| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  8.6 |
| Mind: |  7.5 |
| Body: |  5.5 |
| Spirit: |  10 |
| Friends/Family: | 8.2 |
| Love: | 9.1 |
| Finance: | 8.8 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
My Life Score
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Evel Dick
He deserved to win, I guess... if you measure the game on how mean a person can be. I think the spoiled brat Danielle should have won just because I didn't like Dick. I didn't pick either as my favorite though.... So There.
PEEVED!
I absolutely hate the new Windows Live version of Hotmail. I have looked around and looked around for the button that says "Take me back to MSN Hotmail." They used to have this button easily accessible. At least then, when they upgraded me without my consent, I could change right back. This time I'm not so lucky. I finally found the page to send a question (after looking for over an hour) and sent them the request to un-up-grade me. They said that this is no longer an option and that I would hopefully come to enjoy Windows Live Hotmail with all of its new accessories. I think that hour would have been better spent signing up for a Yahoo account... Ugh...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Photos and Comments
Captain in the tub looking at bubbles in "Sissy's Ba".
Captain and Daddy after Captain's bath.
Kisses from Daddy.
Burbles swaddled and ready to go nigh nigh.
Burbles and Grampa G.
Captain in his tiger suit. No- this is not his Halloween costume. He just likes to wear it around the house. He is a little tiger after all.
Kisses from Daddy.
Burbles and Little WDW.
GO PACKERS!
GO PACKERS! YEAH! FIELD GOAL!Random Notes
This week has been busy once again. Wednesday night I went to the casino to play Bingo... no luck. I did just about become physically ill when the number that I needed to win (61) was up, but someone Bingoed on the number before. Missing $500.
Yesterday, Fundi and I went to the Cities to get a Lasik Checkup. My vision is 20/15 !!! I used to have 20/1600 vision. It is so amazing and I am glad that I didn't wait any longer. Special thanks to Mom, Grandma E, Grandpa E, and Sister-in-law (for paying me to babysit). It took a while to save up the amount that I needed, but the results are just awesome.
I have this random desire that I have been trying to fill lately. I would love to be able to speak Spanish more fluently. I have been conjuring up words, phrases, sentences, commands, etc from the depths of my post-college brain. I am starting to remember more as I use more. I would love to be able to speak fluently with the people at the Mexican restaurants or if I run into someone that is a Spanish speaker, but I feel so self-conscious. I get all tongue tied, like trying to talk to a boy I liked in Junior High. Frustrating.
Captain is becoming such a little man. He is really starting to understand and listen to the things we tell him. He is becoming such a good helper (when he wants to be). Burbles is really getting to be a big girl too. She has started eating more solids and does a really good job when she is hungry. She is also enjoying playing more on the floor with the other kids.
Got some gourds yesterday. I am so excited to decorate for Harvest/Halloween. Got my Window Clings up already!
Yesterday, Fundi and I went to the Cities to get a Lasik Checkup. My vision is 20/15 !!! I used to have 20/1600 vision. It is so amazing and I am glad that I didn't wait any longer. Special thanks to Mom, Grandma E, Grandpa E, and Sister-in-law (for paying me to babysit). It took a while to save up the amount that I needed, but the results are just awesome.
I have this random desire that I have been trying to fill lately. I would love to be able to speak Spanish more fluently. I have been conjuring up words, phrases, sentences, commands, etc from the depths of my post-college brain. I am starting to remember more as I use more. I would love to be able to speak fluently with the people at the Mexican restaurants or if I run into someone that is a Spanish speaker, but I feel so self-conscious. I get all tongue tied, like trying to talk to a boy I liked in Junior High. Frustrating.
Captain is becoming such a little man. He is really starting to understand and listen to the things we tell him. He is becoming such a good helper (when he wants to be). Burbles is really getting to be a big girl too. She has started eating more solids and does a really good job when she is hungry. She is also enjoying playing more on the floor with the other kids.
Got some gourds yesterday. I am so excited to decorate for Harvest/Halloween. Got my Window Clings up already!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
On a lighter note..
Things here have been busy in that not-so-busy sort of way. My biggest excitement yesterday was that I got to hang window clings. Oh, and I guess I got my Usborne Book Show packet. I am really looking forward to that party. I don't know what to get. There are just so many choices. The power went out on Sunday night and I got to go visit my sister B and her family. They seemed to be doing well. Little WDW is looking good. He is gonna be a big baby I think. He is so cute. Burbles has been working on getting up on all fours. She is 5 months now and she thinks she owns the place. I guess s he probably gets that from her brother. He is 17 months now! I can't believe how time flies.
I just came out of the bathroom. My son is NAKED. He took off his diaper before I could get clothes for him. This is no big deal really, just very cute. When I asked where he had put the diaper, he showed me the garbage. Should I take this as a sign that I should be potty training. He seems like he could almost be ready, but he will not sit on the little potty for longer than two seconds. Fundi thinks we should put a seat belt on it. Last night, I was taking photos of the kids with no bottoms on. Essentially I was taking photos of their bottoms. Then it was supper time and I put Captain in the high chair and fed him. After a while, little puddles started to appear beneath the high chair. I kept cleaning them up, but then there was another one. I thought that maybe the high chair tray had some water caught in it that was leaking. It was only when I took Captain out that I remembered that he had no bottoms on.
Talked to my sister E last night. She and her kids are doing well. She sounded really good and it was nice talking to her. We made plans for Christmas cookie baking day (December 1st) and Christmas (on Christmas Eve). She seemed pretty keen on the idea that on baking day, our dad and Fundi take the kids and keep them busy all day. Fundi counted it out, and if both my sisters with kids and my sister-in-law J come and my dad's girlfriend P and her two boys, there will be nine kids and two adults. Six of those kids in car seats. I asked Fundi if he thought that that would be OK. He said, the more the merrier as far as he is concerned--especially if the older kids are there and can help out. Then he said... We'll have to take two vehicles.
I have reserved a hotel for Cornell Homecoming in Iowa. I'm excited to be going. Last year I didn't go because we had a gathering for my deceased Brother-in-Law J. That is my sister-in-law J's husband. He had passed away one year prior. I can't believe it has already been two years. Both he and my Mom have missed so much. Anyhow, my Dad is coming with to Cornell Homecoming and he is going to watch the kids when we go out and about in the evenings. I don't know what people are planning to do for dinner on Saturday night though... let me know if you are going and what you are doing? Also, we will not be getting into town until later that Friday night... and so I don't know if I will be making it to the fireworks or the bars. Let me know if you will be there as well.
Anywho....
I just came out of the bathroom. My son is NAKED. He took off his diaper before I could get clothes for him. This is no big deal really, just very cute. When I asked where he had put the diaper, he showed me the garbage. Should I take this as a sign that I should be potty training. He seems like he could almost be ready, but he will not sit on the little potty for longer than two seconds. Fundi thinks we should put a seat belt on it. Last night, I was taking photos of the kids with no bottoms on. Essentially I was taking photos of their bottoms. Then it was supper time and I put Captain in the high chair and fed him. After a while, little puddles started to appear beneath the high chair. I kept cleaning them up, but then there was another one. I thought that maybe the high chair tray had some water caught in it that was leaking. It was only when I took Captain out that I remembered that he had no bottoms on.
