Thanks for the positive thoughts for Miss Arse, y'all. She's still nervous as hell this morning but she's just going to have to take a Xanax or something. She's made at me now because I told her that once she could see again, she might find she wanted to do some repainting and redecorating. ;-) I figured getting her mad might take her mind of being scared.
Morning! Figures the first day of Daylight Savings is the day after we worked for 15 hours at my mom's!!! The move went well, she was all settled in, unpacked, set up - and after 2 glasses of wine (for her) relaxing as we left! Had a good time really - hanging with my mom, my sister and Patti - lots and lots of laughing! and we all worked well together, fun times! As we were taking out some collapsed boxes my sister had borrowed, my mom and I were in the elevator, and its a LONG story - but we were laughing SO hard about these dumb boxes falling out of the grocery cart that I was using, and had to stack them all in the elevator, my mom had her dog, it was a "funny but you had to be there moment" and as I had tears running down my face from laughing I look at my mom who is bent over in the elevator - laughing so hard she PEED her pants!! I started laughing even harder, then she had to go through telling my sister, and Patti - OMG it was funny! still giggling this morning! Patti asked her WHY she peed, she said I had half a glass of wine... Patti looks at her and said you had a half of glass - she's eyeing me cause she knows she had more - my mom says "half a glass TOO MANY" and the laughing again starts!!! Fun times with the mom!! I think she will be very very happy in her new apartment even though there are some weird old people there! I don't love old people... unless I'm related or know them really well, and some of them are.... questionable!!
Pastor Bob's story reminds me of the first time my husband met my brother and his wife - we went to a bar-b-que at their house. My husband went to the bathroom and when he came out I was standing in the hallway bent over playing with my nephew and he palmed my butt - too bad it wasn't me it was my SIL. Welcome to the family!
I'm off for a while again today - have to move a desk out of my mom's old apartment that she is giving us - cause we gave her our smaller one, and moving a patio table and chairs from my mom that she's giving to my son and DIL - and then Megan and Ang are going to go to the movies together, and we are watching Tay and Riley - should be a fun day! Seeing all the kids, and all the grandsons! Gotta get myself ready for the day - hope everyone has a good day!!
Mornin' AP - Is your mom up to adoption of another kid, or is she stuck on the "only" notion as we are? I adore her! Wishing her the best for Tuesday! My unsolicited advise?...take a xanax yourself to get Mrs. Arse through this, forgo all pasta, and have that marvelous son of yours drive you both to the appointment ;-D
AP, I loved your "I'm old" post yesterday. It made me cackle. I feel the same way. I've become such an old lady driver and truly don't understand why everyone else is in such a hurry.
Karen, your Mom story was so sweet. I want to be in your family too. You guys seem so close and loving and have so much fun.
Dinner last night went well. Food was just okay, but the company was good. On a last minute impulse, I sprinkled some crushed red pepper in the pasta before I baked it, and I think it was a little overpowering. But they ate it. The peanut butter pie was well received. Oh, and Robin, I made the pioneer woman olive cheese bread and served it with appetizers, and they LOVED it. Thanks for the tip on that!
The purpose of the dinner was for me to meet my friend's new girlfriend. I liked her, but didn't love her. She's very young. She's 25 and my friend is 31. Apparently all 25 year olds aren't as mature as our dear Corinne. (You're 24 right, Corinne?) She was very nice though; brought me flowers. Hopefully I will grow to love her, because my friend is really really smitten.
I talked myself out of going to work today -- cause I'm a loser that way -- and am vegging so far. Haven't started cleaning up from dinner last night. Slovenly is how I roll, sadly.
I'm finishing up some work before I spend the day with the kids. This is unfortunate, because all I really feel like doing is shampooing the carpets and the couch. Since they were still in their pajamas from Friday night when I got home last night, I'm assuming Mr. BD did not take them out yesterday. They are going to get obnoxious if they don't do something.
My SIL did take it well. The first time he met my mom was pretty funny too. He came to the house and then we left to go on a picnic. When I got to the car I discovered that I didn't bring the blanket. He offered to go back in and get it - when he walked in the front door my mother was bending over taking off her panty hose after church... Poor guy, he came back out white as a sheet!
I'm trying to watch a French subtitled movie and am having trouble concentrating. I think I need something easier. Maybe I'll watch Sex in the City for the 1000th time.
BD, do you have your own carpet cleaning machine? Do you rent one?
