Monday, March 26, 2007
A Day at the Races
This morning the boys and I noticed at the bus stop two worms were on the road. They were roughly parallel to each other and both were frantically moving towards the edge and the safety it represented. At first the longer of the two surged ahead and we were all confident to would reach the grass first. But inexplicably, with less than a ¼ inch to go, it made a hard left and moved along the edge of the road. Meanwhile shorty plugged along.
When the bus arrived shorty was less than an inch away from the grass. The big guy was still moving along and started to veer back towards the middle of the road. As the boys boarded the bus I promised to stay until one of the two worms finished the race. Half a minute later shorty won and promptly buried itself in the scrubby grass. With a small stick I moved big guy, who had easily traveled three times farther than shorty, over to the relative safety of our neighbor’s lawn.
I went home and promptly forgot about the worms. That is until the boys got home.
The first thing Jake and Nate asked when they saw me was “Who won?!”
They both cheered with the result and then set off on a related project, worm racing.
Nate made a lovely sign featuring a race worm, complete with helmet. While Jake created a sign-up sheet and thoughtfully provided for two divisions, privately owned worms and rented worms.
My intrepid worm tycoons then trooped outside. The first order of business was to get worms. They briefly consulted with me about where to get worms and I pointed them to the woods. Jake, Nate and Rebecca heeded my advice and easily found their racing stock (Max opted out, worms and digging had no appeal to him). They named their favorites and put at least one into the rental worm container. Then it was off to the races.
The racing complex was situated under the hammock. It is a nice bare area with hard packed dirt and plenty of sticks. The tracks were composed of two rings and several straight line courses.
In the rings one worm would be placed in the center of each ring and the winner would be the first worm to reach the edge of the ring. I’m not sure what happened in the straight line course since Rebecca had the only worm on that course.
I guess I could have rented a worm and provided her a little competition, but the lone rental was given to Rebecca. Her original worm disappeared and the boys generously donated the rental to her. They are such nice boys and very good big brothers.
They afternoon races were not nearly as exciting. I think the worms needed a little warming up after being dug out of the cold ground. But, a fun time was had by all.
Slow Drains
I have noticed that the right hand drain in my double kitchen sink has been a bit slow lately. The left one is fine, which led me to believe that the u-bend was clogged. Tonight the drain became downright balky which created a great deal of concern on my part. Namely the dishwasher drains into the right sink’s drain, just above the suspect u-bend.
I stood there watching the sink not-really-drain as my dishwasher merrily churned away. It would gurgle and blurp, but that was about it. I even tried my tried and true baking soda and vinegar trick. There was some nice fizzing, but no progress. So off went the dishwasher. This resulted in it draining up into the sink. Now I have a sink full of dirty dish water that was oh so slowly draining away.
Dang, it’s clogged and I need to do something about it.
As I patiently let the sink empty, I cleared the cabinet below and positioned a bucket under the offending u-bend. Then I gritted my teeth, unscrewed the pipe and found...
rice, a strand of spaghetti, two Popsicle sticks and more rice.
All of it was in good condition and not too stinky (yay!). The rice was from tonight and the spaghetti was yesterday. My best guess was the Popsicle sticks were trapping things just enough to slow things down until today when the rice clogged it. I have no idea how the sticks got down there. Well I know a small person did it; I just can’t believe that they were able to stuff it down through the trappy thing in the drain.
Of course this drama cause the overflow valve to trip in the dishwasher and it took me a good hour and a half to figure out why the washer wasn’t filling. Luckily I remembered about the valve thing before I ended up hand washing the dishes.
I stood there watching the sink not-really-drain as my dishwasher merrily churned away. It would gurgle and blurp, but that was about it. I even tried my tried and true baking soda and vinegar trick. There was some nice fizzing, but no progress. So off went the dishwasher. This resulted in it draining up into the sink. Now I have a sink full of dirty dish water that was oh so slowly draining away.
Dang, it’s clogged and I need to do something about it.
As I patiently let the sink empty, I cleared the cabinet below and positioned a bucket under the offending u-bend. Then I gritted my teeth, unscrewed the pipe and found...
rice, a strand of spaghetti, two Popsicle sticks and more rice.
All of it was in good condition and not too stinky (yay!). The rice was from tonight and the spaghetti was yesterday. My best guess was the Popsicle sticks were trapping things just enough to slow things down until today when the rice clogged it. I have no idea how the sticks got down there. Well I know a small person did it; I just can’t believe that they were able to stuff it down through the trappy thing in the drain.
Of course this drama cause the overflow valve to trip in the dishwasher and it took me a good hour and a half to figure out why the washer wasn’t filling. Luckily I remembered about the valve thing before I ended up hand washing the dishes.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Alfresco
Today we dined alfresco. Spring is here and with it comes that short period of time when it is pleasant to eat outside. The humidity hasn’t started up, the pollen counts are low and the bugs are not yet in full force.
Max was a bit leery at first, he is a little bug phobic and he spotted a yellow jacket over by the hammock today. But, I pointed out that there weren’t any up on the deck. After a bit of grumbling he got over it. I think it was when he said he was eating inside and I told him that he would be by himself. His drop dropped and he then decided that a table for one inside wasn’t so appealing.
It was lovely tonight only a few gnats were about. At one point Nate started to wave his hand and started to say “It’s nice out, but...” and then I cut him off. I didn’t want him to bring up the bugs. I knew it would spook Max and I didn’t want him to bolt inside with his dinner half eaten. I told Nate that Max had a problem with what he was about to mention. Nate quickly understood and changed the subject. Meanwhile Jake was dying to know what it was all about. For once I was able to stop his relentless “what” by telling him I would explain all after diner. When Max went inside for a moment I brought Jake up to speed and all was right in the world.
There won’t be many more nights like this. My nose is telling me that the pollen is coming and so are the bugs.
Max was a bit leery at first, he is a little bug phobic and he spotted a yellow jacket over by the hammock today. But, I pointed out that there weren’t any up on the deck. After a bit of grumbling he got over it. I think it was when he said he was eating inside and I told him that he would be by himself. His drop dropped and he then decided that a table for one inside wasn’t so appealing.
It was lovely tonight only a few gnats were about. At one point Nate started to wave his hand and started to say “It’s nice out, but...” and then I cut him off. I didn’t want him to bring up the bugs. I knew it would spook Max and I didn’t want him to bolt inside with his dinner half eaten. I told Nate that Max had a problem with what he was about to mention. Nate quickly understood and changed the subject. Meanwhile Jake was dying to know what it was all about. For once I was able to stop his relentless “what” by telling him I would explain all after diner. When Max went inside for a moment I brought Jake up to speed and all was right in the world.
There won’t be many more nights like this. My nose is telling me that the pollen is coming and so are the bugs.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Thursday Three: STAT
Today Terry wants answers and he wants them NOW!
Run? Why should I run when I’m already here?
1) Right now I should be calling up various dachshund club members and remind them that they should all play nicely together. That is, stop spreading rumors and innuendo. This is just one of the many fun jobs I got when I was elected president, because I have the best social skills of the lot, which frightens me to no end.
2) The two calls shouldn’t take very long. The chattier of the two should take about 20 minutes and the other about 10. The trick is getting a hold of everybody. Hopefully I’ll get it done before the boys come home from school.
3) At 1:00 pm I have to pick up Max and Rebecca from preschool and at some point I need to talk to the middle school guidance consular about Jake’s elective next year. Jake was a bit fuzzy on which one to choose so I offered to make a call and get more details. He is deciding between band, which lasts for the whole year and Explorations 6, which changes every 9 weeks. He couldn’t remember all of the different offerings that E6 rotated between.
Ah, the excitement of the stay at home mom with four kids that is also involved in the not so high stakes world of pure bred dogs. Some days both groups could use a long time out.
Down and Dirty Thursday Three
Okay, no time for long-windedness and literary flourishes--answer these questions, NOW!:
1. What are you supposed to be doing RIGHT NOW? (Aside from answering these questions, of course.)
2. How long is it going to take you?
3. What do you have to do after that?
GO! RUN! Get your keyboard and leave a comment or a link to your blog.
Run? Why should I run when I’m already here?
1) Right now I should be calling up various dachshund club members and remind them that they should all play nicely together. That is, stop spreading rumors and innuendo. This is just one of the many fun jobs I got when I was elected president, because I have the best social skills of the lot, which frightens me to no end.
2) The two calls shouldn’t take very long. The chattier of the two should take about 20 minutes and the other about 10. The trick is getting a hold of everybody. Hopefully I’ll get it done before the boys come home from school.
3) At 1:00 pm I have to pick up Max and Rebecca from preschool and at some point I need to talk to the middle school guidance consular about Jake’s elective next year. Jake was a bit fuzzy on which one to choose so I offered to make a call and get more details. He is deciding between band, which lasts for the whole year and Explorations 6, which changes every 9 weeks. He couldn’t remember all of the different offerings that E6 rotated between.
Ah, the excitement of the stay at home mom with four kids that is also involved in the not so high stakes world of pure bred dogs. Some days both groups could use a long time out.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Artist of the Week: Extreme Digging
John has been featured before for his digging prowess, but last week he really outdid himself.
He was, thankfully, out in woods when he was possessed by an extreme urge to dig. I noticed it early afternoon and thought nothing of it. A few hours later, when the boys came home from school, he was still at it. We were all astounded by the hole he was digging.
As you can see here his forequarters are completely encompassed by the hole, leaving only his hind end hanging out. The hole itself about 13 inches deep. According to this site, if he were to keep on digging he would end up in the Indian Ocean, off the western coast of Australia.
While he was digging I also shot some video footage of him in action. During the first third of the film I’m on the phone with a friend and that is who I’m talking to.
This was just too funny not to share.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Liquid Gold
Today I got my latest shipment of maple syrup, fresh from the sugaring house.
The boys were delighted when they found the package in the mailbox.
I admit it; I am a maple syrup snob. I get mine directly from a small sugar house in Vermont. As is true with most producers of Vermont’s most renowned product, sugaring is just a sideline. Right now he is in the midst of sugaring season, but the rest of the year he is just Wayne the builder. I got his name from my mother under recommendation from a friend of hers.
I love calling them up and ordering my customary half gallon; we chat for a bit, I place my order and 4 days later the syrup appears at my door. I don’t even get billed until after I receive the stuff and it is a far better value than what I can get locally in the supermarket. Even with the added expense of shipping.
I myself don’t use it very often, but I do appreciate the difference. I have bought generic “Vermont Maple syrup,” but I’ll never get the fake stuff.
The boys were delighted when they found the package in the mailbox.
I admit it; I am a maple syrup snob. I get mine directly from a small sugar house in Vermont. As is true with most producers of Vermont’s most renowned product, sugaring is just a sideline. Right now he is in the midst of sugaring season, but the rest of the year he is just Wayne the builder. I got his name from my mother under recommendation from a friend of hers.
I love calling them up and ordering my customary half gallon; we chat for a bit, I place my order and 4 days later the syrup appears at my door. I don’t even get billed until after I receive the stuff and it is a far better value than what I can get locally in the supermarket. Even with the added expense of shipping.
I myself don’t use it very often, but I do appreciate the difference. I have bought generic “Vermont Maple syrup,” but I’ll never get the fake stuff.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Lumpy Old Dog
Crunch has become a lumpy old dog. Most of them are lipomas (fatty tumors), but one on his chest bothered me. So on Thursday I took him to the vet to get it checked out.
Crunch is always a big hit at the clinic. He is a friendly dog that is happy to be there with a tail that doesn’t stop wagging. He whines in the waiting room, eager to go in back and visit his friends. The techs fuss over him and always compliment me on his fit and trim physique. I take pride in the fact that I haven’t gotten the fat dog speech.
