In memoriam of all those fallen and all those bereaved 6 years ago today - may God grant them peace. And may God grant a swift resolution to all the carnage and suffering (much of it avoidable) that has ensued.
Go hug somebody, okay? It's one of those days.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Straitjacket Saturday
Like that title? I think it's sort of catchy. And I'm certainly ready for one.
Today is Saturday, so I got to sleep in - I mean, if that's what you call lying in bed from 5:30 to 6:30 with the toddler climbing back and forth over you and leaning her elbows in those spaces between your ribs. Larry had to work today, so I wasn't exactly jumping out of bed with excitement over its being the weekend. As a matter of fact, I've been keeping the neighbor's 7-year-old girl hostage all afternoon, just to keep some of my kids amused (heaven forbid my kids should just play with each other, you know).
It's in the 90's here once again (I know, I know, but I just can't get over it, it's September, okay?) and it hasn't rained in ages (as in, I can't even find the kids' rain boots at this point), but there is a coastal flood warning for tonight anyway. I don't get that. Something to do with high tides and new moons. I didn't know those sort of things mattered anymore, what with technology and all. I mean, it sounds downright quaint. Farmers' Almanac, anyone?
Anna went out in public with me and the younger kids yesterday and didn't even die of embarrassment. In fact, she was downright pleasant; she even smiled at her siblings during the ordeal. I can't imagine what brought that on, unless maybe it was the above-mentioned astronomical/nautical phenomena. I'm glad she's not acting possessed, as Larry and I plan to go out tonight. For all you women who want to know how to get your husband to take you out, it's simple. Just make a dinner that the kids love and that he hates. Works like a charm. And it's not as if I'm hard to please. As long as it's not the Dollar Menu at McDonalds, I'm happy. Well, once Larry blew it (see http://suburbancorrespondent.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html for details), but I've forgiven him. Sort of.
School? Oh, yes, well, we've been plugging slowly along. All except Rachel, that is, who is taking about a month to whip through kindergarten before she sinks her teeth into 1st grade. I told Brian (2nd grade) to get the lead out - she's gonna need his books soon. I'm just glad that she is bending her formidable will and clever brain to something constructive this year. Another fall of sabotaged toilets and decapitated stuffed animals I could not handle. Anyone who does not know what I am talking about, check out the favorites column on the left. All the gory details are in there somewhere.
Today is Saturday, so I got to sleep in - I mean, if that's what you call lying in bed from 5:30 to 6:30 with the toddler climbing back and forth over you and leaning her elbows in those spaces between your ribs. Larry had to work today, so I wasn't exactly jumping out of bed with excitement over its being the weekend. As a matter of fact, I've been keeping the neighbor's 7-year-old girl hostage all afternoon, just to keep some of my kids amused (heaven forbid my kids should just play with each other, you know).
It's in the 90's here once again (I know, I know, but I just can't get over it, it's September, okay?) and it hasn't rained in ages (as in, I can't even find the kids' rain boots at this point), but there is a coastal flood warning for tonight anyway. I don't get that. Something to do with high tides and new moons. I didn't know those sort of things mattered anymore, what with technology and all. I mean, it sounds downright quaint. Farmers' Almanac, anyone?
Anna went out in public with me and the younger kids yesterday and didn't even die of embarrassment. In fact, she was downright pleasant; she even smiled at her siblings during the ordeal. I can't imagine what brought that on, unless maybe it was the above-mentioned astronomical/nautical phenomena. I'm glad she's not acting possessed, as Larry and I plan to go out tonight. For all you women who want to know how to get your husband to take you out, it's simple. Just make a dinner that the kids love and that he hates. Works like a charm. And it's not as if I'm hard to please. As long as it's not the Dollar Menu at McDonalds, I'm happy. Well, once Larry blew it (see http://suburbancorrespondent.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html for details), but I've forgiven him. Sort of.
School? Oh, yes, well, we've been plugging slowly along. All except Rachel, that is, who is taking about a month to whip through kindergarten before she sinks her teeth into 1st grade. I told Brian (2nd grade) to get the lead out - she's gonna need his books soon. I'm just glad that she is bending her formidable will and clever brain to something constructive this year. Another fall of sabotaged toilets and decapitated stuffed animals I could not handle. Anyone who does not know what I am talking about, check out the favorites column on the left. All the gory details are in there somewhere.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Toys R Us
Another 90-degree day (yes, I talk about the weather, but I don't do anything about it). We took a trip to Target (again) so Rachel and Brian could spend the birthday money that was burning a hole in their pockets. And if I had realized how many hours of enjoyment they would get out of a couple of trashy toys, I would have paid for them myself. We came straight home and the 3 youngest left me alone for a blessed 2 hours while they played with their new acquisitions. Let's see....twenty dollars for 2 hours - maybe a little more expensive than a babysitter, but we might get a couple hours more use out of the toys, if I'm lucky. Oh, and I had to shell out 5 dollars of my own to buy Susie a Barbie doll so she wouldn't get jealous. It came clothed in a bikini, but Susie likes her to hang out au naturel. With her little plastic sunglasses on. Rachel's Barbie is a little more dignified, sporting an attractive evening gown (complete with tiara) that isn't even slutty. Just for the record, Brian didn't get a Barbie doll. He bought some little Lego thing that I think is a firetruck with lots of teeny-tiny accessories. He is deliriously happy. In case anyone has been wondering exactly how much happiness costs, the answer (at least for 7-year-old boys) is 10 dollars plus tax.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Fall?
