Random Tuesday Thoughts

Tuesday up.  I'm ready for the random.

->  We have a new co-worker.  He wears rings.  He likes to rub his pen in his hands and make his rings click.  My AA hates this.  She thought I would too, but it doesn't bother me.  It reminds me of an old art teacher I had in elementary school, Mr. Hitchcock.  He used to wear clogs and and turquoise rings and bracelets.  He'd run the chalk through his hands and it would click just like that.  Since new guy brought back a good memory, he's getting a pass on this potentially annoying habit.

->  Ever have a moment when you realize that the rest of the world isn't inside your head and might think you're just not right?  We sometimes call little o "Hockey Puck".  Ok, frequently.  It's from a book, "Daddy calls me Doodle Bug".  Every page LG will tell PB that the little critter is him.  Except the penguin page.  That one is always little o.  It's the page that reads, "Daddy calls me Hockey Puck, we slip and slide on ice".  When you call your little one "Hockey Puck" in the store, though?  People give you funny looks.  Whatever.  I didn't call him "Teething, whining pain in the rear" which is what he was most of the weekend.

->  I love getting boxes in the mail.  Especially boxes that I don't know the contents of (because really?  If I ordered a Christmas present for the boys?  I don't even open the box.  It just goes to the Christmas pile).  We recently got a box from across the country.  Mmmmmm.  Goodies galore!  I can't express how happy it made me to troll through the goodies and set them all out nicely for PB to gawk over.  Then we decided how we'd gobble them all up (and share some).  Many thanks to the sender of said treats.  You know who you are!

->  I'm going to have a give away in January.  You know, after you've gotten over the holiday excitement and all you get in the mail is bills?  Then.  Bam.  In your mailbox.  A treat.  I haven't decided how to handle it, though.  We'll have to see about that.  Hmmmm.

->  I know.  How stinking cute is this?  No, it's not my Christmas card picture.  If you want to see that,  you'll have to send me your address.

Ok, back to the mines.  Go see Keely.

MicroFiction Monday

Hope everybody in the US survived the holiday weekend unscathed (and still the same general weight).  It's time for MicroFiction Monday with Susan, again.

"Aaawesome," Britt thought, "Even the cover of this book looks boring."  It was going to be a long year for his English teacher.

Alternatively;

Em blinked away tears.  The cover of his first published book, and the heroine looked just like her.  Did he do it on purpose?

I'd Rather Be...  Monday:

I'd rather be at work than.  Than.  Nope, I've got nothing.  I'd just rather be at home today.  Whining kids and dust bunnies and all.  It's always hard to come back from a holiday.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It's the last Tuesday before the start of the "Holiday Season".  Can you tell I'm excited?  Not that I didn't start listening to Christmas music last week.  But you couldn't hear that all the way over at your house, right?  

->  Because I promised Tulpen, here's my rant on nurses.  Last Thursday night I had to return to the Dr for the sinus infection that refuses to go away.  I was already peeved because I had been to see the Dr twice for this already.  If my doctor had been available, she probably would have just called something in.  Doctor on call insisted that I go into the office.  I arrive nice and early, and to my surprise was called right in.  The nurse starts filling out the chart and decides on some idle chit chat.  That's when it began sliding down hill.  Her first comment was, "You're dressed nicely, are you going out tonight?"  I responded, "No, I didn't have time to change after work.  I had to give the kids dinner before I came over."    Her:  "Oh, is your husband at work?"  Me:  "No, he just got home, too.  He'll give them their baths."  Her:  "Oh, my husband and I work opposite shifts so that I don't have to put the kids in daycare."  Did you see the jump into bad right there?  Me:  "Oh, that's nice.  My husband and I both work days, so my kids go to (insert name of ridiculously expensive, well run, clean daycare here)."  Her:  "  "Well, I think my kids do better with my husband and I.  I mean, we didn't have kids to let someone else raise them."  Me (not rising to the bait, even though I wanted to beat her silly):  "We all have to do what we think is best.  They don't have night work for accountants and engineers, and my boys really benefit from the interaction with other people.  I'm sure your kids won't have a problem adjusting to real school at all."  Ok, I had to get in that one last jab.  Because, really?  This seemed like an appropriate conversation to her??? What's next, politics?  Religion?  Do me a favor, lady.  Stick to discussing how nice and low my blood pressure is.