The vet checked him and promptly found a lump that he didn’t like one bit. It wasn’t the lump I found, but next to it- in his armpit (front legpit, whatever you call a dog’s armpit). After lots of squeezing and messing about with the lump we decided that it needed to come out. The vet gave Crunch’s heart a good listen and declared him fit for surgery. The only tricky part was the pre-anesthetic blood draw. It took three tries on Crunch’s short boney legs until the vet was able to get a good draw. All that was left to do was for me to pick when and I decided the next day, Friday.
Friday morning I dropped him off, went home and waited.
Four hours later the clinic called. Mr. Crunch was fine and in recovery. The lump in question was indeed a lipoma as well as the neighboring one (the one I found). Both lumps were removed and I should give a call around 3:00 to see how he’s doing.
At 4:30 Crunch was still out of it and was deemed not fit to go home. I did press them and they were willing to release him. But, I then realized I had John at home, an amped up three year old that has been denied his wrestling partner. Maybe having an unsteady dog with fresh stitches brought into the house wasn’t such a good idea. So Crunch got to spend a quiet night at the clinic.
Saturday morning Crunch came home, hale and hearty. He hasn’t missed a beat since. I’m just happy to have my healthy old boy back.
Crunch is always a big hit at the clinic. He is a friendly dog that is happy to be there with a tail that doesn’t stop wagging. He whines in the waiting room, eager to go in back and visit his friends. The techs fuss over him and always compliment me on his fit and trim physique. I take pride in the fact that I haven’t gotten the fat dog speech.
The vet checked him and promptly found a lump that he didn’t like one bit. It wasn’t the lump I found, but next to it- in his armpit (front legpit, whatever you call a dog’s armpit). After lots of squeezing and messing about with the lump we decided that it needed to come out. The vet gave Crunch’s heart a good listen and declared him fit for surgery. The only tricky part was the pre-anesthetic blood draw. It took three tries on Crunch’s short boney legs until the vet was able to get a good draw. All that was left to do was for me to pick when and I decided the next day, Friday.
Friday morning I dropped him off, went home and waited.
Four hours later the clinic called. Mr. Crunch was fine and in recovery. The lump in question was indeed a lipoma as well as the neighboring one (the one I found). Both lumps were removed and I should give a call around 3:00 to see how he’s doing.
At 4:30 Crunch was still out of it and was deemed not fit to go home. I did press them and they were willing to release him. But, I then realized I had John at home, an amped up three year old that has been denied his wrestling partner. Maybe having an unsteady dog with fresh stitches brought into the house wasn’t such a good idea. So Crunch got to spend a quiet night at the clinic.
Saturday morning Crunch came home, hale and hearty. He hasn’t missed a beat since. I’m just happy to have my healthy old boy back.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Back Home
Today I got the phone call I had been waiting for, Rally's remains were ready for me to pick up.
I drove over with Max and Rebecca, they didn't quite understand what I was doing, but we all agreed that we missed Rally and that she was a very good dog.
She was also a very cute puppy and
she grew into a lovely dog.
The litttle hand you see in the picture is Jake's when he was about 5 months old. He loved touching his doggies and she was very patient, to a point. Fortunately when he got to be a bit too much she would have enough sense to just walk away.
Rally also was very good at finding the best seat in the house. In the third photo, not only is she on the couch, but she is happily nestled with Jake's boppy. She looks so relaxed and comfortable.
Rally was a very good dog. She adapted to having children in the household after four years of just Crunch and herself being the focus of Larry's and mine attention. She was always gentle and I could completely trust her around the kids. Strange children would overwhelm her, but not her kids.
I'm glad that she is back home where she belongs.
I drove over with Max and Rebecca, they didn't quite understand what I was doing, but we all agreed that we missed Rally and that she was a very good dog.
She was also a very cute puppy and
she grew into a lovely dog.
The litttle hand you see in the picture is Jake's when he was about 5 months old. He loved touching his doggies and she was very patient, to a point. Fortunately when he got to be a bit too much she would have enough sense to just walk away.
Rally also was very good at finding the best seat in the house. In the third photo, not only is she on the couch, but she is happily nestled with Jake's boppy. She looks so relaxed and comfortable.
Rally was a very good dog. She adapted to having children in the household after four years of just Crunch and herself being the focus of Larry's and mine attention. She was always gentle and I could completely trust her around the kids. Strange children would overwhelm her, but not her kids.
I'm glad that she is back home where she belongs.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Thursday Three: Where Do You Go?
This week the Thursday Three hits the road.
Well we do have friends coming to visit in May, but they’ll be able to stay a bit longer than the above friend.
1) I’m torn on what to show a visitor to the area. On one hand we could go to Maymont, which has glorious views of the James River and something for everyone. For families there is a Nature Center, Children’s Farm and Wildlife Exhibits. For the horticulturally minded there are some exquisite gardens around the mansion. Then there is the house itself which according to the website “Among historic house museums, Maymont House is rare in that no intervening families or adaptive conversions separate us from the original owner’s 32-year occupancy.” I haven’t been inside the house yet, but it is on my list of things to do.
Then there is Hollywood Cemetery. It too is located along the James River and is a one of the most unique tourist attractions I have ever been too. It is the final resting place to two U.S. presidents (Monroe and Tyler), the only President of the Confederacy (Jefferson Davis) and... well the list goes on and on. It is also home to a ninety foot dry stone pyramid that was erected in honor of the Confederate dead. It is a beutiful place to visit and is open to the public and free of charge.
2)I’m going to have to go with Brock’s BBQ since I just went there with Meryl for IEATAPETA. The buffet is a good value at $6.95 and the wait staff is terrific. They have terrific fried chicken, pulled BBQ and we love the hush puppies. Dessert, of course, will be at my house.
3)For scenic drives I’d send my friend done Virginia route 5 to Williamsburg. It is a lovely winding road that features five plantations and is a far nicer drive than Interstate 64. This past fall I drove on it to go to a dog show and I got to see a fox hunt just before they let loose the hounds. It was a beautiful sight on a crisp autumn day.
So come on over to the Richmond area and you’ll have a good time.
TEE-THREE!
Once more the calendar grinds around to Thursday, and once more we slather upon the viewing public yet another Axis of Weevil Thursday Three! Today we’re going to talk about hometown landmarks, so all of you get your pencils ready and answer the following three questions:
1) If you only had one hour to show a visitor something interesting in your hometown, where would you go?
2) If you then had to find that friend a great place for a quick bite to eat, where would you go?
3) Now that you’ve entertained and fed your friend, it’s time to send him on his way. You’re not sure which way he’s going, but he’s got a fast red convertible, and you want him to see something nice as he drives. What route from your home to someplace else, either to the north, south, east, or west would you recommend to him as the most scenic drive?
Man, I wish I was the friend in this story! ANYway, go and answer those and either leave a link to your blog in the comments below, or the actual answer itself.
Well we do have friends coming to visit in May, but they’ll be able to stay a bit longer than the above friend.
1) I’m torn on what to show a visitor to the area. On one hand we could go to Maymont, which has glorious views of the James River and something for everyone. For families there is a Nature Center, Children’s Farm and Wildlife Exhibits. For the horticulturally minded there are some exquisite gardens around the mansion. Then there is the house itself which according to the website “Among historic house museums, Maymont House is rare in that no intervening families or adaptive conversions separate us from the original owner’s 32-year occupancy.” I haven’t been inside the house yet, but it is on my list of things to do.
Then there is Hollywood Cemetery. It too is located along the James River and is a one of the most unique tourist attractions I have ever been too. It is the final resting place to two U.S. presidents (Monroe and Tyler), the only President of the Confederacy (Jefferson Davis) and... well the list goes on and on. It is also home to a ninety foot dry stone pyramid that was erected in honor of the Confederate dead. It is a beutiful place to visit and is open to the public and free of charge.
2)I’m going to have to go with Brock’s BBQ since I just went there with Meryl for IEATAPETA. The buffet is a good value at $6.95 and the wait staff is terrific. They have terrific fried chicken, pulled BBQ and we love the hush puppies. Dessert, of course, will be at my house.
3)For scenic drives I’d send my friend done Virginia route 5 to Williamsburg. It is a lovely winding road that features five plantations and is a far nicer drive than Interstate 64. This past fall I drove on it to go to a dog show and I got to see a fox hunt just before they let loose the hounds. It was a beautiful sight on a crisp autumn day.
So come on over to the Richmond area and you’ll have a good time.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Artist of the Week: Pencil
This week it’s all about me. I’m the artist of the week.
This picture was taken back in November, during Nate’s birthday party. It is one of the few pictures we have of me. I’m not particularly camera shy, it’s because I take the bulk of our pictures.
Anyway Larry asked me to create a logo for Jake’s soccer team. The team name is The Dragons and he wanted something with a dragon and a soccer ball. My first try was alright, but a bit too cute, it was of a dragon curled around the ball. Larry wanted something fiercer, maybe swooping towards the ball and breathing fire.
This is what he got. The kids watched as I drew it and were very impressed. It inspired a whole slew of dragon and/or dinosaur pictures.
I like drawing in pencil the feel of the lead against the page just seems right. My drawings tend toward very simple line drawings. I generally don’t go for heavy shading and fine details. I’m quite pleased with how this came out. I’ll admit that I did cheat on the ball; I found a picture of one and traced it, I can never get the pattern quite right on my own. But the rest of the drawing is all mine.
This picture was taken back in November, during Nate’s birthday party. It is one of the few pictures we have of me. I’m not particularly camera shy, it’s because I take the bulk of our pictures.
Anyway Larry asked me to create a logo for Jake’s soccer team. The team name is The Dragons and he wanted something with a dragon and a soccer ball. My first try was alright, but a bit too cute, it was of a dragon curled around the ball. Larry wanted something fiercer, maybe swooping towards the ball and breathing fire.
This is what he got. The kids watched as I drew it and were very impressed. It inspired a whole slew of dragon and/or dinosaur pictures.
I like drawing in pencil the feel of the lead against the page just seems right. My drawings tend toward very simple line drawings. I generally don’t go for heavy shading and fine details. I’m quite pleased with how this came out. I’ll admit that I did cheat on the ball; I found a picture of one and traced it, I can never get the pattern quite right on my own. But the rest of the drawing is all mine.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Hey! That’s My Car!
Jordana posted a very funny clip that hits a little too close to home.
Let’s take a tour of my ride and see how it stacks up.
The outside is not too bad, but if you click through the picture you get to see all the little notes I’ve added. You will also see that it is the first of a whole set of pictures about my car. Each picture has its own story to tell and it really is best to see the set with their notes, but I will post here the piece de resistance: the front passenger seat.
Every time I pick up Meryl there is a frantic scramble as I clear out a place for her to sit. Even the cup holders are jammed with stuff, a mixture of batteries, change and the remains of a chewed up dog collar.
Overall it’s no too bad. At least I don’t have too much old food decorating the interior, but that’s what dogs are for. Milk has been banned from the car, except for when we do drive through. Then it is promptly removed at the end of our trip. I figured that out a long time ago. It’s a car, not a science experiment. The rest of the time the kids have to content themselves with water, juice pouches and Gatorade. However I do have a number of odd things I haul about, namely Jake’s rocks. He is always picking up rocks and bringing them into the car. I can hear them rolling about the interior when I get a bit too aggressive in my driving.
As soccer and baseball season ramps up a couple of folding chairs will take up residence in the rear of the van along with a couple of bats and balls and “my ride” will be complete.
Let’s take a tour of my ride and see how it stacks up.
The outside is not too bad, but if you click through the picture you get to see all the little notes I’ve added. You will also see that it is the first of a whole set of pictures about my car. Each picture has its own story to tell and it really is best to see the set with their notes, but I will post here the piece de resistance: the front passenger seat.
