tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79530481062533781732024-02-18T22:05:47.243-07:00What the heck was she thinking?Parenting, home schooling, and life out here in Arizona.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-76484445443621807452011-10-15T19:47:00.000-07:002011-10-15T19:47:41.265-07:00I'm Still Alive, Pt 2Well, hello there! Yes, it's me. I know, I know, you thought I was gone. I thought I was, too. I'm toying with the idea of pulling the old blog out of storage, dusting off the cobwebs, and giving it another go. Now that I've lost the small following I've had, and all. ;)<br />
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This last year has been a bit rough. Health issues, emotional challenges, lots of soul searching and loads of adjusting. We've gone from brick and mortar schooling back to home schooling, MM has changed jobs again, and I've gone from full time to part time to full time and back to part time again at work (with the same great company). We've bought a house and have spent the last six months settling in.<br />
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Part of the reason I wanted to start blogging again is because my friend M has suggested a new challenge for us. Our goal is to do the three day Komen walk next year in San Diego.<br />
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I have a history of dreaming big and not following through. I have been searching for an adventure - something that I had to work hard to accomplish, something that would benefit others, something I would be proud of myself for achieving. I've always wanted to do this walk, but never believed I could. I HATE to exercise, I have at least 100 pounds to lose, and, as I mentioned previously, I like to dream big and don't always end up following through.<br />
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I want this to be different. I want to do this for my health, for everyone who has had breast cancer, and for all the people who love them. This is for me, my grandmother, and my friend Deb. I want to raise money for the cause, I want to lose pounds and gain health while preparing for this walk, and I want to end this knowing I accomplished something I never thought I could.<br />
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I still have doubts, but, I want this. I want to finish this. I don't want to let down M, and I don't want to let myself down. I've got twelve months to prepare for this, and I'm starting my training today.<br />
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At this point, my plan is to at least keep my training schedule blogged. I'm on a three day a week schedule at work, so I'm hoping to at least check in two or three times a week. I'm starting off with an easy 20 minute stroll every day, starting today. Each week, I'll add either speed or time to my routine. Once I get acclimated to my daily walk, I'll start working on distance.<br />
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With a lot of hard work, next November I'll be spending a week with Mara in San Diego, donating $2300 to the Komen Walk For The Cure, and amazing myself with both my accomplishment and my new found, much improved health.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-12060567894219067052010-09-30T19:56:00.000-07:002010-09-30T19:56:01.381-07:00Hellllloooooo There!I'm not dead!<br />
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I've just been busy. And lazy. And feeling very unbloggy and introspective. I've spent the last month coming to terms with my life - what it is and isn't, what it can and could be - and finding out I'm pretty damned happy with it. <br />
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I've been thinking about blogging, I really have. I've also been thinking about not blogging at all - thinking about writing a goodbye post and closing it all down. I started this blog to talk about and talk through homeschooling, and since we don't really do that any longer, it became my place to muse and vent and write stuff out. But, I wasn't real sure I wanted to blog about the stuff going on here anymore. I'm still not, actually.<br />
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But I'm also not quite ready to say goodbye. And then I got this blogging award from one of my dear web friends, and I thought I'd best resurface for a bit. Since she still cares and all. :) <br />
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The award is <b>“Cherry on Top”</b> Award for “beautiful blogs with that little bit extra”. First of all, thanks, <a href="http://myleftoverlife.wordpress.com/">Sheri</a>! I'm not sure it's deserved, but, I appreciate it!<br />
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The rules are that I answer a question and nominate six more bloggers. I'm not sure I have six people, but, I have a few in mind. Anyway, here it is:<br />
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<b>1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you, and what would it be?</b><br />
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</b><br />
Oh, man, I can only pick ONE? That's impossible. There are so many things I wish I had or hadn't done, so many things I would like a do-over on. If I had to narrow it down, I wish I would have traveled around the world and lived in a different country before I married and had a child. Now it seems so difficult to attain, and there are so many other people's desires and feelings I have to consider. Well, OK, only two people, really, but since I'm married to one and the mother of the other, they're feelings are fairly important to me. So it feels sometimes like more than two, if you know what I mean. <br />
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<b>2. Pass the other award along to 6 of your favourite blog writers.</b><br />
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In no particular order:<br />
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<a href="http://myfoilhat.blogspot.com/">My Foil Hat</a>. I love this blog. Amy has home schooled four boys and has survived to tell the tale. I love her writing, her humor, and her insight on education. I live vicariously through her trips to the beach, and have a secret desire to hide out in her SUV and join them on the next trip. But, in a totally non-creepy sort of way. Really.<br />
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<a href="http://chromatoast.com/blog/">ImPerceptibility</a>. Even though she officially said goodbye to her blog a month ago, I'm not ready for it to end. Another homeschool blog, with a twist of, I don't know, a twist of SOMETHING. She's hilarious, she's out there, her posts often have me in tears. I love her blog, and I'll really, really miss it. But it's worth every minute to read all the old posts, so check her out. <br />
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<a href="http://fuhkauifamily.blogspot.com/">Where the FuhKaui</a>. Vicki is living my dream life - traveling in an RV unschooling her kids and seeing America. She's not afraid to try anything new, she's someone I can count on for advice and and vicarious adventure, and she posts great videos on Facebook.<br />
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<a href="http://sixgables.wordpress.com/">Squid Ink</a>. She eats bear after being a vegetarian for 20 years. She goes to Hippie Camp. I want to steal her son's hair. I love checking in and seeing what she's up to. What more can I say?<br />
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<a href="http://regular-mom.com/">Regular Mom</a>. She's a poet, she's a homeschooler, she's sarcastic, and she's the Arbiter of Art. Again, what more can I say?<br />
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<b>3. Thank the person who gave you the award.</b><b> </b> <br />
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Thank you, <b>Sheri</b>, at <a href="http://myleftoverlife.wordpress.com/">My Leftover Life</a>. Sheri has been with me since the start of my blogging, she's always there with encouragement and support, and I swear she's my Canadian alter-ego. We just seem to get each other, and the older I get, the more and more I appreciate that connection with someone, no matter where they are. She is funny, sweet, and writes some pretty amazing poetry, which I've completely quit commenting on, because my comments were usually just something along the lines of "Oh, my gosh. That's EXACTLY how I feel!!"<br />
