It is Monday again. No, I'm not surprised, Monday is very predictable. It always comes after Sunday, and is the official end of the weekend. Not many people look forward to Monday. I hope Monday is not offended. Sorry, Monday, we just don't like you.
Last week, I submitted a poem to a new online magazine all about fairy tales. The magazine is called Enchanted Conversation, and can be found at enchantedconversation.com. Each issue is themed, and the first one is all about Rumpelstiltskin. They encourage the creative retelling of classic fairy tales. Using an alternate character as a main character is one type of story that could be submitted. I opted for poetry, sometimes a thing just hits you and you have to go with it. They are only accepting 10 pieces to publish. I wrote the poem specifically for this, but I don't mind using it elsewhere if they don't accept it. I just visited the site, and they have 150 submission to read. So, if I'm doing the math correctly, my poem has a 1 in 15 chance of being accepted for publication. I can live with those odds. The next issue will be about Snow White, and they are only accepting poetry this time. The Snow White submissions are due May 11-14. I hope that I don't procrastinate too long, but it really seems like a long way off. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Zone Buster
There is a lot of fear in people's voices as they talk about the economy. It seems that it will get worse before it gets better. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how the economy should be fixed. Still, here we are.
That is all I have for fear today. I would like to brag about my daughter. We went to her basketball game last night, and she was awesome. She got to play point guard for more than half of the game, and made two three pointers and two outside shots for two points each. She did such good job of looking for open people, and spreading the ball around to everyone. We really got to see what the "non-starters" had to offer. I especially like the way she communicates with her teammates. She has a really cool way of letting people know where they belong and what needs to happen, and she isn't bossy about it either. This surprises me because I remember her at 4 years old. She could really boss a kid around. I don't remember what we did to break the bossy, but it worked. I think in basketball she has learned how she would like to be treated, given a chance, and wants to be sure others have theirs too. I guess that's what happens when you work your butt off and have a lot of time to watch from the bench. For the longest time, it seemed like, even when she got to play, she wasn't playing. The ball just never got to her. She's gotten very good at going to get the ball herself, instead of waiting, and I think in her last couple of games she's earned a little respect that has been long overdue. I think she may have gotten a nickname out of it too. The Zone Buster. I am very proud, can you tell.
That is all I have for fear today. I would like to brag about my daughter. We went to her basketball game last night, and she was awesome. She got to play point guard for more than half of the game, and made two three pointers and two outside shots for two points each. She did such good job of looking for open people, and spreading the ball around to everyone. We really got to see what the "non-starters" had to offer. I especially like the way she communicates with her teammates. She has a really cool way of letting people know where they belong and what needs to happen, and she isn't bossy about it either. This surprises me because I remember her at 4 years old. She could really boss a kid around. I don't remember what we did to break the bossy, but it worked. I think in basketball she has learned how she would like to be treated, given a chance, and wants to be sure others have theirs too. I guess that's what happens when you work your butt off and have a lot of time to watch from the bench. For the longest time, it seemed like, even when she got to play, she wasn't playing. The ball just never got to her. She's gotten very good at going to get the ball herself, instead of waiting, and I think in her last couple of games she's earned a little respect that has been long overdue. I think she may have gotten a nickname out of it too. The Zone Buster. I am very proud, can you tell.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Is There Anybody Out There?
I have that, "is there anybody out there?" feeling today. I haven't had to leave the house in four days, which I like. My only contact with the outside world is when people stop in and whatever I find on the computer. I have been working on a book which requires a lot of research, and I'm extremely frustrated with the amount of information I can't get on the internet.
Everything says it's free until you go to the site, and then you need to buy a membership to see anything. That should be illegal. I just want to know if any of these ladies are still alive. They are in their nineties, and it seems that I have just missed some of them by a couple of years or less. Anyway, I got a letter from a family member of one of the ladies I am writing about. It was like Christmas. I hope that I am able to get good information about all the other ladies too. I have realized that this is going to be a very emotional journey. I hope that I am able to represent these ladies in a way that makes their loved ones proud. That is one of my goals. It would be wonderful to get a first hand accounting of the events surrounding the quilt from one of the ladies who was in on the making of it. I had a dream last night that I got great information about the ladies, but none of the sources had ever heard of the quilt. I guess that is a possible outcome, but I hope not.
I will be updating that site today too. I haven't been able to do much with either site lately. I've been fighting one really bad cold. Hopefully I'm on the upswing, and my energy will return. I will also be getting out of the house this afternoon. My oldest has a basketball game. Go Eagles! Then I would like to go to a meeting with a group that is trying to start a school garden. My schedule has not cooperated until now, but tonight is looking good.
Everything says it's free until you go to the site, and then you need to buy a membership to see anything. That should be illegal. I just want to know if any of these ladies are still alive. They are in their nineties, and it seems that I have just missed some of them by a couple of years or less. Anyway, I got a letter from a family member of one of the ladies I am writing about. It was like Christmas. I hope that I am able to get good information about all the other ladies too. I have realized that this is going to be a very emotional journey. I hope that I am able to represent these ladies in a way that makes their loved ones proud. That is one of my goals. It would be wonderful to get a first hand accounting of the events surrounding the quilt from one of the ladies who was in on the making of it. I had a dream last night that I got great information about the ladies, but none of the sources had ever heard of the quilt. I guess that is a possible outcome, but I hope not.
I will be updating that site today too. I haven't been able to do much with either site lately. I've been fighting one really bad cold. Hopefully I'm on the upswing, and my energy will return. I will also be getting out of the house this afternoon. My oldest has a basketball game. Go Eagles! Then I would like to go to a meeting with a group that is trying to start a school garden. My schedule has not cooperated until now, but tonight is looking good.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Power of Positive Thinking
I had a post all ready for yesterday and I ditched it. It was about the budget repair bill and all the excitement it is causing. I felt that it was too opinionated and a little too angry and/or negative. I want this to be a positive place. A place where I can practice my writing, but still be fair and positive. That seems to be harder than it sounds, some days anyway. Most days I do remain very positive. I am a problem solver and I think you have to be positive to be good at it. Without a positive attitude where would we be? Negative attitudes infect everyone they touch. They are like a virus.
