Today I am sitting here with 2 kids at home instead of just the one toddler. Julia managed to wrangle a day out of school from me this morning. Well, wrangle is a strong word. She flashed those baby blues at me, moaned a bit, moped a lot, fell apart while brushing her teeth and then totally grossed me out by showing me the super loose tooth that is just barely hanging on there in her mouth. She begged to stay home and since I think I had thrown up in my mouth a little I nodded yes.
I didn't actually throw up but it could have happened. I do not handle teeth or tooth issues very well. Seems strange with my love of the body and all it's processes but make it a mouth problem or getting your ears pierced and I am just not the chick to take with you. Oh, I also fall apart if I see anyone putting tinfoil in their mouth. Man, I'm giving you guys all the ammo needed if you ever want to attack me. Crunch chips in my ear and then wiggle your loose tooth at me while chewing on some tinfoil like it's a wad of chaw. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH just the thought puts a metallic taste in my mouth.
Before having kids with Bryan I sort of thought that I would need to be the one to hand out discipline and that he would be the softie. There are occasions when this happens but it is actually quite rare. Bryan is an awesome dad and he can be tender and silly but he can also put them in their place when needed and they listen. I do not carry as much sway with them. Sure, some of it works for me - time outs, taking away privileges or toys and the like -- but a lot of the time I get ignored until I raise my voice. Often I just give into whining because I feel their whining is more detrimental to me than what they are whining for or about. Self preservation at work here people. I'm sure many of you understand.
School absences are one area where I need to be more hard lined than my mom ever had to be but I still remember how I was as a child and it colors my ability to always hold strong. I didn't hate school really but I was a shy kid and I always would have preferred staying at home over having to interact with a bunch of loud kids that I had very little in common with. My own children have done so much better in school in that respect but they did hold onto my desire to use up all the allowable absences they are given in a school year. Unfortunately times have changed. Now you can go to jail if your kids have too many unexcused absences or are habitually late for school. There are even fines that go with that. In this school system the kids can miss a total of 14 days in a year. They are allowed only 5 excuses written by a parent. Any other absence must have a doctors excuse with it. I have a million an done reasons why this is shitty but I'll leave the complaining to the more vocal parents who are already doing so.
Being more authoritative is a goal of mine. I can be a take charge person in so many other areas. Why can't I do that with these wee beings that I love more than life itself? Perhaps it's an underlying need to always be accepted, even by people that love me unconditionally. I suspect it's somewhat genetic too. I parent in much the same way my own mom and dad (while he was alive) did. I just forget that my kids are not like me and my brother. They don't have nearly the amount of slacker in them that we do and they are always bursting with energy and the want/need/intense desire to be entertained.
Speaking of being entertained I have been looking at one of these on my desk all morning and the need to play with it is huge and my mind is drifting. Holy beeswax Batman! Caffeine is wearing off... the force is strong with this toy..... I be hypnotized. Must resist.
Slacker in me is giving in to the toy. Must see you later.
PS - I have now learned that I can do tons of different things while playing with that infernal toy. This is by far my favorite thing I got the kids for the holidays. They apparently don't care about them at all but Bryan and I can play with them for hours. It's somehow extremely soothing and becomes a zen activity after a while.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Mouse Unicorn
Today I had the pleasure of going out to lunch with a group of grown-ups. Logan also came along but he was so quiet that it was like he wasn't there. I think he just didn't know what to think about having a group of beautiful women paying attention to him. Hopefully he will grow into it and learn to be a polite gentleman. Really, I often just hope he grows up knowing when and where it's appropriate to pick his nose. Start with the small goals and work our way up. Someday we'll add on the lesson about not eating boogers in front of people.
While driving back from lunch I had time to think about a few things. The route that we drive to and from Bluffton is very scenic and normally very quiet. Today there was a lot of traffic and people were impatient and I watched cars getting passed on each side of the road. One particular driver cut it extremely close while passing a firetruck. We were still at a safe distance should anything bad have happened but it made my heart jump into my throat anyway. Seeing this nut job risk his cojones just to get somewhere 2 minutes faster reminded me that each and every time we step into our vehicles and leave our homes that we put ourselves at risk.