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So, I'm seeing a common link here with these blogs. They're all by women, they all make me laugh, make me think, or make me cry. They're all mom's. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the blogs is either that they're hilarious, well written, or just someone I love to "visit". They all deserve the Cherry on Top award. And to any readers I have left, go check them out. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-80883275754907258772010-08-24T19:42:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:42:03.243-07:00Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep SwimmingI'm feeling a more hopeful today. The benefit of my short attention span is that I don't stay upset for too awfully long. I get distracted too easily by all of life's possibilities. <br />
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After wallowing in self-pity for a few days, shedding a few 'poor me' tears, and a lot of support from my friends and family, I feel better. Much better.<br />
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I'm going to go with option two - the much more affordable community college route - for nursing school. There's a wait list, so I'm having my test results sent over, I'll fill out my application packet and get it all turned in, and wait. When my turn comes up, I'll see where life is at that point and go from there. Nursing may never be my future, but I'm not ready to give it up yet.<br />
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In the meantime, I'm finishing up my associates degree this next semester, and moving on to ASU. For what, I'm not totally sure yet, but I have a semester to decide. I'm thinking of something along the lines of Organizational Behavior, which looks somewhat interesting, is on the list of degrees my employer will pay for and would be of use both as a nurse or at my current job. As much as I LOVE my history classes, I don't know that I want a degree in that field. I'll see how I feel in a month or two, when I actually have to make a decision.<br />
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Now, I'm off to fold a ton of laundry in preparation for my birthday trip with my mama Thursday and my root canal tomorrow. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-84895374068323209012010-08-21T10:59:00.000-07:002010-08-21T10:59:45.611-07:00The Post in Which I Feel Sorry for MyselfYou've been warned. Feel free to move along if you want to skip this one.<br />
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I went to the financial aid meeting for the nursing school I've been accepted to, and after it was all said and done, I'd owe somewhere in the neighborhood of $80k in student loans. That's with what I've already borrowed, plus, the exorbitant cost of the school added in. This, coupled with the fact that I'm losing my insurance and the pay I currently receive (couldn't keep my current job and do this), and the fact that my husband's job isn't reliable enough to support us completely...well, all this basically made going to this particular school impossible for me.<br />
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So, my options are to change my degree and incur no further student loans, as my current employer will foot the bill (who I love, by the way, absolutely a great company, but let's just say that being a banker/customer service rep is not what I wanted to be when I grew up); go to a community college and finish nursing school at a much lower cost (still trying to make the no insurance and loss or substantial decrease in my income work); or, say fuck it, I'm tired of all this, and quit school altogether. <br />
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Right now, I'm feeling rather sorry for myself and am leaning towards option three.<br />
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I feel like MM's job situation is not going to change anytime soon. We're thankful that we're both even working right now. AZ's unemployment rate is crazy high. I'm not sure we'll ever be in a position where I can not work again, especially long enough for me to finish two more years of school.<br />
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Which leads me to my other current issues: I feel like I've lost all the things that really mattered to me when MM was laid off in Texas. I had to go back to work and lose time with BW, home schooling went out the window when I wasn't there to facilitate it, and the nursing/ultrasound tech degree I'd been working towards in Texas now looks impossible to finish.<br />
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My employer wants me to come back to work full-time in order to change departments. My only option to get out of the department I'm in right now (which, quite frankly, I'm ready to do) is to go back to full-time. If I don't quit to finish school, I feel like my options are pretty limited there unless I'm willing to work more, and since BW opted to go back to school, I might as well. <br />
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BW is happy at school, but, he is already expressing a desire to come back home. I know if I were available to make homeschooling work, he'd be all over it. And I truly believe it would be the best option for our family. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of control over even my part-time schedule, so I'm not clear on how we'd make that work.<br />
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I'm feeling like working hard for a goal isn't enough - and we're in that place where we're not making enough money to truly be comfortable, but we make too much to qualify for any help in the way of grants and aid for me to finish school.<br />
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I'm also feeling like a complete fuck up, because if I would have finished school when I was fresh outta high school, the VA and my mom would have paid for it. Since I spent five or six years drifting, and then spent another five or six years recovering from my misspent youth and getting my act together, I'm screwed now. The VA (and my mom) are no longer willing to pitch in. This is the culmination of all my previous bad life decisions, as well as the good ones. If I were a single parent and not making the salary I make, I'd have all sorts of help.<br />
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The hard part is, MM is truly relieved that I'm not going. He's upset that I'm upset, but, relieved he won't have the burden of supporting us. And I get that, but it still sucks. He's promised he'll work two jobs, do whatever it takes to get me through school - and he would if I told him I was going to finish - but then he tells me how sick he is at the thought of not being able to make it. And how much it bothers him that I'd be leaving the job I have now.<br />
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I can't do it to him. He's not totally on board, and I don't feel like I can do it without 100% of his support. Even if I were to choose the community college route, I don't think he'll ever be comfortable with me leaving the job I'm at. He's looking for a better job, so maybe there's a chance, but I'm not all that hopeful.The job he's out now he enjoys, and the pay is OK, but it's construction-y, so there aren't reliable hours.<br />
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I'm at the point now where the life I live is completely opposite from the life I dream of. I really thought nursing would be the key to making it happen, and I feel that I'm not only giving up my career aspirations, but I'm losing the life that that career would have allowed me have. I have to get past that, and figure out how to do the things I want within our current reality.<br />
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I'm sure it's possible, but I'm not feeling very hopeful right now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-30577260182084408592010-08-14T09:45:00.000-07:002010-08-14T09:45:13.102-07:00I Said Good Day!Wow. I have been neglecting this blog something fierce lately. Not only have I not been writing, I've not been reading either - I just spent the last hour catching up on a month's worth of blogs I like to follow. I kinda feel like I just spent my morning drinking coffee with a couple of good friends, which was nice!<br />
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A lot has been happening this last month. We've had some personal drama here in our house with our adopted family member. I'm not going to go into it all, but, it's filled up a lot of our time.<br />
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I was in training for a month at work, so I had was doing a full-time Monday through Friday shift that had me up early each day. Between that and the gym, my days we're pretty full.<br />
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Hubby has been working out of town for the last several weeks. Usually he's home on weekends, but hasn't been able to come home the last few weeks. He's been popping in and out on the odd day on his way through town, but, needless to say, we haven't been seeing a whole lot of him. We miss him!<br />
