I was thinking about some of my favorite tv shows from when I was a child...when my dad was still alive and I would occasionally get to stay up a little later to watch something while sitting in his lap. Like Family Affair or Hazel or That Girl. How about Flipper, Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Leave it to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, I Dream of Jeannie, Petticoat Junction, Beverly Hillbillies, Gomer Pyle, Andy What-was-His-Name?, Mr. Ed, F Troop, Hogan's Heroes.
Then later on, junior high-ish?, watching The Partridge Family and The Brady Bunch on Friday nights. Or Love: American Style, Laugh-In, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Mary Tyler Moore, The (original) Bob Newhart Show, M*A*S*H, Happy Days.
I went to Amazon.com and checked out what is available now on DVD. At least a season or two is available for most of these shows! I was in heaven just looking around (while my coffee wears of so I can go to bed!).
Mind you, I already have 2 seasons of Bewitched--one of my old favorites and Munchkin even loves watching an episode with me now and then. In fact, when she was an infant, BikeBoy was away for a weekend visiting his terminally ill mom and Munchkin and I were both really sick. Nick-at-night was running all the episodes of Bewitched in order for an entire weekend. My sick little Munchkin and I snuggled practically all weekend on the couch, watching episode after episode of Bewitched. Even today, if I put in the DVD and she hears that theme song ("dah dum, dah dum, dah dah dah dah dah dum...") she comes running from the hinterlands to check it out! How funny that she remembers that!
And last weekend an old Lassie movie was on the TMC on cable and BikeBoy, Munchkin and I caught the last 30 minutes after coming home from the park. We all loved it! I forgot how much I loved that sweet show. TV back then was so different from current shows...so naive and protected. Maybe it brings back feelings in me of a time when I was naive and protected...especially those very early shows when my dad was alive and I had not a care in my tiny world. Then I remembered that, after he died, I watched Family Affair with a new mindset--that I was half an orphan and that I knew a little bit of how Buffy, Jody, and Cissy must have felt.
And, on that note...goodnight!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout...
http://notsocalm.wordpress.com/
Adoptive parents wearing hanboks. I don't like it. I won't ever do it. I think it is wrong, personally, although some of my friends obviously don't think that it is since they do it.
Thank goodness for Mee Hee Park's comment and Sang-Shil's response to it on 1/12 and 1/13 (see the post from 1/11 "Who's Your Appa?"). I've never voiced my opinion on this before (other than here!)--too embarrassed that my opinion will offend/hurt my friends but I never thought about the act of wearing the hanbok as being truly offensive to Korean adoptees themselves. I have thought that they might think it was odd but I never imagined that it might go deeper than that. How timely is this, too, since when we were asked by one of the local Korean Adoptee/Family organizations (which runs the Lunar New Year celebration and a summer camp program) to attend a ceremony for Korean-American Day at the State Capitol Building last weekend (which we missed, unfortunately) we were told that adults should basically wear-em-if-you've-got-em (regarding hanboks, that is)...so they wanted the adoptive families in their hanboks, too.
I always think that much of Munchkin's culture is to be shared...Korean art, Korean music, Korean traditions, Korean food. But I feel so uncomfortable at the thought of wearing Korean traditional dress--I feel that privilege is hers and hers alone and that it is almost irreverent for me to even think of it.
OTOH, I do have a necklace which says "mom" in Korean on it...I wear it often and love it. I never ever thought that this made me Munchkin's Korean Mom or that I somehow replaced her Korean Mom by wearing the necklace with the word on it. It makes me think twice about that now. I may still wear it but at least I'm mindfully wearing it now when I do. We don't call Munchkin's birthmom Umma we refer to her as Birth Mama or Korean Mom and sometimes First Mom.
And, JFTR, I do consider our family unit to be Korean now. Just as --when BikeBoy and I married-- I considered our family to be Irish/Native American (both via BikeBoy) as well as French-Canadian/English/Scottish (all via me)...we are now partly Korean as a family, too. But that does not make ME a Korean-American, nor does it make Munchkin a Korean-American-French-Canadian-Irishman. She is Korean by birth, American by citizenship so she is, therefore, Korean-American now. That's it.
So, a big thank you to Sang-Shil and Mee Hee Park for their thoughts which I had the opportunity to read today! I have Sang-Shil's blog on my feeds list now--hoping to learn more (or at least open my eyes more!).
Adoptive parents wearing hanboks. I don't like it. I won't ever do it. I think it is wrong, personally, although some of my friends obviously don't think that it is since they do it.
Thank goodness for Mee Hee Park's comment and Sang-Shil's response to it on 1/12 and 1/13 (see the post from 1/11 "Who's Your Appa?"). I've never voiced my opinion on this before (other than here!)--too embarrassed that my opinion will offend/hurt my friends but I never thought about the act of wearing the hanbok as being truly offensive to Korean adoptees themselves. I have thought that they might think it was odd but I never imagined that it might go deeper than that. How timely is this, too, since when we were asked by one of the local Korean Adoptee/Family organizations (which runs the Lunar New Year celebration and a summer camp program) to attend a ceremony for Korean-American Day at the State Capitol Building last weekend (which we missed, unfortunately) we were told that adults should basically wear-em-if-you've-got-em (regarding hanboks, that is)...so they wanted the adoptive families in their hanboks, too.
I always think that much of Munchkin's culture is to be shared...Korean art, Korean music, Korean traditions, Korean food. But I feel so uncomfortable at the thought of wearing Korean traditional dress--I feel that privilege is hers and hers alone and that it is almost irreverent for me to even think of it.
OTOH, I do have a necklace which says "mom" in Korean on it...I wear it often and love it. I never ever thought that this made me Munchkin's Korean Mom or that I somehow replaced her Korean Mom by wearing the necklace with the word on it. It makes me think twice about that now. I may still wear it but at least I'm mindfully wearing it now when I do. We don't call Munchkin's birthmom Umma we refer to her as Birth Mama or Korean Mom and sometimes First Mom.
And, JFTR, I do consider our family unit to be Korean now. Just as --when BikeBoy and I married-- I considered our family to be Irish/Native American (both via BikeBoy) as well as French-Canadian/English/Scottish (all via me)...we are now partly Korean as a family, too. But that does not make ME a Korean-American, nor does it make Munchkin a Korean-American-French-Canadian-Irishman. She is Korean by birth, American by citizenship so she is, therefore, Korean-American now. That's it.
So, a big thank you to Sang-Shil and Mee Hee Park for their thoughts which I had the opportunity to read today! I have Sang-Shil's blog on my feeds list now--hoping to learn more (or at least open my eyes more!).
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ethiopia is looking more and more promising...
BikeBoy and I have been talking a lot this week about the adoption of child #2. I think we will end up pursuing an older child (like maybe 4 years old, another girl) from Ethiopia. I am trying to do a bit of research while we wait (wait to decide if/when we're moving back East to help out my mom more; wait to decide to totally rule out our planned China adoption secondary to the 4-5 yr expected waits).