Talked to my sister E last night. She and her kids are doing well. She sounded really good and it was nice talking to her. We made plans for Christmas cookie baking day (December 1st) and Christmas (on Christmas Eve). She seemed pretty keen on the idea that on baking day, our dad and Fundi take the kids and keep them busy all day. Fundi counted it out, and if both my sisters with kids and my sister-in-law J come and my dad's girlfriend P and her two boys, there will be nine kids and two adults. Six of those kids in car seats. I asked Fundi if he thought that that would be OK. He said, the more the merrier as far as he is concerned--especially if the older kids are there and can help out. Then he said... We'll have to take two vehicles.
I have reserved a hotel for Cornell Homecoming in Iowa. I'm excited to be going. Last year I didn't go because we had a gathering for my deceased Brother-in-Law J. That is my sister-in-law J's husband. He had passed away one year prior. I can't believe it has already been two years. Both he and my Mom have missed so much. Anyhow, my Dad is coming with to Cornell Homecoming and he is going to watch the kids when we go out and about in the evenings. I don't know what people are planning to do for dinner on Saturday night though... let me know if you are going and what you are doing? Also, we will not be getting into town until later that Friday night... and so I don't know if I will be making it to the fireworks or the bars. Let me know if you will be there as well.
Anywho....
Grandma
Update: My Grandma was released from the hospital on Saturday. I have talked to her a couple times and she sounds great! They fixed her up and she is on the mend. She said she has more energy now than two weeks ago. She sounded really good and she said she has lots of stuff she needs to get done. I told her not to over-do it. She was going to be quilting.
Job Description
PARENT - Job Description
POSITION:
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
POSITION:
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Grandma
I'm worried tonight. I'm worried that my Grandma is not doing so well. She was checked into the hospital tonight for weakness that she has been having for the past couple weeks. Up until today it wasn't that bad, but today she was unable to walk to the mailbox this morning and then this afternoon she was unable to walk even to the kitchen from her living room. I finally convinced her to come with me to our house so that I could help her and then made it seem like her idea when I convinced her to go to the hospital. My poor Grandma lives alone and I have often been nervous about leaving her alone, but today I was especially nervous that something bad may have happened had I not coerced her into coming along with us. When we got to the hospital, they did an EKG (for her rapid heart beat) and hooked her up to oxygen (for her shortness of breath) and an IV (for her inability to eat anything and her weakness). With her medications she was unable to get her heart under control today. Come to find out, her heart problems were not what they have been in the past and so they decided to keep her and put a heart monitor on her to see about getting her back in shape. Grandma felt bad about making me have to take her (with the kids and my niece M), but it really was no problem and it gave me a sort of peace to know that she would have someone watching over her and making sure that she was OK. She is--for now. It just seems to me that in the past two weeks, her blood work has all been done and the doctors have said that they just need to run some more tests. How many tests does it take to figure out what is wrong? How long can the doctors put off telling us what is wrong? It just seems to me that they are just keeping quiet about what they know because it isn't good. Can they do that? or am I just being paranoid that something could really be really wrong?
Grandma to me has always been there. We grew up only miles from her house and even now, I have only ever lived only 8 miles from her (except when I was going to college and visited home regularly). Over the years my relationship with Grandma has changed. When I was young, she would have us over to her house and bake cookies. My favorite Grandma food was caramel popcorn and she always made popcorn balls for the kids on Halloween. My grandpa was VERY frugal and a lot of the time Grandma stuck up for us grandkids when we did such absurd things as flush the toilet. Sometimes Grandma would even draw really big baths for us kids and have all of the grandkids rotate through the bath. We would play and play.
As Grandma got older, there were things that made me realized that my Grandma wasn't perfect. She once made mashed potatoes that were a little too lumpy and my sisters and I insisted that she had put onions in the potatoes and we refused to eat the onion-potatoes. My grandma got all offended about this and insisted that we leave. She called my mom and Mom came to pick us up, but only after Grandma chewed my mom out about how disrespectful her kids were. Another time, Grandma was moving some of her quilting materials around the house and dropped an open rotary cutter on the top of her foot. I was so concerned and knew that she needed medical attention, but knowing that Grandpa would throw a Holy Fit because she did something so Stupid, she wrapped it to the best of her ability and then put a sock over it so that Grandpa couldn't tell that something was wrong. Grandma made me promise not to tell my mom, but after a while, I just couldn't keep such a terrible secret. I had wanted to dial 911 and Grandma was too afraid of what Grandpa would say that she didn't get the help that she needed. I know that it took a very long time for that cut to heal and I know that my mom gave her a LONG lecture when she found out what had happened.
Another memory that I have about Grandma was of when I was only 2 or 3 years old. A tornado had wrecked their house and they had built a new one and after the walls were freshly painted a light beige, I felt that I needed to add a finishing touch, so I drew a "picture" behind the couch on the wall. Now, what kid doesn't color on the wall at some point in time, but I know that that was the first time that I had seen my Grandma upset with me. She then ordered my uncle to give me a spanking on the butt. Years later, my cousin on my mom's side (not a relative of my Grandma) was visiting Grandma's house with our family. He happened upon some crayons and ended up coloring a picture just as beautiful as mine had been on the back of her antique hutch. She never batted an eye.
When I was little, I know that I spent a lot of time with Grandma in the barn. I was her little helper. I wouldn't so much as move when she told me to sit on the bucket against the wall and watch her milk cows. She knew just what she needed to do, and to me that was just amazing. There were so many cows and milking had so many steps. Then after all the milking was done, we would get to feed the cattle and Grandma would let me hold their bottles and then let them suck my fingers.
Then there were the constant trips to the eye doctor. Grandma had lots of eye problems (thanks Grandma!) and on a monthly basis, Mom, Grandma and I had to pile into the car and travel over an hour to the eye doctor. Even when I got into school, sometimes Mom would let me go with them. After the appointment, we would go out to eat (often to Chinese or Kentucky Fried Chicken) and then do a little shopping (usually at a craft or fabric store). Those times with Mom and Grandma made me feel special.
As I got into high school and got my driver's license, I started filling the obligation to drive my grandma. You see, Grandma was never "allowed" to get her driver's license. It made her dependant on Grandpa (and everyone else, for that matter) and he liked that control. We spent time riding in the car, but then I started visiting her and Grandpa at least every other weekend--a tradition that I would keep through college whenever I was home.
Since I have moved home after college and Mom has passed away, I have taken more responsibility for transporting my Grandma. Grandpa passed away when I was a sophomore in College. That left Grandma without a ride unless she asked. In the past year, she has added dialysis to her schedule of appointments. Three times a week, Grandma depends on other people to drive her to and from her dialysis appointment (a 20-45 minute drive one way, depending on where you are coming from with a potential four hour wait if you have to drive her both to and from). Most of the time, a county driver is able to help her out, but occasionally, she will ask a family member. My dad and I live closer to her than any of her other children or grandchildren, so a lot of the time, the responsibility falls to us. I don't mind this task. If nothing else, it gets me out of the house, but more than that, it gives me a chance to keep my Grandma in line. I tease her about the older men who she interacts with regularly and how she probably has a crush on them. (I once asked a man at the Chinese restaurant for his name and number for my Grandma. He had talked to us while we were eating and she said that he seemed very nice and that was the type of guy she would look for if she were looking, which she quickly informed me that she was not.) I make sure that she has things like milk and bread, and make sure that I do a quick physical assessment of her. I think in her own way, she does an assessment on me as well. In the nicest way, Grandma makes observations of me and the kids. She enjoys hearing about their new "tricks" and what they have been up to lately. She likes talking to the kids and saying how the previous weekend she had watched them in church more than she had paid attention to the Priest. She has even adopted my niece M as a grandchild and makes assessments of her as well.
