly, if you really hate football, it's a nice place to live since we have the shortest football season of any major city. And with two baseball teams, you'd think we have more chances at post season play. The odds are in our favor, but there's a curse floating around, and just plain bad luck hovering over the south side.

It's raining in California tonight. Raining White Sox baseballs. I feel like I'm just waiting for the inevitable ... but the Sox just keep hitting and hitting and hitting. Could it be? Is tonight the night?

Last year the Red Sox (and my first love, my first hometown team) ended one of the longest droughts in baseball history. This year, tonight, the White Sox are about to end their longest drought without a Pennant (last one was 1959 for those of you who haven't heard at least 20,000 times), and go for the World Series. I'm just waiting up ... only three outs away ...

First batter ... strike one, strike two, ground out
2nd batter ... strike one, strike two, popped out
(They're making this look so easy, what took so long?!)
3rd batter ... fly ball

That's it, folks. THE WHITE SOX ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!

And now I can go to bed, a very happy Sox fan.

Oh What a Beautiful Morn!

"Pink skies at night, sailor's delight,
Pink skies in the morning, sailor's warning."

That little rhyme is embedded in my brain, and plays itself every single time I see a beautiful sunset, or sunrise. Which has been pretty much every single day this past summer.

Right now, I'm viewing the latter. And that little "warning" in my brain does nothing to deter from it's beauty. All I can think of, when I see the sunlight reflecting pinks and oranges and purples off the clouds is "what a great way to start the day!"

I had to pause, open the sliders and step outside for a moment, to take it all in before it disappears into the day. And now, it's time for me to rouse the troops and start the day in our little corner of the world.

But not before pausing to appreciate the magnificence of nature's painting on the sky.

Brain Jumble

You'd think since I'm not posting here much that I must be very busy. Oh yes, very, very busy. So busy my brain is a jumbled mess. That's what happens when I don't sit down and take big chunks out every now and then and put them on paper. So I can throw them away. Or hide them in a box someplace, only to be found by the children who are in the midst of trashing the place. So they fly around the room (because that is what good writing is for, you know, flying around) and becoming even more disconnected and jumbled and eventually they will all land in a neat pile that doesn't make any sense but will when I finally type it all up and send it off to a publisher and it becomes the NEXT BIG THING. It could happen.

Or I could just sit butt in chair and finish current WIP and then quietly put it into a nice little box and hide it under my bed for all eternity. Yep, sounds like a plan.

Be Nice to Writers

I'm not adjusting well to school. First Grade, to be exact.

We got a note from the "First Grade Team" (I guess so each individual teacher doesn't have to take responsibility?) ordering parents to sign their child's homework or else. Okay, so it wasn't quite that bad ... but when did First Graders ever need homework?

Anyway, I steamed and stewed. Yes, they threatened punitive action if each and every assignment wasn't completed and signed by the parent. So, there are a multitude of ways for my little guy, who is still very little to me, to fail through no fault of his own. He can't help it if I'm an airhead, a space cadet, a doofus, and I just FORGET to sign it! And I'm not a mind reader, so if the teacher doesn't specifically send home the assignment written out for me to clearly understand, how am I supposed to help him succeed?

But I'm not allowed to let him know that in this regard, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE TEACHER! I think she's WRONG and okay, I'm done now ...

Not really ... I wrote about it in my column ... which will be published in the local daily paper today ...

Note to teachers: do not piss off a writer. I may put you in my book and kill you.

To Hell and Back … a story that deserves to be shared

This is a true story that was shared with me a couple years ago. I think about it often, so I'm sharing it.

A man was sick with cancer. After battling for over two years he began to decline quickly. He was hospitalized, and felt as though he was taking his last breath. But he wasn’t ready to go. He fell into a coma, and saw himself leaving his body, floating above it while medical personnel struggled to revive him.

He traveled down a dark tunnel, but there was a bright light at the end. As he walked toward the light he saw people, some he had known but who had passed before him. They looked happy, content, some reached out to him. One of them was his brother, whom he had not spoken to since he was incarcerated for murder, and who had later been killed in a fight with another prisoner. His brother said to him, “It’s not your time, yet. You must go back.” Knowing his brother was right, he turned around, and floated back into his hospital room, and settled down comfortably into his body, again.

Months passed, but he did not seem to get any better. He was discouraged, and depressed. He started refusing treatments that only made him feel sicker. He decided that he had had enough, and he wanted to die. He willed himself to die.

Again he found himself in a dark tunnel, only there was no light at the end. On either side were people, but they weren’t the happy people from his last trip. They were chained to the walls; some were moaning, some screaming, at the torture they were receiving. And some were children. At first he tried to slow his progress, but something was pulling him forward. He became frightened, and realized this must be Hell. He thought, “No! I’m not ready to die!”

In an instant he was violently pulled back from the tunnel and flung back into his body. He could feel the doctors and nurses working on him to bring him back.

Grateful for yet another chance, he began to battle the cancer again. The cancer went into remission, he began to recover, and to live again. Seeing his brother, the murderer, in heaven, and seeing those children among the sufferers in hell, made him look at things a little differently. God can forgive anything, if only you ask. If you kill yourself, you can’t ask.

Given the alternative, it’s GREAT to be alive!

The Opposite Meme

No tagging, just take it and run with it. I did ... from running2ks.blogsome.com

Post in comments, or a link to your blog, if you do. Just have a little fun with it!

