Back to Blogger

I've decided to move my blog back to Blogger because the other site was too hard to access, plus there was all kinds of extra distractions and ads, and half the time people couldn't sign up. Here are some of my most recent entries.


Enchanting

I took Boo to see Enchanted today. It was the perfect mother-daughter movie. Maybe they should come out with the DVD around Mother's Day. It was about a character in a fairy tale, she was a combo of every Disney princess, and just as she is about to wed the prince, a magic spell takes her to NY where she meets a divorce attorney.
I'm so glad for the luxury of spending time with my children. I sometimes feel regret for the parents who don't spend time with their children, the way my parents did with me, and the way I do with my kids. I wonder if they ever get what they missed. I always suspect they get to the end of their lives and then it dawns on them, but I'm not sure. Maybe they never know.


A New Juice

I get up at five every morning and make my juice. It works out to a little over 2 cups of kale, spinach, carrots, and orange. I've tried making my juice in different formulas. The kale seems to be the most important ingredient. I feel better if I have my kale. I've been drinking this drink for four weeks, and I have noticed a few changes. I have more energy. I had a growth on my arm. It was tiny, but it bothered me. It was there for years. It would get bigger and smaller. I was always going to have a doctor take a look at it, but never did. It shrunk and disappeared over the last four weeks. Also, my feet that have been in pain every morning when I wake up for over a year and a half, and the problem vanished. I'm hooked on my new juice.
Being a full-time mom is somewhat isolating, or maybe it that beneath my outgoing exterior, I'm painfully shy. It doesn't stop me from doing. Even though I'm always with people at the potlucks, awards ceremonies, or volunteering at the school, it is so rushed, I don't ever really connect.
Maybe its this lack of connection that causes me to be thinking about the family get tether's that my family used to have when my grandparents were alive. I've been thinking about my grandparents a lot lately. I've felt like I should put my kids in the church that they went to. Then yesterday, out of nowhere, a letter appeared on the middle of my floor. The subject was of no relevance. My grandmother had written it over 67 years ago. The kids had probably gotten into some of my grandmothers old books that I keep. I thought it was such an odd coincidence.
I did buy JJ proper dress clothes for church. We went to my grandparent's church for the first time in over 20 years last Sunday, and he was a little under-dressed.
I don't like to be in groups of people. I can fake it pretty well, but I always have so much anxiety after a group gathering, and it doesn't matter if it's 5 people or 5 million. That's the hardest part of church for me. I originally was going to try to find someone to take them for me, but I've decided to just get through the social part of it. The main reasons that I want them to go are:
1. It's a part of their heritage.2. It connects them to something bigger than themselves.3. I don't know how to teach religion.4. I'm hoping they will make wholesome friends with similar values to mine.5. This particular church is exceptional at teaching kids to avoid all of the pitfalls of adolescence. (I'm thinking ahead.)
Well, my juice is kicking in, and it's time to get ready for Thanksgiving. I'm off!


Of Course!

"Of course!" Says Boo after every answered question. This is her new phrase, and she uses it constantly.
"What would you like for lunch?"
"Hot dogs, of course!"
"Would you rather go to a movie or the jumpy house place?"
"The Jumpy House Place, of course!"
"What do you want for Christmas?"
"A B-Bratz doll, of course!"
Speaking of Christmas, there seems to be a theme this year. She wants a B-Bratz doll, which is a doll that comes with a secret code that takes a child to a secret Internet page. She also wants an E-Pet, which is a toy dog that comes with a secret code that takes the child to a secret Internet page, or she wants a Barbie Girl. A doll with a connection to a secret Internet page.
Educating Boo is a challenge in some ways. She seems disinterested and distracted when in class, but still knows the answers when asked, so far. I just think she knew those things before. She does have focus issues in some things though. She'll sit at the computer for hours solving a puzzle, or searching for things. She spent a couple of hours on YouTube last night looking for various Sing-A-Long videos. During a soccer game, she will spin around in circles in the middle of the field instead of play, but if you give her a drill to make a goal, her turn might end, but she won't quit at the end of her turn until she has made a goal.
JJ doesn't get an attitude about things. This makes him easier for me. He has a much mellower temperament. I watched him at story time yesterday. He had no trouble listening to the story. He just wanted to stand up a couple of times. I think he is ready for kindergarten.
I worry about both my kids no matter what they do. I worry about Boo, because sometimes she seems difficult, and she gets in her own way of learning. I worry about JJ because he's just so nice. He is always thinking about others in a way that is beyond his years. I wonder how that will play out when he starts school.
I think about home school all of the time, but don't because they need the social interaction, of course!