I have asked my friend B about her experiences due to my worries about safe travels in/out of Ethiopia. It's a little scary to me since the country is surrounded by other countries which are in turmoil...it is within 500 miles of Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Uganda and only a couple of thousand miles from Afganistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran... Not that 2K miles or even 500 miles is very close but it is close enough to be within the same country if we were here in the US, KWIM? And the fact that there doesn't seem to be a friendly border at all with Ethiopia (and no way out via water either) makes me a little claustrophobic.
At the same time, though, I am getting very interested in this beautiful country and it's people. I wish BikeBoy and Munchkin could go with me but--assuming we do continue with this process--it's doubtful that we can all go (too much money, too hard a trip for Munchkin, etc.). It will be weird to meet our new child by myself. I may see if one of my close cousins or friends can travel with me if we can't go as a family.
And, I need to familiarize myself with the adoption of older children and with the care of African hair! Munchkin's hair is so thick, straight and smooth...very different from my hair and very different from her future sister's hair! What a journey this may be! Please keep your fingers crossed. We probably will not make a firm decision until mid-2008.
I have asked my friend B about her experiences due to my worries about safe travels in/out of Ethiopia. It's a little scary to me since the country is surrounded by other countries which are in turmoil...it is within 500 miles of Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Uganda and only a couple of thousand miles from Afganistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran... Not that 2K miles or even 500 miles is very close but it is close enough to be within the same country if we were here in the US, KWIM? And the fact that there doesn't seem to be a friendly border at all with Ethiopia (and no way out via water either) makes me a little claustrophobic.
At the same time, though, I am getting very interested in this beautiful country and it's people. I wish BikeBoy and Munchkin could go with me but--assuming we do continue with this process--it's doubtful that we can all go (too much money, too hard a trip for Munchkin, etc.). It will be weird to meet our new child by myself. I may see if one of my close cousins or friends can travel with me if we can't go as a family.
And, I need to familiarize myself with the adoption of older children and with the care of African hair! Munchkin's hair is so thick, straight and smooth...very different from my hair and very different from her future sister's hair! What a journey this may be! Please keep your fingers crossed. We probably will not make a firm decision until mid-2008.
Los Santos Reyes Festival...
A belated post to say how fun this festival was! We attended at the invitation of another family (family whose daughter takes piano lessons w/Munchkin) and it was such a neat time! It started with an hour-long show featuring a play about "Los Santos Reyes"...kind of a second Christmas that Hispanic people celebrate--the Three Kings bring gifts for the children. That was cute (it was performed by students from the local elementary school) and was followed by dancers in Mexican costumes performing to recorded Mariachi music...beautifully done! Then there was a Mexican dinner...beans and rice, soft shredded pork tacos, spicy chicken pasta, churros and cookies. THEN...all the children in attendance had been given a raffle number as they entered...when we walked into the cafeteria to eat our food we saw that one whole wall of the room was packed with wrapped gifts! Well, the called out numbers until every child in the room went home with a wrapped present! Most gifts were reasonably small (like Munchkin's: a few pieces of candy, some Dora the Exploratrice holiday ornaments, and a tennis ball) but there were a few huge boxes and several big pinatas! At any rate the entertainment was fun, the food was yummy, the company was nice...the whole thing was free. Unbelievable how generous the town was to put this event on for the children. Very cool.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
I am Gumdee, damnit! and thoughts on infertility and atheism, while we're at it...
Munchkin found BikeBoy's and my old Gumby doll and asked what it was. I youtubed some old episodes of "Gumby and Pokey" and she liked them (made me watch 4 of them in a row...heck, they weren't nearly as neat as my memory recalled!). She cannot remember Gumby's name, though...usually calls him Gumdee or Dumdee or Dundee! It is cracking us up! Almost as funny as "hang-gerber" for hamburger!
Now, onto infertility and atheism. Not that they are connect whatsoever except for the fact that people like to admit neither. IMHO, as someone who experienced infertility to the nth degree, it is something to be talked about, discussed even. I mean, I'm not advocating yacking on and on endlessly about it as many pregnant women will about their expanding girths (bitter? Me? Nah!) but it is not something to be ashamed of and maybe if we all talked about it a bit more openly it might help someone else, KWIM? There are options...treatment options, options to become a parent, etc. There are options...if you want to be a parent there is almost always a way.
That brings me to atheism. Why will no one admit to that either? Are they afraid of the wrath of a G/god they don't even believe exists? Are they afraid that the religious majority will somehow brand them with a virtual red "A" on their foreheads? There are lots of us out there and probably more and more every day. It's not a bad way to live...being skeptical of something of which there is absolutely (!) no certainty. I like to think that each of us has our own beliefs and that that is okay...whatever soothes our souls and comforts us in time of need (and some people need nothing and that is okay, too). I think atheism should be discussed more openly so that more atheists, agnostics, humanists, etc. would come out of the closet. Where are you, fellow disbelievers and questioners? On that note, head on over to the PBB website where Dale McGowan is now offering "webinars" that sound totally cool!
Now, onto infertility and atheism. Not that they are connect whatsoever except for the fact that people like to admit neither. IMHO, as someone who experienced infertility to the nth degree, it is something to be talked about, discussed even. I mean, I'm not advocating yacking on and on endlessly about it as many pregnant women will about their expanding girths (bitter? Me? Nah!) but it is not something to be ashamed of and maybe if we all talked about it a bit more openly it might help someone else, KWIM? There are options...treatment options, options to become a parent, etc. There are options...if you want to be a parent there is almost always a way.
That brings me to atheism. Why will no one admit to that either? Are they afraid of the wrath of a G/god they don't even believe exists? Are they afraid that the religious majority will somehow brand them with a virtual red "A" on their foreheads? There are lots of us out there and probably more and more every day. It's not a bad way to live...being skeptical of something of which there is absolutely (!) no certainty. I like to think that each of us has our own beliefs and that that is okay...whatever soothes our souls and comforts us in time of need (and some people need nothing and that is okay, too). I think atheism should be discussed more openly so that more atheists, agnostics, humanists, etc. would come out of the closet. Where are you, fellow disbelievers and questioners? On that note, head on over to the PBB website where Dale McGowan is now offering "webinars" that sound totally cool!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
My own personal Salmon...
I keep forgetting to write about this. Back in October the salmon are swimming upstream around here, trying to get back to their birthplaces to spawn. In a nearby town there is an information center with a "fish ladder" with underwater viewing so that you can see the salmon as they climb the ladder and it is, probably obviously, right next to the river where you can also see them swimming up the stream...slapping into the water as they jump over and over again.
Well, this year it made quite an impression on Munchkin. It was cool to watch her watching the salmon. We had gone to the small zoo near us that day, earlier, and she said the salmon watching was even more fun!
