Christmas vacation is kicking my ass. Hard. And because I'm in way over my head over here and sick to death of whining about it, I'm going to give you all a break and answer five questions that SciFi Dad emailed to me a while ago. Want to play along? Just follow the instructions.
1. Were you in Boston when the Sox won in 2004? What was that like? - I was not in Boston, sadly, because I was 8 months pregnant with Boo. They didn't win in Boston, but I did see the celebrations that occurred all over the city, and the state, that night. I was home, with my son, and I cried. It was a long time coming and intensely emotional. As soon as they won, my phone started ringing with friends screaming with joy. The next day, I couldn't find a newspaper to save my life. It was incredible - people were walking around with goofy grins on their faces, high-fiving each other and saying "Can you believe it?" It still gives me chills every time I see a replay.
2. Are you still working at the Big Box store? What is Christmas like there? - I am still working at the Big Box Store and Christmas was busy. Very, very busy. One thing I noticed was the majority of people were paying with cash or debit cards. Easily 75% of my transactions were cash. Also, people en masse drive me crazy. They are lazy and messy and do things that boggle the mind. I could have lived without the person who went into the handicapped stall, crapped all over the toilet seat and then crawled out under the locked door, leaving it for us to clean up. Really could have done without that. It's safe to say that I am not enjoying working in retail. Not even a little bit.
3. If you could live anywhere, where would you live, and why? - I've lived in Indiana, Massachusetts, England and Georgia thus far and would have to say that my heart is here in the Bay State. I loved England and could see myself living there for a few years, but I'm sure I'd want to come home eventually. I love Massachusetts. If I had my way, I'd have a house on the ocean - one of those lovely, weathered homes you see, with a big deck and a fully-loaded kitchen so that I could entertain friends and family. If I were living in England, I'd go for a thatch-roofed cottage with an Aga cooker. I have obviously read too many Rosemund Pilcher books.
4. In haiku form, share one of your experiences giving birth. - Uhhhhhh.... I so suck at these things, but OK.
Birth was difficult
Babies were very stubborn
And that hasn't changed
5. What is the last blog you added to your reader, and why did you add it? - Zoopolis. I added it because it's the new blog of someone I have been reading for years and she's shutting down her old blog.
Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Read, Kiddo, Read.
I don't remember when I learned to read. It was before my 4th birthday, according to my mother, and I took to it like the proverbial duck. I inhaled books. I had my own library card and read my way thru most of the children's section and was on to the more adult stuff by the time I was 8. I loved Agatha Christie and James Herriot, Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alcott. I was engrossed by The Dragonriders of Pern series and the Little House books. My favourite birthday and Christmas presents were books, most of which I still have.
I've tried to instill that love of reading in my children, without a lot of success. My older two are not avid readers, although starting in high school, Alex became interested in a lot of civil war history. O has some learning disabilities that seem to prevent her from really enjoying books. Plus they both have that streak of "If mom says it's great, I'm not going to like it" going on.
The two little girls like to be read to for very short spurts of time, but at 4 and 2 years old, they don't have the attention spans for it. They do like to cart books around with them, though, which makes me hopeful that they'll start to get more into it as they get older.
Recently, MotherTalk asked me to review a website designed to get children interested in reading. It's called Read, Kiddo, Read and was started by James Patterson. Now, I will be the first to admit that I find the whole James Patterson mystique baffling. He doesn't write the kind of books that I enjoy. Not even a little. But this website is very cool and he has my admiration for starting it. There's a section of book suggestions that covers a great range of ages. There are forums and blogs, written by members and by the professionals involed there. There's a section for teachers, for grandparents and for parents.
It's a great little website. And it needs more traffic to really get the conversation and suggestions rolling in. So if books get you all worked up, if you want to talk books with other parents or grandparents, get yourself over there and register. Have a look around.
Anything that can get kids more interested in reading is, in my opinion, a Very Good Thing. And I think this website, with a little more traffic (which, hopefully, these MotherTalk reviews will generate) could be an amazing resource for anyone who knows a kid who needs a little encouragement in the reading department.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
99 Things
Stolen from Daysgoby.
Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font
1. Started your own blog - Duh
2. Slept under the stars. - I was a Camp Fire Girl. It's the law.
3. Played in a band - Does singing in a vocal jazz group count? The only thing I play is the radio.
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower - plenty of times. Sometimes while sleeping under the stars.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - Some day, when I actually have more than two dimes to rub together.
7. Been to Disneyland/world - Yes, but I was only in the 3rd grade and don't remember much. Except It's A Small World. Even then, I found that song annoying.
8. Climbed a mountain - yes, but one of the tiny ones near here.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (in the shower) - and at concerts, back when I was young and unafraid. Or, unafraider than I am now.
11. Bungee jumped - Good god, no.
12. Visited Paris - Sort of. We were there for 12 hours, while traveling to Seville. I saw it by bus.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. - Knitting and cross-stitch and most recently, making stuff out of felted sweaters.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - it's a loooooong walk. But so worth it.
18. Grown your own vegetables. Termaters.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train. Yep. Lots of times, including one horrific trip (the same one from Paris to Seville.)
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. Not on your life.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. - Of course.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon- are you mad?? (I'll just keep dgb's answer here)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run - bwahahahahahahaha. My eye-hand coordination doesn't even allow me to hit the ball, never mind hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise - I have no desire to do this whatsoever.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - yep. With the person from whom I swiped this meme.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Some of them. England, Scotland and Germany, yes. Peru, not so much.
35. Seen an Amish community - also a Shaker community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. - wouldn't that be nice?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing. - no fucking way.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - Too chicken.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - yep, after fainting. In a bar. After half a beer. Fun times.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - off Key West. It was glorious.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater. - oh, the things I used to get up to at the drive-in.
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - if, by Girl Scout Cookies, you mean Camp Fire Candy.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - no. Sad, huh?
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - but I can't anymore because they're afraid I might be a mad cow.
65. Gone sky diving - no fucking way.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - although I don't know if I could make it thru the whole thing.
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London
77. Broken a bone - only fingers
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby. Four
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee - Plenty of times - I like going barefoot.
Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font
1. Started your own blog - Duh
2. Slept under the stars. - I was a Camp Fire Girl. It's the law.
3. Played in a band - Does singing in a vocal jazz group count? The only thing I play is the radio.
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower - plenty of times. Sometimes while sleeping under the stars.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - Some day, when I actually have more than two dimes to rub together.
7. Been to Disneyland/world - Yes, but I was only in the 3rd grade and don't remember much. Except It's A Small World. Even then, I found that song annoying.
8. Climbed a mountain - yes, but one of the tiny ones near here.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (in the shower) - and at concerts, back when I was young and unafraid. Or, unafraider than I am now.
11. Bungee jumped - Good god, no.
12. Visited Paris - Sort of. We were there for 12 hours, while traveling to Seville. I saw it by bus.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. - Knitting and cross-stitch and most recently, making stuff out of felted sweaters.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - it's a loooooong walk. But so worth it.
18. Grown your own vegetables. Termaters.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train. Yep. Lots of times, including one horrific trip (the same one from Paris to Seville.)
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. Not on your life.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. - Of course.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon- are you mad?? (I'll just keep dgb's answer here)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run - bwahahahahahahaha. My eye-hand coordination doesn't even allow me to hit the ball, never mind hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise - I have no desire to do this whatsoever.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - yep. With the person from whom I swiped this meme.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Some of them. England, Scotland and Germany, yes. Peru, not so much.
35. Seen an Amish community - also a Shaker community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. - wouldn't that be nice?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing. - no fucking way.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - Too chicken.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - yep, after fainting. In a bar. After half a beer. Fun times.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - off Key West. It was glorious.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater. - oh, the things I used to get up to at the drive-in.
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - if, by Girl Scout Cookies, you mean Camp Fire Candy.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - no. Sad, huh?
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - but I can't anymore because they're afraid I might be a mad cow.