Now here is where I share something with you. It could have gone on my 7 things list but I guess I just didn't have it in mind for a change. Here it is -- I am terrified of being in a fatal car accident. The one way I don't want to check out is by being crunched up in a vehicle. Sometimes this seems very silly to me. I rationalize my thoughts and I give myself a pep talk and I move on. Car crash fears laid aside. The careless actions of the driver in the little black sports car today made it come immediately to mind and heart. Damn him!
Having the crash thoughts led to thinking about something my mom says. She has said that she'd "rather up and die than go and die." I love this. Her rational is that if you up and die that it is a quick process and it's better emotionally for the family. If you go and die then that implies that you have had to go on a journey to get to that final ending destination. Since there is no way of knowing what may lay ahead of you, your family, your possible care givers, she feels that it's just not the way she wants to check out. For me, my mom, and much of our family this is representative of how we all feel to a degree. I'm not sure what that says about us, if anything, but it was interesting to think about today. Quick or slow or at a moderate clip a death is still a death and it's hard for all those involved.
After thinking about Mom's saying and the path it led down I then turned to cotton candy. If you can figure out how my addled brain got to cotton candy from the blood and guts start then you win a prize. I will hand you a cookie AND a Mouse Unicorn. GO!
While driving back from lunch I had time to think about a few things. The route that we drive to and from Bluffton is very scenic and normally very quiet. Today there was a lot of traffic and people were impatient and I watched cars getting passed on each side of the road. One particular driver cut it extremely close while passing a firetruck. We were still at a safe distance should anything bad have happened but it made my heart jump into my throat anyway. Seeing this nut job risk his cojones just to get somewhere 2 minutes faster reminded me that each and every time we step into our vehicles and leave our homes that we put ourselves at risk.
Now here is where I share something with you. It could have gone on my 7 things list but I guess I just didn't have it in mind for a change. Here it is -- I am terrified of being in a fatal car accident. The one way I don't want to check out is by being crunched up in a vehicle. Sometimes this seems very silly to me. I rationalize my thoughts and I give myself a pep talk and I move on. Car crash fears laid aside. The careless actions of the driver in the little black sports car today made it come immediately to mind and heart. Damn him!
Having the crash thoughts led to thinking about something my mom says. She has said that she'd "rather up and die than go and die." I love this. Her rational is that if you up and die that it is a quick process and it's better emotionally for the family. If you go and die then that implies that you have had to go on a journey to get to that final ending destination. Since there is no way of knowing what may lay ahead of you, your family, your possible care givers, she feels that it's just not the way she wants to check out. For me, my mom, and much of our family this is representative of how we all feel to a degree. I'm not sure what that says about us, if anything, but it was interesting to think about today. Quick or slow or at a moderate clip a death is still a death and it's hard for all those involved.
After thinking about Mom's saying and the path it led down I then turned to cotton candy. If you can figure out how my addled brain got to cotton candy from the blood and guts start then you win a prize. I will hand you a cookie AND a Mouse Unicorn. GO!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Mingo Tingle? What is a Mingo Tingle?
When I set this blog up the other day I needed to pick a name for it. The brain cells were not firing at first and I started to just put something having to do with the 7 things meme. Staring at the screen and the mess on the desk set my mind to wandering and after a winding path that passed uncountable oddities I settled into thinking about names. I love names. Not just simple ones, like Pat and Sam or Bobby or Beth, but odd names full of strange character. I love memorable names that have a story behind them. Hell, I like common names too but I adore them more if there is a story that backs them up. My name is pretty common - Sara. No H on the end there. I'm not a "Say-ra" and there are no religious connections to my name. Although there are two stories behind my naming I like the one that connects me to my father. He idolized Bob Dylan and Sara was the name of Bob's first wife and the title to a lovely song on the album Desire. My middle name is a family name and it connects me to all the amazing women on my mothers side of the family. I've got a story and I like that.