Now she likes to pretend she's a "strong" salmon (as opposed to the weak, dead salmon we saw floating amongst the rocks at the edge of the stream!!), swimming up the fish ladder, when she finishes her bath. She "climbs," splashing like crazy, as I cheer her on (literally...I am making up cheers like that duo on the SNL re-runs and acting like a complete idiot, usually). This has been going on for weeks. Enter Gram this past weekend. Munchkin asked her to watch her bathtime. So...as usual, she pretends to be a salmon for a few minutes before she gets out of the tub. Gram--not understanding the whole routine and being a farmgirl from Maine, no less--pretends to cast a line and reel in the salmon! YIKES! The salmon freaked!!! So then Gram had to pretend that the salmon escaped. Phew...
Poor Gram...she had no idea that her granddaughter was such a little fish!
Well, this year it made quite an impression on Munchkin. It was cool to watch her watching the salmon. We had gone to the small zoo near us that day, earlier, and she said the salmon watching was even more fun!
Now she likes to pretend she's a "strong" salmon (as opposed to the weak, dead salmon we saw floating amongst the rocks at the edge of the stream!!), swimming up the fish ladder, when she finishes her bath. She "climbs," splashing like crazy, as I cheer her on (literally...I am making up cheers like that duo on the SNL re-runs and acting like a complete idiot, usually). This has been going on for weeks. Enter Gram this past weekend. Munchkin asked her to watch her bathtime. So...as usual, she pretends to be a salmon for a few minutes before she gets out of the tub. Gram--not understanding the whole routine and being a farmgirl from Maine, no less--pretends to cast a line and reel in the salmon! YIKES! The salmon freaked!!! So then Gram had to pretend that the salmon escaped. Phew...
Poor Gram...she had no idea that her granddaughter was such a little fish!
Happy New Ear!!
Yes, "ear"...last year Munchkin thought it was Happy New Hair and rubbed the top of our heads while wishing that to us! At any rate, it is 2008. Where does the effing time go? Really...where does it go?
The last two weeks were a freakin' blur...my mom came out for two weeks and it was glorious to have her here. It did, however f* up Munchkin's routine and she was a bear for about the first week but, once she got used to Gram hanging with us she calmed down a bit (not to mention the excitement over Xmas and the increased sugar consumption). We did so much fun stuff while Mom was here...Reindeer Festival, A Tap Dance Christmas Carol, saw the Christmas Ships on Lake W., saw the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton, rode two carousels downtown, rode the monorail, saw The Big Friendly Giant at the children's theatre...it was so fun doing all that and having mom along.
Meanwhile while Mom was here...back on the east coast one aunt died, one aunt fell outside on the ice and had to go to the ER, and the ex-wife of my big brother was hospitalized after a severe heart attack and may not make it. I just gotta get back there with all this crap going on.
I've had so much to do lately and still so much to get done (adoption paperwork, holiday cards, prep for the winter concert at preschool...) but I feel like I can breathe tonight. I made another batch of chap chae today and it was a double batch--I got a frickin' blister on my hand from chopping the onions, the carrots, the shitake-million-$-a-pound 'shrooms...worth it, though, as the dish was good. We had a great little NYE party for a few of our friends and their kids (all KADs) tonight and I made my own crazy ball for BikeBoy to lower like in Times Square! It had rows of crystal and silver beads and some silver pipe cleaners stuck into a styrofoam ball. WTF was I thinking! It was funny anyway. And, you know, the only 12:00 a.m. which truly counts is the one that occurs in NYC's timezone so after the other families left around 8:00 our time Munchkin, BikeBoy and I watched the countdown in NYC on tv and then it was pretty much over. They are both deep in dreamland now while I shopped on itunes a while (Queensryche's "Jet City Woman," Fiction Plane's "Two Sisters," "Dig" by Incubus, "Pretty Vegas" by INXS w/JD, and "Flagpole Sitta" which is actually an old Harvey Danger song but iTunes carries an "exacta" version of it by some other cover band) and am catching up with my reading/writing.
Oh, and let me plug holiday cards for a moment...I can't tell you how much I love getting them! I so love hearing from my friends and family, especially when a little note is included or a picture of them or something. I never throw them out (honestly). I look at the pictures over and over. It amazes me how lucky I am to have these wonderful people in my life even if I never get to see them in person. And one special group of gals--most of whom I've never met IRL, though I consider them "real" friends--so cool to hold the card in my hand knowing it once rested in yours. I love all my friends all over the US and world so much--maybe the importance of friends increases when one has no siblings. I don't know. Maybe not. Maybe everyone feels this way. At any rate, a handful of you are truly like sisters to me in my heart and I may never tell you this in person and I may not have seen you in over a decade or maybe only a few months ago or somewhere in between but...oh, heck...I should just tell you in person one day but I hope you know who you are! :)
And, while we're at it, let me announce it so that I'll feel some sort of responsibility...I am going back on WW tomorrow (or today now that it is 12:30 am on January 1st, 2008). I did 30 min on the treadmill yesterday and plan to do it at least 4 days a week. I also will return to tap once the studio re-opens. I have to get this bod back into shape. I don't know why I let stress take my eating down the road-of-no-return when I feel so much better when I treat my body like the temple that it is. And my friend, C, was over here tonight and she lost 71 lbs this year and now weighs less than I do! She rocks. She looks incredible. I suck. I cannot even tell you how much crap I ate in the last week or two...it would disgust you.
Well, that's it for tonight. Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2008 which brings you only good things! And I promise my holiday cards will get into the mail this year. Soon. Really. I mean it.
The last two weeks were a freakin' blur...my mom came out for two weeks and it was glorious to have her here. It did, however f* up Munchkin's routine and she was a bear for about the first week but, once she got used to Gram hanging with us she calmed down a bit (not to mention the excitement over Xmas and the increased sugar consumption). We did so much fun stuff while Mom was here...Reindeer Festival, A Tap Dance Christmas Carol, saw the Christmas Ships on Lake W., saw the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton, rode two carousels downtown, rode the monorail, saw The Big Friendly Giant at the children's theatre...it was so fun doing all that and having mom along.
Meanwhile while Mom was here...back on the east coast one aunt died, one aunt fell outside on the ice and had to go to the ER, and the ex-wife of my big brother was hospitalized after a severe heart attack and may not make it. I just gotta get back there with all this crap going on.