->  This is just one of the over 400 photos from little o's Year 1 photo shoot.  Our photographer is amazing (and if you live in Ohio and just need incredible photos, I'll send you his info.)

->  The WSJ had an interest article the other day about the lost art of whistling.  The author spoke about how few people whistle anymore, and how many people do not teach their kid to whistle.  That makes me sad.  My Dad and I can (could) both whistle through our teeth (not that obnoxious cab call, really whistle a song).  I can't wait until the boys are old enough to see if one of them inherited that trait. 

->  Did anyone else enjoy the B1G1 extravaganza at Starbuck's last weekend?  On Friday afternoon, a co-worker and I took orders and we started the "holiday" weeks by sharing caffeinated bliss.  Those who don't drink coffee were not as celebratory.  TDB.

->  One of my co-workers asked my AA if my kids were adopted, based on the new school photos in my cube.  She thought they looked like adoptees from Russia.  The AA got a good laugh at that one.  Because my kids might not look like each other, but they do look just a bit like my husband and I.  The person who invents the "idiot filter" for people's mouths will make millions.

->  The boys swim instructor will turn 80 in December.  I don't even have words to describe how amazing it is that someone who is 79 can spend all day, every month of the year, in a pool teaching toddlers how to swim.  And I'm pretty sure she's neither let anyone drown or tried to drown them.  Incredible.

Ok, I'm randomed out.  Since this will most likely be my last post before the holiday, 

Happy Thanksgiving!

now, go see Keely.

MicroFiction Monday

It's time for MicroFiction Monday.  Woo hoo!  Head on over to see Susan at Stony River and see what the rest of the gang has to say about this:

Principal Douglas got what he asked for this time.  Coach Jaeger was bringing some of his personal interests into his work life. 

Little o at an indoor hay maze.  Looking confused.

And for my "I'd rather be Monday":

I'd rather be at work than raking leaves.  With two small boys.  Who do not realize that every pile is not a trampoline.  It was cute the first 3 or 4 times.  Then it stopped being cute.

LG in a leaf pile.

Spin Cycle- Thanksgiving

This week's Spin Cycle is about "Giving Thanks".  Since it will be the last for a while, I will get it in earlier than usual (who wants to be remember as "the one who's always late"?).  

I re-read what I wrote last year for Sprite's Keeper's "Week of Thanks".  It is all still very true.  Go back there if you get a chance http://outoftheboondocks.blogspot.com/2009/11/week-of-thanks.html.

This year I'm not going all introspective.  Just a list for you:

->  I'm thankful that I have many wonderful memories of my parents that I can share with my children.  It occurred to me one day last week that a lot of people don't have that.

->  I'm thankful for my education.  I'm not a naturally smart person.  I did have wonderful teachers, though.  Now, I can pull off "smart" like the best of them.

->  I'm thankful for my health.  And for all the people in the past year that have encouraged me to make healthy changes for my children and myself.

->  I'm thankful for family.  Where would I be without them?  All the auntie and uncles, Grammie and Grampie.  And for good friends, who are just like family.

->  I'm thankful for you guys.  I've never met most of you, but you bestow upon me trust, love and snark just like we've known each other for years.

->  I'm thankful for having two great little boys to love on, play with and learn from.  It has been a great year at the Badger Den.

Many thanks to Sprite's Keeper for keeping the Spin Cycle going on for so long.  While this is the last one for, hopefully we'll all be back spinning again some day.  Thanks, Jen.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

You've been here before.  You know what RTT is by now.  I won't waste your time.

-> I need these.  Now.

->  Now I shall distract you with this:

Because I just don't have much to say today.  And he's cute.  And you might need some of that to get through your day.  This isn't even one of the good ones. 

->  I'm really unmotivated at work lately.  The CEO said at a meeting a few weeks ago that our investment team are really the only employees that have a challenge in their jobs.  They have to have good judgment and make good recommendations.  Accounting and Legal are just rule following pencil pushers.  How's that for a pep talk to get you through the end of the year blahs?  I used to think the Investment people were in a separate section so they could think deep thoughts.  Now I'm pretty sure it's because of all the death threats.  (an aside, I sit with them.  I think semi-deep thoughts.  But mostly because as the internal auditor I'm pretty well despised, too.)

->One of my SILs called me on Saturday while I was at the Walmart.  I'm sure we talked, but I don't remember much about it.  I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm brain dead now.  Auntie C?  The Walmart had me in its spell!  I'll call to speak intelligently soon, I promise.