Today started out like any other day. Last night, we had discussed the possibility of going grocery shopping with Grandma and the kids and then going out to eat to Chinese. But, this morning when I talked with her at about 10, she said that she hadn't been feeling well and that her rapid heart beat wouldn't go away even though she had taken her pills. She had called the doctor about the blood tests, but they didn't have any results for her. She said that she had tried to get the mail but was too weak. She said that she would let me know about 11 what she was going to do. I was not surprised when she called at about 10:45 and asked me to pick her up a few items if I would and that she wouldn't be able to go with and that she was disappointed that she couldn't spend any time with the kids. I confirmed that it would be no problem and I would be happy to get those things for her. At that point, I had half a mind to just go pick her up and take her to the doctor right then, but she sounded adamant that she not need to see the doctor until her dialysis appointment on Thursday. The kids and I went shopping and brought Grandma her groceries at about 1:30. When I entered the house, she was standing at the stove, hovering and holding tightly. I asked what was the matter and she said that she was just so weak and out of breath and that she had heard someone in the garage and was just checking who it was. She had this sorry kettle of beef soup on the stove that looked as though it had been heated and reheated any number of times. I asked if she had eaten. She said that she had had a little (there was still 3/4 of a can left in the kettle)---which means that she had had A LITTLE. I asked her to go sit back down in her recliner. She explained that she had just woken up and that she walked from her recliner to the stove and that is why she was so weak and out of breath. I told Grandma that she should come with me so that if she needed something she would be able to ask for it if she just sat on our couch. After that sunk in, I asked if she had her doctor's numbers around. She gave them to me and after about five minutes of scrambled thoughts (her thought process had clearly been influenced by her weakness and shortness of breath--she is usually very sharp) we made our way out of the house. We delivered the groceries to our house. Grandma stayed in the car and we called the doctor who asked her to go straight to the ER. So, that is what we did.
When I think of all of this, I think of all the things that Grandma and I have yet to talk about. I think of the book that I would like her to fill out about her childhood. I think about my kids growing up and my hopes for them and Grandma to know each other. I think of her 80th Birthday coming up this winter. I think of all these things and am saddened by the whole process. The process of living and dying. The process of getting older. The process of having children who then have children who then have children and the hopes that you will get to see what comes after you. The hopes that I, myself, will get the opportunity to see my great-grandchildren. Then, sadness takes over. I am sad for so many reasons about all of this, but most of all sad for the loss. Sad about the fact that after a person passes on, the world carries on. Before I know it, I am sad about things that have yet to happen.
Grandma to me has always been there. We grew up only miles from her house and even now, I have only ever lived only 8 miles from her (except when I was going to college and visited home regularly). Over the years my relationship with Grandma has changed. When I was young, she would have us over to her house and bake cookies. My favorite Grandma food was caramel popcorn and she always made popcorn balls for the kids on Halloween. My grandpa was VERY frugal and a lot of the time Grandma stuck up for us grandkids when we did such absurd things as flush the toilet. Sometimes Grandma would even draw really big baths for us kids and have all of the grandkids rotate through the bath. We would play and play.
As Grandma got older, there were things that made me realized that my Grandma wasn't perfect. She once made mashed potatoes that were a little too lumpy and my sisters and I insisted that she had put onions in the potatoes and we refused to eat the onion-potatoes. My grandma got all offended about this and insisted that we leave. She called my mom and Mom came to pick us up, but only after Grandma chewed my mom out about how disrespectful her kids were. Another time, Grandma was moving some of her quilting materials around the house and dropped an open rotary cutter on the top of her foot. I was so concerned and knew that she needed medical attention, but knowing that Grandpa would throw a Holy Fit because she did something so Stupid, she wrapped it to the best of her ability and then put a sock over it so that Grandpa couldn't tell that something was wrong. Grandma made me promise not to tell my mom, but after a while, I just couldn't keep such a terrible secret. I had wanted to dial 911 and Grandma was too afraid of what Grandpa would say that she didn't get the help that she needed. I know that it took a very long time for that cut to heal and I know that my mom gave her a LONG lecture when she found out what had happened.
Another memory that I have about Grandma was of when I was only 2 or 3 years old. A tornado had wrecked their house and they had built a new one and after the walls were freshly painted a light beige, I felt that I needed to add a finishing touch, so I drew a "picture" behind the couch on the wall. Now, what kid doesn't color on the wall at some point in time, but I know that that was the first time that I had seen my Grandma upset with me. She then ordered my uncle to give me a spanking on the butt. Years later, my cousin on my mom's side (not a relative of my Grandma) was visiting Grandma's house with our family. He happened upon some crayons and ended up coloring a picture just as beautiful as mine had been on the back of her antique hutch. She never batted an eye.
When I was little, I know that I spent a lot of time with Grandma in the barn. I was her little helper. I wouldn't so much as move when she told me to sit on the bucket against the wall and watch her milk cows. She knew just what she needed to do, and to me that was just amazing. There were so many cows and milking had so many steps. Then after all the milking was done, we would get to feed the cattle and Grandma would let me hold their bottles and then let them suck my fingers.
Then there were the constant trips to the eye doctor. Grandma had lots of eye problems (thanks Grandma!) and on a monthly basis, Mom, Grandma and I had to pile into the car and travel over an hour to the eye doctor. Even when I got into school, sometimes Mom would let me go with them. After the appointment, we would go out to eat (often to Chinese or Kentucky Fried Chicken) and then do a little shopping (usually at a craft or fabric store). Those times with Mom and Grandma made me feel special.
As I got into high school and got my driver's license, I started filling the obligation to drive my grandma. You see, Grandma was never "allowed" to get her driver's license. It made her dependant on Grandpa (and everyone else, for that matter) and he liked that control. We spent time riding in the car, but then I started visiting her and Grandpa at least every other weekend--a tradition that I would keep through college whenever I was home.
Since I have moved home after college and Mom has passed away, I have taken more responsibility for transporting my Grandma. Grandpa passed away when I was a sophomore in College. That left Grandma without a ride unless she asked. In the past year, she has added dialysis to her schedule of appointments. Three times a week, Grandma depends on other people to drive her to and from her dialysis appointment (a 20-45 minute drive one way, depending on where you are coming from with a potential four hour wait if you have to drive her both to and from). Most of the time, a county driver is able to help her out, but occasionally, she will ask a family member. My dad and I live closer to her than any of her other children or grandchildren, so a lot of the time, the responsibility falls to us. I don't mind this task. If nothing else, it gets me out of the house, but more than that, it gives me a chance to keep my Grandma in line. I tease her about the older men who she interacts with regularly and how she probably has a crush on them. (I once asked a man at the Chinese restaurant for his name and number for my Grandma. He had talked to us while we were eating and she said that he seemed very nice and that was the type of guy she would look for if she were looking, which she quickly informed me that she was not.) I make sure that she has things like milk and bread, and make sure that I do a quick physical assessment of her. I think in her own way, she does an assessment on me as well. In the nicest way, Grandma makes observations of me and the kids. She enjoys hearing about their new "tricks" and what they have been up to lately. She likes talking to the kids and saying how the previous weekend she had watched them in church more than she had paid attention to the Priest. She has even adopted my niece M as a grandchild and makes assessments of her as well.