Every time I pick up Meryl there is a frantic scramble as I clear out a place for her to sit. Even the cup holders are jammed with stuff, a mixture of batteries, change and the remains of a chewed up dog collar.
Overall it’s no too bad. At least I don’t have too much old food decorating the interior, but that’s what dogs are for. Milk has been banned from the car, except for when we do drive through. Then it is promptly removed at the end of our trip. I figured that out a long time ago. It’s a car, not a science experiment. The rest of the time the kids have to content themselves with water, juice pouches and Gatorade. However I do have a number of odd things I haul about, namely Jake’s rocks. He is always picking up rocks and bringing them into the car. I can hear them rolling about the interior when I get a bit too aggressive in my driving.
As soccer and baseball season ramps up a couple of folding chairs will take up residence in the rear of the van along with a couple of bats and balls and “my ride” will be complete.
Monday, March 12, 2007
I Want My 15 Minutes Back
This morning I got treated to an over the top tantrum over... bagels.
After Hebrew school Larry stops at a halfway decent bagel shop and picks up a baker’s dozen to bring home. Jake and Nate love picking out the bagels and each gets to nosh on one during the ride back home.
A dozen bagels doesn’t last very long in our house, all of the male members in this household love bagels. Even John snagged half of one and then tried to get the rest after I wrested his prize away.
This morning Jake decided to have one for breakfast, there was only two and half left: one sesame seed, one poppy seed and half a plain. Nate longingly looked on as Jake fished out the sesame and began slathering on the cream cheese. Then the sniping began.
Nate wanted a bagel, but Jake decided that the one left in the bag was his too, even though he had another in his hand.
I told Nate he could have the poppy seed one for breakfast at which point Jake howled.
“I was saving that!”
“You already had three, I only got two!” was Nate’s rejoinder.
“But I was looking forward to having the poppy seed; I was saving it for last.”
I then offered to cut the poppy seed one in half, Nate would get that with the plain half that was left in the bag and Jake would get the other half of the poppy.
“No!!!!!!! That’s not fair!!!!!”
And so the tantrum began.
After about fifteen minutes of some very loud and tearful drama from my eldest I noticed that it was time to leave for the bus and hustled the boys out under much protest from Jake. I only got him to leave after I asked him if he wanted me to tell the school he was late because he had a tantrum over bagels and missed the bus.
Nate was just able to finish his half of the poppy seed bagel and Jake’s sesame laid uneaten on the counter.
If this is what I have to endure with bagels, I don’t want then in my home any more and I want my 15 minutes back.
After Hebrew school Larry stops at a halfway decent bagel shop and picks up a baker’s dozen to bring home. Jake and Nate love picking out the bagels and each gets to nosh on one during the ride back home.
A dozen bagels doesn’t last very long in our house, all of the male members in this household love bagels. Even John snagged half of one and then tried to get the rest after I wrested his prize away.
This morning Jake decided to have one for breakfast, there was only two and half left: one sesame seed, one poppy seed and half a plain. Nate longingly looked on as Jake fished out the sesame and began slathering on the cream cheese. Then the sniping began.
Nate wanted a bagel, but Jake decided that the one left in the bag was his too, even though he had another in his hand.
I told Nate he could have the poppy seed one for breakfast at which point Jake howled.
“I was saving that!”
“You already had three, I only got two!” was Nate’s rejoinder.
“But I was looking forward to having the poppy seed; I was saving it for last.”
I then offered to cut the poppy seed one in half, Nate would get that with the plain half that was left in the bag and Jake would get the other half of the poppy.
“No!!!!!!! That’s not fair!!!!!”
And so the tantrum began.
After about fifteen minutes of some very loud and tearful drama from my eldest I noticed that it was time to leave for the bus and hustled the boys out under much protest from Jake. I only got him to leave after I asked him if he wanted me to tell the school he was late because he had a tantrum over bagels and missed the bus.
Nate was just able to finish his half of the poppy seed bagel and Jake’s sesame laid uneaten on the counter.
If this is what I have to endure with bagels, I don’t want then in my home any more and I want my 15 minutes back.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Blackwell Jacks
Jake had a project at school that involved designing a cereal box based on a historical figure. He chose Elizabeth Blackwell who among other things was the first woman to receive a medical degree from an American medical school. On the box Jake wrote a short blurb on Dr. Blackwell, nutritional information and a whole mess of jokes and fun activities.
I had never heard of Dr. Blackwell so I ended up learning something, much to Jake’s delight. Here is what the box looks like. I did it as a composite picture of all four sides.
But that is not all. For extra credit he could make a commercial for his cereal. So guess what we did this weekend.
Jake wrote the script, did a short voice over and was the “attacker.” Nate got to be the innocent victim. I shot and edited the video and did a brief narration. And Rebecca got to do a brief cameo as “the jackal.” The whole thing is pretty cute. I hope his teacher likes it.
I had never heard of Dr. Blackwell so I ended up learning something, much to Jake’s delight. Here is what the box looks like. I did it as a composite picture of all four sides.
But that is not all. For extra credit he could make a commercial for his cereal. So guess what we did this weekend.
Jake wrote the script, did a short voice over and was the “attacker.” Nate got to be the innocent victim. I shot and edited the video and did a brief narration. And Rebecca got to do a brief cameo as “the jackal.” The whole thing is pretty cute. I hope his teacher likes it.
Friday, March 09, 2007
What to do with Little Miss Rebecca
Soccer and baseball has started. Jake is continuing on with soccer and has already had two practices. Nate is playing baseball and he too has had two practices. Max will have his first t-ball practice tomorrow. With three boys in three different leagues this spring will be a busy one.
But what about Rebecca, what will she be doing?
Last week she said soccer, but the registration period had already closed and short of my volunteering to coach I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Then she mentioned Karate. This would be very doable since there is a fairly good place not far from our house. Rebecca and I went and watched the 4-5 year old class last Friday night. At first she didn’t want to enter, but soon she was entranced. I even caught her a few times trying to imitate a few of the moves. But it all came apart when the instructor running the desk called us over. Rebecca sat in the chair sullen and unresponsive. All she wanted to do was go home. She would then twist around and watch the class. At that point her face would light up as she watched the other kids. It was so very frustrating for me as a parent. On one hand I had a child that loved watching, but she would become impossible and would refused point blank if asked if she wanted to join. She is very much like her oldest brother in that respect. He never wants to try new things and always has to be forced under great protest to only have a wonderful time in the end.
So now what will she do?
She loves dancing, so I think we will check out some ballet classes. I had a fabulous instructor when I was very young. I had horribly turned in feet when I was little. At that time most doctors would have had me fitted with braces and such, but ours was an enlightened fellow and he recommended ballet to stretch out my muscles and straighten my feet. And it worked. I loved it at the time and I’m not sure why I quit, it may have been the siren call of riding lessons, I’m not sure. Any way I think my daughter would enjoy learning how to dance. The hard part will be finding a place that is not too militant and doesn’t go for some of the huge overdone recitals that seem to be in vogue now. I think one costume is enough.
Maybe we could both learn to flamenco, The Manolo has this wonderful clip up on his site, enjoy.
But what about Rebecca, what will she be doing?
Last week she said soccer, but the registration period had already closed and short of my volunteering to coach I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Then she mentioned Karate. This would be very doable since there is a fairly good place not far from our house. Rebecca and I went and watched the 4-5 year old class last Friday night. At first she didn’t want to enter, but soon she was entranced. I even caught her a few times trying to imitate a few of the moves. But it all came apart when the instructor running the desk called us over. Rebecca sat in the chair sullen and unresponsive. All she wanted to do was go home. She would then twist around and watch the class. At that point her face would light up as she watched the other kids. It was so very frustrating for me as a parent. On one hand I had a child that loved watching, but she would become impossible and would refused point blank if asked if she wanted to join. She is very much like her oldest brother in that respect. He never wants to try new things and always has to be forced under great protest to only have a wonderful time in the end.
So now what will she do?
She loves dancing, so I think we will check out some ballet classes. I had a fabulous instructor when I was very young. I had horribly turned in feet when I was little. At that time most doctors would have had me fitted with braces and such, but ours was an enlightened fellow and he recommended ballet to stretch out my muscles and straighten my feet. And it worked. I loved it at the time and I’m not sure why I quit, it may have been the siren call of riding lessons, I’m not sure. Any way I think my daughter would enjoy learning how to dance. The hard part will be finding a place that is not too militant and doesn’t go for some of the huge overdone recitals that seem to be in vogue now. I think one costume is enough.
Maybe we could both learn to flamenco, The Manolo has this wonderful clip up on his site, enjoy.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Thursday Three: In Bed
This week the Axis of Weevil refuses to get out of bed and wants to have a little pillow talk.
Hmm, the bed. Since it seems to be my turn to get what plague currently ails the family and all I want to do is to curl up in bed, this is a very appropriate set of questions.
1) Neither, we have hyper-allergenic fiber filled pillows. I can’t sleep on the down filled ones and I can’t stand the foam. We have four pillows on our bed, two soft and two firm. The firm ones provide a nice base and the soft ones are nice to bury your head in or under. They need replacing, but I hate shopping for pillows. It’s hard to get a good feel for a pillow if you can’t properly lie down and test it out.
2) I like a fairly firm mattress, but I think my husband would like it a wee bit softer. I can’t stand super soft mattresses, I feel like I’m getting sucked down into its maw. Sofa beds are right out. I have yet to have slept in a good one. When we were up in Long Island for the Bar Mitzvah, two of the kids got stuck on the fold out.
3) Because of the odd design of our house the master bedroom is much colder than the rest of the house. It is a combination of being at the end of the heating duct, the room being over the unheated garage and having windows on three sides of the room. The room has lots of natural light and isolated from the din generated by the kids, but it is downright chilly. I could crank up the heat, but it would make the rest of the second floor intolerable and I’m too cheap to do that. Then again I like sleeping in a warm bed in a cool room. I bury myself under the sheets with a blanket, a quilt and a comforter piled on top. I’ll stick out a foot for thermal regulation.
Now I have to go pick up the dynamic duo from preschool and try to convince them that letting mommy nap is a fun game.
To sleep, perchance to answer a blog quiz...
That's right, fans, it's Thursday, and that can only mean one of several million things, but in this particular case we're talkin' The Axis of Weevil Thursday Three, America's Most Restful Diversion!
As you recall from last week, if you recall, I thought I might still be a ward of the courts and so the call went out for hosting volunteers. I received no one willing to demean themselves quite THAT far, but one intrepid soul did send along a nice set of questions that we'll get to in just a moment.
As always, we invite you to play along by either answering the questions in the comment section below or by leaving a link to your own blog. Anyone can play, assuming you can read and write in English, or failing that, Alabamanese.
SO THEN, on with the show--
In honor of losing an hour of sleep this weekend, I [meaning Jim] propose The Wonderful Night's Sleep Thursday Three:
1. Do you sleep on a feather pillow or foam?
2. Do you like a firm or soft mattress—or other if you're an old hippie?
3. Do you keep it cold and sleep under lots of cover, or hot and only a sheet?
There you go now--slip on your flannel jammies or that naughty scrap of silk that I like so much and go figure your responses.
Hmm, the bed. Since it seems to be my turn to get what plague currently ails the family and all I want to do is to curl up in bed, this is a very appropriate set of questions.
1) Neither, we have hyper-allergenic fiber filled pillows. I can’t sleep on the down filled ones and I can’t stand the foam. We have four pillows on our bed, two soft and two firm. The firm ones provide a nice base and the soft ones are nice to bury your head in or under. They need replacing, but I hate shopping for pillows. It’s hard to get a good feel for a pillow if you can’t properly lie down and test it out.