->  My other SIL told me she's getting LG play doh for Christmas.  "But he loves it when he plays with it here!"  she said at her kitchen table.  And I love it when he plays with it there, too.  I stopped thinking bad thoughts about her by noon yesterday. 

->  For a brief moment after the elections I was worried they'd make me give up my "pot smoking, baby killing, VW driving, tree hugging, dirty, hippy liberal" card.  I didn't vote for all Democrats.  But, no.  I think I'm still in good standing.  I still think Dick Cheney is going to return like the Dark Lord (he who must not be named) and try to take over the gov't.  

->  That was an unintended tangent.  The point of that bullet was to say we joined a CSA last week.  It's right around the corner from our house, so I'm hoping that next summer, we'll get the boys home from school then walk down there with our wagon to pick up our veggie and fruit treats.  Look at me going all green. 

->  The war of the undies continues.  Today's pair had only Donald on them.  No Mickey in sight.  No go.  Donald by himself is not acceptable.  There were no clean Mickey undies available.  We went through all 7 clean pairs and settled for Cookie Monster.  I can't do this every day.  (Don't suggest we pick them out the night before, either.  He picked Donald last night.)

->

 ->  I stole this from Unmitigated.  I'm sharing it here because I can't scream it from my roof top.  Racial discrimination was our parents war.  Gender discrimination is ours.  If words are weapons, it's about time we start fighting back.

 I'm done.  Go see Keely.  Bring your post its.

MicroFiction Monday

It's Monday!  (Please sing that in the voice of someone recently released from a Sunday spent arguing with a 2 year old.  More on that later.)

We'll pony up the MicroFiction first.  I'm joining Susan and the MicroFictioneers to bring you joy in 140 letters or less.

"For the life of him, John could not figure out why Esther had given him the painting.  Was it a hint?  A gag?  He just didn't get it."

alternatively

"Georgia was was appalled.  She could not believe they put her beautiful flower next to a man in a sombrero.  Yuck."

And on to "I'd rather be" Monday.

->  I'd rather be at work than arguing with my 2 year old.  About anything (or in our case, everything).  We've watched enough TV for the morning, we do have to go shopping, you have to let your little brother have his own toys, you need a bath.  You name it, we had a fight about it.  The worst fight?  The Mickey Mouse on your undies goes on the back.  No, you won't hurt Mickey when you sit on him. (A note to the makers of children's underwear.  Seriously guys???Why would you put the characters on the seat, for a 2 year old?  This is not some 16 year old who wants to advertise that she's "Juicy" on her rear...)  I miss the days when I could say, "LG let's color!" and he'd sit and draw for 20 minutes.  Now it's, "I don't want those markers.  I want paints.  No, not those paints.  O can't color!  Nooooooo!"  sigh.

Spin Cycle- Perfection

This week's Spin Cycle topic is perfection.  And, as you can see, I procrastinated it.  But we'll get down to it now.

I'm not a perfectionist.  Ok, that's an understatement.  I'm a "do the best you can" kind of girl.  And that applies to all areas of my life.  My house?  The cleanest I can make it without neglecting something else.  My job?  The best I can do with the brains I have.  My cooking, crafts, writing?  Yeah, you get my best, but I know it's not anywhere near perfect.

My boys?  Well, ok. They're perfect.  Perfect BOYS, which means dirty, loud and sometimes they bite. I take almost no credit for that.

I always thought that trying to make things perfect would just drive you nuts.  There are so many variables to every situation that you can't control.  Why assume you can and then be disappointed when a little snafu changes your course?  Much easier to go with the flow and view the "imperfections" as what makes life real.

If it makes you feel better, I don't expect perfection from others, either.  Frequently, when my MIL knits something for us, she will show me the mistakes in the finished product.  To which I always respond, "Mom, nobody would have noticed if you didn't point it out.  It's beautiful."  When PB finishes up a home improvement, all he can see are the "mistakes".  All I see is that now the fridge runs, there is hardwood where there used to be carpet or the leaves are in nice piles up at the front of the lawn.  People always see their own work for its flaws, not its beauty.  Human nature, I suppose.

On that note, here's hoping that everyone has a weekend that makes you smile, even if it's not perfect.