Today started out like any other day. Last night, we had discussed the possibility of going grocery shopping with Grandma and the kids and then going out to eat to Chinese. But, this morning when I talked with her at about 10, she said that she hadn't been feeling well and that her rapid heart beat wouldn't go away even though she had taken her pills. She had called the doctor about the blood tests, but they didn't have any results for her. She said that she had tried to get the mail but was too weak. She said that she would let me know about 11 what she was going to do. I was not surprised when she called at about 10:45 and asked me to pick her up a few items if I would and that she wouldn't be able to go with and that she was disappointed that she couldn't spend any time with the kids. I confirmed that it would be no problem and I would be happy to get those things for her. At that point, I had half a mind to just go pick her up and take her to the doctor right then, but she sounded adamant that she not need to see the doctor until her dialysis appointment on Thursday. The kids and I went shopping and brought Grandma her groceries at about 1:30. When I entered the house, she was standing at the stove, hovering and holding tightly. I asked what was the matter and she said that she was just so weak and out of breath and that she had heard someone in the garage and was just checking who it was. She had this sorry kettle of beef soup on the stove that looked as though it had been heated and reheated any number of times. I asked if she had eaten. She said that she had had a little (there was still 3/4 of a can left in the kettle)---which means that she had had A LITTLE. I asked her to go sit back down in her recliner. She explained that she had just woken up and that she walked from her recliner to the stove and that is why she was so weak and out of breath. I told Grandma that she should come with me so that if she needed something she would be able to ask for it if she just sat on our couch. After that sunk in, I asked if she had her doctor's numbers around. She gave them to me and after about five minutes of scrambled thoughts (her thought process had clearly been influenced by her weakness and shortness of breath--she is usually very sharp) we made our way out of the house. We delivered the groceries to our house. Grandma stayed in the car and we called the doctor who asked her to go straight to the ER. So, that is what we did.
When I think of all of this, I think of all the things that Grandma and I have yet to talk about. I think of the book that I would like her to fill out about her childhood. I think about my kids growing up and my hopes for them and Grandma to know each other. I think of her 80th Birthday coming up this winter. I think of all these things and am saddened by the whole process. The process of living and dying. The process of getting older. The process of having children who then have children who then have children and the hopes that you will get to see what comes after you. The hopes that I, myself, will get the opportunity to see my great-grandchildren. Then, sadness takes over. I am sad for so many reasons about all of this, but most of all sad for the loss. Sad about the fact that after a person passes on, the world carries on. Before I know it, I am sad about things that have yet to happen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September 11th, 2001
One smelly morning (we lived in a town east of a paper mill, quaker oats factory, and oil refinery) I woke up and got ready for class just like any other morning. I seem to remember that the weather was nice for September in Iowa. I know that my dorm windows were open and that I wasn't wearing a jacket. I also know that it wasn't terribly hot. I don't recall if I ate breakfast or not. I was a junior in college and rarely rolled out of bed for a bowl of cereal opting to wait for the tantalizing cafeteria food at lunch. I walked from my dorm room in Olin across campus to the library where I worked in the Interlibrary Loan Department processing incoming materials for students who had requested them. I had worked there since my first week of college including both summers. I knew the library staff fairly well. I knew enough to know not to believe everything that the older lady who shared our office told me as she often exaggerated about situations. So, when Paula came into the office and started talking about the announcer on the radio telling everyone that a plane had flown into "those buildings in New York City... you know, those tall ones..." I just kinda nodded and said mmm-hmm as I attempted to finish my work as quickly as possible so I could make it to my 9am class. Paula insisted that I stop what I was doing right away and go down to one of the AV rooms and watch the TV that the AV guy Matt had set up for viewing the news on this plane crash. I did just that--get paid to watch TV, sure... I was amazed and in shock at what I saw. News reports of a commuter plane having flown into one of the World Trade Center Buildings. I don't know exactly what time it was. I do know that I was one of the first people on campus to know what had happened. When I arrived at my Abnormal Psychology class in a building close to the library, I talked casually to one of my class-mates about what I had seen. Bridgette burst into tears and ran from the room. Moments later, she came back in the classroom and asked if anyone had a cell phone she could borrow. I agreed to let her borrow mine. She said she knew someone that would have been in the building or worked near there or something. At this point I was still fairly unconcerned. Shortly after that, my psychology professor arrived Kris Vespia. She carried a radio so that we could listen to the news as all the TVs were taken. At 9:05am Central Standard Time, our class was dismissed. I told our class that there were TVs playing the news in the library and everyone went in to watch. The once vacant AV room now had standing room only. I stood along the edge of the classroom. I do not know anyone in New York. That day, I didn't know anyone that was travelling either. What unfolded before my eyes, I will never forget. I felt so isolated, so insecure, so aware, so hurt, so angry, so betrayed... the list goes on. We watched the video of the tower falling and at that moment I started crying. Before that, I had unrealistically hoped that the people would all get out and that only the building would be lost. I couldn't imagine the feelings that the people who were closer to the situation were. I'm sure uncertain would be one of those feeling. Next, that uncertainty rushed over me: who would do such a thing? why would someone do such a thing? what happens if this is all just a terrible coincidence? what is going to happen to all those people? were there any babies in there? what is going to happen now? am I in danger? I did the only thing I could think of: Called my Mom (a dispatcher at the local county jail...) she would know what to do. Except, I couldn't get through to her. I knew that if I did get through, she would have been sleeping (she only worked the night shift) and I would have woken her up. I figured that the reason I hadn't gotten through was because our home phone in Wisconsin had been taken off the line. I watched some of the tragedy until I just couldn't take it anymore and I walked back to my dorm. I don't recall eating lunch. It just wasn't important at that point in time. I recall putting the TV on and watching some more. I recall trying to sleep it all away only to wake up and put the TV on again to see that it was still there. I recall finally getting ahold of my Mom and discussing wanting to come home even though it was the middle of the week and there really wasn't anything my Mom could do for me.
That afternoon, I went to work at the drug treatment center that I worked at. I remember noticing on the way into work the lack of air traffic and even the lack of traffic on the roads. They were as barren as they are in a typical blizzard. The few people that brave the storm to get where they need to be because they have to be there. The kids there (25 boys and girls from ages 12-18) were all excited because they were getting to watch TV when they were supposed to be studying and working on their recovery. That night we had a group discussion and I expressed to them that just like their parents who remember what they were doing when they found out that JFK was killed or the space shuttle exploded, they would someday be able to recall to their children what they were doing on September 11th.
Later, I would attend a ceremony dedicated to those who died on September 11th. I never felt more out of place and disconnected. I felt insignificant and distant from what had happened. Unlike so many of the people I was attending college with, I didn't know one person who had been close to being killed. I wasn't able to say that I had gotten ahold of so-and-so and that coincidentally, they had not gone to work that morning because their kid hadn't been feeling well. Being so distant from that tragedy made me feel like an outsider, like I didn't deserve to mourn. It was like being at a funeral when you didn't even know the person. You think of all the people that you know who have died. You think of the people that you would hate most to die and then you think of what it will be like when your time comes. But, I did mourn. I was sad for all of those people. I was sad for what they were missing. I was sad for what the people that knew them would miss. I was especially sad for all those wives and children that had to go it alone from that point forward. They didn't deserve any of that. None of them did. It took me a while to get really angry about the who did it part. I'm still not over that.
This could all sound like a story out of a bad science fiction novel, but it is the nightmare that we all lived only six years ago!
What were you doing six years ago?
That afternoon, I went to work at the drug treatment center that I worked at. I remember noticing on the way into work the lack of air traffic and even the lack of traffic on the roads. They were as barren as they are in a typical blizzard. The few people that brave the storm to get where they need to be because they have to be there. The kids there (25 boys and girls from ages 12-18) were all excited because they were getting to watch TV when they were supposed to be studying and working on their recovery. That night we had a group discussion and I expressed to them that just like their parents who remember what they were doing when they found out that JFK was killed or the space shuttle exploded, they would someday be able to recall to their children what they were doing on September 11th.