2) I like a fairly firm mattress, but I think my husband would like it a wee bit softer. I can’t stand super soft mattresses, I feel like I’m getting sucked down into its maw. Sofa beds are right out. I have yet to have slept in a good one. When we were up in Long Island for the Bar Mitzvah, two of the kids got stuck on the fold out.
3) Because of the odd design of our house the master bedroom is much colder than the rest of the house. It is a combination of being at the end of the heating duct, the room being over the unheated garage and having windows on three sides of the room. The room has lots of natural light and isolated from the din generated by the kids, but it is downright chilly. I could crank up the heat, but it would make the rest of the second floor intolerable and I’m too cheap to do that. Then again I like sleeping in a warm bed in a cool room. I bury myself under the sheets with a blanket, a quilt and a comforter piled on top. I’ll stick out a foot for thermal regulation.
Now I have to go pick up the dynamic duo from preschool and try to convince them that letting mommy nap is a fun game.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Artist of the Week: Photography
This week’s artist is Jake.
I took this picture of him in January, can’t you tell? Today was colder than that particular week in January. And it was also colder when he took this photograph in February.
If you click through the photo it will direct you to the whole set.
He was out by our stream when he noticed the ice crystals in the mud. He ran back to the house to tell me and I sent him out with my camera with the firm admonishment to keep the wrist strap on his wrist. At age ten, I feel that he is responsible enough to take care of my camera without direct supervision.
His first set of pictures did not turn out particularly well. He was frustrated by how blurry they were, he wanted close up pictures with fine details. When he came inside and told me of his disappointment I then showed him the macro feature of the camera and told him this was the ideal situation for it. He dashed back outside and was able get some lovely shots.
He was struck by the beauty of the ice crystals emerging from the mud. He thinks that the area froze and as the ground thawed some of the mud washed away exposing the miniature pillars of ice thrusting up out of the muck. I completely agree with him and I think he has a very good eye.
I took this picture of him in January, can’t you tell? Today was colder than that particular week in January. And it was also colder when he took this photograph in February.
If you click through the photo it will direct you to the whole set.
He was out by our stream when he noticed the ice crystals in the mud. He ran back to the house to tell me and I sent him out with my camera with the firm admonishment to keep the wrist strap on his wrist. At age ten, I feel that he is responsible enough to take care of my camera without direct supervision.
His first set of pictures did not turn out particularly well. He was frustrated by how blurry they were, he wanted close up pictures with fine details. When he came inside and told me of his disappointment I then showed him the macro feature of the camera and told him this was the ideal situation for it. He dashed back outside and was able get some lovely shots.
He was struck by the beauty of the ice crystals emerging from the mud. He thinks that the area froze and as the ground thawed some of the mud washed away exposing the miniature pillars of ice thrusting up out of the muck. I completely agree with him and I think he has a very good eye.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
SOL
Today I got to be a hall monitor while Jake’s grade was taking the written portion of the Virginia Standards of Learning aka the VA SOLs. I can’t help but giggle every time I hear or read about Virginia’s SOLs. It’s an absurd acronym and whoever named the tests was definitely not thinking it through.
I got to spend two hours in one of the fifth grade hallways reading my book, “Harpo Speaks!”, which is on loan from Meryl. The book had split in two and only recently had I found the first half. I was really frustrated when it was gone since I was only 10 pages in when it disappeared. Now it is firmly taped back together. Anyway, I digress.
My duties consisted reminding people to keep the noise down and escorting children to the bathroom. Only one child at time was allowed in the bathroom so as to prevent them from chatting about the test in progress.
On the whole it was pretty boring trotting children back and forth, but I did notice one thing. Far more boys needed to go than girls. I think it was because the boys were less inclined to go ahead of time. Meryl thought that maybe the boys were more motivated to try to escape from the test. There was one very classic moment when the other monitor leaned towards the entrance to the bathroom (There is no door, just a short hallway with wall acting as a baffle) and told a boy “Hurry up, other boys needed to go.” A very audible and surprised sounding “Oh!” was uttered and then the child in question re-emerged.
I was glad I could help the school out and Jake was very pleased to see me, but they have got to change the name of the SOLs.
I got to spend two hours in one of the fifth grade hallways reading my book, “Harpo Speaks!”, which is on loan from Meryl. The book had split in two and only recently had I found the first half. I was really frustrated when it was gone since I was only 10 pages in when it disappeared. Now it is firmly taped back together. Anyway, I digress.
My duties consisted reminding people to keep the noise down and escorting children to the bathroom. Only one child at time was allowed in the bathroom so as to prevent them from chatting about the test in progress.
On the whole it was pretty boring trotting children back and forth, but I did notice one thing. Far more boys needed to go than girls. I think it was because the boys were less inclined to go ahead of time. Meryl thought that maybe the boys were more motivated to try to escape from the test. There was one very classic moment when the other monitor leaned towards the entrance to the bathroom (There is no door, just a short hallway with wall acting as a baffle) and told a boy “Hurry up, other boys needed to go.” A very audible and surprised sounding “Oh!” was uttered and then the child in question re-emerged.
I was glad I could help the school out and Jake was very pleased to see me, but they have got to change the name of the SOLs.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Letting Go
Yesterday in honor of Purim we made hamantashen. I have a hard time letting the kids help me bake. Oh I’m happy to let them add ingredients and stir, but with the actual finishing touches I’m loath to let them loose. It is important to me that the food looks right as well as be delicious. Presentation is important; food should be a feast for the eyes, nose and mouth.
Yesterday I actually let go for a little bit.
At first only Rebecca was interested. She help mixed the ingredients and carefully supervised all additions to the dough. After the dough was properly chilled I rolled out a portion and proceeded to cut out a few circles. Rebecca was intrigued by the chocolate filling and I let her put a few dollops on the circles of cookie dough. She did a decent job at first, and then she got a little over exuberant and started overloading the cookies. After scraping up a bit of the excess filling I suggested that maybe I should take over. At this point she had her fill and happily relinquished the spoon.
Then Jake asked to help out. I was rolling out the dough at the time and decided he could cut out the cookies.
It is just the kind of job he likes. The plastic goblet I use as a circular cookie cutter fit well in his hand and he enjoyed puzzling out how many he could cut out each time.
Meanwhile Nate wanted to help too. So I took a deep breath and let him fold the cookies.
He a made a few squishy ones, and some had their filling squirt out, but he did listen and learn.
Max and Rebecca were fascinated and were eagerly anticipating the finished treats.
And this is how they turned out.
They look good and taste marvelous. Next time they’ll be even better.
Yesterday I actually let go for a little bit.
At first only Rebecca was interested. She help mixed the ingredients and carefully supervised all additions to the dough. After the dough was properly chilled I rolled out a portion and proceeded to cut out a few circles. Rebecca was intrigued by the chocolate filling and I let her put a few dollops on the circles of cookie dough. She did a decent job at first, and then she got a little over exuberant and started overloading the cookies. After scraping up a bit of the excess filling I suggested that maybe I should take over. At this point she had her fill and happily relinquished the spoon.
Then Jake asked to help out. I was rolling out the dough at the time and decided he could cut out the cookies.
It is just the kind of job he likes. The plastic goblet I use as a circular cookie cutter fit well in his hand and he enjoyed puzzling out how many he could cut out each time.
Meanwhile Nate wanted to help too. So I took a deep breath and let him fold the cookies.
He a made a few squishy ones, and some had their filling squirt out, but he did listen and learn.
Max and Rebecca were fascinated and were eagerly anticipating the finished treats.
And this is how they turned out.
They look good and taste marvelous. Next time they’ll be even better.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Purim
Last night we headed over to Temple for Purim. I love the whole atmosphere; for once my children can be noisy, in fact they are even encouraged. It was a small crowd this year, but a very warm one. The Rabbi was in rare form and it was one of the funniest Megillah readings I’ve ever heard.
As usual the kids all dressed up. Nate had baseball practice (which actually occurred as opposed to last year) and stuck with his baseball uniform.
Once again Rebecca was royalty. She portrayed Queen Esther and got to wear her Cinderella dress with matching shoes, scepter and crown.
Jake, on the other hand, was truly inspired this year. He decided he was going to be Darth Haman, all he needed was a tricorne hat. We headed out Saturday afternoon to pick one up at our local party supply store. I figured with the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean I should be able to find a pirate hat. Sadly they were out of the fancy version, but they did have a cheap plastic one for children. I peeled off the skull and crossbones sticker and he was good to go. He wore the hat with his Darth Vader costume sans mask and the final result was quite good.
In this picture Queen Esther looks a bit distressed being near the combined evilness of Haman and Darth Vader.
While we were at the party store Max admired a crown in the Mardi Gras section and decided he would be the king. Of course nothing is simple with Max and he had to refuse at least one part of his costume. He happily wore his crown, dress shirt and pants, but he balked at the cape.
And as usual, halfway through the evening he changed his mind.
Of course the service wouldn’t be complete without graggers.
The dynamic duo carefully selected their weapons and proceeded to have a gragger battle.
It’s a good thing they are so cute.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Pyramid Concert
Last night we attended a pyramid concert that included the entire fifth grade of our elementary school and several “show choruses” within our school system.
I think all the kids did a nice job. The quality was better with the older students, but Jake’s grade preformed well. Below is a one of the songs performed by the fifth grade.
All totaled they did three songs as an individual chorus and returned to the stage for the finale that included all of the groups singing together. If you are interested in seeing more, just click here and it will direct you to my videos.
Now for my rant.
I’ve had issues with this whole concert thing from the get go.
I have a feeling that I’ll be writing a letter to the music teacher sometime next week. She needs to realize that sometimes parents have other obligations that can’t be changed and admission fees need to be mentioned from the beginning so it feels a little less like extortion. I would have felt a bit more charitable if I had known the whole fund raising aspect to it, but I still would not have bought the video.
Next time we’ll know better that to bring the whole family.
I think all the kids did a nice job. The quality was better with the older students, but Jake’s grade preformed well. Below is a one of the songs performed by the fifth grade.
All totaled they did three songs as an individual chorus and returned to the stage for the finale that included all of the groups singing together. If you are interested in seeing more, just click here and it will direct you to my videos.
Now for my rant.
I’ve had issues with this whole concert thing from the get go.
1) The music teacher stated that there was mandatory attendance for both concerts. She felt that since she had scheduled the dates months in advance there is no excuse for missing either or both concerts. Well guess what, the first one coincided with my monthly dog club meeting that I’m obligated to attend since I’m the president and with Larry’s economic conference in Chicago. Luckily I was able to get Meryl to take Jake. I could have dumped him with another family, but I had no idea when I’d be getting home. It was bad enough that I was keeping my brood up on a school night, I didn’t want to ruin another family’s bedtime.
2) Not until the day of the first concert did we find out when she wanted the kids to arrive at the venue. As an added bonus we found out it some sort of fund raiser for the music department/choruses and that admission would be charged. One complimentary ticket per student, the rest $5 a head (5 and under free).
3) Personal video recording was not allowed at the first concert. A professional was engaged to film the concert and if we chose we could buy a copy with $5 of each sale going towards the music department. I think it was $15 a pop, but I’m not sure. I was offended and tossed the flyer.
4) For the second concert we received the notice on when she wanted the kids the day before the concert. It was a slight improvement, but not by much and it was negated by the dearth of information. There was neither mention of an admission fee nor any sort of complimentary pass. Since no mention was made about taping I decided that I could and so I did.
5) Turns out the second one was $4 a head (5 and under still free). I only had a dollar on me and I had to wait until Larry showed up (he was coming straight from work). I generally don’t carry cash and the only reason I had was that was I had bought some potatoes earlier that day (Larry observed the potatoes was a better purchase than the tickets). I know I was not the only parent in this situation.