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BW decided that he wanted to return to public school again. I'm not even sure what to say about that. He decided a week before school started. I'm completely depressed over the whole thing, but, we've always said it would be his choice, so we enrolled him. Hopefully it won't be like a repeat of last year. It's a different school, so, we'll see. He gets to join band this year, which seems to be the main reason he wants to go. I'll have my very own band geek.<br />
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BW had his braces put on this month. He's got this retainer thing on the roof of his mouth, and now he can barely talk. Which is just the tiniest bit awesome, because anything that slows down that kid's talking is a benefit, let me tell you. My ears get tired just listening to him on some days. I'll post a picture of him getting his teeth pulled, with the gas mask thingy and cotton rolls sticking out of his mouth, he looks like a little piggy.<br />
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I was asked if I wanted to go back to full-time at work and start doing mortgage origination. I'm torn, because I really don't want to work full-time right now, but if I want to learn this, part-time isn't an option. It'd give me a chance to possibly get into underwriting, which I think I'd like.<br />
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The day after I found out about the mortgage thing at work, I learned I was accepted to the nursing program I applied to. Now I have to make a decision, and I have no clue what to do. I've been working so hard towards school, but, I don't know if we can afford for me to go. I'd be losing our health insurance, and the income I bring in. And I LOVE the company I work for, I just don't love exactly what I'm doing right now, though that can change as time passes.<br />
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I kind of feel like I'd be on my own if I go back to school. Well, that's not quite accurate, it's just that my family isn't 100% supportive - they don't quite get why I'd leave a perfectly good job to go back to school. They aren't really negative about it, just not really positive either. When I thought I might not go, I got a lot of relieved sighs and "I know you're disappointed, but, this is probably for the best" type comments.<br />
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I'll be spending the next several days writing a pros/cons list, I guess. I am starting to feel that little bud of excitement about maybe being a real, live, actual nurse. I'll be sure to put that in the pro section of my list. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-68898401074262545792010-07-15T12:10:00.000-07:002010-07-15T12:10:17.391-07:00KD's Doll ShopThere's a lot going on here, but I have to take a minute to give a shout out to a friend of mine, Kristi. She makes these wonderful Waldorf inspired dolls, and I just bought one for a sweet child in my life. As you can see by the pictures, she LOVED it! <br />
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Check out Kristi's shop if you have a need for a beautiful handcrafted gift. You won't be disappointed!! The dolls are absolutely WONDERFUL! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J1IjmiJAwKWbZ2xq0_6muCFcjlthhKKzANj6o7lneOXtx1ngXeKMP_eELWxdQNkHL_DeoCH8zMe8U6HwovljMgAbvNOE7MjTAqTHu9xecF_Y4IjsBY4Vh1Jg3dm_WcojJkiHt97nL226/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J1IjmiJAwKWbZ2xq0_6muCFcjlthhKKzANj6o7lneOXtx1ngXeKMP_eELWxdQNkHL_DeoCH8zMe8U6HwovljMgAbvNOE7MjTAqTHu9xecF_Y4IjsBY4Vh1Jg3dm_WcojJkiHt97nL226/s320/IMG_3275.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJsJcimWZMFAP60DJuXQJPn3X6nyoN2mfs5H4_cS0Svl_-rH4Gmwv27zBnGsvla78aclspZOW-tjo6l0DQEWs4na_FEF5ZthXNMviwqjmhufp7kL76JsqXsd8zHuyjuf-dyXlnQBxHAD/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJsJcimWZMFAP60DJuXQJPn3X6nyoN2mfs5H4_cS0Svl_-rH4Gmwv27zBnGsvla78aclspZOW-tjo6l0DQEWs4na_FEF5ZthXNMviwqjmhufp7kL76JsqXsd8zHuyjuf-dyXlnQBxHAD/s320/IMG_3276.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gHDMWaR70b-cBygYjCf91ruesaO5DL7wYSRIGOzu4DODPsDZNvfhkizQ6UT-tQ8ZBGguSBCkaz3elIPOfyKAi5z9gWT8AgRBEUYITkFrcEzHZ7UV8fRAX8deCgvhhVVjuzMaBOaJ898Z/s1600/IMG_3277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gHDMWaR70b-cBygYjCf91ruesaO5DL7wYSRIGOzu4DODPsDZNvfhkizQ6UT-tQ8ZBGguSBCkaz3elIPOfyKAi5z9gWT8AgRBEUYITkFrcEzHZ7UV8fRAX8deCgvhhVVjuzMaBOaJ898Z/s320/IMG_3277.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJbabADDMg4DbsvA-kNIpQDJEPENSjdgnZvDlHMaKDOAWdorL-wywVYfO60pCxF-HjnyXuckktOnUxSc7tYVQYBfQK8-EgXNLm0QeglyFC9G1_ryfLoAT7RZ-1sp1hOs4PkkDVtjn37H9/s1600/IMG_3278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJbabADDMg4DbsvA-kNIpQDJEPENSjdgnZvDlHMaKDOAWdorL-wywVYfO60pCxF-HjnyXuckktOnUxSc7tYVQYBfQK8-EgXNLm0QeglyFC9G1_ryfLoAT7RZ-1sp1hOs4PkkDVtjn37H9/s320/IMG_3278.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVNPE6AzeEf5zFRphmHNh4TyxiASaPlRMSbWd-Q6FJDcPOglq5ijmeZVegfKqCgHLnagKO_VSXGsO84mxpEt7pCCCT0yq_MfdSIybOAnbKMODyCH3uNe0u5YxOqXMBCA-1jSBcdy3to5u/s1600/IMG_3279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVNPE6AzeEf5zFRphmHNh4TyxiASaPlRMSbWd-Q6FJDcPOglq5ijmeZVegfKqCgHLnagKO_VSXGsO84mxpEt7pCCCT0yq_MfdSIybOAnbKMODyCH3uNe0u5YxOqXMBCA-1jSBcdy3to5u/s320/IMG_3279.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-49907781631428574292010-07-10T13:03:00.001-07:002010-07-10T13:03:41.243-07:00My Raw ExperirmentGood Saturday afternoon to you!<br />
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I've been nearly raw now for about four days. I've been trying smoothies for breakfast and dinner (fruit and green leafy veggies - sounds horrible, looks gross, tastes surprisingly good!), raw fruits and veggies for snacks, and something cooked for dinner - mostly brown rice and steamed veggies.<br />
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It's been surprisingly easy and satisfying. I'm still having my coffee in the morning with a small splash of milk, and I did have popcorn two nights that I didn't have rice and veggies - air popped with some buttery spray (gross, I know).<br />
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I'm still in that 'inspired' stage of change, where I'm all gung ho and happy about it, so I harbor no illusions about this being a permanent change. Only hopes that I can incorporate it into one. <br />
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My weight has dropped a few pounds, I've still felt great energy wise, and my salt and fat intake has (obviously) dropped dramatically. I'm still making sure to add a little bit of salt and fat into my daily diet, but at a much healthier level. I'm still hitting the gym at least three days a week, and trying to swim on the other days. I'm still having a hard time with the exercise. I really don't *want* to do it, but I'm doing it. Maybe one day I'll find something I can somewhat enjoy. <br />
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I think living in Phoenix helps a lot with the eating - we have a lot of access to local produce and no harsh winters where nothing can grow. Our garden is producing, but not as well as we'd like. I'm hoping to be able to grow a lot more of my own foods next year. There are plans of a green house attached to the side of my mom's place to protect our garden from bunnies and quail, cute little thieving bastards that they are. I keep threatening to buy a pellet gun and add a juicy quail breast to my dinner, but the thought of eating it raw has ruined that little fantasy. <br />
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Nothing else is really new here. MM is enjoying his new toy, I'm still waiting to hear on the future of nursing school, and hoping all my transcripts get there in time to find out this month - I've sent three requests to Texas and have yet to receive anything from them. If I don't get them, I have to wait until August, which will piss me off. BW is enjoying the waterpark and all our outings. All is well!<br />
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I'm off to enjoy the rest of my weekend - and hopefully everyone else is, too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-72762452647509424532010-07-10T12:37:00.000-07:002010-07-10T12:37:35.323-07:00Going Raw ... AgainI know I've blogged about this before, and I so wish this could be the last time, but, I know it won't. I am a food addict. I truly believe that I have an emotional and physical addiction to eating in a way that is damaging to my mental and physical health. I'm not sure how to cure it. I'm not sure where that magic switch is that I can flip to change my eating habits for good.<br />