Not long ago, I was reading a friend's blog. He was writing about the fact that he might change the name of his book to make it sound more positive. It reminded me of a teacher I had in college who taught us how to be positive. She said that your brain does the last thing it hears. For instance, if you say "Don't forget your mittens," what will be heard is "forget your mittens." If you say, "remember your mittens," what will be heard is "remember your mittens." Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? Ever since that lesson I really notice negativity in behavior and in writing. When you see a memo, it often says something like, "Don't forget about the board meeting..." It would be better to write "Remember the board meeting..." I guess it isn't a lesson that everyone is lucky enough to learn.
It seems that every time there is a movement it seems to be negative. There are signs that say "kill this" or "No" to that. There always seems to be a sign with a big red circle with a slash mark through it covering whatever it is that "we" don't want. I wonder how it would be if during a protest the word "no" was off limits. If there were only positive attitudes allowed, would it change anything? Maybe if we all had positive attitudes a protest wouldn't be necessary. With all the emphasis that the child care industry puts on positive reinforcement, why is it that we never have a gathering that says, "Hey, you are doing a great job, keep it up!" It also seems, that sometimes, the people who are protesting haven't been paying attention for quite a while and all of a sudden realize how out of control a situation seems. We elect people to do a job and then we let them do it. We become complacent until one of "our rights" is in jeopardy. "Rights" is a highly charged word, isn't it? I hear a lot about "our" rights being violated. It seems to me that with all the well educated minds we have around here (70,000 in Madison on Thursday) we could come up with something better than a protest. Maybe all those talented minds could get together and come up with a solution that upheld everyone's rights. And maybe, just maybe if "we" could all stop yelling and trying to be louder than our opponent, we could come up with another option to offer, like an option that doesn't include negativity. Anybody ever hear the statement, "United we stand, divided we fall?" Maybe it is time we start working together, before there is nothing left to work for.
Not long ago, I was reading a friend's blog. He was writing about the fact that he might change the name of his book to make it sound more positive. It reminded me of a teacher I had in college who taught us how to be positive. She said that your brain does the last thing it hears. For instance, if you say "Don't forget your mittens," what will be heard is "forget your mittens." If you say, "remember your mittens," what will be heard is "remember your mittens." Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? Ever since that lesson I really notice negativity in behavior and in writing. When you see a memo, it often says something like, "Don't forget about the board meeting..." It would be better to write "Remember the board meeting..." I guess it isn't a lesson that everyone is lucky enough to learn.
It seems that every time there is a movement it seems to be negative. There are signs that say "kill this" or "No" to that. There always seems to be a sign with a big red circle with a slash mark through it covering whatever it is that "we" don't want. I wonder how it would be if during a protest the word "no" was off limits. If there were only positive attitudes allowed, would it change anything? Maybe if we all had positive attitudes a protest wouldn't be necessary. With all the emphasis that the child care industry puts on positive reinforcement, why is it that we never have a gathering that says, "Hey, you are doing a great job, keep it up!" It also seems, that sometimes, the people who are protesting haven't been paying attention for quite a while and all of a sudden realize how out of control a situation seems. We elect people to do a job and then we let them do it. We become complacent until one of "our rights" is in jeopardy. "Rights" is a highly charged word, isn't it? I hear a lot about "our" rights being violated. It seems to me that with all the well educated minds we have around here (70,000 in Madison on Thursday) we could come up with something better than a protest. Maybe all those talented minds could get together and come up with a solution that upheld everyone's rights. And maybe, just maybe if "we" could all stop yelling and trying to be louder than our opponent, we could come up with another option to offer, like an option that doesn't include negativity. Anybody ever hear the statement, "United we stand, divided we fall?" Maybe it is time we start working together, before there is nothing left to work for.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My New Phone 2
I was just sitting here typing away, and my text box went blank. Good thing I hadn't written too much yet. What I was trying to type, before I was so rudely interrupted, was that I got a new phone. No joke! If you read my blog about a week ago, you read that I was joking about a new phone. The one I had was a step up from the bag phone, and I mean one step up. We got a really good deal and my line was eligible for update anyway. So, when the stars align you take advantage of it.
I really love my new phone. Of course, it is such a big jump as far as the level of technology goes, I feel like I need to go back to school to learn how to use it. It's a good thing that I have pre-teen kids. Did you know there really is an app for just about everything? Wow!
I am able to check my email, facebook, twitter and my blogs. I've created my own radio station, played games, learned how to text, and it even has GPS. Oh, and guess what, I can actually make calls on it too. Amazing!
I have noticed that I need to learn a new language. The language that people use to text has very few vowels and almost seems like code. My kids are pretty good at it, so I am sure I'll catch on soon. I don't really do a whole lot of texting. I'm usually home and the phone is off. I will probably remember to turn this one on more often. It is too cool to forget about.
I really love my new phone. Of course, it is such a big jump as far as the level of technology goes, I feel like I need to go back to school to learn how to use it. It's a good thing that I have pre-teen kids. Did you know there really is an app for just about everything? Wow!
I am able to check my email, facebook, twitter and my blogs. I've created my own radio station, played games, learned how to text, and it even has GPS. Oh, and guess what, I can actually make calls on it too. Amazing!
I have noticed that I need to learn a new language. The language that people use to text has very few vowels and almost seems like code. My kids are pretty good at it, so I am sure I'll catch on soon. I don't really do a whole lot of texting. I'm usually home and the phone is off. I will probably remember to turn this one on more often. It is too cool to forget about.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A Day Off
Yesterday, I took a day off. I don't know why I call it that, because it isn't off. It is running around trying to do all the things that I can't do when I'm working. None of those things are things that I would like to be doing. For instance, yesterday I drove 70 miles round trip for an appointment that took less than 5 minutes, where the doctor asked me how I felt and told me that if I had any trouble I should call him. I could have called him to tell him that I wasn't having any trouble. Then I came home, got my banking ready, and went to the bank. Big deal right? Well, for me it is. Our local bank changed its hours to 9-4 Monday through Thursday and 9-5 on Friday. I work 6:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. It is a good thing that I have a family member who will go to the bank for me during the week.