I've had so much to do lately and still so much to get done (adoption paperwork, holiday cards, prep for the winter concert at preschool...) but I feel like I can breathe tonight. I made another batch of chap chae today and it was a double batch--I got a frickin' blister on my hand from chopping the onions, the carrots, the shitake-million-$-a-pound 'shrooms...worth it, though, as the dish was good. We had a great little NYE party for a few of our friends and their kids (all KADs) tonight and I made my own crazy ball for BikeBoy to lower like in Times Square! It had rows of crystal and silver beads and some silver pipe cleaners stuck into a styrofoam ball. WTF was I thinking! It was funny anyway. And, you know, the only 12:00 a.m. which truly counts is the one that occurs in NYC's timezone so after the other families left around 8:00 our time Munchkin, BikeBoy and I watched the countdown in NYC on tv and then it was pretty much over. They are both deep in dreamland now while I shopped on itunes a while (Queensryche's "Jet City Woman," Fiction Plane's "Two Sisters," "Dig" by Incubus, "Pretty Vegas" by INXS w/JD, and "Flagpole Sitta" which is actually an old Harvey Danger song but iTunes carries an "exacta" version of it by some other cover band) and am catching up with my reading/writing.
Oh, and let me plug holiday cards for a moment...I can't tell you how much I love getting them! I so love hearing from my friends and family, especially when a little note is included or a picture of them or something. I never throw them out (honestly). I look at the pictures over and over. It amazes me how lucky I am to have these wonderful people in my life even if I never get to see them in person. And one special group of gals--most of whom I've never met IRL, though I consider them "real" friends--so cool to hold the card in my hand knowing it once rested in yours. I love all my friends all over the US and world so much--maybe the importance of friends increases when one has no siblings. I don't know. Maybe not. Maybe everyone feels this way. At any rate, a handful of you are truly like sisters to me in my heart and I may never tell you this in person and I may not have seen you in over a decade or maybe only a few months ago or somewhere in between but...oh, heck...I should just tell you in person one day but I hope you know who you are! :)
And, while we're at it, let me announce it so that I'll feel some sort of responsibility...I am going back on WW tomorrow (or today now that it is 12:30 am on January 1st, 2008). I did 30 min on the treadmill yesterday and plan to do it at least 4 days a week. I also will return to tap once the studio re-opens. I have to get this bod back into shape. I don't know why I let stress take my eating down the road-of-no-return when I feel so much better when I treat my body like the temple that it is. And my friend, C, was over here tonight and she lost 71 lbs this year and now weighs less than I do! She rocks. She looks incredible. I suck. I cannot even tell you how much crap I ate in the last week or two...it would disgust you.
Well, that's it for tonight. Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2008 which brings you only good things! And I promise my holiday cards will get into the mail this year. Soon. Really. I mean it.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Narae - Korean Art Festival
Okay, I said I'd be back soon w/something funnier! Well, yesterday I took Munchkin to a Korean Art Festival at the U. One of her teachers at preschool, a Korean woman, had gotten us two tickets to this special event and--although I H-A-T-E driving into the city, especially after dark--how could I turn down the tickets, right? Right. So...we went!
It was beautiful! Lots of dancers (young girls as well as adults) in traditional colorful Korean hanboks, fan-dancers, dancers with drums, drummers, and other musicians playing a stringed instrument which I can't remember how it's spelled! It was all so mesmerizing and I always get emotional and kinda teary when I see things from Munchkin's homeland. We stayed until intermission (one full hour) then we left as Munchkin was getting antsy at that point. We drove home, went to McDonald's (healthy, I know) then it began to snow so the two of us went for a drive to see the holiday lights. It was a fun night out for both of us. And we got to chat w/our FIUTS student for a few minutes before the show--she couldn't attend w/us as she had finals today but it was still fun to see her.
Now the funny part...another a-parent aquaintance of mine was there in the lobby before the show. She had just had surgery on her foot and was hobbling around the lobby w/a knee walker (a thingy you rest your knee on and it rolls around so that you don't have to use crutches but you can keep the weight off your foot). We went over to say hi and check on her.
Munchkin says, "Are you okay?"
Friend says, "Yes, I just had an operation on my foot."
Munchkin then asks, "Are you old?"
Friend, who is probably a couple of years younger than I am and is now looking kinda startled, says, "Why, yes, I am old, but I'm using this walker because I just had an operation on my foot."
Munchkin then asks, "Are you gonna die soon?"
I then say, "Well, it was nice to see ya'...we gotta go!" I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard inside!
It was beautiful! Lots of dancers (young girls as well as adults) in traditional colorful Korean hanboks, fan-dancers, dancers with drums, drummers, and other musicians playing a stringed instrument which I can't remember how it's spelled! It was all so mesmerizing and I always get emotional and kinda teary when I see things from Munchkin's homeland. We stayed until intermission (one full hour) then we left as Munchkin was getting antsy at that point. We drove home, went to McDonald's (healthy, I know) then it began to snow so the two of us went for a drive to see the holiday lights. It was a fun night out for both of us. And we got to chat w/our FIUTS student for a few minutes before the show--she couldn't attend w/us as she had finals today but it was still fun to see her.
Now the funny part...another a-parent aquaintance of mine was there in the lobby before the show. She had just had surgery on her foot and was hobbling around the lobby w/a knee walker (a thingy you rest your knee on and it rolls around so that you don't have to use crutches but you can keep the weight off your foot). We went over to say hi and check on her.
Munchkin says, "Are you okay?"
Friend says, "Yes, I just had an operation on my foot."
Munchkin then asks, "Are you old?"
Friend, who is probably a couple of years younger than I am and is now looking kinda startled, says, "Why, yes, I am old, but I'm using this walker because I just had an operation on my foot."
Munchkin then asks, "Are you gonna die soon?"
I then say, "Well, it was nice to see ya'...we gotta go!" I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard inside!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
One word says it all...
Overwhelmed.
That would be me. Or maybe two words...overextended (and I don't mean financially...well, maybe that, too!).
Hanging on by a thread today. I'll try to come back soon with something funnier to yack about.
That would be me. Or maybe two words...overextended (and I don't mean financially...well, maybe that, too!).
Hanging on by a thread today. I'll try to come back soon with something funnier to yack about.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Of puke and hills and bullies and aging parents...
Disjointed thoughts passing through my head tonight:
Puke: Why does Munchkin continue to have an easily-provoked gag reflex? Why did she get scared of "the new kids" today at her ice skating lesson and start crying? Why did she then start coughing? Why did I skate over and pick her up only to have her projectile vomit all over me (and herself, too)? I stood there in shock with Munchkin's morning breakfast all over my collar and running down her leg into a pukey (sp?) puddle on the ice. We were right in front of 4 other moms...three of whom looked at us in horror--probably wondering what horrible illness my child had now exposed their children to--and one wonderful soul of a mom who went with me to the rest room and grabbed handfuls of papertowels to try to make my cleanup job easier. Do I need to tell you how badly this morning sucked?
Hills: We live in an area with some very steep hills (think San Francisco just not as many!)...why is it that people still can't figure out which way to turn their wheels when they park on a hill? Isn't it just common sense???? And while I'm at it, there have recently been three different kids under 16 in my car who have commented on the shifter--asking what it was and what I was doing when I shifted. Does no one else drive a standard these days?
