Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fever
Spring fever? Organization fever? (Thanks Elastigirl)
Nope actual fever. It's been an extremely long time since I've actually run a fever.
Monday, my allergies were bothering me a little bit. Elastigirl came over and helped me turn my pantry into the 8th wonder of the world.
Yesterday, we had a great homeschool day and completed everything quickly. Thankfully! Because I went downhill after lunch. My goal yesterday afternoon was to keep Sparkle from eating thumbtacks, so my afternoon was a success. Mr. S got home around 7 and I went to bed at 7:15. Of course, I had hockey on because, hey it's the playoffs!
I wandered back downstairs after the girls were in bed and chatted and watched hockey with Mr. S for about an hour, then went back to bed - with hockey still on.
I'm feeling better today. I'm not feverish, but my face hurts. Hopefully, Sparkle and I will have a relatively easy day. Fingers crossed.
Monday, April 7, 2008
What's in a Name?
This post actually started out as a comment to Heather's post over at Cool Zebras about picking a name for her new little one who will be debuting next month. I decided to just write my own post instead of taking up so much of her comment space.
In her post, Heather discusses the desire to give her children names that are not too common, but also not too off the wall. I hear her! Anyone who knows us knows that we felt the same way when naming our children.
Even though we didn't know Twinkle was going to be a girl, we settled on a name pretty easily. As I recall it anyway. We didn't have any boy names picked out, so we got lucky there.
With Sparkle, since we were adopting from China, we were pretty certain that she would be a girl. We had a more difficult time choosing a name for her. When we first started the adoption process, I was amazed at the number of people who already had a name picked and embroidered on blankets. Let me tell you, as someone who didn't want her child having the same name as many others in her class at school, this desire was compounded by being part of the China adoption community. It seems like there are just a handful of names that most girls adopted from China are given.
Anyway, why did we have the trouble we did naming Sparkle? For one thing, we knew she'd already have a name and didn't feel comfortable taking that from her. For another, I wanted to at least see her face before we picked a name. I didn't feel that way when I was pregnant with Twinkle, so I can't explain why that was, but it just was.
True, we discussed possible names long before we saw her face, but "the list" had at least 15 to 20 names on it. After we received her first pictures and we needed to actually start filling out paperwork with her name on it, we decided we needed to buckle down and decide. It was on an airplane flying back from New York about this time last year that we finally settled. And it was a name that wasn't on the big list that I'd made over many months. It was a name from a list Mr. S made in his Palm Pilot before Twinkle was born. A list that I didn't know existed.
The name is perfect for her. It has many nicknames, but none are bad. We kept her Chinese name for her middle name. When she's older, I wonder if she'll go through a period of time deciding what SHE wants to be called.
In her post, Heather discusses the desire to give her children names that are not too common, but also not too off the wall. I hear her! Anyone who knows us knows that we felt the same way when naming our children.
Even though we didn't know Twinkle was going to be a girl, we settled on a name pretty easily. As I recall it anyway. We didn't have any boy names picked out, so we got lucky there.
With Sparkle, since we were adopting from China, we were pretty certain that she would be a girl. We had a more difficult time choosing a name for her. When we first started the adoption process, I was amazed at the number of people who already had a name picked and embroidered on blankets. Let me tell you, as someone who didn't want her child having the same name as many others in her class at school, this desire was compounded by being part of the China adoption community. It seems like there are just a handful of names that most girls adopted from China are given.
Anyway, why did we have the trouble we did naming Sparkle? For one thing, we knew she'd already have a name and didn't feel comfortable taking that from her. For another, I wanted to at least see her face before we picked a name. I didn't feel that way when I was pregnant with Twinkle, so I can't explain why that was, but it just was.
True, we discussed possible names long before we saw her face, but "the list" had at least 15 to 20 names on it. After we received her first pictures and we needed to actually start filling out paperwork with her name on it, we decided we needed to buckle down and decide. It was on an airplane flying back from New York about this time last year that we finally settled. And it was a name that wasn't on the big list that I'd made over many months. It was a name from a list Mr. S made in his Palm Pilot before Twinkle was born. A list that I didn't know existed.
The name is perfect for her. It has many nicknames, but none are bad. We kept her Chinese name for her middle name. When she's older, I wonder if she'll go through a period of time deciding what SHE wants to be called.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
So, How Was It?
MB has nudged me to remind me that I haven't posted in over a week.
Our trip was wonderful, though too short. Because of flight delays, I didn't get into the city until about 5:30 Friday night. No worries. Mr. S had scored a room we may never see again. The hotel had messed up his reservation and he managed to get a room that, according to the room service guy, had the best view in the hotel.