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My least favorite thing to eat/drink: asparagus/root beer

My favorite thing to eat/drink: dark chocolate, coffee

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My least favorite type of restaurant(s): fast food

My favorite type of restaurant(s): Pizza joint (not chain)

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My least favorite time of day/day of week: evening/Sunday

My favorite time of day/day of week: early morning/Saturday

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My least favorite season: late fall

My favorite season: summer

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Color I like least: gray

Color I like most: purple

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The location/place I’d least like to live: a city in California

The location/place I’d most like to live: Cape Cod

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The job(s) I would least desire: military, police, football coach

The job(s) I would dream of having: writer

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My least favorite body part on myself: my big ole butt

My favorite body part on myself: my fingers

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My least desirable trait of my significant other/potential other: complaining

My favorite trait of my significant other/potential other: playing w the boys

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The things I would give up: housework

The things I would never give up: my family

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My least favorite chore(s) to do around the house: all of them

My most favorite chore to do around the house: are you kidding?

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My least favorite thing about my work day (including stay-at-home mom/dad): dishes

My favorite thing about my work day: hugs and kisses from the kids

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If I win the lottery, I wouldn’t: tell anyone

If I win the lottery, I would: pay off debts, share

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My idea of a bad date (or night out with the significant other): dinner at McDonalds and shopping at Walmart

My idea of a great date: a jacuzzi tub in a hotel room

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The way I don’t want to spend my time off: doing chores

The way I want to spend my time off: playing w the boys outside

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My least favorite thing to do online: pay bills

My favorite thing to do online: find interesting and humorous sites

Uninvited guests

Somebody's always out there, just waiting to crash the party. Even this little intimate gathering here, where there's not enough noise to alert the neighbors, but somehow a spammer got in anyway.
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So I must apologize for the inconvenience, but you'll just have to check your keys at the door. "Word verification" has been turned on, for comments.

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Blame it on the cell phone guy, if you must. But thank him for the warning, because the drug pushers would have closed down the whole dang party.

Which Superhero?

The costume catalog arrived today.

For those that aren't in the know, Halloween is The Most Important Holiday, and the costume is The Most Important Reason for Halloween.

Oh, decisions, decisions! My poor, tortured, first-grader can't make up his mind which costumes he needs right now and which ones Santa can bring for Christmas (yes we all know Christmas comes after Halloween, but Halloween is actually just an excuse for the costume in the first place! Now stay with me, here).

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So, in the car on the way home from school, he's clutching the catalog, ripping the pages back and forth with a fury. And it never left his hands (I think he's holding it still, while he sleeps). At one point, both boys are hovering over it, carefully discussing the merits of Batman Beyond versus Batman Begins, the new Spiderman with muscles versus the old one that's only good for pajamas anymore.

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But there's more... newer, but are they better? Which one's cooler, the Red Power Ranger or the Blue one? And Flash is cool, but Captain America has muscles and a shield. Shouldn't Flash have muscles? And Mr. Fantastic is cool, but he doesn't have a mask. Mr. Incredible has a mask, I really like the mask. I didn't know Wonder Woman had a cape (whoa there, no boy of mine is going as Wonder Woman!). I think I like Bionicle best, he has a fire stick and that chest thingy (yeah, gotta love the chest thingy).

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But back to the classics again, and the question of Superman comes up. Should I be Superman this year I've never been Superman and I NEED a Superman costume cause I only have the underwear. (now you have it, Superman does wear underwear) Or maybe Robin cause now he's really cool cause he's a Teen Titan now and I want to be cool like Robin. (I know, overkill on the cool, give him a break, he's only in first grade, cool is important)

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Oh, and did you catch that bit earlier, about the costumeS, as in More Than One? You thought Halloween was only one night, didn't you. NonononoNO, let us fill our social calendar with as many Costume Parades as humanly possible, and squeeze in a few more for good measure. And a separate, NEW costume for each one of them.

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Now doesn't Zorro look like a Superhero, Zorro's a Superhero, right? Right? Why isn't he on the Superhero page with all the rest? (What I want to know is why is Yu-Gi-Oh and his crazy hair on the Superhero page? He plays Cards!)

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Well, at least we have it narrowed down to just four well-worn pages of the catalog, until the next catalog turns up. We will undoubtably be adding to the Superhero collection of costumes again, this year.

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And the time is past that little brother can be dressed as Cute for Halloween. The lion costume will hang undisturbed in the closet.

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He's going as Diaper Man.

Back to School Blues

No time to write, no time to write.

I knew there'd be adjustments to our schedule when school started, but this is ridiculous. I barely have enough time to shower in peace before the whole family is up and at 'em (at Me, really!). Sunrise just doesn't come early enough.

I'm still trying to hang on to the last bits of summer, but the school year is in full swing, dragging me away from sun worshipping and water play, beckoning me to GET THINGS DONE.

Already time to wake the child, fix breakfast, pack his lunch and off we go. No time to comment on the ways of the world, the devastation in the south, another vacancy on the Supreme Court, the price of gas. Hell, no time to even think about it. Which is probably a Good Thing.

Except I'm looking for a bike. Cheap, dependable, gas-free. And good exercise, too, since there seems to be no time left for that either, these days.

Give me a few more days, I'll adjust. Or winter will come, one of those.