After the bank, I went to school to pick up my girls. We went to the orthodontist and the dentist, which means that I had to make almost the exact same 70 mile trip in the afternoon as I did in the morning. Have you seen the price of gas lately? Oh well, at least I didn't have to take another whole day off to go to that five minute appointment. Find the positive, right?
What would I do if I had an actual day off? I mean the kind of day that is supposed to be fun. The kind of day that you meet your friend for lunch and talk all afternoon. I have no idea. I've had to take off mostly for emergency or doctor's appointments at least once a month lately. I am afraid to schedule an actual day off to do something fun, because I'm afraid the next day I'll come down with something and have to take off again.
One good thing about yesterday is that I don't have to go to the dentist for six months, the orthodontist for nine months or the oral surgeon for a year. Yay! It also looks like the only thing that we have going on this weekend is dance. So now what are we going to do? I am sure we will think of something.
thefriendshipquiltinformationsite.com is up and running. There is a link to the right. I've added some pictures, and there are more to come.
After the bank, I went to school to pick up my girls. We went to the orthodontist and the dentist, which means that I had to make almost the exact same 70 mile trip in the afternoon as I did in the morning. Have you seen the price of gas lately? Oh well, at least I didn't have to take another whole day off to go to that five minute appointment. Find the positive, right?
What would I do if I had an actual day off? I mean the kind of day that is supposed to be fun. The kind of day that you meet your friend for lunch and talk all afternoon. I have no idea. I've had to take off mostly for emergency or doctor's appointments at least once a month lately. I am afraid to schedule an actual day off to do something fun, because I'm afraid the next day I'll come down with something and have to take off again.
One good thing about yesterday is that I don't have to go to the dentist for six months, the orthodontist for nine months or the oral surgeon for a year. Yay! It also looks like the only thing that we have going on this weekend is dance. So now what are we going to do? I am sure we will think of something.
thefriendshipquiltinformationsite.com is up and running. There is a link to the right. I've added some pictures, and there are more to come.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I think I'm going to start a pet peeves tab/page on this blog. I know I said I'd try to stay positive, but some things really get to me. One of the things that always makes me cringe is when someone wishes me a Happy Valentime's Day. You can't see it, but there is a squiggly red line under the word 'Valentime's.' Oh, there it is again. Do you know why? Of course you do. It is because there is no 'm' in the word 'Valentine.'
Okay, now that I got that off my chest, let's get on with spreading the love. I posted on my facebook page today that I wanted everyone to do something nice and unexpected for someone they love today. Then I asked everyone to do something nice and unexpected for someone they didn't love. I wanted to see how much love we could spread. Of course, I'll never know if anyone actually does anything I ask them to on facebook. People I see in my everyday life hardly ever do what I ask either. It's the thought that counts.
It is so easy to do nice things for people we love, isn't it? Maybe Valentine's Day should be more about those we don't especially love. Think of someone you don't really appreciate or someone you just can't stand. Now, think of something nice you could do for them. It really won't hurt. It will probably only take a of couple minutes, and you don't have to identify yourself.
I think there is a group that does "random acts of kindness," and that is great. They are random and you don't have to know who you are helping. I think it is easier to do something nice for someone you don't know than someone you know and don't like. What I am proposing today is specific, not random. Pick that person at work that you have never seen eye to eye with, or that lady at the bank who can't ever smile and always make you feel like helping you is a chore. How about an in-law that you do not get along with no matter how much you try. Hey, it's only one day out of the year. You can go back to hating them tomorrow.
Exciting news: I am writing a book. I have started a web site to chronicle the process and to help collect information. Visit and revisit. I will be adding more pictures. I'll add the link in my favorite links section. thefriendshipquiltinformationsite.blogspot.com
Okay, now that I got that off my chest, let's get on with spreading the love. I posted on my facebook page today that I wanted everyone to do something nice and unexpected for someone they love today. Then I asked everyone to do something nice and unexpected for someone they didn't love. I wanted to see how much love we could spread. Of course, I'll never know if anyone actually does anything I ask them to on facebook. People I see in my everyday life hardly ever do what I ask either. It's the thought that counts.
It is so easy to do nice things for people we love, isn't it? Maybe Valentine's Day should be more about those we don't especially love. Think of someone you don't really appreciate or someone you just can't stand. Now, think of something nice you could do for them. It really won't hurt. It will probably only take a of couple minutes, and you don't have to identify yourself.
I think there is a group that does "random acts of kindness," and that is great. They are random and you don't have to know who you are helping. I think it is easier to do something nice for someone you don't know than someone you know and don't like. What I am proposing today is specific, not random. Pick that person at work that you have never seen eye to eye with, or that lady at the bank who can't ever smile and always make you feel like helping you is a chore. How about an in-law that you do not get along with no matter how much you try. Hey, it's only one day out of the year. You can go back to hating them tomorrow.
Exciting news: I am writing a book. I have started a web site to chronicle the process and to help collect information. Visit and revisit. I will be adding more pictures. I'll add the link in my favorite links section. thefriendshipquiltinformationsite.blogspot.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Growing Up on Scary Movies
It's Phriday! Wow, what a week. On Phriday, I write about things that scare me. When I was a kid, I could watch any movie and not be scared. In fact, I loved scary movies. I remember half hiding behind my dad's chair while we watched the Exorcist. I didn't really do a whole lot of hiding though. I loved the Amityville movies and Jason, Freddy and Michael. Poltergeist was another favorite too. One movie that must have scared me was E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. I don't remember being scared in the theater, but I was afraid of the pile of stuffed animals that were on the shelf of my open closet that night. I don't know if it is getting older or becoming a parent, but some of the movies I've seen lately are really scary. No one else in the family likes scary movies, so I have to watch them by myself. That makes them even scarier.