Bullies: A friend of Munchkin's was bullied by two of the same girls who have been bothering Munchkin...they threw rocks at him at recess. I have emailed and discussed it briefly with the teacher but she says the kids seem to understand in the classroom and then "it's a different story" once they get outside. WTF? I can't wait to bring my secret weapon (BikeBoy) to the parent-teacher conference next week.
Aging parents: I'm working on getting more info for my mom so that she can get some kind of a break from taking care of my sdad. I found out that there is a person with the job title "Caregiver Advocate" (I think) and the person in my homestate who does this job near my mom is an old co-worker/friend of mine from 20+ yrs ago. She is nice and I'm so hoping that she will be able to help us figure out something. Mom spent the night in the ER last week and was diagnosed with chronic hypertension/panic attacks...mostly due to the stress she's under. It must be hard to be in your 80s and caring for someone 5 yrs older who is in crappy health (not to mention showing signs of dementia). It's a sad scene from any angle. :(
Puke: Why does Munchkin continue to have an easily-provoked gag reflex? Why did she get scared of "the new kids" today at her ice skating lesson and start crying? Why did she then start coughing? Why did I skate over and pick her up only to have her projectile vomit all over me (and herself, too)? I stood there in shock with Munchkin's morning breakfast all over my collar and running down her leg into a pukey (sp?) puddle on the ice. We were right in front of 4 other moms...three of whom looked at us in horror--probably wondering what horrible illness my child had now exposed their children to--and one wonderful soul of a mom who went with me to the rest room and grabbed handfuls of papertowels to try to make my cleanup job easier. Do I need to tell you how badly this morning sucked?
Hills: We live in an area with some very steep hills (think San Francisco just not as many!)...why is it that people still can't figure out which way to turn their wheels when they park on a hill? Isn't it just common sense???? And while I'm at it, there have recently been three different kids under 16 in my car who have commented on the shifter--asking what it was and what I was doing when I shifted. Does no one else drive a standard these days?
Bullies: A friend of Munchkin's was bullied by two of the same girls who have been bothering Munchkin...they threw rocks at him at recess. I have emailed and discussed it briefly with the teacher but she says the kids seem to understand in the classroom and then "it's a different story" once they get outside. WTF? I can't wait to bring my secret weapon (BikeBoy) to the parent-teacher conference next week.
Aging parents: I'm working on getting more info for my mom so that she can get some kind of a break from taking care of my sdad. I found out that there is a person with the job title "Caregiver Advocate" (I think) and the person in my homestate who does this job near my mom is an old co-worker/friend of mine from 20+ yrs ago. She is nice and I'm so hoping that she will be able to help us figure out something. Mom spent the night in the ER last week and was diagnosed with chronic hypertension/panic attacks...mostly due to the stress she's under. It must be hard to be in your 80s and caring for someone 5 yrs older who is in crappy health (not to mention showing signs of dementia). It's a sad scene from any angle. :(
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Ramblings on the Sox and Christianity...
Okay, so I am NOT a baseball fan. The game bores me unless I'm at the stadium in person and, even then, it kinda bores me. It's not exciting. It takes too long. The uniforms are un-cool. :) Whatever, JMHO. But, in the realm of professional baseball I do cheer on certain teams. My teams are: Red Sox, Yankees, Rockies, Cubbies, Mariners. They are all teams of cities/states where I have lived and I feel connected to them somehow.
So, this posed a dilemma this year...should I cheer on the Sox (top of my list as I am a native Mainer and have lived in Boston x3 plus my dad was a HUGE Red Sox fan)...or root for the Rockies (I lived in Colorado longer than the total time I ever lived in Boston, the Rockies are in their first World Series, BikeBoy and I were partial seasons tix holders one year when we lived within walking distance of Coors Field). I basically had decided to root for both by wishing for a 7-game series which resulted in Boston winning again (2nd time in 4 yrs...screw the curse!).
Then today I read a column on CNN that the Rockies are the most "faith"ful team in baseball. They have prayer calls over the phone, they pray before games, they are the only team to hire a full-time chaplain on staff, they had a "Faith Day" for their fans where Christian Rock bands were invited to play (blech!!). To each his own but that really turned me off a little. What about any team member who doesn't believe in God? Do they have to go along with this faith BS just because that's the way the rest of the team believes? I just thought it was weird...kinda like businesses which put the little Christian fish symbol on their signs or business cards, you know? As soon as I see that damned fish I run as fast as I can in another direction! LOL!
So, today I decided to just root for the Sox and they pulled it off tonight and I am very happy for them! Now...time to get on to one of the only real professional sports seasons...HOCKEY! :) Go Avs! Go Bruins! Go Rangers!
ETA: Okay...I just googled "Red Sox, Christianity" and found some articles on the 2005 team and how religious they all freakin' were! Crap. Baseball and religion. It sounds as bad as NASCAR now. Oh, well.
So, this posed a dilemma this year...should I cheer on the Sox (top of my list as I am a native Mainer and have lived in Boston x3 plus my dad was a HUGE Red Sox fan)...or root for the Rockies (I lived in Colorado longer than the total time I ever lived in Boston, the Rockies are in their first World Series, BikeBoy and I were partial seasons tix holders one year when we lived within walking distance of Coors Field). I basically had decided to root for both by wishing for a 7-game series which resulted in Boston winning again (2nd time in 4 yrs...screw the curse!).
Then today I read a column on CNN that the Rockies are the most "faith"ful team in baseball. They have prayer calls over the phone, they pray before games, they are the only team to hire a full-time chaplain on staff, they had a "Faith Day" for their fans where Christian Rock bands were invited to play (blech!!). To each his own but that really turned me off a little. What about any team member who doesn't believe in God? Do they have to go along with this faith BS just because that's the way the rest of the team believes? I just thought it was weird...kinda like businesses which put the little Christian fish symbol on their signs or business cards, you know? As soon as I see that damned fish I run as fast as I can in another direction! LOL!
So, today I decided to just root for the Sox and they pulled it off tonight and I am very happy for them! Now...time to get on to one of the only real professional sports seasons...HOCKEY! :) Go Avs! Go Bruins! Go Rangers!
ETA: Okay...I just googled "Red Sox, Christianity" and found some articles on the 2005 team and how religious they all freakin' were! Crap. Baseball and religion. It sounds as bad as NASCAR now. Oh, well.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Preschool version of bullying???
I chaperoned Munchkin's trip to the organic pumpkin farm yesterday. It was an exercise in patience. To start with, Munchkin freaked when I wouldn't let her take an armful of stuffed kitties on the tour (it was an incredibly muddy day and I didn't want to deal with her reaction should a kitty or kitties fall in the mud...not to mention that she would need her hands for picking a pumpkin, holding the handrail to the hayloft, etc.). I finally put one kitty in my purse and left the rest in the car but she continued to scream for a good ten minutes...the whole walk from the car to the farm, while waiting for the tour to start...it sucked. Plus, I had another child with us ("A," a girl whose parent couldn't make it) and I had to let the teacher and another mom handle her while I dealt with Miss Tantrum.