So, where am I going with this? Let me warn you now that my writing style is shit and I'm a babbler. That I am ever able to put together a thought on Twitter in 140 characters or less is fucking amazing. It's a good exercise in being concise and to the point for me. Not something I am good at yet but there is always hope. Similar to my hope that I may still be a 7 ft tall drag queen and the belle of the ball for just one night only at Club One, eclipsing the drug induced awesomeness/total train wreck that is the Lady Chablis. It's good to set the bar high on your goals, right?
Ok, back to Mingo and his Tingle.
My Uncle Steve is a collector. His main interest is in Native American cane basketry. Chitimacha baskets especially. In his travels and quest for these pieces of art he has met some interesting folks. After one trip down South he told me about meeting a Chief Tingle and his son, Mingo. I believe they all met in Mississippi, not that it matters really. What I took away from his trip was the name Mingo Tingle. I thought that it was the most original and wonderful name I'd ever heard. It is fun to say out loud. Do it! Now I tell you!! Tell me that name is not like springtime in your mouth. Admit it!
Mingo Tingle. Mingo Tingle. Mingo Tingle.
I have never met Mr. Tingle and I am not sure if my Uncle ever encountered him on his travels again. At some point it might be nice to contact him and tell him how much I admire his name. I believe it has a meaning based in his Native American heritage but at this point I have forgotten the exact details. All I know is that I enjoy the name just as much today as I did the moment Uncle Steve told me the tale of the Tingles.
Perhaps Mr. Tingle will stumble upon this pitiful piece of my brain. I hope that he doesn't take offense at my use of his name. I hope that he loves his name as much as I do. Hey, maybe he even shares my dream of being a 7 ft tall drag queen for a day too. Weirder things have been known to happen :P
So, where am I going with this? Let me warn you now that my writing style is shit and I'm a babbler. That I am ever able to put together a thought on Twitter in 140 characters or less is fucking amazing. It's a good exercise in being concise and to the point for me. Not something I am good at yet but there is always hope. Similar to my hope that I may still be a 7 ft tall drag queen and the belle of the ball for just one night only at Club One, eclipsing the drug induced awesomeness/total train wreck that is the Lady Chablis. It's good to set the bar high on your goals, right?
Ok, back to Mingo and his Tingle.
My Uncle Steve is a collector. His main interest is in Native American cane basketry. Chitimacha baskets especially. In his travels and quest for these pieces of art he has met some interesting folks. After one trip down South he told me about meeting a Chief Tingle and his son, Mingo. I believe they all met in Mississippi, not that it matters really. What I took away from his trip was the name Mingo Tingle. I thought that it was the most original and wonderful name I'd ever heard. It is fun to say out loud. Do it! Now I tell you!! Tell me that name is not like springtime in your mouth. Admit it!
Mingo Tingle. Mingo Tingle. Mingo Tingle.
I have never met Mr. Tingle and I am not sure if my Uncle ever encountered him on his travels again. At some point it might be nice to contact him and tell him how much I admire his name. I believe it has a meaning based in his Native American heritage but at this point I have forgotten the exact details. All I know is that I enjoy the name just as much today as I did the moment Uncle Steve told me the tale of the Tingles.
Perhaps Mr. Tingle will stumble upon this pitiful piece of my brain. I hope that he doesn't take offense at my use of his name. I hope that he loves his name as much as I do. Hey, maybe he even shares my dream of being a 7 ft tall drag queen for a day too. Weirder things have been known to happen :P
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
7 things about me that will bore you to tears
I am just now getting to catch up on all the fun I've missed on Twitter during the holidays and one thing I have really enjoyed is the 7 things meme. It thrills the voyeur in me to read tidbits about my favorite Twitter folks but also to get to learn about some that were flying under my radar. I look forward to reading more lists and I thank you all for sharing!