People talk about how all the violence on TV desensitizes our children. Well, my older daughter was afraid of the Disney villains, even the step-mother on Cinderella. All those great movies and I couldn't even watch them with my kids. She has no problem with Harry Potter, except neither of the girls like the scene in Year 4 when Voldermort is reborn. I think it is one of the coolest scenes, so far. There is one more movie to watch, and I can't wait. I am not scared of Harry Potter movies, but I did cry when Bellatrix killed Dobby.
My brother lent me some scary movies. He has quite the collection. I think the Ring was really scary, and I'm wondering now if that was the one I couldn't finish. Afterwards I was so disappointed in myself. I had never been afraid of movies before. I must have grown up and lost that immortal feeling somewhere, that invincible feeling. I thought that I must be getting soft in my old age. I don't really feel that old though. I still love a good thriller/mystery, the ones that keep you guessing up until the very end. I love Hitchcock movies too. There's just something about them, and my daughters will watch them with me. Oh, and what writer could talk about scary movies and not refer to this at some point.
"All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy." (from Stephen King's the Shining) Think about this. Someone had to type an entire manuscript in those words as a prop for that movie. Wow!
People talk about how all the violence on TV desensitizes our children. Well, my older daughter was afraid of the Disney villains, even the step-mother on Cinderella. All those great movies and I couldn't even watch them with my kids. She has no problem with Harry Potter, except neither of the girls like the scene in Year 4 when Voldermort is reborn. I think it is one of the coolest scenes, so far. There is one more movie to watch, and I can't wait. I am not scared of Harry Potter movies, but I did cry when Bellatrix killed Dobby.
My brother lent me some scary movies. He has quite the collection. I think the Ring was really scary, and I'm wondering now if that was the one I couldn't finish. Afterwards I was so disappointed in myself. I had never been afraid of movies before. I must have grown up and lost that immortal feeling somewhere, that invincible feeling. I thought that I must be getting soft in my old age. I don't really feel that old though. I still love a good thriller/mystery, the ones that keep you guessing up until the very end. I love Hitchcock movies too. There's just something about them, and my daughters will watch them with me. Oh, and what writer could talk about scary movies and not refer to this at some point.
"All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy." (from Stephen King's the Shining) Think about this. Someone had to type an entire manuscript in those words as a prop for that movie. Wow!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sharing Great Ideas
This is one of those days when we hurry up to get to one event and then hope we are not late for the next one. We stay up late doing homework afterwards, and hope we get enough sleep to get through tomorrow. Good thing tomorrow is Phriday, that means the weekend is coming. This weekend will be tame, only dance and ACTs and church and a possible four hour drive, round trip, to my brother's house. I forgot to RSVP to a second cousin's wedding or we would be going to that too. Overall though, we might actually get some rest.
When we are doing all that running and rushing about, we forget something. We forget that we are able to do it. We often take for granted that we don't need to find the handicapped parking space, entrance or bathrooms. We take for granted that our kids are able to play basketball or dance. I am blessed and thankful for it. I do get a little flustered when I get busy, but I do remember to thank The Big Guy for what I have.
I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't busy. I seem to get more done when I'm busy than when I have extra time. Not that I have extra time very often. I was writing yesterday about wanting more time for projects. I love to come up with ideas and work through problems. Finding a solution that benefits everyone always feels good. I was reading C. Hope Clark's Blog, (see my favorite links) and she mentioned going to a really cool event. She is great at sharing good ideas and connecting people.
The event she attended was a Mixer/Swap Meet. The admission fee was two books. After mingling, networking, and checking out the books, each person takes one book home. The extra books are donated to a 'friends of the library' organization. I just love this! These are the kinds of "fundraiser" type events that I would love to be involved in, if I had the time. Everybody wins and it isn't one of those events where they just ask for money everywhere you turn. So I forwarded the idea to the local library and the middle school principal. He loved it too. He asked me to present the idea at a meeting. Unfortunately, the meeting is on Ash Wednesday and I'll be at church. Maybe it will be rescheduled if others in the group want to go to church too, or he will have to present it. Either way the idea will get spread around and it will benefit someone along the way. Hey Hope, thanks for sharing.
When we are doing all that running and rushing about, we forget something. We forget that we are able to do it. We often take for granted that we don't need to find the handicapped parking space, entrance or bathrooms. We take for granted that our kids are able to play basketball or dance. I am blessed and thankful for it. I do get a little flustered when I get busy, but I do remember to thank The Big Guy for what I have.
I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't busy. I seem to get more done when I'm busy than when I have extra time. Not that I have extra time very often. I was writing yesterday about wanting more time for projects. I love to come up with ideas and work through problems. Finding a solution that benefits everyone always feels good. I was reading C. Hope Clark's Blog, (see my favorite links) and she mentioned going to a really cool event. She is great at sharing good ideas and connecting people.
The event she attended was a Mixer/Swap Meet. The admission fee was two books. After mingling, networking, and checking out the books, each person takes one book home. The extra books are donated to a 'friends of the library' organization. I just love this! These are the kinds of "fundraiser" type events that I would love to be involved in, if I had the time. Everybody wins and it isn't one of those events where they just ask for money everywhere you turn. So I forwarded the idea to the local library and the middle school principal. He loved it too. He asked me to present the idea at a meeting. Unfortunately, the meeting is on Ash Wednesday and I'll be at church. Maybe it will be rescheduled if others in the group want to go to church too, or he will have to present it. Either way the idea will get spread around and it will benefit someone along the way. Hey Hope, thanks for sharing.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
If There Were Ten More Hours in a Day
If there were ten more hours in a day, we'd find a way to fill those too. We probably wouldn't fill them with sleep either. There are so many things that I would like to be doing. So many projects that I would love to work on, really quality projects.
