This is my kind of weather in Minnesota. Just warm enough to warrant not having to wear a big coat, but not too hot that I break into a sweat just by sitting out. It's also completely get antsy weather, and I can tell the D family is on a spring cleaning kick.
Last weekend, we went to IKEA to pick up some bookshelves for the boys and our office/library. The disorganization in the office/library was driving me crazy, and so I finally convinced D that we just couldn't delay anymore, I couldn't have the books in piles, we need to get organized. So, now we're just waiting for the items to be delivered (you used to get everything the next day, but now they've gone to a crazy modified delivery schedule, so we have to wait until next Saturday ... but I know what I'll be doing that day.)
We've also packed away our winter comforters (okay, I was a bit sad about that, because ours makes me feel like I'm sleeping in a cloud ... and I hate our summer quilt - it's just ugly.) And now we're just slowly organizing things for what I anticipate will be a major spring cleaning weekend next week. We went through O's drawers and removed all the too small 18 mos. clothes and pulled out all the 2T items from storage, and we took inventory of the boys closets (both need shorts.)
We're also getting antsy to plan our garden for the year, but I had to remind D that we didn't plant until May, and we need to wait until about that time again because we are still in zone 4 and weather is unpredictable. And D and I picked up new running shoes today, now I just need to get this one shirt I really want from Lululemon that allows me to insert my ipod right into the side of the shirt so I don't have to wear the arm band.
In other news, we registered K for soccer, looked at the tennis schedule and are trying to determine if we sign him up for a theater camp. Being a parent is all about juggling everyone else's calendar - but I love it. I love that I have a kid who's so excited to play sports outside, but is also uber smart and likes to sit and read on rainy days. (He's now tackling the C.S. Lewis Narnia Chronicles - having just read the whole series myself when I was in my thirties, my five-year-old is way ahead of me.)
I'm looking forward to an amazing spring!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
(No Power) Out Sick
Unfortunately, I have perhaps the world's worst sinuses. I have passed this unfortunate curse on to both of my sons. Today, I woke up with my head feeling as though it were in a vise, and many bodily fluids were being expelled from my children. It was not a good day.
I hate being sick, other than the general not feeling so good part about it, I hate not being at work. Because when I'm not at work, sometimes I feel like goodness only knows what will happen. Things that were going down a straight and narrow path suddenly veer sharply to the left and things that could have been prevented will then be staring you straight in the face the day you finally drag your still-sick arse back into the office (which for me will be tomorrow based on the catastrophe that was my inbox.
Yes, I have a fever, yes, my head is pounding and my body is under severe fatigue, but I'll go to bed at 8 and suffer through it ... because until I find a better solution ... I'm a slave to the man.
I hate being sick, other than the general not feeling so good part about it, I hate not being at work. Because when I'm not at work, sometimes I feel like goodness only knows what will happen. Things that were going down a straight and narrow path suddenly veer sharply to the left and things that could have been prevented will then be staring you straight in the face the day you finally drag your still-sick arse back into the office (which for me will be tomorrow based on the catastrophe that was my inbox.
Yes, I have a fever, yes, my head is pounding and my body is under severe fatigue, but I'll go to bed at 8 and suffer through it ... because until I find a better solution ... I'm a slave to the man.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The Power of Free Speech
Yesterday on my way home, I engaged in my usual commuting routine. I settled myself on the bus, caught up on Facebook, checked my three email accounts and was about to switch to my book. However, today's routine was going to be speckled a bit.
As we approached a stop that typically has the most riders board, I noticed there seemed to be more noise than usually at the stop. At first, I couldn't place the noise. Then, I saw a man who had found a large platform to stand on and he was spouting out his own platform. I also noticed across the street that he had a collaborator wearing a sandwich board. The duo's mission was to inform everyone that we were sinners, unless we were as ultra-conservative as they were. (And based on the list on the board ... not sure how many people would qualify by these men's standards.) Because I was nestled into my seat and the doors and windows were closed, I wasn't able to really make out what the man was shouting.
However, many people who had just boarded the bus found it to be there mission to make sure everyone else on the bus understood what the man had been preaching and how they wish he would have left the bus stop. In fact, they went on for a full twenty minutes, loudly expressing their opinions of the public display. And that is what I found most compelling. That these people felt that this man's cajoling was an intrusion, but they found it perfectly acceptable to intrude on my peaceful commute home by shouting their dis-satisfaction. And some of the things they said ... I cannot even put it into print, I was so disgusted by their ignorance.
The irony of them exercising their own freedom of speech to discount someone else's freedom was truly a fascinating display of human behavior.
As we approached a stop that typically has the most riders board, I noticed there seemed to be more noise than usually at the stop. At first, I couldn't place the noise. Then, I saw a man who had found a large platform to stand on and he was spouting out his own platform. I also noticed across the street that he had a collaborator wearing a sandwich board. The duo's mission was to inform everyone that we were sinners, unless we were as ultra-conservative as they were. (And based on the list on the board ... not sure how many people would qualify by these men's standards.) Because I was nestled into my seat and the doors and windows were closed, I wasn't able to really make out what the man was shouting.
However, many people who had just boarded the bus found it to be there mission to make sure everyone else on the bus understood what the man had been preaching and how they wish he would have left the bus stop. In fact, they went on for a full twenty minutes, loudly expressing their opinions of the public display. And that is what I found most compelling. That these people felt that this man's cajoling was an intrusion, but they found it perfectly acceptable to intrude on my peaceful commute home by shouting their dis-satisfaction. And some of the things they said ... I cannot even put it into print, I was so disgusted by their ignorance.
The irony of them exercising their own freedom of speech to discount someone else's freedom was truly a fascinating display of human behavior.
Friday, March 09, 2012
The Power of Math and Science
It's just a typical Friday night, and I'm sipping a glass of wine, watching movies with my men. D and decided to relax and watch Moneyball. Watching this movie has reinforced how I've been feeling that past week about what I hope for my boys. I hope they decided to go into careers based in math or science. (Y'know, Jonah Hill's character ... taking statistics and realizing dreams.)
I want them to be able to innovate and use creativity, but within the guardrails and realms of a world where there are definitive results. Working in a profession that relies heavily on art and persuasion, I don't know if it's worth it. Only occasionally is it gratifying. I want my boys to love their jobs more days than not. I want them to get a sense of achievement when they create something that has greater meaner.
Sure, I can create things that make people feel informed, well-educated and engaged ... but I really wish I had gone into a field where I would have had a direct impact on making peoples lives richer, better, healthier. Maybe one day.
I want them to be able to innovate and use creativity, but within the guardrails and realms of a world where there are definitive results. Working in a profession that relies heavily on art and persuasion, I don't know if it's worth it. Only occasionally is it gratifying. I want my boys to love their jobs more days than not. I want them to get a sense of achievement when they create something that has greater meaner.
Sure, I can create things that make people feel informed, well-educated and engaged ... but I really wish I had gone into a field where I would have had a direct impact on making peoples lives richer, better, healthier. Maybe one day.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Boys = Competitiveness
Wow ... I have two boys ... and man, are they competitive. At almost six and two, I don't think I could have ever prepared for the physicality, one-up-manship and just pure energy that they would infuse into my life.
Oops, gotta go referee a sword match.
Oops, gotta go referee a sword match.
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