Sandy- My father never hears anything we tell him. Or, more precisely, he starts listening then somehow starts thinking about something else and it's like no one else is there. It's kinda funny sometimes because we start asking him questions about things we just said and he tries to answer with something we said over 10 min. before. Then we mock him. Hehe. :D
SW- I'm 20, almost 21 :)(Thanks for the compliment, btw) :)
I'm glad to hear the dinner went well. It's a good thing that you liked her- even if you did not love her. Because, that means you can at least be around her and that's nice for your friend :)
It might be easier to watch the movie in French with the English subtitles. That way, you *have to read the subtitles to understand the movie and that helps you learn the language faster.
I did that with American movies (watching in English/reading subtitles in French or Dutch) and I think it helped me improve my English-speaking skills :)
Sorry to be confusing, Corinne, the movie is French with English subtitles. Do you like French cinema? Given your dislike of the French and all. This movie is A Christmas Tale, with Catherine Deneuve.
Good lord, you're only twenty years old? That's crazy!
SW- I'm not a fan of French cinema. Sometimes there will be a French movie I really, really enjoy (A very long engagement, The fabulous destiny of Amelie Poulain, Officer's ward) but overall I think the quality of their cinema is...well, not good. ;-)
Sounds like you've become comfortable with the crock pot, FT! I'm watching The Abyss (for about the 25th time) and slowly cleaning up dinner mess. And working on one of the cats with the Furminator. Spring shedding has begun!
You've already had the time change? It's not for another two weeks here. I'm dreading it. I *love the Fall time change but the Spring one? I hate, hate, hate it!
Corinne, that looks like an amazing movie, and based on a true story, wow! Doesn't look like it's a new release, and I checked Blockbuster online and it doesn't appear to be an available title. Damn, I would have liked to have seen it. Chapters carries it and I'm going to be there on Tuesday with the boys for a March Break activity, so I'm going to try to get a copy.
Corinne, it really is. I can't remember if it had English subtitles when I saw it, I'm thinking not if it was part of a French class, I wonder how I'd enjoy watching it again? Hmmm... wonder where I can secure a copy of Manon des Sources. Maybe eBay? Going to go check it out.
FT- I think you'd enjoy watching it again :) Have you seen 'Joyeux Noël!? Ok, it has nothing to do with Manon des Sources but it's one of the few French movies I really loved. I think you'd like it!
I had completely forgotten that Depardieu was in this. Found a Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources set on eBay. I'm intrigued enough to watch it again, although I don't think I saw Jean de Florette.
CK: no worries! I think I want to watch Jean de Florette too, I have no recollection of watching it and I think I'll watch it before Manon des Sources this time. That's very generous of you though to offer, if I ever get stuck and think you can help I will ask you, thanks again though!
It looks like I can get both on eBay for $20 including shipping, if I ever teach high school French that would be a good movie to show too.
I'm having a rough day CK, your offer lifted my spirits a bit. Thanks.
Facebook can be revealing. I joined the FB group, "Let Constance Take her Girlfriend to the Prom!" And a friend of mine who is a Southern Baptist left two comments:
Comment 1: Oh please! Comment 2: let's treat her like a hero...insert sarcasm here...
Hi all, is it me or did none of CK's links but for that last one? CK, is the dapple doxie yours? He's really cute and that's a big deal coming from a bnon-dog lover. ;-)
SW, re: Constance, what is the big deal letting her take her girlfriend? I just don't understand. To my recollection, major, nauseating public displays of affection aren't allowed at prom anyway, so it can't be that. It's not like this girlfriend is a secret either, obviously. What possible harm can it do? Not to mention, these kids are all soon to be college students and/or employees, where this is becoming more and more common. Since they won't be able to ban fellow college students and employees, are they just going to not go to college or work? That all said, I will say that the rules *did clearly state dates had to be of the opposite sex and so, for now, the school is within its rights for refusing to let her come with the girlfriend but the whole broader picture is what disturbs me. Why is this such a problem for people?
PS, minus a kid for one more night. I refuse to think about what all he may be doing over there. Have wineglass, will shed the bra, and be happy. ;-)
Oh, and SW, tell your friend Constance *is a hero to some of us gay folk. I wish I'd had that courage at her age.
A quick consultation with everyone having dinner here tomorrow led to the conclusion none of us are really in the mood for corned beef. As a result, a huge crockpot of lamb stew will be cranked up in the morning. I believe I will make fried cabbage and green tinted beer bread to go with it. Easy-peasy and very Irish. In return for cooking, everyone has to watch Billy Elliot with me. Again. :-D
I don't understand either, AP. I get that some Christians think homosexuality is a sin. What I don't get is why some of them treat it as a much *bigger sin than other sins. Such that they devote so much time, effort and energy in fighting to keep homosexuals from having basic civil rights.