Later, I would attend a ceremony dedicated to those who died on September 11th. I never felt more out of place and disconnected. I felt insignificant and distant from what had happened. Unlike so many of the people I was attending college with, I didn't know one person who had been close to being killed. I wasn't able to say that I had gotten ahold of so-and-so and that coincidentally, they had not gone to work that morning because their kid hadn't been feeling well. Being so distant from that tragedy made me feel like an outsider, like I didn't deserve to mourn. It was like being at a funeral when you didn't even know the person. You think of all the people that you know who have died. You think of the people that you would hate most to die and then you think of what it will be like when your time comes. But, I did mourn. I was sad for all of those people. I was sad for what they were missing. I was sad for what the people that knew them would miss. I was especially sad for all those wives and children that had to go it alone from that point forward. They didn't deserve any of that. None of them did. It took me a while to get really angry about the who did it part. I'm still not over that.
This could all sound like a story out of a bad science fiction novel, but it is the nightmare that we all lived only six years ago!
What were you doing six years ago?
Dreams
I have been having slightly disturbing dreams about my kids and their well-being.
The first dream was about a time before we had Burbles. My husband and I were still driving our Impala and Captain was sitting in the back seat facing forward (he never faced forward when we drove that car). We pulled up to the gas station and Fundi got out and was filling the tank. I was in the driver's seat and doing something. I turned around and Captain was no longer in his seat. As a matter of fact, nothing of him existed in the car at all. The car seat, diaper bag, crackers, everything was gone. I got so worried. I told Fundi and after watching the survelance tapes from the gas station, we tracked the kidnapper to the bathroom in the gas station. He had locked himself and Captain in the bathroom and were waiting for us to leave. Luckily, we got Captain back and the police came to take the kidnapper away.
The second dream was the following night. My former boss was making tea at our house. She was pouring the boiling water from the tea pot and Burbles was sitting right next to the stove and the boiling water started dripping on her head. I hollared at my boss, but she said that it wasn't hurting Burbles. Burbles indeed did not look in pain, but I was still concerned. Then my boss took the boiling water and dumped the whole pot on Burbles' head. I woke up afraid.
The first dream was about a time before we had Burbles. My husband and I were still driving our Impala and Captain was sitting in the back seat facing forward (he never faced forward when we drove that car). We pulled up to the gas station and Fundi got out and was filling the tank. I was in the driver's seat and doing something. I turned around and Captain was no longer in his seat. As a matter of fact, nothing of him existed in the car at all. The car seat, diaper bag, crackers, everything was gone. I got so worried. I told Fundi and after watching the survelance tapes from the gas station, we tracked the kidnapper to the bathroom in the gas station. He had locked himself and Captain in the bathroom and were waiting for us to leave. Luckily, we got Captain back and the police came to take the kidnapper away.
The second dream was the following night. My former boss was making tea at our house. She was pouring the boiling water from the tea pot and Burbles was sitting right next to the stove and the boiling water started dripping on her head. I hollared at my boss, but she said that it wasn't hurting Burbles. Burbles indeed did not look in pain, but I was still concerned. Then my boss took the boiling water and dumped the whole pot on Burbles' head. I woke up afraid.
Gadgets and Gizmos
On our trip to California I picked up one of those SkyMall Catalogs because I saw something that was completely ridiculous. After browsing the catalog, I now know that there are more gadgets and gizmos that I think are just terrible and some that are just awesome. I'll list a few of the worst ones here (in no particular order):
SO ABSURD GADGETS
1. iWear AV230 and iWear for iPod. "These are personal and portable 44" big-screen displays that are worn like sunglasses..."
These are ridiculous in the idea that a person can't go ANYWHERE without being plugged in. Personal DVD players are bad enough, but to take yourself out of the world so far in that you are the only person experiencing what you are seeing is crazy. People these days are more lonely than ever before. Is it any wonder?
2. Sharper Image "Now You Can Find It!" Wireless Electronic Locater. "'Now You Can Find It!' includes eight RF receiver discs that beep and flash to help you quickly locate a missing object. Attach one of eight beeper discs to elusive items like your TV remote or your child's favorite toy..."
OK, so not as ridiculous as 1, I can't imagine having 8 things to keep track of (unless you can somehow attach them to kids in a toy store). 4 things maybe... but not 8. The idea about attaching it to your kids' toys (or blankies) is great. That would be the real good thing about this invention. I'm not so keen on putting it on remotes. Worse case scenario, you get up and go switch the channel by hand (although I am sure some people would just rather not watch TV at all at that point) or just turn the dumb thing off. I'm sure my views will change when my remotes start getting up and walking away (or my child carries them away and hides them), but for the meanwhile, I'm content finding things on my own without a $49.95 gadget to help.
3. Alcohawk ABI Blood Alcohol Content Breath Screener. "This professional grade ABI (Alocohol Breath Indicator) screener meets with NHTSA Specifications for ABI devices. Blow into the mouthpiece and get an accurate estimate of your BAC in seconds."
If you have to ask you probably shouldn't be driving. Drunk driving is really bad... really really bad. Call a friend, sleep it off, or whatever, but maybe making a plan before getting drunk would be a good idea. I can't get over movie stars and rich people (Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan) who drive drunk. These people spend money on clothes for their dogs but they will not pay a driver (or a cab) to take them home after a night on the town. Maybe they should work a sober ride home into their deals that they make when they get paid $15,000 to make a 3 hour stop at a bar and get fed free drinks all night long. Take the $119.95 and go buy yourself a few extra drinks and a ride home.
4. The Flying Alarm Clock. "This digital alarm clock launches a rotor into the air that flies around the room as the alarm sounds, hovering up to 9' in the air, and will not cease ringing until the rotor is returned to the alarm clock base, compelling even the most stubborn sleepers to get out of bed on time..."
I, personally, have never been a fan of the snooze button. To this day I don't understand how it works. I know that once you push it, your alarm will go off at a later time, but to me that is goofy... why not just set the alarm for the time you plan to get up. For a person to have to chase a flying rotor is ridiculous. If you have high ceilings, you would maybe have to get out a ladder to retrieve the dumb thing. I had a few roommates in college that swore by their snooze button (you know who you are) and it drove me crazy. Their alarms would start going off an hour before they actually woke up and who can sleep through all that racket?
5. The Runaway Alarm Clock. "This is the alarm clock that rolls away and hides when you hit its snooze button..."
Same idea as the flying one. The only good thing about this one is that it might get a person to clean out whatever is under their bed so that the dumb thing can go all the way under the bed.
6. Pop-up Hot Dog Cooker. "Like a pop-up toaster, this unique kitchen appliance prepares two hot dogs and buns in minutes..."
I don't know about you, but I have a microwave. That, and, I don't have enough room for a separate gadget to cook my hot dogs (not that I eat meat anyway... I call mine not-dogs and I haven't been able to stomach them since I was pregnancy with Burbles).
7. Keep Leftover chicken wing bones out of site. "Bones belong in a museum, not on your plate. So when it is time to watch the big game, the SnacDaddy serving tray lets you eat chicken wings while hiding the bones..."
OK, so I don't like bones or skin when I eat anything (ask Fundi... they always end up on his plate), but this is going a little too far. Just throw the bones in the garbage, geez. I don't know anyone so stuffy that they are above using a garbage can.