1) I was a co-founder of an antisocial society back in college. After a few meetings we decided to disband as we had broken the charter rules by having a gathering. I guess we were confused antisocial kids. The drugs had not kicked in yet at that time. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
2) I was a candle maker for around 12 years. I became a master candle carver after a 2 year apprenticeship. I eventually owned my own business doing the candles and once upon a time owned a shop with my husband in St. Augustine, Florida. That lasted for a few years until the tourist economy tanked there and we had to go back to "real" jobs. It was great while it lasted and I had some of the best customers ever. I still have all my equipment and could make some candles at any time but I have not carved any for well over a year. The last order I filled was for a wedding unity set for a couple in Australia. Nice folks that later sent me pictures from their wedding.
3) I am a perpetual college student. What can I say? I love the process of learning even though I let it stress me out to no end. The first go around was a nursing major. The second was art, specifically black and white photography. That I completely adored and I once felt like I wanted to spend my life in the darkroom. I didn't care if the pics were even mine. Just the act of printing and developing the pictures was a headrush for me. This current run at college again is to further the nursing along and get what's needed to concentrate on geriatric and hospice care as well as those masters courses needed to add adult nurse practitioner to it all. That last bit may take a while at the rate I am going but it's ok. I like being back in school again. Being older and having so much more life experience makes me appreciate my time in class. It also makes the younger students and their foibles more silly and annoying though.
4) I was accepted to the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington D.C. back in the 90's when I was doing the photography major. I applied on a whim after visiting my uncles in Fairfax. After a return visit to the school and an interview and slide review I was sure that they would laugh in my face and my attempts to gain entry into their establishment. I went home to Savannah and was shocked beyond belief when I got a letter of acceptance. Did I end up going though? Nope. Why, you may ask? Well, see #5
5) The first time I met Bryan it was at work and he was a new employee. The VERY FIRST thought that ran through my head upon seeing him was "I wonder if he's THE one." The second thought after the introduction was "I wonder where he hides the bodies." Neither thought was one I'd ever had upon meeting anyone else in my life. After our initial meeting we were friendly and within a month I was trying to help him woo a girl at the shop that he was smitten with. Janet was a cute little innocent chick from North Dakota and Bryan fell for her hard the moment he met her. Bryan was very shy though and he needed some help and encouragement and somehow I became that person. After a 4 month try at getting Janet interested the poor guy had his heart crushed. Janet just wanted a friendship and didn't want to date anyone. I felt bad for Bryan and invited him to go out with a group of us on my birthday. We were good friends by that point but nothing more. By the end of that night, my 22nd b-day, we had decided to try taking the friendship further, no strings, and see what happened. We've been married 10 years now and I cannot imagine my life without Bryan in it. All of it boils down to Bryan needing a job to pay for some car insurance while in school. If it weren't for that we would not have met.
6) I was once a Beatles fanatic. It's the one thing that pulled me out of a long issue with depression as a teen. Lennon was my religion and I was a devout follower. I no longer have a single minded devotion to them but I am forever grateful for the time that the Fab Four comforted me and lead me out of a very bleak and dark place.
7) I'm not sure which way to go with this last one. Everything running through my head is on the boring side and Logan is insisting that he wants to go outside and for me to finish playing on this computer. So, you get random stuff to end this list --
I suppose I need to tag some folks now but I will have to come back to add them later. Logan is insisting that Jerry Butler and Johnson are getting mad. They want him to come out and play. Maybe they will sing me a poop song or their newest hit "Stop Looking at Me!"
1) I was a co-founder of an antisocial society back in college. After a few meetings we decided to disband as we had broken the charter rules by having a gathering. I guess we were confused antisocial kids. The drugs had not kicked in yet at that time. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
2) I was a candle maker for around 12 years. I became a master candle carver after a 2 year apprenticeship. I eventually owned my own business doing the candles and once upon a time owned a shop with my husband in St. Augustine, Florida. That lasted for a few years until the tourist economy tanked there and we had to go back to "real" jobs. It was great while it lasted and I had some of the best customers ever. I still have all my equipment and could make some candles at any time but I have not carved any for well over a year. The last order I filled was for a wedding unity set for a couple in Australia. Nice folks that later sent me pictures from their wedding.