Gluttony is a sin, but if I'd joined the group, "Let Constance eat her pie," I doubt my friend would have had a problem with it. Er, maybe a bad example.
AP, I responded to her comment with, " I'm not suggesting she be treated like a hero. I just think she should be treated like everybody else." And by that I mean that everybody else gets to take their date of choice to the prom.
Reading backwards, thank you again for all the good wishes for Miss Arse. BD, thank you a extra bunch for appreciating her so much. She was not always like this so I'm really loving how she's mellowed and stopped taking herself so seriously with age and with my dad gone. That sounds awful, I know, but she's more relaxed with him gone.
"Gluttony is a sin, but if I'd joined the group, "Let Constance eat her pie," I doubt my friend would have had a problem with it. Er, maybe a bad example."
Heeeee! But I do agree...I saw nothing about unwed mothers not being allowed to come. Or products of unwed mothers, for that matter. I saw nothing about those who had ever been arrested not being allowed to come. And your response to your friend was *perfect.
Was just reading the local news and found this story. What a cool idea! I'd be inclined to go to one of these...hmmm. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100314/NEWS01/3140324/In-Brevard-beer-faith-go-hand-in-hand
AP: thanks AP, the weather may be messing with me. Still rainy and gloomy. Maybe I should take some Vitamin D.
The links all worked for me, adorable dogs. My kids really want a dog and I love dogs but I know it would be all (feeding, walking, cleaning, vet) for me, so for now, no. I think dachshunds are adorable though, that would be a breed I'd definitely consider one day.
I am the one, yes. It sucks and I'd be happy to switch places if I could. Florida is a bad, bad place for me to be but I'm stuck here for now.
Have they made any progress in naming him? Because, really, it's important to give your kid a name you love but far more important that they actually hear that name being spoken. It took my folks a week and I thought that was awful.
I think it *will be harder the longer it goes on. When my oldest was born, we didn't know he'd be a boy although we did have our boy name ready. Still, we had been calling him "the baby" for so long that his name felt awkward and we often called him the baby well into the first few months. With our second, we knew we were having a boy at about 16 weeks and we picked a name soon after that. So we called him by his name the whole time and the transition wasn't so hard.
Right now I'm watching Big Mac: Inside the McDonalds Empire (documentary). There's a tonne of money right there.
Corned beef was good, but you know, it's corned beef :) I'm actually happier to eat it as leftovers, but Jay loves meat and potatoes in any combo, so he was thrilled. Oz got a taste, and then I found him eating some cabbage leaves out of the trash. I can't imagine how bad his toots will be tonight.
I have a slight headache, so I'll mostly lurk tonight. And finish up the laundry...my life is so exciting!
Hello! Had to scratch the corned beef for tonight - got started on dinner too late. Tomorrow night it is.
FT - I'll take a picture of the package so you can take it to your butcher and ask them about it. I can't imagine they don't have it in CA. Maybe it's just called something else. I'll post it on my blog tonight or tomorrow. Yay for seeing Shortround. Boo he doesn't have a name. Legally don't they have to give him a name soon?
Bella - I'm sending you some $$ and I was hoping you could buy me a powerball ticket :P
AP - I bet Miss Arse is glad she has you. I love hearing about you two and your relationship :)
Here they have 30 days to name the baby. At our first visit at his house, I had bought this card and I did not know what the heck to write in it, I needed to write his name. So I instructed my kids to each pick a side of the inside of the card, and each write a message starting, "Dear Shortround". What else could I do?
I bought a Shortround figure on eBay and can't wait to receive it so that I can give it to him. This is partly amusing, I guess.
We were never able to determine for sure if Jake was a boy or girl with enough certainty to make anyone okay calling "boy". We still went into it with a plan and he was named right away. Over 2 weeks? I do not get. Surely he "looks" like one of the names by now.
CK: the last I heard, they had 3 names, and before he was born eliminated one of them. Of the 2 left, she likes one, he likes one. They are both nice. I happen to prefer the one she likes. Now it is my understanding that they have brought the eliminated name back into the mix plus added at least one more that I know of.
The thing is that they want a first name and a second name, so when they had 2 names what could have been easier? Choose the order of it using rock paper scissors, whatever! Now I believe they are looking at 4 names. I don't even ask anymore.
A cousin texted me a few days ago, and the email started something like this: Hey, listen I'm kind of scared to ask XXX directly, any news with the name?
Why should he be scared to ask my brother directly? He's about 12 years older than my brother for God's sake. But really I do know why, because the last time I asked he got snippy with me and really pissed me off and I ignored him for a couple of days. So when I get those texts I respond, me too, I don't know, ask him yourself.