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Until I can find it, I'll be on the eternal quest to take better care of my body, to figure out a way to eat that I can both stick to and love. I keep coming back to raw, or mostly raw as a solution. I believe that it's the kind of change I'm looking for. It's fairly simple, it's better for both my body and the environment (I've been eating such unhealthy foods, and foods produced in such unhealthy ways), and if I can get over the cravings and keep on top of the shopping for fresh produce, it should be easy to implement and live with.<br />
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It sounds good in theory, anyway. In practice, I've tried this three or four times and I've never been able to stick with it for more than a month. And the month long trial only happened once. So, yeah, here I go again.<br />
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I have been going to the gym at least a few days a week for the last couple of months. I've been doing better with my eating, but not well enough. Again, always a struggle, always a challenge. The exercise has helped, though. I've found a few muscles I didn't know existed (well, hello there! so nice to have finally met you!!), and while my knee has been hurting in different ways, the grinding while going up the stairs thing has all but quit - I can feel muscles in my legs actually working as I go up, which relieves a lot of the stress on my knee. So, success on that end. Yay, me!<br />
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As for eating, I seem to have no will power. And I don't know how to fix that. I always promise myself to do better tomorrow, to start eating healthier next week, to just get through this weekend and then I'll eat nothing but cabbage to make up for it. It's much like my misspent youth. Lots of promises to straighten my shit up, but no real change for years. Until I was just ready to change. And I did. I found that magic switch to flip.<br />
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I'm not sure I'll ever do that with eating.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-62425353099411265472010-07-03T22:12:00.000-07:002010-07-03T22:12:22.959-07:00Goooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalll!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't you just love the way the announcer yells that during these soccer games? It has absolutely nothing to do with this post, I just couldn't think of anything else for a title. Sorry.<br />
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There have been all sorts of happenings here lately. We've sold a car and bought a car - I promised MM a sports car for his 40th, and he found a 1999 Corvette with less than 20,000 miles on it. I posted some pictures down below from my phone.<br />
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BW went away for two weeks to camp and to his cousins' house. He had a good time, but was getting pretty homesick by the end. He doesn't feel he needs to do camp again unless it's secret agent camp or we go as one of the counselors. He was really uncomfortable not being able to call us at all (so we were), and he said it was fun, but not that exciting.<br />
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We went to the <a href="http://www.themim.org/">Musical Instrument Museum</a>, which is even cooler than it sounds. We spent nearly three hours there this afternoon and still didn't get to see all of it. They really have a great set up, you learn lots, hear lots, and there's a great hands-on section that we all had fun with. If you're even in Phoenix, I highly recommend it. <br />
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We hit the new <a href="http://www.sealifeus.com/phoenix/phoenix-home">aquarium</a> at the Arizona Mills Mall a few days ago. It was fun, but pricey. And aquariums always seem way too small for the amount of money you have to pay to get in. We did have a good time, though, and BW learned some cool new facts, so it was worth it.<br />
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We went to go see both Avatar: The Last Airbender and Prince of Persia this week. Prince of Persia was very Mummy/The Scorpian King-esque. It was entertaining and fun, but not spectacular. The Airbender movie, on the other hand, wow-ee. It was BAD. Horribly, shockingly, spectacularly bad. Did I mention it was bad? The dialogue was bad, the special effects were bad, the acting was, ok, not BAD, but not really impressive either. The only good thing was the fact that I saw it with M1 and had somebody to make fun of it with. I was so sad and embarrassed for M. Knight. I really expected more from him.<br />
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I made reservations to go camping near San Diego for my birthday in August. I'm very excited about it. I think a few days in San Diego will do us good.<br />
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I got new glasses and ordered a box of contacts. I can see while swimming again! Yay, me!!!! I haven't worn contacts for years, so I'm happy to go back to them. At least part time, anyway. I still like my glasses for every day use, but, it's nice to use the contacts as a backup.<br />
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I've realized our dog is dumber than a box of rocks. We've lived on the third floor for months and she still stops on the second floor every single time we take her out for a walk. So, four times a day, times six months, the dog heads to our downstairs neighbor's door. I'm not even sure what to say about it, I honestly thought dogs were a little brighter than that. I honestly thought she was a little brighter than that. I was sadly mistaken.<br />
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I'm addicted to Facebook Scrabble. It's the first thing I do when I get up and the last thing I do before going to bed. If you're my FB friend, you need to start playing with me. NOW. I'll wait while you sign up.<br />
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.....<br />
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I've been posting on FB but not blogging. I'm not sure why, I guess I've had a short attention span lately. Sorry about that.<br />
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I've applied - like officially applied, sent my transcripts, took the entrance test - for nursing school. For my BSN. I'm nervous about the whole thing. I'm hoping I get accepted, but I won't know more until mid-July. I'll let you all know when I find out. Wish me luck.<br />
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I'm still working out three days a week or so. I can really tell a difference, finally. My leg muscles are finally getting stronger, and I can feel a difference when I go up and down the stairs. Apparently my doctor wasn't kidding when he said improving my muscle tone would help. <br />
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MM's been the perfect husband lately. Affectionate, happy, in a great mood, etc. He spent much of last night telling me how much he loves me, how he wants to grow old with me, that I'm the only one for him, etc. Granted, he was a teensy bit drunk, but that was only last night. He's being supportive about me quitting my job if I get into nursing school, says he'll get a second job part-time if necessary so I can finish. He even cleaned the house today while I went out to lunch and the Musical Instrument Museum with BW, Catherine and her son. Without my even asking him to. I figure he's either cheating on me or still really grateful for the Corvette. I really think it's the 'Vette, but I'm going to keep my eye on him for a while anyway. He has been working out of town for the last several weeks....<br />
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So, that about summarizes all the happenings here in our household lately. Like I said, lots of stuff going on. It's been a flurry of activity. Lots of fun things, though, which is always good. And lots of learning, just in our every day life. I think I'm more sold then ever on some form of home schooling or unschooling for the boy - I just hope we can make it work schedule-wise. After learning that we're 49th in terms of education spending per child, I'm having a hard time justifying any reason to send him back to public school. I think we'll just focus on what we've been doing since school ended. Playing, reading, going to museums, watching interesting things on television, traveling, and being together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-66298570225410991682010-06-13T19:32:00.001-07:002010-06-15T12:53:30.509-07:00Wipeout and Spermy GroovesWipeout is starting again on June 22nd! We just watched <a href="http://abc.go.com/watch/wipeout/SH5568487/VD5568877/wipeout-blind-date-part-1?cid=fullepisodeaccess">Wipeout: Blind Date</a>, and laughed for two hours straight. I love that show. I can't explain my fascination with it, other than people willingly choosing to be filmed while being knocked down over and over again delights me more than words can say. And the Big Balls! Oh my, I still laugh at the Australian episode, Big Balls: Down Under. Seriously, who thinks of this stuff? If you like watching people getting knocked off things and falling in the most spectacular ways, check it out.<br />