We prioritize our lives, try to put everything into neat little categories. Between the two of us there are 100 hours of work per week. The girls are in school or on the bus to and from for the same amount. Then there's basketball, dance, band, acting in children's theater, home work, showers and making lunches. That doesn't even count making and eating dinner, which we still try to do together. Sometimes we don't eat until 7:30 pm, but we do eat together, as a family, as many nights a week as we can. We only have two kids. I don't think we could afford any more. I'm not talking about money, although there's that too. I mean the time and emotional investment. It is definitely worth it, but you start to wonder how much more you could possibly take on some days. We are happy, healthy and active. Thank God.
What would you do with ten more hours, assuming that you didn't need more sleep in order to have the energy to use them? I would write more. I have short stories, poems, and plans for a book. They sit stewing, waiting for me to finally get to them. I find time, somehow, to write this blog everyday. I'm not sure how. I know that I need to get to work on my column. It is due at noon tomorrow, and I haven't started yet. I have all the information. I just need to get it put together.
I don't remember feeling the need for more time when I was in elementary or middle school. I know that my daughters do. It makes me wonder if we are pushing them too hard. They both play basketball, get really good grades and have other things going on like band, dance, math meets and hunting. We are very proud of them. Their interests are theirs. We didn't necessarily choose them, other than giving them the opportunity to try new things. They decide what they are going to work at. Of course, grades must come before extra-curriculars, but I don't think that the girls look at them as "extra." They are just part of their lives. They seem to push themselves harder than we could ever push them.
I think that if I had more time, I would probably try to get more exercise. I would like to say that I'd follow through on that, but I know myself too well. I guess if I had more time, I probably would get to it a little more often. My husband would spend more time fishing and hunting. I think the girls might just sit and watch a little TV. They have so little down time, they might have to use the extra for sleep, or at least rest.
If I had more time, I would volunteer at school, and help with the new school garden that a group is writing a grant to start. I would help my younger daughter's class with the big show they are going to do next year. I shouldn't, but do, envy all those parents who have time to help. Most of it is during the day. When you work from 6:30am until 4:30pm, you sort of miss out on that.
I doubt that the cosmic "they" are going to add anymore time to the day. So, for now, I'll just have to remember how good I am at time management, and really work the 24 hours that I have.
We prioritize our lives, try to put everything into neat little categories. Between the two of us there are 100 hours of work per week. The girls are in school or on the bus to and from for the same amount. Then there's basketball, dance, band, acting in children's theater, home work, showers and making lunches. That doesn't even count making and eating dinner, which we still try to do together. Sometimes we don't eat until 7:30 pm, but we do eat together, as a family, as many nights a week as we can. We only have two kids. I don't think we could afford any more. I'm not talking about money, although there's that too. I mean the time and emotional investment. It is definitely worth it, but you start to wonder how much more you could possibly take on some days. We are happy, healthy and active. Thank God.
What would you do with ten more hours, assuming that you didn't need more sleep in order to have the energy to use them? I would write more. I have short stories, poems, and plans for a book. They sit stewing, waiting for me to finally get to them. I find time, somehow, to write this blog everyday. I'm not sure how. I know that I need to get to work on my column. It is due at noon tomorrow, and I haven't started yet. I have all the information. I just need to get it put together.
I don't remember feeling the need for more time when I was in elementary or middle school. I know that my daughters do. It makes me wonder if we are pushing them too hard. They both play basketball, get really good grades and have other things going on like band, dance, math meets and hunting. We are very proud of them. Their interests are theirs. We didn't necessarily choose them, other than giving them the opportunity to try new things. They decide what they are going to work at. Of course, grades must come before extra-curriculars, but I don't think that the girls look at them as "extra." They are just part of their lives. They seem to push themselves harder than we could ever push them.
I think that if I had more time, I would probably try to get more exercise. I would like to say that I'd follow through on that, but I know myself too well. I guess if I had more time, I probably would get to it a little more often. My husband would spend more time fishing and hunting. I think the girls might just sit and watch a little TV. They have so little down time, they might have to use the extra for sleep, or at least rest.
If I had more time, I would volunteer at school, and help with the new school garden that a group is writing a grant to start. I would help my younger daughter's class with the big show they are going to do next year. I shouldn't, but do, envy all those parents who have time to help. Most of it is during the day. When you work from 6:30am until 4:30pm, you sort of miss out on that.
I doubt that the cosmic "they" are going to add anymore time to the day. So, for now, I'll just have to remember how good I am at time management, and really work the 24 hours that I have.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
My New Phone
Over the weekend, we got a postcard in the mail. It was from Cellcom, and it was promoting some "buy a new phone for 1/2 price" deal. I picked it up and showed it to my daughter "look what Dad is getting me for Valentine's Day," I said jokingly. I went on to ask her which one I should get. Who better to ask about electronics than my twelve year old daughter? I was kidding about the phone, but it got me thinking that I have no idea which phone I would want even if I was getting one, and I'm pretty sure that I'm not. I don't even know how to text. I could check my Facebook, blog and twitter though.
I started researching phones, just to see what they could do. I decided that when I do get a new phone, I would actually know what I want it to do, and maybe I'll even know which one I want. While researching, I noticed the comment sections of some pages. The comments were written as if the writers had tried every phone out there. They like it, they hate it, whatever, but they sure had experience with quite a few models.
Some people seem to have a new phone every week. I pay the bills on our phones and I don't know how we could afford a more expensive phone and texting, etc. Where do people get all this money. Aren't we supposed to be having a recession?
My daughter has hinted at wanting a phone, but hasn't pressed the issue. A friend of hers was calling herself a loser because she didn't have a phone of her own. I told that friend that my daughter was a loser too and was going to remain that way for a long time. It was then revealed that not "everybody" had a phone of their own. There were still a couple losers in the group who didn't have phones. That was fixed as of Christmas morning. Our daughter is still a loser, but we still love her. I think her friends still like her too. I bet they would like her more if she had a phone though. Ha Ha!