8. License Plate Frame Scrolls Personalized Messages. "Express yourself on the road! This sleek license plate frame has a built in scrolling message display..."
Can we say... Accident waiting to happen? Are personalized license plates not enough? Now we need to put tiny type scrolling across the license plate holder? While I would never get one of these myself, I am a sucker for reading what is on bumper stickers and I'm sure this would be no different... if only I can get closer to read what that says.
SO COOL Gadgets:
1. The Voice Recognition Grocery List Organizer. "This is the voice activated grocery list organizer that comes pre-loaded with over 2500 food, beverage, household, beauty, and office items and recognizes words as specific as swordfish, emery boards, and lawn bags, allowing you to store and print shopping lists simply by speaking the name of the item... You can also add items to the organizer's database--up to a maximum of 5000 items..."
The $149.95 would buy a whole lot of paper, but I am such a list maker that I would have such fun with this. The trick would be remembering to take the printed list with me. They don't have an invention to help me remember that.
2. The Personal Note-taker QuickLink-Pen Elite. "This electronic highlighter that stores up to 1000 pages of text! Scan sentences or paragraphs - store the pen and later upload to PC, PDA or Smartphone..."
Wow. I definitely would have saved a lot of time in college had I had me one of these. I am such a slow writer. Even today, I like to keep articles and little bits of paper around that have web-sites that I need to look at. Having this would save me from the piles of loose paper I sometimes end up with.
3. Create MP3s From Your Old Audio Cassette Tapes! "Bust out those Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers and Deep Purple cassette tapes and convert them into MP3 audio files..."
I wish I hadn't thrown out all my beloved cassette tapes. I had so many good ones... Vanilla Ice, Bart Simpson, MC Hammer to name a few. Supposedly this makes 25 cassette tapes fit onto one CD. Good Grief.
4. Cure Snorkel-Panic! and Catch Snorkel Fever... "Introducing Kapitol Reef, the world's most advanced and amazing dry snorkel. This physician-invented snorkel will make your breathing under water a complete pleasure..."
I think I should try this. If you have been reading, you know that I am not a snorkeler by nature, but I may be able to learn. There are obviously gadgets and gizmos for everything. I don't know if anything is out there that will teach me to not mind the taste of salt-water.
The cool list could go on and on. I really liked the table aquariums, photo frame aquariums, and 15 language translator with voice translations as well. Anyone else know of cool or absurd gadgets and gizmos? What is your opinion?
SO ABSURD GADGETS
1. iWear AV230 and iWear for iPod. "These are personal and portable 44" big-screen displays that are worn like sunglasses..."
These are ridiculous in the idea that a person can't go ANYWHERE without being plugged in. Personal DVD players are bad enough, but to take yourself out of the world so far in that you are the only person experiencing what you are seeing is crazy. People these days are more lonely than ever before. Is it any wonder?
2. Sharper Image "Now You Can Find It!" Wireless Electronic Locater. "'Now You Can Find It!' includes eight RF receiver discs that beep and flash to help you quickly locate a missing object. Attach one of eight beeper discs to elusive items like your TV remote or your child's favorite toy..."
OK, so not as ridiculous as 1, I can't imagine having 8 things to keep track of (unless you can somehow attach them to kids in a toy store). 4 things maybe... but not 8. The idea about attaching it to your kids' toys (or blankies) is great. That would be the real good thing about this invention. I'm not so keen on putting it on remotes. Worse case scenario, you get up and go switch the channel by hand (although I am sure some people would just rather not watch TV at all at that point) or just turn the dumb thing off. I'm sure my views will change when my remotes start getting up and walking away (or my child carries them away and hides them), but for the meanwhile, I'm content finding things on my own without a $49.95 gadget to help.
3. Alcohawk ABI Blood Alcohol Content Breath Screener. "This professional grade ABI (Alocohol Breath Indicator) screener meets with NHTSA Specifications for ABI devices. Blow into the mouthpiece and get an accurate estimate of your BAC in seconds."
If you have to ask you probably shouldn't be driving. Drunk driving is really bad... really really bad. Call a friend, sleep it off, or whatever, but maybe making a plan before getting drunk would be a good idea. I can't get over movie stars and rich people (Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan) who drive drunk. These people spend money on clothes for their dogs but they will not pay a driver (or a cab) to take them home after a night on the town. Maybe they should work a sober ride home into their deals that they make when they get paid $15,000 to make a 3 hour stop at a bar and get fed free drinks all night long. Take the $119.95 and go buy yourself a few extra drinks and a ride home.
4. The Flying Alarm Clock. "This digital alarm clock launches a rotor into the air that flies around the room as the alarm sounds, hovering up to 9' in the air, and will not cease ringing until the rotor is returned to the alarm clock base, compelling even the most stubborn sleepers to get out of bed on time..."
I, personally, have never been a fan of the snooze button. To this day I don't understand how it works. I know that once you push it, your alarm will go off at a later time, but to me that is goofy... why not just set the alarm for the time you plan to get up. For a person to have to chase a flying rotor is ridiculous. If you have high ceilings, you would maybe have to get out a ladder to retrieve the dumb thing. I had a few roommates in college that swore by their snooze button (you know who you are) and it drove me crazy. Their alarms would start going off an hour before they actually woke up and who can sleep through all that racket?
5. The Runaway Alarm Clock. "This is the alarm clock that rolls away and hides when you hit its snooze button..."
Same idea as the flying one. The only good thing about this one is that it might get a person to clean out whatever is under their bed so that the dumb thing can go all the way under the bed.
6. Pop-up Hot Dog Cooker. "Like a pop-up toaster, this unique kitchen appliance prepares two hot dogs and buns in minutes..."
I don't know about you, but I have a microwave. That, and, I don't have enough room for a separate gadget to cook my hot dogs (not that I eat meat anyway... I call mine not-dogs and I haven't been able to stomach them since I was pregnancy with Burbles).
7. Keep Leftover chicken wing bones out of site. "Bones belong in a museum, not on your plate. So when it is time to watch the big game, the SnacDaddy serving tray lets you eat chicken wings while hiding the bones..."
OK, so I don't like bones or skin when I eat anything (ask Fundi... they always end up on his plate), but this is going a little too far. Just throw the bones in the garbage, geez. I don't know anyone so stuffy that they are above using a garbage can.
8. License Plate Frame Scrolls Personalized Messages. "Express yourself on the road! This sleek license plate frame has a built in scrolling message display..."
Can we say... Accident waiting to happen? Are personalized license plates not enough? Now we need to put tiny type scrolling across the license plate holder? While I would never get one of these myself, I am a sucker for reading what is on bumper stickers and I'm sure this would be no different... if only I can get closer to read what that says.
SO COOL Gadgets:
1. The Voice Recognition Grocery List Organizer. "This is the voice activated grocery list organizer that comes pre-loaded with over 2500 food, beverage, household, beauty, and office items and recognizes words as specific as swordfish, emery boards, and lawn bags, allowing you to store and print shopping lists simply by speaking the name of the item... You can also add items to the organizer's database--up to a maximum of 5000 items..."
The $149.95 would buy a whole lot of paper, but I am such a list maker that I would have such fun with this. The trick would be remembering to take the printed list with me. They don't have an invention to help me remember that.
2. The Personal Note-taker QuickLink-Pen Elite. "This electronic highlighter that stores up to 1000 pages of text! Scan sentences or paragraphs - store the pen and later upload to PC, PDA or Smartphone..."