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Wipeout is also pretty much what I did with my eating the last two days. Weekends just kill me and I really have to get that under control. It wasn't too horribly bad, but it wasn't how I wanted things to be. I did swim for a couple of hours, though, so hopefully that made up for some of the crap that I ate. <br />
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We're going to have a couple of weeks here without BW. His aunt called and wanted to know if they could have him for a week, and the day he gets back from there, he's off to camp for a week. We asked him if he'd be OK being away from us for two weeks, and his response is, "Well, yeah, I'll miss you. But I'll get over it!" Gee, thanks. I feel bad that we can't return the favor with our nephews, but sorry, three kids in a two bedroom apartment is too much for me to handle. Waaaayyyy too much. <br />
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Last night I got to spend a couple of hours with a cousin that I never, ever see. The one that actually lives in the same state with me, too. We're averaging about an hour or so each year because we're close like that. It was nice to see her and her son, though - I like her, she's fun. I don't know why I've never really connected as an adult with the cousins on that side of the family. Not like the Texas cousins, anyway. We've tried to rekindle our relationships through the years, but it never really seems to stick.<br />
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I'm beat and I want to finish watching Expedition Great White. One of the scientists just shouted, "Sperm in the groove, that is awesome!" while making a note on his clipboard. Right after another guy stuck his finger in the poor shark's spermy groove. Apparently, sexually violating a male Great White is scientifically noteworthy.<br />
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So yeah, big balls and shark porn - an exciting weekend at home. Don't you wish you could be me?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-30515255177498544432010-06-10T19:21:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:34:01.817-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ZogZNEKwuCAy2saJqwQrnKJ6DWvq-Gbjbn5Mq2IWt2YIf1xyeGyJ_7pbnpm-zY1j6cGIhOAVU1lNBR2H726-41aSMgLKKmYXGPx9XUfZmsUSArrvoy7A-1ChJjLkRcxhWeODLQGsl8s/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMTMuanBn%3F=-741818"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ZogZNEKwuCAy2saJqwQrnKJ6DWvq-Gbjbn5Mq2IWt2YIf1xyeGyJ_7pbnpm-zY1j6cGIhOAVU1lNBR2H726-41aSMgLKKmYXGPx9XUfZmsUSArrvoy7A-1ChJjLkRcxhWeODLQGsl8s/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMTMuanBn%3F=-741818" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481338805377311922" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNqTuSdLCkrEMUrpLyFhe5BV2s7ae31KScXNSLwwICMfYBG2wVx5sTZK2eBa2f0hEmMwGkNyxXBvDFNZ1XcxqkmclyAMglwA0M9u9PELkjc5FsoEi21zFBUHAxLOrixJfQdugymlpiBfg/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMTQuanBn%3F=-744751"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNqTuSdLCkrEMUrpLyFhe5BV2s7ae31KScXNSLwwICMfYBG2wVx5sTZK2eBa2f0hEmMwGkNyxXBvDFNZ1XcxqkmclyAMglwA0M9u9PELkjc5FsoEi21zFBUHAxLOrixJfQdugymlpiBfg/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMTQuanBn%3F=-744751" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481338820512333490" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtKA6nMa4ryF5LK1Byu85PMjD6_LI9qWwkmu6NAnrx9kNIVoV0CHWRZdejqCl-t1CU8KIJC_ExPtgNGmnazHKvvMdxdHRe5Y8ZtpT-cdnM7HcDX2qvsipZzpOSV_tp02lgNJST0yr2ImM/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzIuanBn%3F=-747189"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtKA6nMa4ryF5LK1Byu85PMjD6_LI9qWwkmu6NAnrx9kNIVoV0CHWRZdejqCl-t1CU8KIJC_ExPtgNGmnazHKvvMdxdHRe5Y8ZtpT-cdnM7HcDX2qvsipZzpOSV_tp02lgNJST0yr2ImM/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzIuanBn%3F=-747189" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481338828162183490" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdYMjurVUYzbSxha3ZXPpM_gyViXsi9lpro-v9qbxNqBeJfwMktL0JMsE1qVoUe6RGxnvkLV4iEIjsiGOPmyKyUWV-k7n5BF8vZIUuSXKMMs4TH15CtxRU3_pAIZBvxAIt7C006LkRLax/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzMuanBn%3F=-748433"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdYMjurVUYzbSxha3ZXPpM_gyViXsi9lpro-v9qbxNqBeJfwMktL0JMsE1qVoUe6RGxnvkLV4iEIjsiGOPmyKyUWV-k7n5BF8vZIUuSXKMMs4TH15CtxRU3_pAIZBvxAIt7C006LkRLax/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzMuanBn%3F=-748433" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481338832591774530" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhlbWiGdUk126NdbHlWjZl4cTBP9ayuPTl7BQa58Buhi1cJfCtlYyWPUlDm71mezm8a0QTL85i5ClA6ymJFfJQKeVLAc6Y7ylQHQO4TazURM0UO_CeiIzdwOd0kHwUoXJoy7F1lZ0pu9-/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzQuanBn%3F=-750138"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhlbWiGdUk126NdbHlWjZl4cTBP9ayuPTl7BQa58Buhi1cJfCtlYyWPUlDm71mezm8a0QTL85i5ClA6ymJFfJQKeVLAc6Y7ylQHQO4TazURM0UO_CeiIzdwOd0kHwUoXJoy7F1lZ0pu9-/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1BRzAwMzQuanBn%3F=-750138" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481338841590087362" /></a></p><br><br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone<br><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-44067749400690463872010-06-10T15:08:00.004-07:002010-06-11T09:00:53.892-07:00Well, Hello There!So it turns out that switching to part-time at work just leaves me feeling even guiltier - I still am too busy to get EVERYTHING done that needs doing, but no longer can use work as an excuse. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WTF</span>?<br />
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We've had all sorts of happenings this last month, as I noted in my last post. So, in no particular order, here goes:<br />
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- BW turned nine this month. NINE. We're about to enter the double digits. It was a pretty low key birthday, just cake and dinner with grandma and M1 and the kids. And year number five of MM's mother completely forgetting the day. I think at this point I'm just at a mild simmer. I've grown to accept that it's going to keep happening, and to realize that it's a little freeing - I no longer have to feel responsible for the special days of that side of the family. And it doesn't really seem to faze BW at all, so I'm trying not to be to pissed off about it. I've come a long way in five years, haven't I?<br />
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- I got <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MM's</span> initial (which, ironically, really is an 'M') and a tiny heart tattooed on my ring finger. We don't wear rings any more, he's had my initials on his finger for a few years now, I decided I'd take the plunge. Now I really do have to stop and count the tattoos from head to foot to tell people how many I have.<br />
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- M1 and I spent three nights in Vegas, and it was so wonderful. Just me and her, no kids or hubbies. I've missed spending a lot of time with her, it's hard with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">everyone's</span> busy schedules, but four whole days alone was like four whole days of stress-free bliss. I can't wait to do it again.<br />
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- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BW</span> and I drove to Texas to visit my other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bestest</span> friend, M2, much to her surprise. Her husband and I planned it several weeks in advance and kept it a secret. I got to let myself into her house and see her surprised face when she realized I was there. The trip was much, much too short, but, it was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to see her again. I love her so much, and it just sucks not being able to pop around the corner to her house to see her every single day. Possibly the one and only downside of leaving Texas. Oh yeah, that, and having to go back to work. But the work thing pales in comparison to not getting my daily dose of friendship.<br />
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- We went camping with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MM's</span> brother and his family - the first time I've camped as an adult and I'm sold. I've been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">over zealously</span> shopping for camping equipment on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ebay</span>. Let's just say we have a lot of campfire cookware arriving here in the next several days. And I've got at least one percolator too many.<br />