So, I still don't know what kind of phone I want. That's okay though because I really don't need one. I think I'd rather go out for dinner and a movie for Valentine's Day anyway, which, now that I think of it, will probably cost more than a new phone.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Super Bowl XLV
The Packers won the Super Bowl last night. What a great game. I have no fingernails left and I have a stress headache. I am not really complaining, but I do wonder why they always play every game down to the last seconds. I am so proud to be a Packer fan. I have heard that most of Green Bay is shut down today. The buses will bring the players and the trophy home this afternoon. Fans will line the snow filled streets to get a glimpse and to remind the Packers, again, what wonderful fans they have. We have great players, not just on the field, but in everyday life. They start foundations, they stay and sign autographs, and even write children's books. They are just really good people.
One of the cool things about the Packers going to the Super Bowl is that you get to see clips from the Glory Years. You can fit a lot of history into two weeks. You also start receiving emails and seeing videos about how the players make a difference. Aaron Rodgers stepped up, not only on the field, but in the world as well. The back-up quarterback who had to watch his predecessor set every record in the books, waited patiently and worked hard. Since he has become our quarterback, he has proven that patience and hard work really do pay off. He has conducted himself admirably on and off the field. While half the Packer fans condemned his mentor and the other half tried to hold tight to the wonderful memories, Aaron realized that each player brings something special to the team (while they are part of it) and now it was his turn to shine. No more would he have to linger in the shadow, and he was ready. I never heard him say a single word against our former quarterback, and I don't believe I ever will. Aaron Rodgers is a class act, and the entire team has done such a good job staying positive even when it looked like they weren't even going to make it to the playoffs. They never gave up.
There are lessons to be learned here. Lessons on the value of patience, hard work, perseverance, and team work. When all these things come together, wonderful things happen. Winning the Super Bowl means you finally got it right. I hope that the Packers can ride this out for a few years. It sure would be nice to keep the Lombardi Trophy at home, where it belongs. Way to go Packers, we just knew you had it in you!
As sort of a post script, I would like to say that I have worn my Donald Driver #80 jersey for every game this year. I am so glad that Driver is getting that ring. I do feel bad that he had to watch most of the game from the sidelines. He is another class act. We have been so blessed to have such a great man on our team for so long. Thanks for the memories Double D. Heal fast, we can't wait to watch you play again next year.
One of the cool things about the Packers going to the Super Bowl is that you get to see clips from the Glory Years. You can fit a lot of history into two weeks. You also start receiving emails and seeing videos about how the players make a difference. Aaron Rodgers stepped up, not only on the field, but in the world as well. The back-up quarterback who had to watch his predecessor set every record in the books, waited patiently and worked hard. Since he has become our quarterback, he has proven that patience and hard work really do pay off. He has conducted himself admirably on and off the field. While half the Packer fans condemned his mentor and the other half tried to hold tight to the wonderful memories, Aaron realized that each player brings something special to the team (while they are part of it) and now it was his turn to shine. No more would he have to linger in the shadow, and he was ready. I never heard him say a single word against our former quarterback, and I don't believe I ever will. Aaron Rodgers is a class act, and the entire team has done such a good job staying positive even when it looked like they weren't even going to make it to the playoffs. They never gave up.
There are lessons to be learned here. Lessons on the value of patience, hard work, perseverance, and team work. When all these things come together, wonderful things happen. Winning the Super Bowl means you finally got it right. I hope that the Packers can ride this out for a few years. It sure would be nice to keep the Lombardi Trophy at home, where it belongs. Way to go Packers, we just knew you had it in you!
As sort of a post script, I would like to say that I have worn my Donald Driver #80 jersey for every game this year. I am so glad that Driver is getting that ring. I do feel bad that he had to watch most of the game from the sidelines. He is another class act. We have been so blessed to have such a great man on our team for so long. Thanks for the memories Double D. Heal fast, we can't wait to watch you play again next year.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Mom, aren't you afraid of heights?
Now that I wrote yesterday's post, I guess I should write one for today. It's Phriday again, that means we get to delve into the fears of the author.
A few years ago, we took the girls to Wisconsin Dells. We went to Mount Olympus Water Park. It was a lot of fun. I was walking up the stairs to get on this monster roller coaster, when my daughter looks up at me and says, "Mom, aren't you afraid of heights?" "Yes," I answered. She smiled and we kept walking up the stairs. We get into the seat and my knees touch the seat in front of me. I am 5'10" and if my knees are touching, my brothers could never fit in these seats. Anyway, we buckle in and away we go. A soon as we leave the platform there is a huge drop, almost straight down. You go down ways and up ways and side ways and slant ways until you have no idea where you left your stomach, then you start to climb, slowly. This gives you time to realize how crazy you really are to be sitting on a roller coaster with your daughter who was just tall enough to go on the ride, within an inch. Things like, "I am the worst mother in the world," flash through your brain. I look over at my daughter and she looks at me. We both have that "OMG!" look on our faces and then we realize how high up we really are. The next step in our journey is looking pretty vertical and it takes us under ground. We are in complete darkness, all you hear is the roaring of the motors and the screaming of the riders. You come out in the parking lot and realize that you are going to have to go back through that tunnel. When I got off that roller coaster, called Hades, my legs were jello and I was so white, I probably looked transparent. While standing there waiting for my stomach to catch up, my daughter looks up at me and says, "That was AWESOME, can we go again?" She is fearless.
That was the first year we went to Wisconsin Dells, my younger daughter was and inch to short to go on Hades, that year. She stayed on the ground with dad and cried. We went again the next year and she was tall enough. I went on Hades again. What was I thinking? It was awesome the second time too. The only problem is, when your daughter goes on the coolest coaster first, everything else pales in comparison.