Wow. I definitely would have saved a lot of time in college had I had me one of these. I am such a slow writer. Even today, I like to keep articles and little bits of paper around that have web-sites that I need to look at. Having this would save me from the piles of loose paper I sometimes end up with.
3. Create MP3s From Your Old Audio Cassette Tapes! "Bust out those Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers and Deep Purple cassette tapes and convert them into MP3 audio files..."
I wish I hadn't thrown out all my beloved cassette tapes. I had so many good ones... Vanilla Ice, Bart Simpson, MC Hammer to name a few. Supposedly this makes 25 cassette tapes fit onto one CD. Good Grief.
4. Cure Snorkel-Panic! and Catch Snorkel Fever... "Introducing Kapitol Reef, the world's most advanced and amazing dry snorkel. This physician-invented snorkel will make your breathing under water a complete pleasure..."
I think I should try this. If you have been reading, you know that I am not a snorkeler by nature, but I may be able to learn. There are obviously gadgets and gizmos for everything. I don't know if anything is out there that will teach me to not mind the taste of salt-water.
The cool list could go on and on. I really liked the table aquariums, photo frame aquariums, and 15 language translator with voice translations as well. Anyone else know of cool or absurd gadgets and gizmos? What is your opinion?
Friday, September 7, 2007
An E-mail from Fundi
GOOD
Madison, WI policeman had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but wasn't getting many. Then he discovered the problem- a 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read "RADAR TRAP AHEAD". The officer also found the boy had an accomplice who was a bit further down the road with a sign reading "TIPS" and a bucket full of money. (And we used to just sell lemonade!)
BETTER
A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in La Crosse, WI. A $40 speeding ticket was included. Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $40. The police responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.
BEST
A Young woman was pulled over for speeding. A Wisconsin State Trooper walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, "I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the State Trooper's Ball. "He replied, "Wisconsin State Troopers don't have balls." There was a moment of silence. He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left.
Madison, WI policeman had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but wasn't getting many. Then he discovered the problem- a 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read "RADAR TRAP AHEAD". The officer also found the boy had an accomplice who was a bit further down the road with a sign reading "TIPS" and a bucket full of money. (And we used to just sell lemonade!)
BETTER
A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in La Crosse, WI. A $40 speeding ticket was included. Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $40. The police responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.
BEST
A Young woman was pulled over for speeding. A Wisconsin State Trooper walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, "I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the State Trooper's Ball. "He replied, "Wisconsin State Troopers don't have balls." There was a moment of silence. He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left.
Big Brother--spoilers
Bummer.... don't much care for the outcome of last night's double eviction. Wish that it would have been Jameka going and Zach, but the consolation is that at least Eric and Jessica are together in the sequester house now and can still be with each other. Eric was evicted less than an hour after Jessica and he still walked out of the house with $40,000 for being America's Player. Geez America made some stupid choices though and I agree with Eric that had he been able to play the game his way, he and Jessica would be the final two in the house. Now I guess I am pulling for the underdog. I really like Danielle and Dick as a pair, but Jameka could use the money--not that she has done anything for it. Danielle will probably win because she is such a strong competitor. Dick has been just that... a dick. Looks like the show has maybe only 3 episodes left.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Big Brother
YIPPEE! Big Brother is on tonight. It has been my guilty pleasure all summer. It is the one thing that my sister-in-law will talk to me about because I don't blog about it ( just kidding J... you said it yourself... you don't have to talk to me anymore because you read about what is going on in my life on my blog). I'm especially excited tonight because tonight is a double eviction night! Two people will be going home and there will only be four people left in the house. Soon the fall lineup will start. Although Big Brother takes up three nights a week (I record on our VCR and then watch later after the kids go to bed. That means I get to fast forward through commercials) the fall lineup sometimes takes up more time. I haven't figured out what I am going to watch yet, but I'm sad that Veronica Mars is off the lineup. More to come on that later I guess...
Tagged
The Rules: Post the rules before you give the facts. Post eight random facts about yourself. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag eight people and list their names. Leave the people you tagged a comment on their blog, letting them know that they've been tagged.
I was tagged by The Other Lion and Jennie.
1. I am so uncreative about this kind of thing that I actually dread them coming. I think of all sorts of responses to other blog entries like this but I can't actually be original enough to come up with some of my own.
2. I brought a scorpion back from Florida once. I don't know how it happened. I got home with Fundi late at night. We didn't carry our luggage in and it was REALLY COLD (as in below zero) and we went to sleep. Got up the next morning. Fundi carried my stuff in the house and then left to go back to his parents house and then to his house and unpack his stuff. I started unpacking and pulled out the odds and ends suveniers I had collected in the front pocket of my bag. I screamed and then threw everything in my hand down on my futon. There was a scorpion (to this day still deathly afraid) that was about three inches long and an inch and a half wide. Dead. I went into my mom's room and woke her up. I was crying and said "Mom...sob...sob...sob... what do you know about scorpions?" Then I totally broke down. She calmed me and then I called Fundi to let him know that he should check his luggage. He asked "well is it dead?" I said "Yeah" and hung up. Then I got to thinking.... scorpions, like spiders, can get cold and then warm up again... sure enough, I went back and the scorpion was alive and walking around in the box I had put him in. That started a whole new round of histerics. I couldn't breathe, I cried so hard, and I was shaking. Mom called Fundi and about an hour later I was calmed enough. I stuck the dumb thing in the freezer. That was 4 years ago and I think the thing is still in there. What would I have done had it bit me? Call the doctor... "yeah, um, I think I was stung by a scorpion." "Yeah, I know it is February." "Yeah, I know it is Wisconsin." "No, I haven't done any drugs." "No anti-venom available?"
3. The other morning I heard a radio broadcast about who is at fault if a child does poorly in the classroom. One mother insisted that it was entirely the teacher's fault. Another mother insisted that it was the parent's fault. Yet another mother insisted that it was the child's fault. SICK! Couldn't it be a combination? Couldn't someone be a poor teacher or a poor student or a poor parent or some random combination of the above? Isn't the real question here: Why can't anyone take responsibility for their actions? It takes a village...
4. There is no way in this world that I can snorkel in sea water. I found this out the hard way. I asked on the scorpion trip to Florida about how to snorkel. "If you can swim you will be just fine. Just jump in." So I just jumped in. Sputtered about, threw up a few times, pushed fish away from my face, got back in the boat, threw up some more... it was not pretty.
5. I don't like swimming anywhere but a pool for fear of something (like a fish) nibbling on me.
6. I am becoming more and more afraid of spiders... very scorpion-like.
7. I do a great job of shopping for stuff to use in scrapbooking. I don't do such a good job of getting that stuff used. I need to make more of an effort to get the lead out and scrap.
8. I enjoy playing BINGO. I even have a BINGO bag to carry my daubers in.
I'm tagging
Auntie R
Sister B
Gummie
Sister-in-Law J
A from Cali
Lori
Cousin Julia
I was tagged by The Other Lion and Jennie.
1. I am so uncreative about this kind of thing that I actually dread them coming. I think of all sorts of responses to other blog entries like this but I can't actually be original enough to come up with some of my own.