Then, A didn't really want to stay with me once Munchkin stopped the tantrum since she doesn't know me. She wanted to stay with "C"'s mom since her mom and C's mom are friends and they all hang out together. So...I kind of let her go with C's mom (C's mom didn't have a background check clearance so officially she couldn't drive another student--even a friend's child--on a school trip).
Then, C proceeded to take two hands and shove Munchkin in the back while they were all standing to have their picture taken before the start of the tour. Munchkin fell down on her knees into the mud and sat there. She started screaming, "I hurt myself!" and crying about being covered in mud. C's mom said she thought it was an accident and C proceeded to say, "I'm sorry" to Munchkin--one of those sorry's which makes no eye contact and sounds really insincere.
Then, the farmer asked all the kids to sit on the steps of the barn so that she could tell them about the hay maze up in the loft. There were four little girls on the top step and Munchkin walked up the steps and sat in the last spot next to them. Along comes another girl, "M," (a girl who Munchkin has always told me is mean to her) and M proceeds to grab Munchkin by the arm and say to her, "Munchkin! Get up! I want to sit there! Munchkin! Move! That's my seat!" Munchkin just kept holding her ground and saying, "No!" and after the bratty kid torqued her arm for the 4th or 5th time I saw my girl take her tiny hiking-boot-covered muddy foot and kick her in the shin! (YOU GO GIRL!) By this time, M's mom had finally taken notice and told M that she needed to sit somewhere else. (YOU'RE DAMNED RIGHT, LADY!)
THEN...we're walking through the pumpkin patch, headed back to the wagon for our ride back to the barn when Munchkin sees who is walking in front of us with his mom and dad. Munchkin proceeds to say, "That's N...he's the one who always pushes me on the playground!" N's mom heard her say this and says, "What does N do????" and I had no idea what to say so I said, "Oh, it's nothing, don't worry about it." and we just all kept walking. Of course, Munchkin has mentioned N at home, saying he pushes her a lot so I'm betting he really does.
So...we saw the pigs, we saw the chickens, we saw the hay maze, we chose a pumpkin, we had a hay ride, we got the hell outta there...thank goodness. And I now have plenty to talk about when I go in for the first conference of the year in 3 weeks.
It's hard to watch things like that start to happen to your own child. I remember the way it feels to be picked on. I don't want Munchkin to feel that. Ever. I know that's not possible but I really wish I could prevent it. She's now the oldest child in her class but she is still one of the smallest in stature...I think the other kids take advantage of this (or try to). I don't usually approve of kicking or hitting but I was so glad she finally kicked that little girl yesterday--she'd had enough yanking on her arm, she knew she had the right to sit in that spot, she knew the girl was being mean and my little girl said "no" until she was practically blue in the face--she finally kicked out in desperation and I didn't scold her for it.
BikeBoy thinks we should start looking into a TaeKwonDo class for her or something. Anything that might build her confidence and the ability to stand up for herself later on. I had heard that girls can be mean but I had no idea how young it all starts. I cried tonight telling my mom about it...I cried out of frustration that I couldn't prevent it, that I didn't know how to handle it.
But today was a better day...ice skating for an hour with a buddy and that buddy's mom--over an hour at the rink and it was a blast! Then we had Subway lunch with them. Then, after running errands, we ended up at the neighborhood park and many of the neighbor kids were there. Munchkin was so kind and caring of the 2-and-under set...she helped gather them up when their moms said it was time to go, she played peek-a-book with a couple of them, she played hide-and-seek with another, she kicked a ball back and forth with another. She just knows how to treat younger kids and the littlest ones just seem to adore her. It makes me proud of her and makes me think how much she will like being someone's big sister someday. :)
Then, A didn't really want to stay with me once Munchkin stopped the tantrum since she doesn't know me. She wanted to stay with "C"'s mom since her mom and C's mom are friends and they all hang out together. So...I kind of let her go with C's mom (C's mom didn't have a background check clearance so officially she couldn't drive another student--even a friend's child--on a school trip).
Then, C proceeded to take two hands and shove Munchkin in the back while they were all standing to have their picture taken before the start of the tour. Munchkin fell down on her knees into the mud and sat there. She started screaming, "I hurt myself!" and crying about being covered in mud. C's mom said she thought it was an accident and C proceeded to say, "I'm sorry" to Munchkin--one of those sorry's which makes no eye contact and sounds really insincere.
Then, the farmer asked all the kids to sit on the steps of the barn so that she could tell them about the hay maze up in the loft. There were four little girls on the top step and Munchkin walked up the steps and sat in the last spot next to them. Along comes another girl, "M," (a girl who Munchkin has always told me is mean to her) and M proceeds to grab Munchkin by the arm and say to her, "Munchkin! Get up! I want to sit there! Munchkin! Move! That's my seat!" Munchkin just kept holding her ground and saying, "No!" and after the bratty kid torqued her arm for the 4th or 5th time I saw my girl take her tiny hiking-boot-covered muddy foot and kick her in the shin! (YOU GO GIRL!) By this time, M's mom had finally taken notice and told M that she needed to sit somewhere else. (YOU'RE DAMNED RIGHT, LADY!)
THEN...we're walking through the pumpkin patch, headed back to the wagon for our ride back to the barn when Munchkin sees who is walking in front of us with his mom and dad. Munchkin proceeds to say, "That's N...he's the one who always pushes me on the playground!" N's mom heard her say this and says, "What does N do????" and I had no idea what to say so I said, "Oh, it's nothing, don't worry about it." and we just all kept walking. Of course, Munchkin has mentioned N at home, saying he pushes her a lot so I'm betting he really does.
So...we saw the pigs, we saw the chickens, we saw the hay maze, we chose a pumpkin, we had a hay ride, we got the hell outta there...thank goodness. And I now have plenty to talk about when I go in for the first conference of the year in 3 weeks.
It's hard to watch things like that start to happen to your own child. I remember the way it feels to be picked on. I don't want Munchkin to feel that. Ever. I know that's not possible but I really wish I could prevent it. She's now the oldest child in her class but she is still one of the smallest in stature...I think the other kids take advantage of this (or try to). I don't usually approve of kicking or hitting but I was so glad she finally kicked that little girl yesterday--she'd had enough yanking on her arm, she knew she had the right to sit in that spot, she knew the girl was being mean and my little girl said "no" until she was practically blue in the face--she finally kicked out in desperation and I didn't scold her for it.
BikeBoy thinks we should start looking into a TaeKwonDo class for her or something. Anything that might build her confidence and the ability to stand up for herself later on. I had heard that girls can be mean but I had no idea how young it all starts. I cried tonight telling my mom about it...I cried out of frustration that I couldn't prevent it, that I didn't know how to handle it.