A few years ago, we took the girls to Wisconsin Dells. We went to Mount Olympus Water Park. It was a lot of fun. I was walking up the stairs to get on this monster roller coaster, when my daughter looks up at me and says, "Mom, aren't you afraid of heights?" "Yes," I answered. She smiled and we kept walking up the stairs. We get into the seat and my knees touch the seat in front of me. I am 5'10" and if my knees are touching, my brothers could never fit in these seats. Anyway, we buckle in and away we go. A soon as we leave the platform there is a huge drop, almost straight down. You go down ways and up ways and side ways and slant ways until you have no idea where you left your stomach, then you start to climb, slowly. This gives you time to realize how crazy you really are to be sitting on a roller coaster with your daughter who was just tall enough to go on the ride, within an inch. Things like, "I am the worst mother in the world," flash through your brain. I look over at my daughter and she looks at me. We both have that "OMG!" look on our faces and then we realize how high up we really are. The next step in our journey is looking pretty vertical and it takes us under ground. We are in complete darkness, all you hear is the roaring of the motors and the screaming of the riders. You come out in the parking lot and realize that you are going to have to go back through that tunnel. When I got off that roller coaster, called Hades, my legs were jello and I was so white, I probably looked transparent. While standing there waiting for my stomach to catch up, my daughter looks up at me and says, "That was AWESOME, can we go again?" She is fearless.
That was the first year we went to Wisconsin Dells, my younger daughter was and inch to short to go on Hades, that year. She stayed on the ground with dad and cried. We went again the next year and she was tall enough. I went on Hades again. What was I thinking? It was awesome the second time too. The only problem is, when your daughter goes on the coolest coaster first, everything else pales in comparison.
Caramel Corn and the Sound of Music
I had to take a detour during my blog time yesterday. We have a basketball tournament at our school this weekend, and I decided to make caramel corn for the concession stand to sell. My daughter, who had stayed home sick, was finally feeling well enough to sit upright. She wasn't ready to focus on anything small, like reading or the computer screen, so I said she could watch a movie. She has been on a Sound of Music kick lately. This is one of my all time favorite movies. I probably know every word of dialog and every lyric to every song. So does she. So, I'm in the kitchen stirring the caramel mixture on the stove and I catch myself singing along. I smile and keep singing. What made me smile more than how much I love those songs, is that I have an awful singing voice. My family doesn't seem to mind too much, unless I start to drown out the actual performer.
I don't know if I can pick out a favorite song from that movie. It's kind of like the Wizard of Oz, another favorite, each song gives you a different feeling, and they are all great songs. My kids don't like the Wizard of Oz, they are afraid of the wicked witch or the flying monkeys, or both. As far back as I can remember, that movie was on once a year. I think it was in the spring. We had to wait all year to see it. We couldn't buy it or rent it. When it was finally on, you sat down and you enjoyed it. I feel that way about the Charlie Brown holiday shows and the Christmas shows too. You only got to see Frosty the Snowman once. If you missed it, you waited until next year. Now we have those shows on video. You can watch them in June if you want to. I wonder if this generation will appreciate those things like we did? I am sure my parents wondered if I would appreciate color tv, or just take it for granted. I appreciate it. I also like the black and white stuff too. The old Twilight Zones and Hitchcock Presents, among other things, they were black and white. I used to love watching Hitchcock Presents and Ray Bradbury Theater with my dad. They were on in the evening, a half hour episode of one and then a half hour of the other. Good Times.
My daughter is feeling better today, she went to school. I guess I will have to pick the movie myself. I think I'll go for the Wizard of Oz. I can sing along while I make puppy chow for the concession stand to sell at the tournament tomorrow. I am adding a recipe page, I'll put the puppy chow and caramel corn recipes on there. I am hoping to get to it today. It depends on how long it takes me to make the puppy chow.
I don't know if I can pick out a favorite song from that movie. It's kind of like the Wizard of Oz, another favorite, each song gives you a different feeling, and they are all great songs. My kids don't like the Wizard of Oz, they are afraid of the wicked witch or the flying monkeys, or both. As far back as I can remember, that movie was on once a year. I think it was in the spring. We had to wait all year to see it. We couldn't buy it or rent it. When it was finally on, you sat down and you enjoyed it. I feel that way about the Charlie Brown holiday shows and the Christmas shows too. You only got to see Frosty the Snowman once. If you missed it, you waited until next year. Now we have those shows on video. You can watch them in June if you want to. I wonder if this generation will appreciate those things like we did? I am sure my parents wondered if I would appreciate color tv, or just take it for granted. I appreciate it. I also like the black and white stuff too. The old Twilight Zones and Hitchcock Presents, among other things, they were black and white. I used to love watching Hitchcock Presents and Ray Bradbury Theater with my dad. They were on in the evening, a half hour episode of one and then a half hour of the other. Good Times.
My daughter is feeling better today, she went to school. I guess I will have to pick the movie myself. I think I'll go for the Wizard of Oz. I can sing along while I make puppy chow for the concession stand to sell at the tournament tomorrow. I am adding a recipe page, I'll put the puppy chow and caramel corn recipes on there. I am hoping to get to it today. It depends on how long it takes me to make the puppy chow.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
How Far We've Come
The schools in our district are really great schools. We are a small district, but we have some great technology. There are smartboards in every classroom. Those things are amazing. They can do so many things that the teachers wish they had more training and time to utilize them fully. The technology is so advanced, it blows me away. When I was in 8th grade, we had Commodore 64 computers. Anyone remember those? That was back in the 80s when we had Pong on Atari and Space Invaders and Pac-man had just come out.
I was listening to NPR yesterday and realized that it was 25 years ago that I watched the first playback of the Challenger Shuttle exploding. We were in some other class and we heard screams coming from the next room. They were having social studies class and got to watch the launch. I remember being upset that our class wasn't going to get to see it. I also remember our teacher running from the room to see what was going on. He then called us over. We saw the first playback, and stood frozen while it was repeated, and repeated. This shuttle had a teacher aboard. It was really a very big deal. She had gone through all the training and was smiling and waving as she boarded the shuttle. She had no idea that her life was about to end. She died happy and excited though. I don't think that they had any warning, no idea that there was even a problem. I don't feel old enough to remember things that happened a quarter of a century ago. That is probably good. It means I still feel young.
My oldest daughter was only three on September 11, 2001. She actually remembers the planes hitting the twin towers. We tuned in to one of the local stations, which wasn't normal, usually we went straight to Sesame Street. We saw the first tower on fire and the announcer was talking about a plane hitting it and how it could have been an accident. While he was busy speculating, the second plane hit. He kept talking, like he didn't see it. Then he realized, as we all did, that this was no accident. Later, news came in that a plane had hit the pentagon and then another went down in a field. That last one did not reach it's destination. The people on that plane went down fighting, knowing that they would die. Maybe, on September 11, 2026, my daughter will look back and realize that she remembers things that happened 25 years ago.