2. I brought a scorpion back from Florida once. I don't know how it happened. I got home with Fundi late at night. We didn't carry our luggage in and it was REALLY COLD (as in below zero) and we went to sleep. Got up the next morning. Fundi carried my stuff in the house and then left to go back to his parents house and then to his house and unpack his stuff. I started unpacking and pulled out the odds and ends suveniers I had collected in the front pocket of my bag. I screamed and then threw everything in my hand down on my futon. There was a scorpion (to this day still deathly afraid) that was about three inches long and an inch and a half wide. Dead. I went into my mom's room and woke her up. I was crying and said "Mom...sob...sob...sob... what do you know about scorpions?" Then I totally broke down. She calmed me and then I called Fundi to let him know that he should check his luggage. He asked "well is it dead?" I said "Yeah" and hung up. Then I got to thinking.... scorpions, like spiders, can get cold and then warm up again... sure enough, I went back and the scorpion was alive and walking around in the box I had put him in. That started a whole new round of histerics. I couldn't breathe, I cried so hard, and I was shaking. Mom called Fundi and about an hour later I was calmed enough. I stuck the dumb thing in the freezer. That was 4 years ago and I think the thing is still in there. What would I have done had it bit me? Call the doctor... "yeah, um, I think I was stung by a scorpion." "Yeah, I know it is February." "Yeah, I know it is Wisconsin." "No, I haven't done any drugs." "No anti-venom available?"
3. The other morning I heard a radio broadcast about who is at fault if a child does poorly in the classroom. One mother insisted that it was entirely the teacher's fault. Another mother insisted that it was the parent's fault. Yet another mother insisted that it was the child's fault. SICK! Couldn't it be a combination? Couldn't someone be a poor teacher or a poor student or a poor parent or some random combination of the above? Isn't the real question here: Why can't anyone take responsibility for their actions? It takes a village...
4. There is no way in this world that I can snorkel in sea water. I found this out the hard way. I asked on the scorpion trip to Florida about how to snorkel. "If you can swim you will be just fine. Just jump in." So I just jumped in. Sputtered about, threw up a few times, pushed fish away from my face, got back in the boat, threw up some more... it was not pretty.
5. I don't like swimming anywhere but a pool for fear of something (like a fish) nibbling on me.
6. I am becoming more and more afraid of spiders... very scorpion-like.
7. I do a great job of shopping for stuff to use in scrapbooking. I don't do such a good job of getting that stuff used. I need to make more of an effort to get the lead out and scrap.
8. I enjoy playing BINGO. I even have a BINGO bag to carry my daubers in.
I'm tagging
Auntie R
Sister B
Gummie
Sister-in-Law J
A from Cali
Lori
Cousin Julia
Consuming
OK, so in the last week I have spent my fair share at Hobby Lobby. It is absolutely ridiculous! I am so excited to get to using my stuff. I finally got me a scrapbook carrying case. Yeah, that is right, I bought something to carry around the things I buy. How sick is that? Anyhow, we are back in the swing of things and Fundi is working and that means I am working. School is back in session and we have M a couple days a week. She has been fun to have around and she is really good with the kids. Had a Sangria at the Olive Garden last night. Mmmm.
Last night at Hobby Lobby I felt like I was on supermarket sweep. I went there with an idea of the things I wanted to get (papers 50% off, stickers 50% off, coupon for 40% off any one item=scrapbooking case). We got there a little later that I had figured and then the store close an hour earlier than I thought it would, so there we were.... running and grabbing and buying. Little irritated that some of the things I wanted to get were gone because of the sale.
Fundi is cooking up what to do this weekend. There are a couple of close town festivals that we should go to to support the local economy. Still reading that book about not buying stuff. Very interesting. Makes me want to start a project like that of my own. Of course with the kids we wouldn't be able to do away with things like formula, but we could make up our own rules like Judith did. Thing is, the stuff that she talks about giving up we already do without: movies at the theater (save an occasional once a year outing), CDs and DVDs from the store, excessive cable TV (we have the bare minimum), concerts and plays, paper towels, buying shoes and clothes that we don't need (I sometimes fudge on this for the kids), and just being frugal in general. We do eat out. More than we would like. We have our pantry stocked now and would like to get back to doing more home cooking. I clip coupons like crazy. We don't drink excessive amounts of alcohol or wine (unless college friends are around or the occasional bachelorette party). Judith talks about going to a group where people are learning how to cut back. She talks about Voluntary Downshifting. Fundi and I have been doing this since before we were married. We didn't need a class to figure this out. When I stopped working outside of the home, we became more aware of doing without and the cutbacks that we had to endure to have the luxury to live in a one income household. We are not rich. The outings this past week to the Hobby Lobby come after many months of avoiding the store because of the bad things it does to our budget. I do keep track in detail of how much money we spend and how we spend it. It is so interesting how much money is going to state and local taxes before we even file our taxes in April. That is another thing we do ourselves. We use paper and a calculator (much to the amazement of the guy at H&R Block) and compute our long-form itemized taxes both state and federal all on our own. The guy from H&R Block offered me a job and told me that I probably know more about it than he does--he just punches the numbers in the computer and doesn't really deal with more than that. I considered it. That would be a great job for me. I love numbers and enjoy working with people. It would satisfy that nosy curiosity that I have about how much other people make and what they do with the money that they have. I know it is probably sick, but it is just so interesting. My own personal sociological study. Like I said, the book is good. I don't really know how much I am getting out of it though. We'll have to see. I guess now I have a name what Fundi and I already do: Voluntary Downshifting.
Last night at Hobby Lobby I felt like I was on supermarket sweep. I went there with an idea of the things I wanted to get (papers 50% off, stickers 50% off, coupon for 40% off any one item=scrapbooking case). We got there a little later that I had figured and then the store close an hour earlier than I thought it would, so there we were.... running and grabbing and buying. Little irritated that some of the things I wanted to get were gone because of the sale.
Fundi is cooking up what to do this weekend. There are a couple of close town festivals that we should go to to support the local economy. Still reading that book about not buying stuff. Very interesting. Makes me want to start a project like that of my own. Of course with the kids we wouldn't be able to do away with things like formula, but we could make up our own rules like Judith did. Thing is, the stuff that she talks about giving up we already do without: movies at the theater (save an occasional once a year outing), CDs and DVDs from the store, excessive cable TV (we have the bare minimum), concerts and plays, paper towels, buying shoes and clothes that we don't need (I sometimes fudge on this for the kids), and just being frugal in general. We do eat out. More than we would like. We have our pantry stocked now and would like to get back to doing more home cooking. I clip coupons like crazy. We don't drink excessive amounts of alcohol or wine (unless college friends are around or the occasional bachelorette party). Judith talks about going to a group where people are learning how to cut back. She talks about Voluntary Downshifting. Fundi and I have been doing this since before we were married. We didn't need a class to figure this out. When I stopped working outside of the home, we became more aware of doing without and the cutbacks that we had to endure to have the luxury to live in a one income household. We are not rich. The outings this past week to the Hobby Lobby come after many months of avoiding the store because of the bad things it does to our budget. I do keep track in detail of how much money we spend and how we spend it. It is so interesting how much money is going to state and local taxes before we even file our taxes in April. That is another thing we do ourselves. We use paper and a calculator (much to the amazement of the guy at H&R Block) and compute our long-form itemized taxes both state and federal all on our own. The guy from H&R Block offered me a job and told me that I probably know more about it than he does--he just punches the numbers in the computer and doesn't really deal with more than that. I considered it. That would be a great job for me. I love numbers and enjoy working with people. It would satisfy that nosy curiosity that I have about how much other people make and what they do with the money that they have. I know it is probably sick, but it is just so interesting. My own personal sociological study. Like I said, the book is good. I don't really know how much I am getting out of it though. We'll have to see. I guess now I have a name what Fundi and I already do: Voluntary Downshifting.
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