TV New Season Review

Here is my short review of all the new primetime shows.
Shark - I thought it came back like it never left. There were no real surprises. James Woods is still James Woods, which isn't a bad thing. In fact, there may never have been a show as successfully carried by one actor.
Heroes - Awesome! I loved the comeback of this show. I like the way they are containing the stories within the season, so they actually have a beginning, middle, and end. I'm looking forward to finding out more about the virus, Clair's soon-to-be love interest, and how Peter got in that box! I feel certain the dead Sylar will be resurrected (Well, just as soon as he is done shooting the new Star Trek movie, you all know that Zachary Quint is the new Spock, right?)
Journeyman - It was like watching a rerun of Quantum Leap without the humor or personality. They are going to have to show me more to find a place on my limited Tivo hard drive.
Boston Leagal - A pretty good opening with one great surprise at the end of the first show. I like the new cast additions. What happened to Clarence's girlfriend. I forgot her name already. Fans are so fickle.
Private Practice - Bored out of my mind. Addison is obnoxious, and if you think I'm watching, you're McDreaming. Question: Is it harder to start a fire on Survivor, or light a spark of chemistry on this show?
Kid Nation - Surprisingly good! Hopefully a good experience for kids. It really depends on what is happening off camera. It was great to see some kids step up as true leaders. I hope they all get a gold star.
Dirty, Sexy, Money - This may be my favorite new show. Unfortunately, they took the heartthrob right out of Billy Baldwin by hooking him up with a transvestite hooker. That always ruins it for me. It's still a treat to poke fun at the obscenely rich, why we wonder where they got that imitation designer frock.
Back To You - Like a sitcom of the 70's, so familiar, and like I know what cheap shot is coming next.
Ugly Betty - A strong comeback, with a well-done surprise at the end.
Survivor: China - Same show, different place and cast, but still interesting to watch. I banking on the Christian selling her sole before it's over. "... but Mr. Satan, I only act this way in the game!"
Grey's Anatomy - Just another day at the hospital. The breakup scene was pretty good, but that's about it. One more dismemberment is not going to shock us into thinking the writing is good. Hopefully we see more of George soon.
Big Shots - The biggest disappointment for me. I may have been wrong when I said the show was really for women. It was a fest of all the things women don't like about men, the cheating, hookers, and too many bathroom scenes, because when men are talking in the bathroom, they aren't gathered around a mirror putting on makeup. The writers are quickly eliminating the heartthrob potential. Dylan McDermott is caught with a transvestite hooker in the first episode. Sound familiar? Joshaua Malina could be the cute nerdy type, but he's cheating making him a complete dork. Michael Vartan, as the only potential bachelor, sulks the entire show, so although we don't agree with his wife's cheating, we understand her. Christopher Titus saves the show, because he's funny! Plus he seems to be loyal to his wife, despite the complaining. I hope they keep him as a good guy, because he's the only reason to watch.
That's it for TV this week. I'm still looking forward to 30 Rock and Pushing Daisies. I've obviously been sitting at the computer too long, because Boo just ran in my office with two empty containers of ranch dressing and asked if carrot sticks and dressing are okay for dogs. That reminds me, Desperate Housewives start tonight!


The Improper Use of Golf Carts

We live on a golf course and have a golf cart. We used to use the golf cart for golfing. What a concept! Then we got a little bored, and invented a new game, Golf Ball Hunting.
Golf Ball Hunting is like hunting Easter eggs only for bigger kids. We typically go out nights after everyone has gone home, and drive around in the deep grass, and bushes. My husband (John) has all of the good spots scoped out, and we try to beat all of the other Golf Ball Hunters to them in the evenings. John has a rating system, so he puts Nike balls in one spot, cheap or old balls in another spot, novelty balls on the dash, and Callaways go right into his bag for use. He likes them the best.
Lately, he's become bored with this sport too, so he's taken to a new golf cart sport. You may know it as four-wheeling or off-roading. Now do I have to tell the average sensible person that this is probably not a good idea?
I knew what was going to happen! He wanted us to go out to the lake with him. So off we went, first on paved trails, then dirt ones, and then no path at all, and of course in the middle of no where, with no one to call, kids on board, we got stuck. I had just happened to bring my walking shoes, and a collared shirt. (It's a country club community with a dress code.)
Herding the children like herding a pack of wild cats, we slugged back to civilization (two miles), in the 109 degree heat. I was carrying a golf club to beat off mountain lions, as there have been several sightings lately, and I can't even talk about the rattle snakes.
Finally, after getting back, John dragged my neighbor away from his wives fabulous lasagna to tow the golf cart out. The neighbors and I made him swear only grass and pavement from now on. The kids slept well. That was Labor Day!