6) Both concerts were scheduled at 7:00 pm on a school night, Tuesday and Thursday to be precise. I found it telling that Jake thought this was odd. Both times the concerts went well past nine. That’s fine for the older kids, not so much for the fifth graders and their younger siblings. At 7:45 pm Max started to break down as his 8:00 bedtime approached. He whined and mumbled that it was lame and a waste of his time. He wanted something to eat and to go to bed. On one hand I was mortified and on the other amused. Fortunately we had two cars and I sent Larry home with Max and Nate. Rebecca stayed because she enjoyed the singing and all the pretty dresses the girls were wearing.
I have a feeling that I’ll be writing a letter to the music teacher sometime next week. She needs to realize that sometimes parents have other obligations that can’t be changed and admission fees need to be mentioned from the beginning so it feels a little less like extortion. I would have felt a bit more charitable if I had known the whole fund raising aspect to it, but I still would not have bought the video.
Next time we’ll know better that to bring the whole family.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Thursday Three: Australlian Version
Terry is very busy, or at least he *claims* he's busy and asks for help with this week's Thursday Three.
I rather have a mudslide, but a good gin and tonic will do.
1) Well I love winter, but it is usually not up to snuff down here in ol' Virginny and especially this year. I want snow and lots of with beautiful bright clear days. So I have three to choose from. Summer is too hot, I love going to the beach, but I melt when the temperatures are greater than the mid-eighties. Spring is lovely with the mild temps, spring breezes and all the pretty flowers, but with the flowers comes pollen. Blech. This leaves autumn, clear days with a crispness to the air, the brilliant fall foliage and all the wonderful foods associated with that time of year. So hands down, fall wins.
2) I'm sort of the opposite of Terry. I try not to bandy my full name about and where I live, but my family all knows about and reads my blog. I have found it is a great way for friends and family to keep up on our doings. I know my mother (Hi Mom!) feels much more connected than before the blog. I try to be low key about my name because there are some real nuts out there.
3) I have the same view point on all three, you can believe, practice or do whatever you want as long as every one is a consenting adult. Just don't expect me or require me to do as exactly as you. It's all about respect.
So give me some pumpkin pie with a tall glass of cider and we'll all wave to my family as I hide behind my dark glasses, just don't bug me about what I am and what I do.
Deep South Version of the Thursday Three!
Many thanks to someone even MORE Southern than I am for stepping in today with a set of questions for the Thursday Three, the Favorite International Blog Question Thing! Many thanks this morning to Kitchen Hand (not his real name) who kindly volunteered to help out with the following questions. Remember, anyone is free to play along either by leaving your comments below or a link back to your own blog.
SO, here we go:
Thursday Three Questions:
1) Here, it is the first day of autumn - Wednesday 1st of March. However, in some parts of the world, the new seasons do not arrive until the 19th of the month, or later; due to large cattle breeds called solstices and equinoxes that issue huge amounts of methane, which increases global warming and makes the seasons run late. Question: what is your favourite season, and why?
2) When you started your weblog, did you deliberate over whether to choose a nom-de-blog or use your real identity? What swayed you either way?
3) Discussing religion, politics or sex has always been impolite at cocktail parties, because of the risk of embarrassing face-to-face arguments. However, this is not a cocktail party, but a blog. And since the whole point of a blog is to have robust discussions, make a comment on the first thing that comes to your mind about religion, politics or sex. Pour yourself a martini first, if it helps. Don't forget the olive.
I rather have a mudslide, but a good gin and tonic will do.
1) Well I love winter, but it is usually not up to snuff down here in ol' Virginny and especially this year. I want snow and lots of with beautiful bright clear days. So I have three to choose from. Summer is too hot, I love going to the beach, but I melt when the temperatures are greater than the mid-eighties. Spring is lovely with the mild temps, spring breezes and all the pretty flowers, but with the flowers comes pollen. Blech. This leaves autumn, clear days with a crispness to the air, the brilliant fall foliage and all the wonderful foods associated with that time of year. So hands down, fall wins.
2) I'm sort of the opposite of Terry. I try not to bandy my full name about and where I live, but my family all knows about and reads my blog. I have found it is a great way for friends and family to keep up on our doings. I know my mother (Hi Mom!) feels much more connected than before the blog. I try to be low key about my name because there are some real nuts out there.
3) I have the same view point on all three, you can believe, practice or do whatever you want as long as every one is a consenting adult. Just don't expect me or require me to do as exactly as you. It's all about respect.
So give me some pumpkin pie with a tall glass of cider and we'll all wave to my family as I hide behind my dark glasses, just don't bug me about what I am and what I do.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Artist of the Week: Rock Star
This week's artist is Nate who is turning out to be a quite a rock star.
On Friday we attended the District's reception for the Reflections contest. When we first walked in Nate had to be signed in and then we were directed to sit down at one of the tables scattered about. Once I was settled in I opened my program and was a bit puzzled. As opposed to the County reception, only one name was listed for each age division in each category. Then it dawned on me, Nate won the district! His entry is now up for consideration a the state level.
He got a nifty award and a certificate. After the speechifying we mixed with the other families and noshed on the spread (which was much nicer than the County's, you could actually get a meal out of it). Larry then found out that the winners of the state judging would be announced in April. This would be the last party (apart from the school's), from this point on everything will probably be done by phone and mail. The funny part was that Nate didn't realize that he had won until after we got home and told him. He had been expecting a formal announcement at the reception. All that happened was that he was called up, received his awards and got a handshake.
Last night was the school's reception. All of the kids that placed, first, second, third and honorable mention were recognized. First through third received medallions and honorable mentions got ribbons. I wasn't there (Max is sick), but Larry said they did a nice job with the awards. What I do know is that Nate came home with a boatload of stuff.
He has a package of acid free paper with a special pen, a couple of pencils with musical notations on them, a sticker book with a musical theme, a harmonica with an instruction book and of course candy.
He was quite a celebrity last night. His picture was taken with the Principal and will probably end up in the local free paper
He was the only one this year to advance to the County level and the first one in many years to go beyond District judging. In a way it was nice for him to go with just his father and be the center of all the attention without his siblings. Nate even picked up a groupie. A girl (Gracie) from his grade spent her time hanging around Nate and, according to Larry, flirting with him. She was a real cutie, but Nate was more interested in her Heelys, then the girl wearing them. As they left last night she bade Nate good bye. Nate turned, waved and said "Bye Gracie!" Gracie was then heard to say "He knows my name!"
A line from Dire Straits immediately sprang to mind when Larry told me this: "Money for nothing and your chicks for free."
So far these are all the awards he has received.
It'll be interesting to see what happens in April. We think his main competition will be coming from Fairfax county. It's awash with money and over achieving parents.
And for those of you interested this is the score:
On the sidebar under Nate's music you can click on Laserquest and hear the piece. Meryl complained about what a big pain it was finding it and I though it would be nice to stick it there along with Torpedo.
On Friday we attended the District's reception for the Reflections contest. When we first walked in Nate had to be signed in and then we were directed to sit down at one of the tables scattered about. Once I was settled in I opened my program and was a bit puzzled. As opposed to the County reception, only one name was listed for each age division in each category. Then it dawned on me, Nate won the district! His entry is now up for consideration a the state level.
He got a nifty award and a certificate. After the speechifying we mixed with the other families and noshed on the spread (which was much nicer than the County's, you could actually get a meal out of it). Larry then found out that the winners of the state judging would be announced in April. This would be the last party (apart from the school's), from this point on everything will probably be done by phone and mail. The funny part was that Nate didn't realize that he had won until after we got home and told him. He had been expecting a formal announcement at the reception. All that happened was that he was called up, received his awards and got a handshake.
Last night was the school's reception. All of the kids that placed, first, second, third and honorable mention were recognized. First through third received medallions and honorable mentions got ribbons. I wasn't there (Max is sick), but Larry said they did a nice job with the awards. What I do know is that Nate came home with a boatload of stuff.
He has a package of acid free paper with a special pen, a couple of pencils with musical notations on them, a sticker book with a musical theme, a harmonica with an instruction book and of course candy.
He was quite a celebrity last night. His picture was taken with the Principal and will probably end up in the local free paper
He was the only one this year to advance to the County level and the first one in many years to go beyond District judging. In a way it was nice for him to go with just his father and be the center of all the attention without his siblings. Nate even picked up a groupie. A girl (Gracie) from his grade spent her time hanging around Nate and, according to Larry, flirting with him. She was a real cutie, but Nate was more interested in her Heelys, then the girl wearing them. As they left last night she bade Nate good bye. Nate turned, waved and said "Bye Gracie!" Gracie was then heard to say "He knows my name!"
A line from Dire Straits immediately sprang to mind when Larry told me this: "Money for nothing and your chicks for free."
So far these are all the awards he has received.
It'll be interesting to see what happens in April. We think his main competition will be coming from Fairfax county. It's awash with money and over achieving parents.
And for those of you interested this is the score:
On the sidebar under Nate's music you can click on Laserquest and hear the piece. Meryl complained about what a big pain it was finding it and I though it would be nice to stick it there along with Torpedo.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Whither Winter
This winter has been a bit of a bust. We didn't get any significant snowfall. We got a dusting in mid January and a minor snowfall on the first of February. But that's it. North and to the West of us there has been all sorts of winter weather and the associated school closings. All he have had is one lousy two hour delay.
Instead we have been see sawing back and forth between the low sixties and the mid twenties. Heck it was 70 in January and most of us went barefoot.
Mind you, I do appreciate what this has done to my home heating bill, but I miss winter. I like being able to count on the snow sticking around longer than twenty four hours. My poor daffodils have struggled up and have been burned at least once by a cold spell following a string of balmy spring like days. At this point it's a crap shoot on whether or not they bloom when Spring settles in for real.
By writing this I know I am tempting fate, but it is the penultimate day of February and I really don't think we are going to get any serious winter weather this season.
Instead we have been see sawing back and forth between the low sixties and the mid twenties. Heck it was 70 in January and most of us went barefoot.
Mind you, I do appreciate what this has done to my home heating bill, but I miss winter. I like being able to count on the snow sticking around longer than twenty four hours. My poor daffodils have struggled up and have been burned at least once by a cold spell following a string of balmy spring like days. At this point it's a crap shoot on whether or not they bloom when Spring settles in for real.
By writing this I know I am tempting fate, but it is the penultimate day of February and I really don't think we are going to get any serious winter weather this season.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Update on the Big Move
It's been three weeks now since the big move and everybody seems to be happy.
Jake took to his room like a duck to water. He has decided that the top bunk is his reading perch. He can leave books open up there and not worry about younger siblings coming in and losing his place.
The first week was a bit rough for Max. He was happy to be with Nate, but the he had a hard time dealing with all the changes. This resulted in a very grumpy little boy at bedtime. He would drag his feet and bitterly protest each and every part of his night time ritual. After he was finally tucked in we would keep trying to get up and play with the legos strewn about the floor.
Poor Nate, whose bedtime is a half hour later, would struggle to go to sleep while Max nattered about.
Rebecca, of course, was an absolute angel.
She loves having her own room. Sleeping alone in her room was not a problem. Her only issue is finding a place for her vast collection of stuffed animals. Only so much can fit on her bed at any one time.
Now that three weeks have passed Max has settled down. If I get the timing right he is often asleep when Nate gets tucked into bed.
What I like is that I longer have to tell Jake and Nate to stop talking and go to sleep. It still takes Jake forever to drop off, but he is no longer keeping Nate awake. I have lost having an official guest room, but now I have children that can actually fall asleep at a reasonable hour.
Jake took to his room like a duck to water. He has decided that the top bunk is his reading perch. He can leave books open up there and not worry about younger siblings coming in and losing his place.
