While reading King Bidgood's In the Bathtub to the kids I said, "Hey, wouldn't that be fun to have dinner in the bathtub tonight?!
Long awkward pause, both kids staring at me with James' look saying "What are you...a child?"
Slightly ashamed, I stammered, "We could make something that doesn't spill?"
Finally James said, "Mom, we can't eat in the bathtub."
"What? No. We could have a lot of fun, it would just be one time." I pleaded.
"No mom, there's no eating in the bathroom."
"Sigh...Okay, you're right. Let's just finish the story."
Stupid rules.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Haunted?
During my ritual Straightening Before Bed I discovered an empty book shelf and a floor full of books. Bemusedly, I started picking the books back up, trying to figure out when the kids had time to take them all off the shelf again and why hadn't I noticed them doing it, when it hit me. . . my house could be haunted and I would never know it.
I suddenly imagined a poor neglected ghost moving things around, dumping things off shelves, making things disappear right after I set them down (my darn keys), unfolding newly folded laundry; he could be causing the cold spots, the house's sudden drops in temperature, Eleanor getting shut into rooms inexplicably, the disembodied weird sounds and voice I blame on the baby monitor without giving a second thought. He could be doing all these things just trying to get noticed.
But I would never notice.
I would just assume it was the kids or the house or frankly, just be too preoccupied to notice anything was weird at all.
Poor Little Ghostie.
I suddenly imagined a poor neglected ghost moving things around, dumping things off shelves, making things disappear right after I set them down (my darn keys), unfolding newly folded laundry; he could be causing the cold spots, the house's sudden drops in temperature, Eleanor getting shut into rooms inexplicably, the disembodied weird sounds and voice I blame on the baby monitor without giving a second thought. He could be doing all these things just trying to get noticed.
But I would never notice.
I would just assume it was the kids or the house or frankly, just be too preoccupied to notice anything was weird at all.
Poor Little Ghostie.
Monday, February 2, 2009
My Favorites of the Year (or rather last year)
Books: Hat Full of Sky (series: wee free men, hat full of sky, wintersmith) by Terry Pratchett
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (seriously--everyone should read this book).
Favorite thing I watched: I would have to go with season five of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was really a phenomal year. Joss Whedon is a masterful story teller and is one of the few people who map out the entire series before he begins so you aren't left with things that just make no sense. When knew plots unfold, you see clues from earlier seasons that show he planned it all along. If nothing else, it makes me happy because I know new twists aren't really pandering for ratings. Except for perhaps Firefly, this was the best season of television yet (and Tim and I watch a lot of t.v.) Come to think of it, Firefly is Joss Whedon too. Joss is awesome. (and yes, I am fully aware of the fact that we are kind of late to the Buffy scene--but we were haters).
Also, since we are on the topic of television I have to say that my favorite actor this year was hands down Neil Patrick Harris. He just makes me happy in whatever role he is playing. Something about him is just so likeable even when the character he is playing is reprehensible.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (seriously--everyone should read this book).
Favorite thing I watched: I would have to go with season five of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was really a phenomal year. Joss Whedon is a masterful story teller and is one of the few people who map out the entire series before he begins so you aren't left with things that just make no sense. When knew plots unfold, you see clues from earlier seasons that show he planned it all along. If nothing else, it makes me happy because I know new twists aren't really pandering for ratings. Except for perhaps Firefly, this was the best season of television yet (and Tim and I watch a lot of t.v.) Come to think of it, Firefly is Joss Whedon too. Joss is awesome. (and yes, I am fully aware of the fact that we are kind of late to the Buffy scene--but we were haters).
Also, since we are on the topic of television I have to say that my favorite actor this year was hands down Neil Patrick Harris. He just makes me happy in whatever role he is playing. Something about him is just so likeable even when the character he is playing is reprehensible.
Pictures of James
James and his Science Fair Project.
He actually did all the work himself, even on the poster. Well, I organized his stuff and mounted them on the poster board...and I edited his answers for wordiness since I was pretty sure he didn't want to write as much as he was saying so I guess that actually just leaves him with doing the cutting and the writing and the project itself, but still, it was a lot of work.
It was more intense than I thought it would be--someone even took him out of class to ask him questions about the project. He winded up getting second place out of the kindergartners (only 5 other Kindergartners entered, but still, he had fun being noticed).
Addendum: As my brother Jamey pointed out in his comment, this is indeed his hat. We visited my parents for the weekend and were totally unprepared for the cold. It was either that hat, or a pink one. How did my mom get so many pink hats?
He actually did all the work himself, even on the poster. Well, I organized his stuff and mounted them on the poster board...and I edited his answers for wordiness since I was pretty sure he didn't want to write as much as he was saying so I guess that actually just leaves him with doing the cutting and the writing and the project itself, but still, it was a lot of work.
It was more intense than I thought it would be--someone even took him out of class to ask him questions about the project. He winded up getting second place out of the kindergartners (only 5 other Kindergartners entered, but still, he had fun being noticed).
Addendum: As my brother Jamey pointed out in his comment, this is indeed his hat. We visited my parents for the weekend and were totally unprepared for the cold. It was either that hat, or a pink one. How did my mom get so many pink hats?
Pictures of Eleanor
Eleanor loves her little monkey. When we put her down, one hand immediately starts searching for the monkey and the other for to tuck her blanket in. (and yes, she does normally have a sheet).
Eleanor discovered the joy of dishwashers making it nearly impossible to actually load the dishwasher.
People often ask why I go to the hassle of putting Eleanor's hair up in the little ties you see in her recent pictures. I think the picture below says it all. (that is clay she is holding by the way).
My Christmas/Birthday Presents
Tim bought me a key chain and a key finder for my birthday. James had to miss two days of school because I couldn't find my keys. They are still AWOL...and yet I know they are here, because I made it home.(addendum: as Sara's comment pointed out--this is indeed a replica of the key rack Tim had in his house growing up. I actually have always loved it. I am not opposed to cats in general, I am just opposed to pets in general. This key rack just makes me think of just meeting Tim and his family and all the good memories associated with that time and that house. Also, I am opposed to pets specifically as well as generally).
For Christmas Tim bought Gillian and I mugs with the following images from Mary Engelbreit (whose work I love). Guess which one was mine and which one was Gillians.
What I Did Over Christmas Vacation
Over Christmas I came down with a compelling urge to organize our attic. I spent almost ever free moment for two weeks in the attic: throwing stuff away, sorting stuff, putting stuff into storage bins rather than mangled boxes, and finally labeling the bins with everything in them. I am so pleased with my work I am posting pictures, here, on my blog.
I am just kicking myself for not taking a before picture--I had no idea my efforts would yield such a tremendous improvement. I will try to paint the picture for you: filled (completely and totally filled) with mangled moving boxes towering high all around the entrance. Several times we have bought something we knew we had just because we could face having to find it in the attic.
I am mostly just impressed with the stuff I was able to throw away. Pay close attention to how much floor space there is near the entrance.
I am so proud.
I still have a couple mangled boxes as you can see--that one is full of Tim's plaster hand casts. I haven't figured out the best way to store those yet.
I am just kicking myself for not taking a before picture--I had no idea my efforts would yield such a tremendous improvement. I will try to paint the picture for you: filled (completely and totally filled) with mangled moving boxes towering high all around the entrance. Several times we have bought something we knew we had just because we could face having to find it in the attic.
I am mostly just impressed with the stuff I was able to throw away. Pay close attention to how much floor space there is near the entrance.
I am so proud.
I still have a couple mangled boxes as you can see--that one is full of Tim's plaster hand casts. I haven't figured out the best way to store those yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