But today was a better day...ice skating for an hour with a buddy and that buddy's mom--over an hour at the rink and it was a blast! Then we had Subway lunch with them. Then, after running errands, we ended up at the neighborhood park and many of the neighbor kids were there. Munchkin was so kind and caring of the 2-and-under set...she helped gather them up when their moms said it was time to go, she played peek-a-book with a couple of them, she played hide-and-seek with another, she kicked a ball back and forth with another. She just knows how to treat younger kids and the littlest ones just seem to adore her. It makes me proud of her and makes me think how much she will like being someone's big sister someday. :)
Friday, October 05, 2007
I can't believe I have a 5 yr old!...
Today was Munchkin's b-day! We actually celebrated last night: went out to a local pizzeria then came home to open presents and have a slice of Barbie cake! Today BikeBoy left to crew at a race for Brody B. so I went to Munchkin's school alone for the Birthday Circle. We brought treats (donut holes and melon balls) and a special book to donate to the class (which I then had to read...I didn't know I had to do that!). It was very fun then Munchkin got to leave w/me which was a treat in itself since we left before school was actually over (thrilling to her!).
Then her best friend, A, came over w/his mom and dad and we all walked to the neighborhood park to share more donuts and juice with some neighbor friends. It was the first nice-ish day in a couple of weeks so it was fun to play outside for a while.
Tonight we just ate leftovers and watched "Peter Pan" together...falling asleep on the couch, curled up under a blanket! A nice couple of days to celebrate the most special girl in the world.
Grandma was sorry she couldn't be here this year but she's hoping to be here for Xmas for the first time.
And I can't write a birthday post without mentioning Munchkin's birthmama. We mention her every night in our prayers to Mother Earth and the Great Spirit...we hope she is happy and healthy but on this day I hope she knows that Mia is happy, healthy and so completely loved by us...I hope Birthmama has no regrets and has a deeper knowledge that she did the best thing. I think that is one of the truest examples of love because it must've been so hard to do. Thank you, Munchkin's Birthmama...may you be gentle with yourself at this time and find comfort knowing how much we love "our" little girl.
Then her best friend, A, came over w/his mom and dad and we all walked to the neighborhood park to share more donuts and juice with some neighbor friends. It was the first nice-ish day in a couple of weeks so it was fun to play outside for a while.
Tonight we just ate leftovers and watched "Peter Pan" together...falling asleep on the couch, curled up under a blanket! A nice couple of days to celebrate the most special girl in the world.
Grandma was sorry she couldn't be here this year but she's hoping to be here for Xmas for the first time.
And I can't write a birthday post without mentioning Munchkin's birthmama. We mention her every night in our prayers to Mother Earth and the Great Spirit...we hope she is happy and healthy but on this day I hope she knows that Mia is happy, healthy and so completely loved by us...I hope Birthmama has no regrets and has a deeper knowledge that she did the best thing. I think that is one of the truest examples of love because it must've been so hard to do. Thank you, Munchkin's Birthmama...may you be gentle with yourself at this time and find comfort knowing how much we love "our" little girl.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Another butterfly death averted...
Last night I was rinsing the dishes and heard the desperate flap of butterfly wings. I looked over to the net and saw one of the 'flies was on his back, stuck to the bottom of the net (probably the sugar water had made the floor sticky). He was trying to right himself but was clearly utterly exhausted and unable to do it. His 4 friends looked on. So...I dropped a few dropperfuls of plain water near the edges of his wings and he loosened up a bit but was still unable to right himself. I found a long pair of chopsticks (the type used when cooking w/a wok) and held the tip of one just above his body. He wrapped his little butterfly legs around the tip and held on while I hoisted him up and set him gently down again atop a wadded tissue. It doesn't escape me how he seemed to know exactly how I was trying to help him and what to do. He looked relieved (really). So...he lives on for...what?...maybe another week or two?...but I'm happy about that anyway!
Parenting Beyond Belief...
is an incredibly cool book edited by Dale McGowan. If you are at all a secular-type person with kids you will find it helpful, I think. I had reserved it from the library weeks ago and finally got to pick it up last night. It is filled with essays related to raising our kids in a religious world but with different beliefs. It gives great recommendations for further reading (books, articles, websites).
There is even a study guide which might assist discussion (at least for older children) or at least some deeper consideration.
This is all so timely since it coincides with Munchkin's and my first official trip to "church" recently (a UU church for her to try a religious ed/exploration class). The church itself seemed very welcoming but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up our only free weekend day just yet. I know, that's pretty petty, isn't it? But I don't feel ready to commit. The experience was fun, though...we both got to participate in a class for 3-5 yr olds and it was lead by a transgendered woman. Certainly the congregation itself seemed diverse and accepting. We may go back eventually or we may try another UU congregation to see if the fit feels even better. This book also mentions Liberal Quakerism as being an option for atheist/agnostic parents who wish for more community...things to consider.
It's just really nice to know that there is a community out there for us somewhere.
There is even a study guide which might assist discussion (at least for older children) or at least some deeper consideration.
This is all so timely since it coincides with Munchkin's and my first official trip to "church" recently (a UU church for her to try a religious ed/exploration class). The church itself seemed very welcoming but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up our only free weekend day just yet. I know, that's pretty petty, isn't it? But I don't feel ready to commit. The experience was fun, though...we both got to participate in a class for 3-5 yr olds and it was lead by a transgendered woman. Certainly the congregation itself seemed diverse and accepting. We may go back eventually or we may try another UU congregation to see if the fit feels even better. This book also mentions Liberal Quakerism as being an option for atheist/agnostic parents who wish for more community...things to consider.
It's just really nice to know that there is a community out there for us somewhere.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Ramblings...
So we were actually home in Maine for about 10 days in August. So good to see the family and several friends...eat some lobster rolls, smell the ocean air. I miss it so much...hard to believe that I spent the first 18 yrs of my life waiting to get outta there--so much to do and see beyond my slightly sheltered and very WASP-y world.
Managed to take Munchkin by train into Beantown w/Grandma to visit a special group of friends and their kids. We hung out, saw the "Make Way for Ducklings" ducks, rode the swan boats...had a great time. I have such fond memories of Boston--both from trips there as a child and also from college days and beyond. Heck, that's where BikeBoy and I met and it will always be special.
On the way back to the plane (in Newark!) we hung out in NYC for a few hrs. Showed Munchkin our old 'hood (she couldn't have cared less). She did yell out, "This is AWESOME!" as BikeBoy sped down 5th Ave with the rest of the traffic, trying to avoid street closures before the Dominican Republic's parade. We had a slice at Ray's and walked along Bleecker (almost ducked in for a John's pizza, too, I might add!) and had an ice cream. Played at the two playgrounds in Washington Square Park. Although we lived there (nearly 20 yrs ago now...17, I guess) I cannot imagine raising a child there. Not that I wouldn't want to...I think I would, I just have a difficult time picturing it. I watched moms pushing strollers ($1000 strollers, BTW) along the narrow, crappy sidewalks of the Village, trying to maneuver into tight doorways and up the stairs to brownstones. I can't even imagine trying to take the subway somewhere...and how competetive preschools are (and how expensive). It seems so much easier to do all this from the 'burbs.