Wordless Wednesday

I don't own the fancy  version of Quicktime, or I'd edit this to play at the correct angle.  You will just have to tilt you head, I guess.  Next time I'll try to hold the camera in the other direction.

Ok, I'm having some serious publishing issues.  Is it to much to hope that it just works its way out when I hit "publish"?  Oh, well.

This episode of Wordless Wednesday brought to you by:

Random Tuesday Thoughts

What time is it, you ask?  Why it's time for Random Tuesday thoughts, with Keely.  She's the hostest with the mostest. 

->PB got a little close to nature on Halloween.  In order to contain the holiday excitement, we visited our local nature center in the morning.  This "friend" followed us around.  He should have been in the wetland enclosure, but he "escaped".  Can you really call it an escape when a duck flies out of a pond, though?  He followed LG around for a few minutes (I finally picked LG up after he whined, "I don't think I like this ducky anymore!"  Then he moved on to PBs sneakers.  I thought the whole thing was hysterical.  My family was a tad freaked out, though.

->  From the "This is the screwed up place I grew up" file.  My Italian teacher in HS was from the Bronx.  The French teacher was from Georgia (do not ask what makes a Georgia peach move up the middle of nowhere cold NY, we never figured it out).  When conjugating verbs they took a different approach to the 2nd person plural.  The Italian teacher referred to it as "yous guys".  The French teacher referred to it as "y'all".  Is it only in upstate NY will you find people who can't speak proper English teaching foreign language?   Between the whole team they couldn't come up with "all of you"?

->  Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream,

      If you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream.  Ahhh!

      - LG brought this gem home last week.  Children's songs have come a long way since I was a kid.  Do you think it has to do with the violence in video games?  At least there aren't any dirty words yet.

->  I gave my kids the Fisher Price Little People "Mayflower" set last night.  Because Thanksgiving is coming up.  LG had no idea what to do with it.  He decided that since it was a boat, he would add the people from the beach set.  Now the pilgrims are wearing bikinis.  It's like Christopher Jones landed at the Jersey Shore. Think they'd make Snooki wear a scarlet letter?  He, he, he. 

Little o has two modes these days.  Cute smiley baby, and drama queen.  They flip like a switch.  Killing me slowly, this one is.  And no, that's not a Christmas shirt you see in that picture.  Not at all.  (ok, maybe it is, but I couldn't justify only wearing a shirt that cute for 3 or 4 weeks.  I broke it out early.  Today his shirt had a pumpkin, are you happy?)

I'm done now.  Time to do what ever it is you do all day.

Krappe, I almost forgot Keely's zombie poem.  A haiku:

My you look tasty.

Can I eat your brain, please?

I'll pay you for it.

MicroFiction Monday

Time for MicroFiction with Susan again.  This is going to have to be quick, as I'm in the middle of big doings at work.

As Susan followed her daughter down the road, she wished that the little girls path in life would always be littered with pretty things.

(and yes, for people who don't follow Susan, that really is her daughter! Adorable, yes?)

Spin Cycle- Halloween

This week's Spin Cycle is Halloween Show and Tell.  Here goes:

Little o had something important to say in the middle of my photo shoot.  My MIL made little o's angel robe and PB made the halo.  All I did was make LG his handsome devil flame vest.  Halloween was a community effort this year.

(Check out the glow stick halo and pitch fork!  We're nothing if not creative around the badger den.)

We trick or treated in my brother and sister in laws neighborhood.  I figured we go around 10 houses and need to head back.  Nope.  LG took on the whole development!  He and my niece knocked on each door and got their trick or treat on.  Little o walked between Uncle C and PB for about the first hour (then he wanted to be carried, but he did keep that big smile on for his adoring public).  I was amazed (shocked, horrified?) at the number of people who wanted to give him candy!  Look at the picture.  He has no pumpkin.  He was there purely for show (because what's a devil without an angel?)  LG spent half his night explaining that "He's too little.  He doesn't have teeth!"  It was actually pretty cute.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!  Go visit Sprite's Keeper and see the rest of the fun.

BTW, Happy Diwali to my Hindu friends.  May Good triumph over Evil for the whole next year.  I will admit that I just ate a few samosas for breakfast.  They were delish (urp.)

MicroFiction Monday

It's Microfiction Monday, with Susan.  Settle down and catch up on your shorts.

Pestilence sighed.  The life of a black cat.  Typecast forever.

Hope every one had a great Halloween!