The first week was a bit rough for Max. He was happy to be with Nate, but the he had a hard time dealing with all the changes. This resulted in a very grumpy little boy at bedtime. He would drag his feet and bitterly protest each and every part of his night time ritual. After he was finally tucked in we would keep trying to get up and play with the legos strewn about the floor.
Poor Nate, whose bedtime is a half hour later, would struggle to go to sleep while Max nattered about.
Rebecca, of course, was an absolute angel.
She loves having her own room. Sleeping alone in her room was not a problem. Her only issue is finding a place for her vast collection of stuffed animals. Only so much can fit on her bed at any one time.
Now that three weeks have passed Max has settled down. If I get the timing right he is often asleep when Nate gets tucked into bed.
What I like is that I longer have to tell Jake and Nate to stop talking and go to sleep. It still takes Jake forever to drop off, but he is no longer keeping Nate awake. I have lost having an official guest room, but now I have children that can actually fall asleep at a reasonable hour.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Nothing Much
Not much going on around here except:
There is a minor stink going on in the dog world and everybody is calling me about it.
I may or may not have a visitor this afternoon and I really need to clean. So far all I have done is obsessively clean the cooktop. The house is a mess, but hey shiny cooktop!
Nate has a reception thing tonight concerning his reflections entry. It starts at 6:30 so guess we're eating afterwards.
So really not much is happening. I guess I should stop stalling and start cleaning.
There is a minor stink going on in the dog world and everybody is calling me about it.
I may or may not have a visitor this afternoon and I really need to clean. So far all I have done is obsessively clean the cooktop. The house is a mess, but hey shiny cooktop!
Nate has a reception thing tonight concerning his reflections entry. It starts at 6:30 so guess we're eating afterwards.
So really not much is happening. I guess I should stop stalling and start cleaning.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday Three: Comedy Gold
Everyone is a comic today for this week's Thursday Three.
It's time to strap on my clown shoes and get cracking before the clock switches over.
1)The funniest person I knew in real life was my Uncle Gus. He was a very sharp man and you really had to keep on your toes when you were around him. Sadly he passed before Larry could have met him.
2)I really don't have a favorite comedian. I like Harold Lloyd, the Marx brothers, the crew from Monty Python and Triumph the insult comic dog. However, I do have specific dislikes. I don't like Jerry Lewis, for some reason he just grates on me.
3)I like really well thought out stuff with rapid fire delivery that veers off into the absurd, of course that really doesn't explain why I like Triumph.
"Th-th-th-th-th-that's all, folks!"
Surely you jest!
No I don’t, and don’t call me Shirley!
Another week, another kavalcade of komedy here on the Knee-slapping HI-larity Edition of the Axis of Weevil Thursday Three!
As we do every week, we’ll ask you three questions, and it’ll be up to you to answer them, either by leaving a comment below, or a link to your blog. You might have guessed that this week’s topic is about funny things, in which case you’re right. Which isn’t really funny at all. BUT THAT’S OKAY! Think up something funny to go with these, please:
1) Who is the funniest person you know personally in real life?
2) Who is your favorite comedian (living, dead, or both)?
3) Which type of comedy do you find most humorous?
Alrighty then--slip on out on a banana peel and answer those as best you can.
It's time to strap on my clown shoes and get cracking before the clock switches over.
1)The funniest person I knew in real life was my Uncle Gus. He was a very sharp man and you really had to keep on your toes when you were around him. Sadly he passed before Larry could have met him.
2)I really don't have a favorite comedian. I like Harold Lloyd, the Marx brothers, the crew from Monty Python and Triumph the insult comic dog. However, I do have specific dislikes. I don't like Jerry Lewis, for some reason he just grates on me.
3)I like really well thought out stuff with rapid fire delivery that veers off into the absurd, of course that really doesn't explain why I like Triumph.
"Th-th-th-th-th-that's all, folks!"
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Artist of the Week: Still Life in Crayon
This week's artist is Rebecca.
Yes, I know she is completely over exposed in this picture, but I like it. Even when she is too close to the camera when the flash goes off, she is still too cute for her own good.
Anyway, she is still drawing up a storm and she presented Larry and I this piece about a week ago.
It really doesn't need much explanation. The item on the far left is a couch. I guessed a bed and was at first corrected, but then Rebecca said it could be either. I love the colors of the flowers and the little table the vase is perched on top. It is an utterly charming picture.
Oh, and the little thing on the floor to the right of the flowers, it's a mouse hole.
Yes, I know she is completely over exposed in this picture, but I like it. Even when she is too close to the camera when the flash goes off, she is still too cute for her own good.
Anyway, she is still drawing up a storm and she presented Larry and I this piece about a week ago.
It really doesn't need much explanation. The item on the far left is a couch. I guessed a bed and was at first corrected, but then Rebecca said it could be either. I love the colors of the flowers and the little table the vase is perched on top. It is an utterly charming picture.
Oh, and the little thing on the floor to the right of the flowers, it's a mouse hole.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
My Super Hero
On a happier note:
Which is really funny.
I guess there is a reason why the Cookie Monster is my favorite muppet, it's the blue fur.
Which is really funny.
I guess there is a reason why the Cookie Monster is my favorite muppet, it's the blue fur.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Rally
Rally was quite a character.
She was the smartest dog I ever knew. Crunch quickly became much bigger and stronger than Rally, but she always found a way to get him to do what she wanted.
In our first house the dogs spent most of their time in the kitchen. In one corner was the dog bed and nearby was a floor register. In the winter the spot nearest the vent was by far the warmest and was the preferred spot to lie in. Crunch would usually bull his way onto the bed, muscle Rally aside and claim the spot for his own.
To Rally, this was not an acceptable situation.
She would never be able to physically displace Crunch but, she could trick him.
She would head over to the back door and bark wildly. Larry or I would go over to open the door and let her out. As we opened the door Crunch, convinced that something was up, would charge outside. Rally would meanwhile calmly return to the dog bed and claim the good spot. About 15 minutes later Crunch would return and sack out next to her.
The first few times Larry and I were mystified. Why would she not go out after putting up such a fuss. Then it dawned on us that it was all a ruse to get Crunch outside. Crunch never figured it out.
She was also very usual for a smooth haired dachshund. In the winter she loved the snow and would happily break trails while Crunch would trail behind. In the summer she loved to go swimming. When we went down to the lake would have to leash her when she was in the water to keep her from going out too far when pursuit of ducks.
Rally hated crows and statuary.
Crows had to be chased from the yard and were forbidden to be near our home. Whenever she spied a statue, be it a 20 foot statue of a man or a two foot representation of a horse it was bad news. Once she caught sight of it she would voice her disapproval in a burst of sharp barks. Normally this was not a problem, but around Christmas time it would be a bit embarrassing. One year a house along our normal walk went whole hog with all sorts of Christmas paraphernalia. The worst was the lights that blinked in sync with the music "The Little Drummer Boy". She hated the whole display with a passion and would bark fiercely at the whole mess. I was torn. One one hand I didn't like all the noise, but on the other I agreed that it was quite tacky.
She loved apples and tomatoes would would do anything for them. We had to keep a portable fence around the pots with tomatoes to keep her out. Many a time I would she her staring at the tomato plants, willing for one to drop off and roll her way.
She was also unfailingly gentle. Anyone could offer her a treat and she would daintily accept the offering. She never snapped or grabbed.
Vets loved her for solid temperament. Most vets are leery of dachshunds. All too many of them are poorly bred specimens that will snap at the slightest provocation, but never Rally. She would stoically stand there and would suffer all sorts of indignities. At most I would only have to place my hand beneath her muzzle to steady her and prevent her from leaving the table.
She was a one in a million.
She was the smartest dog I ever knew. Crunch quickly became much bigger and stronger than Rally, but she always found a way to get him to do what she wanted.
In our first house the dogs spent most of their time in the kitchen. In one corner was the dog bed and nearby was a floor register. In the winter the spot nearest the vent was by far the warmest and was the preferred spot to lie in. Crunch would usually bull his way onto the bed, muscle Rally aside and claim the spot for his own.
To Rally, this was not an acceptable situation.
She would never be able to physically displace Crunch but, she could trick him.
She would head over to the back door and bark wildly. Larry or I would go over to open the door and let her out. As we opened the door Crunch, convinced that something was up, would charge outside. Rally would meanwhile calmly return to the dog bed and claim the good spot. About 15 minutes later Crunch would return and sack out next to her.
The first few times Larry and I were mystified. Why would she not go out after putting up such a fuss. Then it dawned on us that it was all a ruse to get Crunch outside. Crunch never figured it out.
She was also very usual for a smooth haired dachshund. In the winter she loved the snow and would happily break trails while Crunch would trail behind. In the summer she loved to go swimming. When we went down to the lake would have to leash her when she was in the water to keep her from going out too far when pursuit of ducks.
Rally hated crows and statuary.
Crows had to be chased from the yard and were forbidden to be near our home. Whenever she spied a statue, be it a 20 foot statue of a man or a two foot representation of a horse it was bad news. Once she caught sight of it she would voice her disapproval in a burst of sharp barks. Normally this was not a problem, but around Christmas time it would be a bit embarrassing. One year a house along our normal walk went whole hog with all sorts of Christmas paraphernalia. The worst was the lights that blinked in sync with the music "The Little Drummer Boy". She hated the whole display with a passion and would bark fiercely at the whole mess. I was torn. One one hand I didn't like all the noise, but on the other I agreed that it was quite tacky.
She loved apples and tomatoes would would do anything for them. We had to keep a portable fence around the pots with tomatoes to keep her out. Many a time I would she her staring at the tomato plants, willing for one to drop off and roll her way.
She was also unfailingly gentle. Anyone could offer her a treat and she would daintily accept the offering. She never snapped or grabbed.
Vets loved her for solid temperament. Most vets are leery of dachshunds. All too many of them are poorly bred specimens that will snap at the slightest provocation, but never Rally. She would stoically stand there and would suffer all sorts of indignities. At most I would only have to place my hand beneath her muzzle to steady her and prevent her from leaving the table.
She was a one in a million.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Rally: April 10, 1992-February 18, 2007
I got a call today that I had been dreading.
"Mrs. G____ I know this not completely unexpected, but Rally is gone."
She slipped out of this world on her terms. She went to sleep and never woke up. I knew her time on this earth was drawing to an end. I even thought about making that last call to the vet last Thursday, but she seemed to perk up the next day.
The hardest part was I wasn't with her. We had a Bar Mitzvah up in Long Island to attend and the dogs were to be kenneled. I did not want to take Rally in, but the hotel we were staying at had a no pets policy. I briefly entertained the notion of staying home, but that would leave Larry with ALL driving with a van full of kids.
Friday morning I dropped the dogs off. I spoke with the staff and told them of my concerns. It is a small kennel and the owner is a vet and runs both his practice and the kennel from his home. The staff all appreciated Rally and at one point her nick name was "Baby Doll."
I hated leaving her, but knew she would be safe and loved.
That afternoon they called me on my cell phone. Rally wasn't looking well so Doc took a look at her. He felt she was dehydrated and brought her up to the house to keep an eye on her and start her on fluids.
Saturday I called to check on her. I got the machine and left a message to please call if Rally was any worse.
Today, Sunday, the vet called me as we were driving home.
I miss her so much.
"Mrs. G____ I know this not completely unexpected, but Rally is gone."
She slipped out of this world on her terms. She went to sleep and never woke up. I knew her time on this earth was drawing to an end. I even thought about making that last call to the vet last Thursday, but she seemed to perk up the next day.
The hardest part was I wasn't with her. We had a Bar Mitzvah up in Long Island to attend and the dogs were to be kenneled. I did not want to take Rally in, but the hotel we were staying at had a no pets policy. I briefly entertained the notion of staying home, but that would leave Larry with ALL driving with a van full of kids.