But then I took Munchkin to a kids' improv theatre in a funky neighborhood in "the city" here today and it was so fun. We walked around a bit waiting for the show to start...so many restaurants and independent coffee shops. Munchkin kept running ahead of me on the sidewalk. I asked her, "Do you like it here in the city or out where we live better?" She said, "Where we live...no...BOTH!"
When I read MetroDad's posts about life in the city w/the Peanut I think it just sounds fun...different than our lives but fun. And having grown up in the 'burbs myself I know how much trouble youths can get into there...how can it be any worse in the city? At least you wouldn't worry about your child driving while under the influence--we wouldn't even have a car. So many cultural events all within walking distance--museums, galleries, opera, symphony, ballet, theatre, rock concerts, ethnic restaurants--heck, entire ethnic neighborhoods, etc. It is a magnificent feast for the senses! And the diversity within the city always makes me smile. No diversity where I grew up and not a lot of it where we live now either. As the parent of a TRA I am so much more aware than ever before.
I guess I'm just a tad bit jealous of those who make the choice to rear their kids in the city. I often wish we could.
Managed to take Munchkin by train into Beantown w/Grandma to visit a special group of friends and their kids. We hung out, saw the "Make Way for Ducklings" ducks, rode the swan boats...had a great time. I have such fond memories of Boston--both from trips there as a child and also from college days and beyond. Heck, that's where BikeBoy and I met and it will always be special.
On the way back to the plane (in Newark!) we hung out in NYC for a few hrs. Showed Munchkin our old 'hood (she couldn't have cared less). She did yell out, "This is AWESOME!" as BikeBoy sped down 5th Ave with the rest of the traffic, trying to avoid street closures before the Dominican Republic's parade. We had a slice at Ray's and walked along Bleecker (almost ducked in for a John's pizza, too, I might add!) and had an ice cream. Played at the two playgrounds in Washington Square Park. Although we lived there (nearly 20 yrs ago now...17, I guess) I cannot imagine raising a child there. Not that I wouldn't want to...I think I would, I just have a difficult time picturing it. I watched moms pushing strollers ($1000 strollers, BTW) along the narrow, crappy sidewalks of the Village, trying to maneuver into tight doorways and up the stairs to brownstones. I can't even imagine trying to take the subway somewhere...and how competetive preschools are (and how expensive). It seems so much easier to do all this from the 'burbs.
But then I took Munchkin to a kids' improv theatre in a funky neighborhood in "the city" here today and it was so fun. We walked around a bit waiting for the show to start...so many restaurants and independent coffee shops. Munchkin kept running ahead of me on the sidewalk. I asked her, "Do you like it here in the city or out where we live better?" She said, "Where we live...no...BOTH!"
When I read MetroDad's posts about life in the city w/the Peanut I think it just sounds fun...different than our lives but fun. And having grown up in the 'burbs myself I know how much trouble youths can get into there...how can it be any worse in the city? At least you wouldn't worry about your child driving while under the influence--we wouldn't even have a car. So many cultural events all within walking distance--museums, galleries, opera, symphony, ballet, theatre, rock concerts, ethnic restaurants--heck, entire ethnic neighborhoods, etc. It is a magnificent feast for the senses! And the diversity within the city always makes me smile. No diversity where I grew up and not a lot of it where we live now either. As the parent of a TRA I am so much more aware than ever before.
I guess I'm just a tad bit jealous of those who make the choice to rear their kids in the city. I often wish we could.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Look, Mama! I fed the butterflies!...
...is something you don't want to hear from your 4 yr old. I was washing the dishes and looked over and Munchkin had dropped a chunk of watermelon in the butterfly net-house and a butterfly was lying partially UNDER the melon chunk! It was desperately twitching, trying to free itself. I had to unzip the top of the house and reach in with a pair of tongs (god-forbid that my hand actually touched a butterfly--eeeeek!) and lifted the melon off the butterfly--rescuing it! It kind of limped around for a minute or two, it's wings stuck together with melon juice but then it flapped a couple of times and was okay. Phew. A tragic ending prevented! :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Mammogram time...
Yesterday was time to get my "girls" checked out. The hospital that I have this done at has a really new, high-falutin' mammography machine so there are long waits to even get an appointment. Once there you have to wait to check-in, then wait in another area for someone to bring you back to the changing rooms to put on a cape, then once you're caped up like WonderWoman there is a third area to wait in.
Well, yesterday the first waiting area had no magazines. None. Not one. There were three of us sitting there--one younger gal was reading a book. The other (a middle-aged gal, like me) says, "Geez, I can't believe there's nothing to read. I was counting on that. I would've brought something had I known there'd be nothing at all." I then thought about what I did before I left the house...I thought about bringing a book with me but the only one handy was one on menopause which I had just borrowed from the library. So, I said, "I was gonna bring a book but the only one I had was on menopause and I thought better of it." The other middle-aged gal say, "You shoulda brought it...could've read it out loud to us...maybe we could all learn something!" :)
Well, yesterday the first waiting area had no magazines. None. Not one. There were three of us sitting there--one younger gal was reading a book. The other (a middle-aged gal, like me) says, "Geez, I can't believe there's nothing to read. I was counting on that. I would've brought something had I known there'd be nothing at all." I then thought about what I did before I left the house...I thought about bringing a book with me but the only one handy was one on menopause which I had just borrowed from the library. So, I said, "I was gonna bring a book but the only one I had was on menopause and I thought better of it." The other middle-aged gal say, "You shoulda brought it...could've read it out loud to us...maybe we could all learn something!" :)
A few new posts...
I have been terribly negligent...poor lonely blog. I only know of one dear friend who actually admits to reading this thing anyway so I have cut/pasted a few posts from a board where I'm a bit more active posting. Just a few things.
Oh, yeah...totally unrelated thought here...why is it that there are some things a kid says that are just so darned cute that we can't correct the pronunciation? Like Munchkin say's "hyneena" for hyena. I love it and I will try my darndest to work hyneena into any conversation with her just to hear it. :) A few others from the past: "kicken" (chicken), "doonin" (doing). I'll add more if I think of 'em.
Oh, yeah...totally unrelated thought here...why is it that there are some things a kid says that are just so darned cute that we can't correct the pronunciation? Like Munchkin say's "hyneena" for hyena. I love it and I will try my darndest to work hyneena into any conversation with her just to hear it. :) A few others from the past: "kicken" (chicken), "doonin" (doing). I'll add more if I think of 'em.
Uh-oh...
Munchkin was up on the balcony peeking out between the rails and I asked her what she was doing...she said, "Thinking about Kindergarten and jail." WTF? I guess the rails seemed like bars on a cell? But WTF? BikeBoy says, "That's my girl! I always thought school was like prison."
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