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- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">BW's</span> been listening to Lady Gaga. He loves that kind of music, I downloaded it knowing he does, but without having ever really listened to the lyrics. My mistake. He asked me what a disco stick was. And proceeded to tell me he thought she meant penis. I had to google it to be sure - because I'm that cool. <br />
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- I took C out to the Melting Pot for dinner for her birthday. We haven't been there for years, and it was oh so yummy. We don't exchange gifts anymore, really, just take each other out on really fun outings or to dinner. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">looooove</span> that place, and I actually didn't eat so much this time. I wasn't completely miserable when I left! Progress!!<br />
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- I started an exercise/eating plan. I'm trying to do weight watchers again. I got an Android phone and there's a great app for tracking things. I'm going to the gym at work three nights a week with my carpool buddy - which means I actually GO three nights a week, rather than blowing it off. I'm going to start swimming with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">BW</span> on my off days, so I'm aiming to average six days of activity a week. So far, so good. I'm doing pretty well with both the eating and the exercise, and I've got support to motivate me to stick with it.<br />
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- I'm going to finish nursing school. I know I keep changing my mind, but I keep coming back to it. I'm thinking about going to a private school here to get my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">BSN</span>, I could actually be done in about two and a half years. I'm hoping <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">that'll</span> keep me motivated to keep up the exercise and eating healthy as well, because if I had to be on my feet for 12 hours a day now, I'd probably need a nurse.<br />
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- I've been promising MM a sports car for his 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">th</span> birthday since before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">BW</span> was born. This morning, we took the plunge and are the proud new owners of a 1999 Corvette. With only 19,0000 miles on it, even. MM is over the moon. It is a pretty car, if you like that sort of thing. Personally, I'd rather have a Stingray. I'm thinking a month of backpacking through Europe for me in three short years. A present for graduating college and my 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">th</span>, if all goes well.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-65762019441191312132010-06-07T08:44:00.002-07:002010-06-07T08:56:18.990-07:00Busy Beaver....<br /><br />....<br /><br />Sorry. I'm still laughing over my title. Once again, I amuse pretty much only myself. And usually Sheri. ;^)<br /><br />The last three weekends I have been to Vegas, drove twelve hours to Texas to surprise M2 and the family with a weekend visit, and then went camping with my brother-in-law and his family.<br /><br />In between, I have worked, gotten a new tattoo, began writing a song, celebrated Boy Wonder's 9th birthday and made at least two questionable parenting choices. Probably more, but only two stand out.<br /><br />I have to get ready for work so I will write a real post later, but for now, I'll leave you with the song I'm (re)writing to honor Baskin Robbins ice cream. Please sing it to the tune of Master of Puppets:<br /><br />Baskin! Baskin!<br />Where's the ice cream, I've been askin'?<br />Baskin! Baskin!<br />Fattenin' up my thighs...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-34973960283487230352010-05-16T08:58:00.002-07:002010-05-16T10:06:55.009-07:00Returning to Home SchoolingWith the school year coming quickly to a close, I've been thinking a lot about what the next year of home schooling is going to look like. I'm excited about getting back into what we enjoy most, and hoping that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BW's</span> year of third grade wasn't too damaging to him. He's learned that it's not OK to get excited and ask lots of questions about things - you get in trouble for that!<br /><br />The kid has almost all A's (one B) and he's constantly getting in trouble for talking, which tells me he's bored. He does have a little bit of a persecution complex, and he talks so much and so fast that what most people hear is a general buzzing - I liken it to a gnat on coke who just drank several cups of coffee and wants to discuss his REALLY GREAT IDEA, DUDE. I try to keep that in mind when he tells me about his day, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sheez</span>, when he's excited about what he's learning and asking tons of questions and being shut down, it pisses me off.<br /><br />I do get that the teacher does not have time to answer off topic questions about the subject, but, it's sad. If a kid is interested in something and wants to learn more, it bites that he's being punished for asking questions. He's been sent to another teacher's classroom, to the "trouble desk" for it. I had to bite my tongue and not ask if he had to wear a conical hat with 'dunce' written on it as well. Here's to humiliating kids as a form of discipline! And BW tells me this stuff, I have yet to get a note from the teacher or any mention of this during the parent teacher conferences. WTF?<br /><br />We're both looking forward to getting him the hell out of the system. He did say he didn't want to finish the school year, but when we talked about it more, he decided he'll stick with it until it's over. I had initially told him he had to, but recently gave him the option of leaving before the end if he wanted to.<br /><br />Anyway, we have a math program we've liked in the past, so I think we'll go back to that. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BW</span> wants to learn Greek. We've talked about starting with Latin, which is going to be a hoot since my only exposure to a foreign language curriculum was two semesters of high school Spanish - my only take away from that year is the all important <span style="font-style: italic;">'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Donde</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">esta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">el</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bana</span>?'</span>.<br /><br />Other than math and Latin, I envision lots of trips to the library and local museums, lots of reading, and lots of exploring our city. And maybe some letterboxing. I think we'd have fun with that. I'm also going to have to start meeting some Phoenix home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">schoolers</span>, which makes me feel a little nervous. Not because of them - I'm sure they're very nice - but mostly because I'm shy and meeting new people fills me with trepidation. It's going to feel like my first day of work all over again.<br /><br />So we'll be spending our summer recovering from the school year. I've got us season tickets to one of the local water parks, we've got a vacation to plan for the end of August, and a load of library books to read. It's going to be a beautiful summer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-4579589748415803182010-05-13T17:22:00.004-07:002010-05-13T17:48:15.861-07:00My Week Has Been Filled With PoopI've been having one of those weeks.<br /><br />The child needs braces - which turn out to be extremely expensive, in case you didn't know.<br /><br />The dog went from constipated to not constipated. VERY not constipated, if you know what I mean, and VERY all over my carpet.<br /><br />I was woken up later that same night by the smell of it happening again. Being awakened by a smell is never, ever a good thing. Unless it's the smell of coffee and bacon and it's somewhere north of nine in the morning. This midnight smell? This midnight smell was definitely not coffee and bacon. Not even close.<br /><br />After cleaning up yet more liqui-poo, a late night dog walk, and finally, FIIIINALLY falling back to sleep, I was woken up again by the child at o'dark thirty.<br /><br />That was just one 24 hour period. The rest of the week was fairly similar.