Friday morning I dropped the dogs off. I spoke with the staff and told them of my concerns. It is a small kennel and the owner is a vet and runs both his practice and the kennel from his home. The staff all appreciated Rally and at one point her nick name was "Baby Doll."
I hated leaving her, but knew she would be safe and loved.
That afternoon they called me on my cell phone. Rally wasn't looking well so Doc took a look at her. He felt she was dehydrated and brought her up to the house to keep an eye on her and start her on fluids.
Saturday I called to check on her. I got the machine and left a message to please call if Rally was any worse.
Today, Sunday, the vet called me as we were driving home.
I miss her so much.
Friday, February 16, 2007
As Promised...
Cake!
I made individual heart-shaped cakes on Wednesday. It was my basic 1-2-3 cake with chocolate Italian butter cream frosting and topped with half a strawberry. Larry and I loved them, but the kids prefer my regular chocolate frosting.
What a pack of heathens.
I made individual heart-shaped cakes on Wednesday. It was my basic 1-2-3 cake with chocolate Italian butter cream frosting and topped with half a strawberry. Larry and I loved them, but the kids prefer my regular chocolate frosting.
What a pack of heathens.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Thursday Three: Feel the Love
This week Terry gives us a loved filled Thursday Three.
I don’t do syrupy thoughts, chocolaty ones yes, but not syrupy (unless the syrupy thoughts involve pancakes and then it has to be real Vermont, though NH will do in a pinch, maple syrup).
Anyway, here are my answers:
1) I guess the first person I had romantic feelings for was Chip something-or-other in third grade. He had red hair and freckles sprinkled across his face. I remember being asked if I liked him and when I said yes, the other girls informed me that I wasn’t supposed to admit it.
2) I think it is possible to fall truly in love with more than one person over the course of your life, but only one at a time.
3) I haven’t done any really stupid things out of love, just a whole lot of extreme PDA in very public places with my now husband when we were dating. Admittedly I did quit my job and follow him out to Wisconsin, but it was a good opportunity to try new things and be in new places. Most of the stupid things I have done were when I over estimated my abilities and underestimated the challenge. Oh and run of the mill pregnancy induced stupidity. I live in a fog during the first trimester.
Now I will go get a bit of cake.
Although it is slightly too late for Valentine’s Day…
…today is the Love Connection Edition of the Axis of Weevil Thursday Three, America’s Best Loved Time Wasting Diversion!
As we usually do, we ask you to answer the following three questions either by leaving a comment below or a link back to your blog. And as you can guess, the inquiries today have to do with that warm feeling you have deep inside.
No, not the one caused by your breakfast.
Here we go:
1) Who was the first person for whom you had romantic feelings?
2) Do you believe it’s possible to fall truly in love with more than one person in a lifetime?
3) What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done out of love?
Okay, flit away and begin thinking syrupy thoughts and come up with some answers!
I don’t do syrupy thoughts, chocolaty ones yes, but not syrupy (unless the syrupy thoughts involve pancakes and then it has to be real Vermont, though NH will do in a pinch, maple syrup).
Anyway, here are my answers:
1) I guess the first person I had romantic feelings for was Chip something-or-other in third grade. He had red hair and freckles sprinkled across his face. I remember being asked if I liked him and when I said yes, the other girls informed me that I wasn’t supposed to admit it.
2) I think it is possible to fall truly in love with more than one person over the course of your life, but only one at a time.
3) I haven’t done any really stupid things out of love, just a whole lot of extreme PDA in very public places with my now husband when we were dating. Admittedly I did quit my job and follow him out to Wisconsin, but it was a good opportunity to try new things and be in new places. Most of the stupid things I have done were when I over estimated my abilities and underestimated the challenge. Oh and run of the mill pregnancy induced stupidity. I live in a fog during the first trimester.
Now I will go get a bit of cake.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Terrible Twos
Well it’s been two years since I started this thing. In dog years that would make this fourteen and in blog years... well I don’t know.
I have posted endless pictures of children, cakes and dogs. This has turned out to be a great way to keep the grandparents up to date and for me to share my experiences. I hope to keep it up my little corner on the internet.
To celebrate this second anniversary here two of my favorite sites:
Watch it Shred.
Will it blend?
Nothing like a little destruction to keep you entertained.
I have posted endless pictures of children, cakes and dogs. This has turned out to be a great way to keep the grandparents up to date and for me to share my experiences. I hope to keep it up my little corner on the internet.
To celebrate this second anniversary here two of my favorite sites:
Watch it Shred.
Will it blend?
Nothing like a little destruction to keep you entertained.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Going to the Dogs
This past weekend I went to Northern New Jersey to attend a dog show and a regional club meeting. The show was the Dachshund Association of Long Island (DALI) specialty that is held right before Westminster and is part of a cluster of specialty shows that are viewed as preliminaries to the Westminster show.
Originally I was not planning on attending any of the shows, but my club was requested to send a representative to the regional meeting that was to be held in conjunction to the shows. As president I could have tapped another club member to go, I knew at least one was going , but I decided it really should be me since I’m not only the president but the regional rep as well (I volunteered since I’m very good friends with the regional president). Also the one of the members that would have volunteered to go in my stead has the reputation of being a bit of a loose canon.
The one problem with this particular trip was that two weeks before hand I’ll be attending a wedding in Manhattan and the weekend after the meeting we are driving up to Long Island for a Bar mitzvah (Hey Skinny Dan!).
That’s a whole lot of travel in a short period of time.
My first thought was to fly, and then a friend wanted to know if I could show her dog at the specialty. In the end I drove up with my friend with her dog Chad and my dog, John.
We had a great time and our dogs did as well. We got to see what our competition would be like this year and we got to be seen. I even got to hold Scraps (a dog in serious contention at the shows) in my lap for a bit. He is a very sweet little dog that gave lots of kisses. Here is what Scraps looked like this past summer.
He is even cuter in the flesh. As an added bonus, if you click here it directs you to the video streaming from the Westminster show. After the ad, Scraps is the first dog you see up on the table.
Tonight I’ll be watching the show on cable and cheering on the dachshunds.
Originally I was not planning on attending any of the shows, but my club was requested to send a representative to the regional meeting that was to be held in conjunction to the shows. As president I could have tapped another club member to go, I knew at least one was going , but I decided it really should be me since I’m not only the president but the regional rep as well (I volunteered since I’m very good friends with the regional president). Also the one of the members that would have volunteered to go in my stead has the reputation of being a bit of a loose canon.
The one problem with this particular trip was that two weeks before hand I’ll be attending a wedding in Manhattan and the weekend after the meeting we are driving up to Long Island for a Bar mitzvah (Hey Skinny Dan!).
That’s a whole lot of travel in a short period of time.
My first thought was to fly, and then a friend wanted to know if I could show her dog at the specialty. In the end I drove up with my friend with her dog Chad and my dog, John.
We had a great time and our dogs did as well. We got to see what our competition would be like this year and we got to be seen. I even got to hold Scraps (a dog in serious contention at the shows) in my lap for a bit. He is a very sweet little dog that gave lots of kisses. Here is what Scraps looked like this past summer.
He is even cuter in the flesh. As an added bonus, if you click here it directs you to the video streaming from the Westminster show. After the ad, Scraps is the first dog you see up on the table.
Tonight I’ll be watching the show on cable and cheering on the dachshunds.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Hanging With The Gov
This is an update of this post. As I mentioned my husband and I got photographed with Governor Tim Kaine. Here is the photographic proof.
This, and one other, was taken just after the Governor had asked me who had just called me earlier on my cell phone. The guy is sharp.
Meanwhile, I'm going to the dogs tomorrow.
This, and one other, was taken just after the Governor had asked me who had just called me earlier on my cell phone. The guy is sharp.
Meanwhile, I'm going to the dogs tomorrow.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Thursday Three: Food, Glorious Food
Once again Terry is serving up a buffet of food based questions.
Mmm, food. I’ll tuck into my chicken pot pie and give this a whirl.
1) This will be a multi part answer, because I have lived in numerous locals and each area has its own best burger joint.
Growing up in Connecticut we would go to a little roadside place that was only open in the summer. Seating was outside under battered metal umbrellas and the food was served on old circular tin trays that advertised Coke (or was it Pepsi, I don’t remember). I always had birch beer with my burger.
Up in Vermont we found The White Cottage, another great roadside burger joint. It is a bit far afield, but it is worth the occasional trip.
Then I moved out and lived in New Haven for a few years. There I learned to love Louis’ Lunch, the home of the original hamburger. It is a stripped down little joint that closes down every August for spoon inventory(no really). The cheese on the burgers is cheese whiz, the burger is served on toasted bread and you can’t get ketchup. A bit different and it is an interesting slice of Americana.
Then I moved to Madison Wisconsin, home of Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry. Great burgers and, as opposed to Louis’, they will serve it up any way you want. I liked the original location more, but the new digs still serves up a fine burger.
Right now I really don’t have a favorite burger joint. There is an excellent place up around Richmond, Carytown Burger and Fries, but it is a bit of a haul and usually crowded. Another good place is the Star-Lite located in the Fan up in Richmond. Great burgers, fabulous onion rings. Meryl and I have gone there a few times and I have always been pleased with whatever I’ve gotten.
2) I always feel like meal time is an adventure around here. I guess my most adventuresome meal I’ve ever made was the second time I made curry. It was when I was in England and I made it for a few fellow students. It was a big hit and I was very pleased since one of my guests was from India (she was a last minute addition to the guest list). Then there was my brother’s wedding cake. It involved three different kitchens and a whole lot of obsessive planning.
3) To this day I still refuse to eat baked beans. My mom is an excellent cook, but I can’t stand baked beans. Oh and mushrooms, I don’t eat those either.
That’s it for me, I’m still feeling a bit peckish. I think I’ll go check out the fridge for a little something to nosh on.
HUNGRY!?
Well, if you’re not, then you will be soon, as we cook up a sizzling plate of Axis of Weevil Thursday Three, the Internets’ Most Delicious Junk Food! For those unfamiliar with our menu, we ladle up a steaming portion of three questions, delicately breaded and heated to 94 degrees Fahrenheit under a lamp, and then ask only that you reward us with answers to those questions!
This week’s helping of gastronomic guesstimation will have to do with, of all things, food. Answer the following questions by either leaving your tip in the comments section below or a link to your very own establishment.
You might be asking yourself, “Hmm, it seems as though we recently did a food-related set of questions.” Well, obviously that’s just the hunger talking, and you can’t be expected to be entirely lucid on an empty stomach. So just forget about what you think you remember.
NOW THEN, on with the specially prepared gourmet selection of questions!
1) Of your local hamburger joints, which is your favorite and why? And by “local,” we mean REALLY local--no national chains! Only your local mom-and-pop establishments or regional chains, please.
2) What is the most adventurous meal you’ve ever personally prepared?
3) What dish did your Mom used to fix that you steadfastly refused to eat?
Now then, put your napkin in your lap and dig in!
Mmm, food. I’ll tuck into my chicken pot pie and give this a whirl.
1) This will be a multi part answer, because I have lived in numerous locals and each area has its own best burger joint.
Growing up in Connecticut we would go to a little roadside place that was only open in the summer. Seating was outside under battered metal umbrellas and the food was served on old circular tin trays that advertised Coke (or was it Pepsi, I don’t remember). I always had birch beer with my burger.
Up in Vermont we found The White Cottage, another great roadside burger joint. It is a bit far afield, but it is worth the occasional trip.
Then I moved out and lived in New Haven for a few years. There I learned to love Louis’ Lunch, the home of the original hamburger. It is a stripped down little joint that closes down every August for spoon inventory(no really). The cheese on the burgers is cheese whiz, the burger is served on toasted bread and you can’t get ketchup. A bit different and it is an interesting slice of Americana.