My younger daughter was not even one on 9/11/01. She may remember BPs big oil spill. She will remember things like the miners (all of them) being rescued from a mine. I like that memory. She will remember the Packers going to the Superbowl. I should say winning the Superbowl. That will be a good memory too.
What a long way we've come. When I got my driver's license, there were no such things as cell phones, at least not for common people. I think police officers had bag phones, but everyday people just didn't have them. You had to look for a pay phone if you wanted to make a call. There was absolutely no such thing as texting. The most distracting thing we did while driving was drink a soda and smoke a cigarette. I think that technology is good. As with anything, there are good points and bad. It usually comes down to the control we have over ourselves. I love my computer. I love email. I love the fact that I can keep in touch with friends that I never get to see, just by going to my facebook page. I would probably hide in my house communicating through my computer forever and ever. Is human interaction really necessary? Without it the race would die, wouldn't it? Next time you are in a room full of people, try this experiment. Turn your phone to vibrate and then ignore it. Or, turn it off completely. Can you do that for two hours? Next step, enjoy the actual live people around you and then when you are done, check your messages and your texts. They will still be there.
I was listening to NPR yesterday and realized that it was 25 years ago that I watched the first playback of the Challenger Shuttle exploding. We were in some other class and we heard screams coming from the next room. They were having social studies class and got to watch the launch. I remember being upset that our class wasn't going to get to see it. I also remember our teacher running from the room to see what was going on. He then called us over. We saw the first playback, and stood frozen while it was repeated, and repeated. This shuttle had a teacher aboard. It was really a very big deal. She had gone through all the training and was smiling and waving as she boarded the shuttle. She had no idea that her life was about to end. She died happy and excited though. I don't think that they had any warning, no idea that there was even a problem. I don't feel old enough to remember things that happened a quarter of a century ago. That is probably good. It means I still feel young.
My oldest daughter was only three on September 11, 2001. She actually remembers the planes hitting the twin towers. We tuned in to one of the local stations, which wasn't normal, usually we went straight to Sesame Street. We saw the first tower on fire and the announcer was talking about a plane hitting it and how it could have been an accident. While he was busy speculating, the second plane hit. He kept talking, like he didn't see it. Then he realized, as we all did, that this was no accident. Later, news came in that a plane had hit the pentagon and then another went down in a field. That last one did not reach it's destination. The people on that plane went down fighting, knowing that they would die. Maybe, on September 11, 2026, my daughter will look back and realize that she remembers things that happened 25 years ago.
My younger daughter was not even one on 9/11/01. She may remember BPs big oil spill. She will remember things like the miners (all of them) being rescued from a mine. I like that memory. She will remember the Packers going to the Superbowl. I should say winning the Superbowl. That will be a good memory too.
What a long way we've come. When I got my driver's license, there were no such things as cell phones, at least not for common people. I think police officers had bag phones, but everyday people just didn't have them. You had to look for a pay phone if you wanted to make a call. There was absolutely no such thing as texting. The most distracting thing we did while driving was drink a soda and smoke a cigarette. I think that technology is good. As with anything, there are good points and bad. It usually comes down to the control we have over ourselves. I love my computer. I love email. I love the fact that I can keep in touch with friends that I never get to see, just by going to my facebook page. I would probably hide in my house communicating through my computer forever and ever. Is human interaction really necessary? Without it the race would die, wouldn't it? Next time you are in a room full of people, try this experiment. Turn your phone to vibrate and then ignore it. Or, turn it off completely. Can you do that for two hours? Next step, enjoy the actual live people around you and then when you are done, check your messages and your texts. They will still be there.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Walking That Thin Line
In a previous post, I talked about my goals for the year. I mentioned that I was going to write a poem for every week this year. I'm one poem behind, but I'm not too stressed about it. Some days/weeks just aren't very creative. I am pretty sure that I try too hard sometimes. I think that some days I just need to walk away and forget what I'm trying to do. Eventually I'll get back to it, but then I feel like I'm procrastinating. Internal struggles are just so much fun. Everyone has them. Some are epic, others not so much. Man against God, Man against the world, Man against himself, sticks in my head. I have no idea where I heard it. Philosophy or Theology class maybe. It sums up any struggle that a person can have. Most of mine are with myself. Usually the world is not against me, even though I feel that way sometimes. That is called paranoia. I've been taught that God is never against me, so I think the struggle would be mostly on my end. That's called faith. The struggle with myself is constant. It seems that I am always arguing with myself about something. Getting up in the morning is one of my biggest struggles. It is a good thing that I have to get up for work or I would probably sleep all day.
Since I started writing, I am a little more motivated to get out of bed. I think that I may be addicted to writing and reading. I've read of other writers who feel that way too. Those of us who have a family, a full time job, and a million other things going on, feel guilty when we take time for ourselves. In some cases we are made to feel guilty by those around us who need or want something from us. Sometimes these people don't even realize that they are being unnecessarily needy or that they are making us feel guilty. And sometimes, we get lost in our writing and need to remember that we have families and jobs and a million other things that need our attention. It's a thin line to walk. It is also a really good way to create inner struggle and, for that matter, outer struggle. How you deal with these struggles makes you who you are. Do you run and hide, give up on yourself or others, or work even harder to accomplish everything and stay balanced? Oh boy, just thinking about it makes my head hurt. The laundry and the dishes are piled up to the ceiling. The floors are covered with dog and cat hair, feathers, and whatever was on the bottom of my husband's boots. All the garbage cans are full, no one's taken care of recyclables for at least a week, the cupboards and fridge are empty, and when in the hell am I going to get to take a shower? Wait, the kids need to go where? We've all been there and worse. Somehow we live through it to struggle another day. Stay positive and remember to breathe.
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