Being on the top floor with windows facing 3 directions, I'd say he's right. Like I said, I don't think we'll see that room again. Oh, and yes, I managed to go into the bathroom and close the door without anyone opening it. Both bathrooms.
It was nice to get away together and see friends that we see about once a year.
I guess I haven't been posting a whole lot because I've been feeling a bit melancholy and didn't want to write another melancholy post.
I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way, but I know it will pass.
Our trip was wonderful, though too short. Because of flight delays, I didn't get into the city until about 5:30 Friday night. No worries. Mr. S had scored a room we may never see again. The hotel had messed up his reservation and he managed to get a room that, according to the room service guy, had the best view in the hotel.
Being on the top floor with windows facing 3 directions, I'd say he's right. Like I said, I don't think we'll see that room again. Oh, and yes, I managed to go into the bathroom and close the door without anyone opening it. Both bathrooms.
It was nice to get away together and see friends that we see about once a year.
I guess I haven't been posting a whole lot because I've been feeling a bit melancholy and didn't want to write another melancholy post.
I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way, but I know it will pass.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Freedom of the City
Mr. S and I are going to NYC this weekend sans the two lovelies pictured in the previous post. Actually Mr. S is leaving tomorrow and I'm joining him Friday. We'll be back on Sunday.
I've been contemplating what we should do while there, and I've had several ideas. You know, shop, go to a museum, wander Central Park. All of the usual things. We may do any or all or none of these. BUT, this morning I was struck by an idea. Something I WILL do while in NYC. Are you ready? I'm going to use the bathroom with the f-in door closed!
Our bathroom downstairs has a sliding door and the lock doesn't work so well. There's nothing like your 20 month old opening the door and leaving it open AND trying to climb onto your lap whilst you're using the facilities.
TMI? Sorry.
At any given moment at home, I have Sparkle on my lap, the dog at my feet and Twinkle hovering behind me. Yes, I know it sounds odd, but I'm looking forward to a little SPACE in NYC. I've been there many times, so yes I know there's really no such thing as personal space anywhere. But, I know from past experience that I will feel less claustrophobic in that crowded city where you can't always see the sky because of the tall buildings than I do in my own home.
I hope that this trip will be as rejuvenating as it has in the past. I (and Mr. S... and Twinkle...and Sparkle....and the dog....) need it!
I've been contemplating what we should do while there, and I've had several ideas. You know, shop, go to a museum, wander Central Park. All of the usual things. We may do any or all or none of these. BUT, this morning I was struck by an idea. Something I WILL do while in NYC. Are you ready? I'm going to use the bathroom with the f-in door closed!
Our bathroom downstairs has a sliding door and the lock doesn't work so well. There's nothing like your 20 month old opening the door and leaving it open AND trying to climb onto your lap whilst you're using the facilities.
TMI? Sorry.
At any given moment at home, I have Sparkle on my lap, the dog at my feet and Twinkle hovering behind me. Yes, I know it sounds odd, but I'm looking forward to a little SPACE in NYC. I've been there many times, so yes I know there's really no such thing as personal space anywhere. But, I know from past experience that I will feel less claustrophobic in that crowded city where you can't always see the sky because of the tall buildings than I do in my own home.
I hope that this trip will be as rejuvenating as it has in the past. I (and Mr. S... and Twinkle...and Sparkle....and the dog....) need it!
Monday, March 24, 2008
A First
I don't think I've done this before on here, but since I enjoy seeing others' kiddos on their blogs I figured I could do it. Just this once.
Twinkle
Sparkle
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Put on Your Bunny Ears!!!
Just Kidding.
It's Easter weekend. As head of the altar guild at our church, Holy Week means I'm busy, busy, busy.
On Maundy Thursday, after the foot washing and Eucharist, everything is taken from the Sanctuary.
On Good Friday, there is only a black cloth on the altar.
Today, everything that was taken out on Thursday had to be put back. Guess who does that....the altar guild. It's not that big of a deal - when enough people show up. I guess putting in the email this year that "Fr. D has expressed some concern about the low attendance" for this job over the past few years wasn't the motivation I thought it would be. Still, the job this morning is one that I, strangely, enjoy most. Today was a bit different. I've been stressing over a piece of cloth all day. A piece of cloth that was last in my hands to be washed and pressed and taken back today with 4 other pieces of cloth. These five pieces of cloth make up the interior of the "tabernacle" where the blessed elements are kept. It's kind of important cloth.