<br /><br />And, have I mentioned the nose bleeds are continuing? Daily? And that BW is at the point that he HATES school, so he's in a foul mood every day when I pick him up? And MM is out of town for work, and, I'm ready to admit it, he does the bulk of the food shopping and cleaning? So the house has been lonely AND dirty AND I've had to figure out my own meals? (Poor, poor me. I know.)<br /><br />Things are starting to look up though. MM will be home in the morning. I got a new camera from my mom - I love hand-me-downs. I was able to score MM tickets to one of the Suns playoff games for Father's Day. I'm going to Vegas in a few weeks with M1, child free, for three whole nights. I've been going to the gym at least three days a week, and have an appointment to get my "exercise prescription" from one of our personal trainers tomorrow. And The Office is on tonight.<br /><br />So, even though my week has been literally and metaphorically filled with poop, it's looking up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-62485844389937852042010-05-09T09:34:00.001-07:002010-05-09T09:35:13.082-07:00Happy Mother's DayI hope everyone has a lovely day with their families!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-34282390958008497842010-05-08T18:40:00.000-07:002010-05-08T18:40:58.277-07:00Fragrant and Hot Marxism<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/03/world/asia/20100503_CHINGLISH.html">A Sampling of Chinglish - Slide Show - NYTimes.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-22780353856608984272010-05-05T22:22:00.004-07:002010-05-09T09:57:19.589-07:00The Gym and Girl Crazy Eight Year OldsOut of the last six days, I made it to the gym FIVE TIMES. As in, almost, but, not quite, SIX. That has to be some sort of record or something. I even went in on my day off.<br /><br />I'm so proud of myself, because, one, I very much do not enjoy exercise (see how I'm trying to retrain myself not to say 'I hate exercise'?) and, two, because I've started exercise plans before and have very rarely made it past day two. And day six is at least three times better than day two, no?<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">YAY</span>, ME!<br /><br />Now totally out of left field, I'll change topics on you - this has been more and more on my mind of late: the girl craziness. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BW</span> is nearly nine, and has been very aware of the opposite sex since sometime around his fourth birthday. He's always asked lots of questions about girls and sex and boys and bodies and penises and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vaginas</span> (which blogger has determined is spelled wrong...perhaps <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">vagini</span>?) and and and.....!<br /><br />To date, we have discussed masturbation, erections, what a period is, why it happens, how it happens, no - the two little rocks I keep in the jar are not my periods - they are gallstones (although my uterus and gallbladder were removed just a few months apart, so I do understand the confusion), tampons, pads, douching, condoms, pregnancy, sex, sexual responsibility and a ton of other things I've quite probably blocked out in self-preservation.<br /><br />After my initial shock, I've done my best to answer him truthfully and fully - meaning, I answer, and continue to answer as long as he continues to ask questions. When he's had enough, he lets me know. Usually by saying something that totally throws me off, like, 'Wow, mom. Do you think you could save all the blood in a vial?' which turns the topic of conversation to coagulation and, ew, why on earth would you want to save it in a vial??<br /><br />I'm hyperventilating just a bit right now reliving some of our conversations. Because he's EIGHT. And he already has girls fawning all over him. And it freaks me out more than a little. I'm afraid my only hope is to coat him in alternating layers of latex and lambskin from head to toe and lock him in a box for the next twenty years.<br /><br />On one hand, I want to answer his questions. I don't want to put him off - they aren't inappropriate, he's curious and I don't want to demonize anything. MM, spending his childhood as both a late bloomer and a total geek is no help at all when it comes to the age appropriateness of these question and answer sessions, so we just wing it. So far, BW feels totally comfortable asking me all sorts of awkward (for me) questions, and for that, I'm thankful. When he clams up, I'll panic.<br /><br />What is making me think even more about this is a discussion going on amongst participants in the LIFE is Good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unschooling</span> conference group. There's all sorts of discussion about teen and tween sexual expression. It got me thinking - when does innocent curiosity become sexual experimentation? I'm afraid the time I have to prepare myself for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BW's</span> experimentation is not going to be nearly as long as I would need and like for it to be. And, what can I do to prepare <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BW</span> for it? Because I harbor no illusions about a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">teen's</span> (please, please, please let him at least be a teen) ability to find a time and a place for sex.<br /><br />So, am I doing the right thing by being open, by answering all his questions, by repeating over and over again (in a non-judgmental way) the emotional and physical (and LEGAL) consequences and responsibilities of sex when the topic comes up?<br /><br />Or should I start shopping for spray-on latex and a box?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-50068917753083043162010-05-02T14:10:00.005-07:002010-05-02T14:52:25.263-07:00Laundry Day, Bloody Noses and School, oh myIt's that time of week around here. Yesterday I spent much of the day at the zoo and then M1's house, which means I got absolutely nothing done. Working three days a week does have the somewhat exciting consequence of having to worry less about work clothes, but, there does come a time when there is just nothing clean left to wear, and work clothes need special attention, like line drying. Having no decent place to hang stuff up, they get ignored for as long as possible.<br /><br />It's dry and windy as all get out here - I feel like I'm back in West Texas. The result? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BW's</span> started in with the bloody noses again, one last night and one this morning. Early this morning. Ugh. Time to bust out the humidifier. Or move to Florida. Somewhere humid, where the nasal passages stay nice and moist. Our method of dealing with bloody noses usually involves the shower and a wash cloth - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BW's</span> had issues with them since he was two, and trying to wrangle a two year old who is gushing blood is an ordeal - so straight to the bathtub he went. It often looked (and sounded) like I was slaughtering a goat in there, but was much easier to clean.<br /><br />I think I mentioned school is over for me, for the summer. I found out I have one more class to get my AA, and then it will be time to move on to the University. I'm not looking forward to it, I've found comfort at the community college level. I can handle it, easily. I know what to expect. I am happy I'm so close to actually finishing SOMETHING, though. I've heard AA degrees normally don't take 20 years to accomplish, so there is that - it's finally nearing it's end.<br /><br />I've been on a reading binge to celebrate, which has been wonderful. I finished the latest from Clive Cussler, Maeve Binchey, Lee Child and Patricia Cornwell all in the last week. I started Stephen King's Tower (The Dark Tower? I can't remember...) series yesterday. Even though his ending always piss me off, I keep coming back for more. I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess. Also, I joined the gym at work. My carpool mate and I are planning on going three days a week, and, who knows, I may try to hit it every now and then on my days off. There's that goal of walking across the GG Bridge I'd like to accomplish this fall, so, time to get to walking - and not outside in the 42 bajillion degree summer heat here in Phoenix, either.<br /><br />So, nothing else really exciting (ha!) to report. Have a happy week, readers near and far!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-31535522224467784102010-04-27T20:27:00.000-07:002010-04-27T20:27:00.212-07:00Sun City ladies about to make reality TV debut | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Yahoo News<span style="font-style: italic;">Kristine Harrington reports some Arizona residents are about to make their reality television debut starring in a new show called 'Sunset Daze' described as a cross between 'Golden Girls' and 'Jersey Shore.'</span><br /><br />Oh, my.