You know, anytime someone wants to turn off the summer weather around here and let a few fall breezes blow our way, I'm fine with that. Really.
The only way I can tell we're in September is that the apple tree formerly-known-as-ours is bearing its usual biennial (or is it biannual) overabundance. While we miss being able to use all the apples, it is fun to watch someone else (as in our hapless buyer) deal with all the rotting apples and wasps in the front yard. The 90-degree weather isn't helping the smell much, either. He is looking a tad beleaguered, I must say. Laughing at him takes our minds off the fact that our backyard (now that we've demolished the fence) is starting to make the city dump look good. That shouldn't improve next week when we begin tearing down the deck. Why do things always have to get worse before they get better? Beats me.
Anna still hates me (in case you were wondering). Susie loves me, though, because I haven't bothered weaning her yet. And Larry makes sure to tell me he still loves me; because if I leave him, he's stuck with all these kids. He's nobody's fool.
The only way I can tell we're in September is that the apple tree formerly-known-as-ours is bearing its usual biennial (or is it biannual) overabundance. While we miss being able to use all the apples, it is fun to watch someone else (as in our hapless buyer) deal with all the rotting apples and wasps in the front yard. The 90-degree weather isn't helping the smell much, either. He is looking a tad beleaguered, I must say. Laughing at him takes our minds off the fact that our backyard (now that we've demolished the fence) is starting to make the city dump look good. That shouldn't improve next week when we begin tearing down the deck. Why do things always have to get worse before they get better? Beats me.
Anna still hates me (in case you were wondering). Susie loves me, though, because I haven't bothered weaning her yet. And Larry makes sure to tell me he still loves me; because if I leave him, he's stuck with all these kids. He's nobody's fool.
Monday, September 03, 2007
She Loves Me (Not!)
What Anna (my chronically alienated teenage daughter who used to be the sweetest girl in the whole world and still is deep down inside somewhere) deems to be my fault:
1. When she's tired because she stayed up way too late and then had to get up before the crack of noon
2. Any day that her neighborhood friend is not around to hang out with
3. When she has to go to the doctor because she has given herself a puncture wound while doing dishes
4. Her beloved flute teacher's falling ill and cancelling a lesson
5. That life doesn't consist of doing whatever she wants, when she wants.
I have to work on all that, I guess.
She did like us briefly a few nights ago when she was scared silly by a bat that somehow got down our chimney and was zooming around our living room. Though I must say that her shriek (which woke us up) should have been enough to turn my hair white. Larry took care of the problem, while Anna and I barricaded ourselves in the bedroom. You know, if it's retro to feel that the guy has to take care of all bugs, rodents (flying and otherwise), and any other type of household intruder, then just call me old-fashioned, all right? I sat up in that room and listened to Larry chasing the bat all over the main floor of the house and thanked my lucky stars that I'm of the female persuasion. (And he did get rid of it - he managed to chase it out of the house with a laundry basket. See? I never would have thought of that.)
1. When she's tired because she stayed up way too late and then had to get up before the crack of noon
2. Any day that her neighborhood friend is not around to hang out with
3. When she has to go to the doctor because she has given herself a puncture wound while doing dishes
4. Her beloved flute teacher's falling ill and cancelling a lesson
5. That life doesn't consist of doing whatever she wants, when she wants.
I have to work on all that, I guess.
She did like us briefly a few nights ago when she was scared silly by a bat that somehow got down our chimney and was zooming around our living room. Though I must say that her shriek (which woke us up) should have been enough to turn my hair white. Larry took care of the problem, while Anna and I barricaded ourselves in the bedroom. You know, if it's retro to feel that the guy has to take care of all bugs, rodents (flying and otherwise), and any other type of household intruder, then just call me old-fashioned, all right? I sat up in that room and listened to Larry chasing the bat all over the main floor of the house and thanked my lucky stars that I'm of the female persuasion. (And he did get rid of it - he managed to chase it out of the house with a laundry basket. See? I never would have thought of that.)
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