3) I am a perpetual college student. What can I say? I love the process of learning even though I let it stress me out to no end. The first go around was a nursing major. The second was art, specifically black and white photography. That I completely adored and I once felt like I wanted to spend my life in the darkroom. I didn't care if the pics were even mine. Just the act of printing and developing the pictures was a headrush for me. This current run at college again is to further the nursing along and get what's needed to concentrate on geriatric and hospice care as well as those masters courses needed to add adult nurse practitioner to it all. That last bit may take a while at the rate I am going but it's ok. I like being back in school again. Being older and having so much more life experience makes me appreciate my time in class. It also makes the younger students and their foibles more silly and annoying though.
4) I was accepted to the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington D.C. back in the 90's when I was doing the photography major. I applied on a whim after visiting my uncles in Fairfax. After a return visit to the school and an interview and slide review I was sure that they would laugh in my face and my attempts to gain entry into their establishment. I went home to Savannah and was shocked beyond belief when I got a letter of acceptance. Did I end up going though? Nope. Why, you may ask? Well, see #5
5) The first time I met Bryan it was at work and he was a new employee. The VERY FIRST thought that ran through my head upon seeing him was "I wonder if he's THE one." The second thought after the introduction was "I wonder where he hides the bodies." Neither thought was one I'd ever had upon meeting anyone else in my life. After our initial meeting we were friendly and within a month I was trying to help him woo a girl at the shop that he was smitten with. Janet was a cute little innocent chick from North Dakota and Bryan fell for her hard the moment he met her. Bryan was very shy though and he needed some help and encouragement and somehow I became that person. After a 4 month try at getting Janet interested the poor guy had his heart crushed. Janet just wanted a friendship and didn't want to date anyone. I felt bad for Bryan and invited him to go out with a group of us on my birthday. We were good friends by that point but nothing more. By the end of that night, my 22nd b-day, we had decided to try taking the friendship further, no strings, and see what happened. We've been married 10 years now and I cannot imagine my life without Bryan in it. All of it boils down to Bryan needing a job to pay for some car insurance while in school. If it weren't for that we would not have met.
6) I was once a Beatles fanatic. It's the one thing that pulled me out of a long issue with depression as a teen. Lennon was my religion and I was a devout follower. I no longer have a single minded devotion to them but I am forever grateful for the time that the Fab Four comforted me and lead me out of a very bleak and dark place.
7) I'm not sure which way to go with this last one. Everything running through my head is on the boring side and Logan is insisting that he wants to go outside and for me to finish playing on this computer. So, you get random stuff to end this list --
- I am distantly related to both Mary Cassatt and Robert Henri.
- I hate when people eat crunchy things near me if I am not also eating crunchy things. The sound of crunching drives me insane.
- I hate lima beans.
- Sarcasm, dark and sick humor, and just a weird way of looking at life is what I most enjoy out of the people I'm friends with. It's these qualities that I also look for when following people on Twitter.
- if I could get away with doing it I would spell my name in all lower case letters all the time, like e. e. cummings
I suppose I need to tag some folks now but I will have to come back to add them later. Logan is insisting that Jerry Butler and Johnson are getting mad. They want him to come out and play. Maybe they will sing me a poop song or their newest hit "Stop Looking at Me!"
Stuff and Such
I've been tagged to write 7 things that you don't know about me by a couple of folks on Twitter. I have really enjoyed reading the lists that others have put up and I am actually touched that anyone would be interested in 7 things about me. I will work on the list today though and I will throw it out there for anyone interested in reading it. Perhaps this will also be a benefit to me as well. I've set this blog up just for the list but perhaps I can use it to inflict my special brand of idiocy on anyone willing to stop by.
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