65. Gone sky diving - no fucking way.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - although I don't know if I could make it thru the whole thing.
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London
77. Broken a bone - only fingers
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby. Four
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee - Plenty of times - I like going barefoot.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Things I Shouldn't Do Late At Night
Listen to Sarah McLachlan's Surfacing after having a few drinks.
Try to read about depression.
Blog.
I was on the phone with a friend last night, talking to her about my marriage and my depression and was saying that I didn't know if my marriage was affecting my depression or if my depression was affecting my marriage. She said that was a total mindfuck. It didn't really hit me until today, but I think she's right. Maybe it's not him, maybe it's just the depression and maybe I should just back the fuck off for a little bit.
Try to read about depression.
Blog.
I was on the phone with a friend last night, talking to her about my marriage and my depression and was saying that I didn't know if my marriage was affecting my depression or if my depression was affecting my marriage. She said that was a total mindfuck. It didn't really hit me until today, but I think she's right. Maybe it's not him, maybe it's just the depression and maybe I should just back the fuck off for a little bit.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Selling The Drama
The Shuffleupagus Anti Meme. Courtesy of Poppy.
1. Put your iTunes or MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Testify - Rage Against The Machine
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Get Rhythm - Johnny Cash
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Goodnight, Travel Well - The Killers
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Through Your Hands - John Hiatt
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Story Of A Girl - 9 Days
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Just A Girl - No Doubt (*snort*)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Crush With Eyeliner - R.E.M.
WHAT IS 2+2?
Pushing Me Away - Jonas Brothers (yeah, guess who else downloads stuff to iTunes??)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Last Splash - The Breeders
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Wake Up - Rage Against The Machine
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Confusion - New Order (again with the *snort*)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
AM Radio - Everclear
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Hot 'n' Cold - Katy Perry
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Shoulda Been A Cowboy - Toby Keith
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
How Do You Like Me Now? - Toby Keith (I swear, I'm not a Toby Keith fan.)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Ray of Light - Madonna
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Alone + Easy Target - Foo Fighters
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Float On - Modest Mouse
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Something To It - Great Big Sea
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Crazy - Barenaked Ladies
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
All Along The Watchtower - Jimmy Hendrix
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - David Gray (huh. Good one.)
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Fish Heads - Barnes and Barnes
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
My Funny Valentine - Elvis Costello
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Wild Mountain Honey - Steve Miller Band
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Stay With Me - Rod Stewart
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Selling The Drama - Live
1. Put your iTunes or MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Testify - Rage Against The Machine
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Get Rhythm - Johnny Cash
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Goodnight, Travel Well - The Killers
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Through Your Hands - John Hiatt
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Story Of A Girl - 9 Days
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Just A Girl - No Doubt (*snort*)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Crush With Eyeliner - R.E.M.
WHAT IS 2+2?
Pushing Me Away - Jonas Brothers (yeah, guess who else downloads stuff to iTunes??)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Last Splash - The Breeders
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Wake Up - Rage Against The Machine
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Confusion - New Order (again with the *snort*)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
AM Radio - Everclear
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Hot 'n' Cold - Katy Perry
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Shoulda Been A Cowboy - Toby Keith
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
How Do You Like Me Now? - Toby Keith (I swear, I'm not a Toby Keith fan.)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Ray of Light - Madonna
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Alone + Easy Target - Foo Fighters
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Float On - Modest Mouse
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Something To It - Great Big Sea
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Crazy - Barenaked Ladies
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
All Along The Watchtower - Jimmy Hendrix
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - David Gray (huh. Good one.)
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Fish Heads - Barnes and Barnes
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
My Funny Valentine - Elvis Costello
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Wild Mountain Honey - Steve Miller Band
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Stay With Me - Rod Stewart
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Selling The Drama - Live
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Confession
I heard these songs on the radio the other day, as I was driving, and was singing at the top of my lungs.
I had a blast....
I had a blast....
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Soul Butter
Boo's new favourite song.
What? It's not called Soul Butter? Well, don't tell her that. She's been singing it ad nauseum.
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