Anyway, I spent a great part of the day incredibly stressed because I couldn't find this cloth! Guess what. I found it 15 minutes before tonight's service was scheduled to start. At my house. Sigh. And ugh.
Tonight, is the wonderful Easter Vigil service where the light is brought back to the world, or at least our Nave. It's a fantastic service. Since it begins in darkness, it starts at 8pm. 8pm, the same time as the kids' bedtime. This would be the down side of all of your babysitters going to your church.
So, I'm at home while Mr. S is at the service. I sent the piece of cloth with Mr. S to the service with specific instructions that it be given to one of two people so that it can at least go in its place before tomorrow morning. You know, when you've stressed about one specific thing for almost 12 hours, it's kinda hard to stop.
Even though it is now 9:30, Twinkle is still up. You know what is on TV?? Of course you do. It's on every year. The Ten Commandments! Moses has yet to be called by God to deliver the Israelites. Whew. I just got to utter a sentence I never thought I'd utter, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Twinkle asked, "Is that God talking?" Me: "No, honey. That's Charlton Heston. He's definitely not God."
Ah, the stress may finally be leaving my body. That comment may have just been the thing to do it. Is there anything that can't be fixed by joking about Charlton Heston?
It's Easter weekend. As head of the altar guild at our church, Holy Week means I'm busy, busy, busy.
On Maundy Thursday, after the foot washing and Eucharist, everything is taken from the Sanctuary.
On Good Friday, there is only a black cloth on the altar.
Today, everything that was taken out on Thursday had to be put back. Guess who does that....the altar guild. It's not that big of a deal - when enough people show up. I guess putting in the email this year that "Fr. D has expressed some concern about the low attendance" for this job over the past few years wasn't the motivation I thought it would be. Still, the job this morning is one that I, strangely, enjoy most. Today was a bit different. I've been stressing over a piece of cloth all day. A piece of cloth that was last in my hands to be washed and pressed and taken back today with 4 other pieces of cloth. These five pieces of cloth make up the interior of the "tabernacle" where the blessed elements are kept. It's kind of important cloth.
Anyway, I spent a great part of the day incredibly stressed because I couldn't find this cloth! Guess what. I found it 15 minutes before tonight's service was scheduled to start. At my house. Sigh. And ugh.
Tonight, is the wonderful Easter Vigil service where the light is brought back to the world, or at least our Nave. It's a fantastic service. Since it begins in darkness, it starts at 8pm. 8pm, the same time as the kids' bedtime. This would be the down side of all of your babysitters going to your church.
So, I'm at home while Mr. S is at the service. I sent the piece of cloth with Mr. S to the service with specific instructions that it be given to one of two people so that it can at least go in its place before tomorrow morning. You know, when you've stressed about one specific thing for almost 12 hours, it's kinda hard to stop.
Even though it is now 9:30, Twinkle is still up. You know what is on TV?? Of course you do. It's on every year. The Ten Commandments! Moses has yet to be called by God to deliver the Israelites. Whew. I just got to utter a sentence I never thought I'd utter, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Twinkle asked, "Is that God talking?" Me: "No, honey. That's Charlton Heston. He's definitely not God."
Ah, the stress may finally be leaving my body. That comment may have just been the thing to do it. Is there anything that can't be fixed by joking about Charlton Heston?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Epiphany #482
My Children Annoy Me More When I'm Actually Trying to Accomplish Something...
I have known this for a while, but I'm reminded of it daily. Today started off just fine, until I tried loading the dishwasher after breakfast. Sparkle wanted to "help". I just wasn't in the mood to continually take knives out of her hand - dirty ones at that. I went from pretty serene to tense and frustrated in about 30 seconds. The problem is, once I get on edge, it's hard to go back to serene. So, the trip to Target, and a couple of other stores was tinged with annoyance. I was annoyed by the wind, for heaven's sake.
I'm really working on ways to 1) not go all the way to extreme annoyance so quickly and 2) getting back to serene more quickly and easily.
Tips?
I have known this for a while, but I'm reminded of it daily. Today started off just fine, until I tried loading the dishwasher after breakfast. Sparkle wanted to "help". I just wasn't in the mood to continually take knives out of her hand - dirty ones at that. I went from pretty serene to tense and frustrated in about 30 seconds. The problem is, once I get on edge, it's hard to go back to serene. So, the trip to Target, and a couple of other stores was tinged with annoyance. I was annoyed by the wind, for heaven's sake.
I'm really working on ways to 1) not go all the way to extreme annoyance so quickly and 2) getting back to serene more quickly and easily.
Tips?
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