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.azfamily.com/outbound-feeds/yahoo-news/Sun-City-ladies-about-to-make-reality-TV-debut-92270469.html">Sun City ladies about to make reality TV debut | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Yahoo News</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-3984171243208004962010-04-25T11:26:00.003-07:002010-04-25T11:49:11.509-07:00The Walk in Which the Cactus all Looked Like PenisesWe got up early-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ish</span> this morning, and went to the skate park. While <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BW</span> and MM messed around on their boards, I set my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">playlist</span> to Rob Thomas and got to walking. M1 and I have decided that we will be walking across the Golden Gate Bridge this fall as part of our lose weight/start exercising more challenge, and today is finally DAY ONE of my walking plan. I've been putting it off for a week because I'm being lazy.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, because when I rounded a corner, I saw this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviaLJmpUvtQzZI1oss2deKxw2hp-10F7bpP1Z30tXF9z-bm-k4-pjiQ9KYtzMwlLJ3tagOsqwqxK8f_fLXqKwcLrsr6oxTPFCNUJ6qiyx5n88PjNdpOLnnFR_VxqAznfxxAjmesrJ58fc/s1600/agavestalk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviaLJmpUvtQzZI1oss2deKxw2hp-10F7bpP1Z30tXF9z-bm-k4-pjiQ9KYtzMwlLJ3tagOsqwqxK8f_fLXqKwcLrsr6oxTPFCNUJ6qiyx5n88PjNdpOLnnFR_VxqAznfxxAjmesrJ58fc/s400/agavestalk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464145831477205490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">An Agave in bloom.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then I saw four more. I was surrounded by them, these towering, twenty foot tall, phallic blooms.<br /><br />I was trying to find a picture here to show you, and while none really captured the true penis-like nature of the plants I saw, the picture above came close.<br /><br />I also learned, while looking for pictures, that most agave plants bloom dramatically and then die.<br /><br />There's a metaphor in there somewhere, I'm almost sure of it.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-35968849277032105992010-04-24T12:07:00.004-07:002010-04-24T13:56:04.172-07:00The Eagles: Assisted Living TourI've kinda crapped out on the blog the last week or so - posting articles and whatnot instead of actual posts. Things I wanted to share, when I didn't really have time to write. I've never really done that before, and I'm not sure I like it. Although, I gotta say, it was easier than actually writing a post.<br /><br />I've had all these things I've wanted to blog about, but now that I actually have time to do so, I've forgotten most of them. Maybe I'll remember as I continue.<br /><br />The one thing I do remember I wanted to write about is last Wednesday. MM and I went to see The Eagles. I can't stop ranting and raving about how absolutely amazing it was. The Eagles have been the soundtrack to much of my life, the first music I can really remember listening to. Them and Jimmy Buffet.<br /><br />I can't even describe how I felt listening to them. I actually cried during I Can't Tell You Why. Because I'm such a sap. It reminds me of my husband - "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nothing's</span> wrong as far as I can see/We make things harder than it has to be" and "Every time I try to walk away/Something makes me turn around and stay" - and there they were. Real, live tears. Through the whole song. I swear, ever since I had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BW</span> EVERYTHING makes me cry. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sheesh</span>. Anyway, our marriage has had so many of its ups and downs through the years, and it's a song I can really relate to. Thinking about walking away, but, being unable, unwilling to do it.<br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c99OSzlUz1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c99OSzlUz1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br />Anyway, no opening act, just three hours of them playing. A few of their individual solo hits, a smattering of the new stuff, most of the major classics, and they were INCREDIBLE. For so many of the songs, I just leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and let the music engulf me. It was magical. Yes, I'm a dork. Music does that to me, though. Especially music that has been such a big part of my entire life.<br /><br />Anyway, on to other subjects.<br /><br />The big upset in the home schooling 'sphere is the whole <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-tests-classes/story?id=10410867"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GMA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unschooling</span></a> thing. Ugh. On one hand, it pisses me off. Yep, being with your kids all day long, creating an open environment for them, providing them with inspiration, support, freedom to follow their passions is lazy parenting. While shipping them off to school and not being involved in their education at all isn't?<br /><br />On the other hand, it's the media. They presented the story they wanted to present, they chose the parts they wanted to to support the story they were writing. It was one sided. We all know that, right?<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong: there are lots and lots of brick and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mortar</span> school parents who bend over backwards to be involved in any way they can with the schools and their kids. And then there are others who don't. Others who ship the kids off to school and that's the end of their involvement. Who are so happy to have a little peace and quiet. A free babysitter.<br /><br />My feelings are that no one solution is right for everyone. Some kids do great in b and m schools. Some families don't have any other options. Some kids that are home schooled would probably be better off being educated by someone other than their parents. But the nice thing about the country that we live in is that there are options. We, as parents, should always strive to do the best we can for our children. And if we feel that option is home schooling or sending our kids off to school, then we should do what we feel is best. And be an active participant in which ever choice we make.<br /><br />I don't understand why this is such a dividing issue. Just because someone chooses to do something different from what you do doesn't make it wrong. Just like religion, folks. Believe what you believe, accept that others are trying to do the best they can for themselves and their families. Good fucking god, people. Why the controversy?<br /><br />Personally, I plan on home schooling BW again next year. He wants it, I want to do it, and I think I can do a better job for him at home. I'm also voting to raise taxes for education. Because the schools need it. And better schools lead to better communities, and better communities lead to better cities and states and nations and so on. This doesn't have to be such a divisive issue.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-86561126425514477432010-04-18T09:27:00.001-07:002010-04-18T09:29:27.997-07:00Watch out for the CRUNCHY BITS OF HORN!Who couldn't use a <a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);" href="http://www.gearfuse.com/unicorn-meat-an-alternative-source-of-protein-and-magic/">little unicorn meat</a> in their life?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-18135272113207461182010-04-16T20:47:00.000-07:002010-04-16T20:47:33.085-07:00Rabid Otter Killed After Attacking Elderly Man - cbs4.comYeah, they try to look all cute and innocent, but, secretly, they're plotting to attack our elderly.<br /><br /><a href="http://cbs4.com/local/venice.florida.central.2.1542288.html">Rabid Otter Killed After Attacking Elderly Man - cbs4.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953048106253378173.post-63671443438215502962010-04-14T21:52:00.000-07:002010-04-14T21:52:29.033-07:00Bobcat invades Phoenix man's attic with babies in tow | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Yahoo NewsMaybe this will solve the <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://phoenix.about.com/cs/desert/a/roofrat01.htm">roof rat</a> problem. Or is this going to be like the whole introducing the <a href="http://www.perlgurl.org/archives/2006/05/the_mongoose_a_maui_menace_1.html"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">mongeese</span></a> to Hawaii issue?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.azfamily.com/outbound-feeds/yahoo-news/Bobcat-invades-Phoenix-mans-attic-with-babies-in-tow-90904744.html">Bobcat invades Phoenix man's attic with babies in tow | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Yahoo News</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2