Then I moved to Madison Wisconsin, home of Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry. Great burgers and, as opposed to Louis’, they will serve it up any way you want. I liked the original location more, but the new digs still serves up a fine burger.
Right now I really don’t have a favorite burger joint. There is an excellent place up around Richmond, Carytown Burger and Fries, but it is a bit of a haul and usually crowded. Another good place is the Star-Lite located in the Fan up in Richmond. Great burgers, fabulous onion rings. Meryl and I have gone there a few times and I have always been pleased with whatever I’ve gotten.
2) I always feel like meal time is an adventure around here. I guess my most adventuresome meal I’ve ever made was the second time I made curry. It was when I was in England and I made it for a few fellow students. It was a big hit and I was very pleased since one of my guests was from India (she was a last minute addition to the guest list). Then there was my brother’s wedding cake. It involved three different kitchens and a whole lot of obsessive planning.
3) To this day I still refuse to eat baked beans. My mom is an excellent cook, but I can’t stand baked beans. Oh and mushrooms, I don’t eat those either.
That’s it for me, I’m still feeling a bit peckish. I think I’ll go check out the fridge for a little something to nosh on.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Artist of the Week: Submarine
This week’s artist is Jake.
A few weeks ago he came home with this neat cross section of a submersible.
I love the cut away view. The submersible has all sorts of neat details like multiple air tanks, a reinforced hull, and an exterior light array and so on. At school his class has been studying the ocean and this illustration was inspired by the ALVIN submersible.
It is fun seeing how he things these things through when he commits it to paper.
A few weeks ago he came home with this neat cross section of a submersible.
I love the cut away view. The submersible has all sorts of neat details like multiple air tanks, a reinforced hull, and an exterior light array and so on. At school his class has been studying the ocean and this illustration was inspired by the ALVIN submersible.
It is fun seeing how he things these things through when he commits it to paper.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
What a Goof
Last night was cold, if fact it was the coldest it has been in the past two years. So it was a bit nippy this morning as I shooed the dogs outside. I took pity on Miss Rally and put John’s coat on her before I plopped her outside. The red dogs are fully mobile and can readily scoot back inside, but the old girl needs to be carried in and out and I thought she needed a little something extra to keep her old bones warm.
She, of course, was not amused.
She stood outside looking vaguely peeved that she had been once again dumped outside with the further indignity of wearing a coat. As she stood crosswise to the steps, occasionally barking to let me know that she wanted in, John shot outside and paused at the head of the steps leading down to the backyard. John caught sight of Rally in his coat and you could see him go “What’s that!” before he charged down the stairs to confront that mysterious thing outside.
Just before impact he slammed on the brakes and practically fell over when he realized it was Rally. As he danced before her going “It’s you! It’s you!” she coldly regarded him as though to say “Well, who else did you think I was?”
I think Rally accepts John and basically likes him in a doggy sort of way, but I also think she views him as a big doofus. Today’s little maneuver confirmed what a goofball he is.
She, of course, was not amused.
She stood outside looking vaguely peeved that she had been once again dumped outside with the further indignity of wearing a coat. As she stood crosswise to the steps, occasionally barking to let me know that she wanted in, John shot outside and paused at the head of the steps leading down to the backyard. John caught sight of Rally in his coat and you could see him go “What’s that!” before he charged down the stairs to confront that mysterious thing outside.
Just before impact he slammed on the brakes and practically fell over when he realized it was Rally. As he danced before her going “It’s you! It’s you!” she coldly regarded him as though to say “Well, who else did you think I was?”
I think Rally accepts John and basically likes him in a doggy sort of way, but I also think she views him as a big doofus. Today’s little maneuver confirmed what a goofball he is.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Feeling a Bit Fae
What type of Fae are you?
I found this one over at Chef Tony a while back (January 21st to be precise).
It's a good piece of filler while I take Nate in for a nasty little cough, sounds asthmatic to me.
Ha! Turns out he has croup. At age eight he's a little old for it, but that's what he has.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Moving Day
This weekend was moving day for the kids. No, we didn’t ship them off to live elsewhere; instead we had a bit of bedroom rearranging.
Ever since Rebecca had a play date over at her friend Lydia’s house, she has been asking for a room just like Lydia’s. Jake too has wanted a room of his own for quite sometime. Max, meanwhile, has gotten tired of the twin thing and has even fired Rebecca on one or two occasions. Mind you I have no idea where that came from. We certainly don’t watch the Apprentice. When he does it I find that it is almost impossible to keep a straight face. He storms up, glowers at you and gravely pronounces you as fired. Even I have been fired, but it was retracted when I said “Great, now I don’t have to feed you.” Anyway, back to moving day.
For a while we have wanted to separate Jake and Nate. Initially it was a very good thing when we parked Nate in with Jake. Nate was ecstatic to be with his big brother and Jake was less inclined to wander into our room in the middle of the night. But Jake has a tendency to talk (Literally, the kid never stops talking after the first week of summer vacation I’m wiped out from the constant barrage from Jake.)and it was keeping Nate up at night.
So the idea was to put Rebecca in the guest room, Max would move in with Nate and Jake would get the bedroom that used to be occupied by Max and Rebecca. Max would get Jake's old bed, Rebecca would use the lovely four poster already in the guest room and we would bunk up Max and Rebecca’s old beds which would free up space in the room for a desk for Jake.
Jake, Max and Rebecca thought it was a very good plan. Rebecca even understood that when we have house guests she would be temporarily relocated somewhere else. Then there was Nate. The one child who not be moved objected to the whole idea, which brought the whole thing to a grinding halt. This would not work in everybody was not on board. After some close questioning I found out the reason for this objection. It was the Legos. Jake and Nate have a good sized plastic bin filled with Legos. At first I tried to segregate Jake and Nate’s individual Lego kits, but it proved futile and every thing got mixed together.
Weeks passed and I couldn’t come up with a workable solution. I could just pull the I’m the momma and what I say goes routine, but I wanted it to work. I didn’t want Nate resenting Max. Then it hit me, we could just leave the Legos in Nate and Max’s room. Jake could come in and play with them and still have his own room.
Larry and I brought it up at dinner on Friday and it was a go. Nate was all for the move.
So this weekend I have cleaned out the guest room closet, disassembled a changing table, turned Max and Rebecca’s old beds into bunk beds (with some crucial help from Larry, these things don’t lift themselves), made the dynamic duo weed out some of their toys, did some stealth chucking of old and busted things, sorted through endless clothes and badgered Jake and Nate into cleaning out their closet.
And the result: heaps of stuff to go into the attic, two small boxes of clothes remaining to be sorted (Max got burnt out after the first batch) and some very happy children.
Ever since Rebecca had a play date over at her friend Lydia’s house, she has been asking for a room just like Lydia’s. Jake too has wanted a room of his own for quite sometime. Max, meanwhile, has gotten tired of the twin thing and has even fired Rebecca on one or two occasions. Mind you I have no idea where that came from. We certainly don’t watch the Apprentice. When he does it I find that it is almost impossible to keep a straight face. He storms up, glowers at you and gravely pronounces you as fired. Even I have been fired, but it was retracted when I said “Great, now I don’t have to feed you.” Anyway, back to moving day.
For a while we have wanted to separate Jake and Nate. Initially it was a very good thing when we parked Nate in with Jake. Nate was ecstatic to be with his big brother and Jake was less inclined to wander into our room in the middle of the night. But Jake has a tendency to talk (Literally, the kid never stops talking after the first week of summer vacation I’m wiped out from the constant barrage from Jake.)and it was keeping Nate up at night.
So the idea was to put Rebecca in the guest room, Max would move in with Nate and Jake would get the bedroom that used to be occupied by Max and Rebecca. Max would get Jake's old bed, Rebecca would use the lovely four poster already in the guest room and we would bunk up Max and Rebecca’s old beds which would free up space in the room for a desk for Jake.
Jake, Max and Rebecca thought it was a very good plan. Rebecca even understood that when we have house guests she would be temporarily relocated somewhere else. Then there was Nate. The one child who not be moved objected to the whole idea, which brought the whole thing to a grinding halt. This would not work in everybody was not on board. After some close questioning I found out the reason for this objection. It was the Legos. Jake and Nate have a good sized plastic bin filled with Legos. At first I tried to segregate Jake and Nate’s individual Lego kits, but it proved futile and every thing got mixed together.
Weeks passed and I couldn’t come up with a workable solution. I could just pull the I’m the momma and what I say goes routine, but I wanted it to work. I didn’t want Nate resenting Max. Then it hit me, we could just leave the Legos in Nate and Max’s room. Jake could come in and play with them and still have his own room.
Larry and I brought it up at dinner on Friday and it was a go. Nate was all for the move.
So this weekend I have cleaned out the guest room closet, disassembled a changing table, turned Max and Rebecca’s old beds into bunk beds (with some crucial help from Larry, these things don’t lift themselves), made the dynamic duo weed out some of their toys, did some stealth chucking of old and busted things, sorted through endless clothes and badgered Jake and Nate into cleaning out their closet.
And the result: heaps of stuff to go into the attic, two small boxes of clothes remaining to be sorted (Max got burnt out after the first batch) and some very happy children.
Friday, February 02, 2007
I am Ursula LeGuin
 | I am:Ursula K. LeGuinPerhaps the most admired writing talent in the science fiction field. |
Which science fiction writer are you?
This meme is courtesy of the Llamas.
I have always loved science fiction and Ursala LeGuin is one of my favorites. My father was a huge fan of the genre and it is him that I credit my love of it. One of my earliest memories of the movies was seeing 2001 at the Place Theater in Waterbury, CT.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Thursday Three: On the Fly
Terry is feeling a wee bit stressed and much put upon, so here is this week’s less-thoughtful-than-usual Thursday Three.
Zoom!
Huh, what, oh the questions. Well here is my off the cuff answers to this week’s set.
1) The last product I recommended to a friend was Costco’s croissants. Just this morning I was at Costco and chatting with Meryl on the phone when I mentioned that I was getting just the necessities and croissants. The croissants are for me and since they are good, tasty and very cheap into the cart they go.
2) My favorite section of the grocery store is hands down the ice cream section. I love ice cream and it is a staple in our household. We are always trying to stuff extra calories into Max and as a result he gets ice cream three times a day. The runners up are the meat department and then the bakery.
3) Joe Biden is an idiot. Enough said.
Amazing, I was down right pithy this week.
It's an "On the Fly" edition this morning--no time yesterday or this morning to do any sort of deep thought or induce any cleverness into the process, so here's you a slapdash, thrown-together-at-the-last-moment set of questions, guaranteed to be neither entertaining nor insightful!
Everyone is free to play along, of course, although you might not want to. But go ahead anyway just to stay in practice.
ANYWAY-
1) What is the last product you recommended to a friend?
2) What is your favorite section of the grocery store?
3) Joe Biden--lunatic, or idiot?
There! Quick, run and answer those by either dropping a comment below, or a link to your blog!
Zoom!
Huh, what, oh the questions. Well here is my off the cuff answers to this week’s set.
1) The last product I recommended to a friend was Costco’s croissants. Just this morning I was at Costco and chatting with Meryl on the phone when I mentioned that I was getting just the necessities and croissants. The croissants are for me and since they are good, tasty and very cheap into the cart they go.
2) My favorite section of the grocery store is hands down the ice cream section. I love ice cream and it is a staple in our household. We are always trying to stuff extra calories into Max and as a result he gets ice cream three times a day. The runners up are the meat department and then the bakery.
3) Joe Biden is an idiot. Enough said.
Amazing, I was down right pithy this week.
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