As to what name he looks like, let me think, I have just never thought of that. I would say that the name that would suit him the most would be the eliminated name. Damn. I like the name SIL liked, esp the nicknames.
CK: yes, now that you mention it. And they are always, always (did I say always?) late. To everything. Really late, like an hour. Their wedding started late. Their baby was late. When they should be on their way to my house they'll be home cooking whatever it is they're supposed to bring.
FT - I'm with Bella. Pull it out of the hat! I really don't care for my daughter's name, but it was the only one we could semi-agree on. Sometimes you just gotta go with it!
Lindsay - I'm feeling better - just run down but it was a beautiful day outside so we spent most of our day outside and even ate lunch/dinner outside.
FT - I'm sorry. That was the good thing about being a single mom - it was all my decision. It took me forever to decide on a name once I knew it was a boy.
Can I say that I am excited that I get my bed all to myself tonight :)
Full and tired. I made this last minute brown sugar/teriyaki glaze for a pork loin; I cut little slits into the meat and stuffed them with fresh garlic and fresh ginger, minced together. So good.
FT: I have what might be a really dumb question, but bear with me here. You said Shortround has his Korean name already. Why can't his Korean name be his legal name?
Hi Kristin! Hope LM is getting better. Jealous of you having the bed all to yourself tonight...I would kick my bed mate out, but he is keeping me warm atm - we have to replace our heatpump and furnace; big drain on the old emergency funds :*(
My SIL has a Korean name too but like many Asians, she chooses to go by an Western type name, I have never heard her Korean name even her parents and brother use her Western name. So even though my darling Shortround is (Bi-Ho) Flying Tiger (third of the five names he'll have) he'd end up choosing a Western name anyway.
I had to look up the email from my brother to remember that it was Flying Tiger. I think I might have mentioned here before that it was White Tiger. Damn. The kid only has the 1 name so far and I can't even remember it.
Hi CK and FT! My sister was given a pink slip on Thursday from the elementary school where she teaches French. They want to go with Spanish. At least she's going to Paris for Spring Break this week with her high school class...I would love such a vacation, even if I had to be the chaperone as she will...
Amy: Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. Can they just lay her off like that? Don't they have to place her in another school in the same board? Is she unionized?
It is a Catholic school, and a very new one in a growing area of the Archdiocese. She was only teaching there part time; like two days a week. There is a lot of turmoil in that parish right now, and the school is bearing the brunt of the upheaval. She is also teaching at a Catholic high school in our city, so she is not completely unemployed, just underemployed in the fall. I do not think they have the same unions/groups as public schools in the city, since they are private.
I use the Tastefully Simple knock off recipe, it's really good.
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer 3 cups self-rising flour 3 tablespoons white sugar
Just mix the flour and sugar together first, then add the beer. Put in a loaf pan. Then I usually pour one or two melted pats of butter over the top...naughty! Bake at 350 for about an hour.
Amy, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. That stinks! I know private schools are having a tough time with the economy - a lot of parents can't afford them anymore.
FT - in Minnesota, private school teachers are not part of a union. They are paid less than public school teachers.
If you teach in a public school, you are in the union, and once you have tenure, you are protected by a very prescribed, lengthy disciplinary process if the school wants to let you go. Unless, they are letting you go due to budget cuts. Then, they must do it based on number of years in the district.
First the non-tenured teachers are let go, then move to tenured, starting with those with the least number of years in the school district (which is like your school board).
Bella, that's the recipe I use only mine calls for baking the bread without the melted butter for 43 (??) minutes, then rubbing half a stick of butter on the loaf, letting the heat melt it as you rub. Pop it back into the oven for 5 minutes. The end results are probably about the same.
Also if you don't have self-rising flour (I never buy it), add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to every cup of regular flour. Same thing.
Thanks for the conversion info, AP...I just realized we only have all purpose flour...not self rising...was googling wth I could do to make it levitate on its own!
Bella: I've never made bread before is that all there is to it? Even though the flour is self-rising don't you have to add yeast? I'm pretty sure my mother always does, that Fleishmann stuff like granules.
CK: we don't have "tenure" at the elementary level. I remember having profs in university who were tenured. Whether this happens at the high school level I don't know, I should ask my SIL. So if the job at my school becomes obsolete (or partially obsolete as was my case putting me in two schools) the teacher with least seniority loses (again, me) and they try first to put you in your family of schools, or the closest one within the same board. If there's no spots at all (unlikely) I guess they could lay me off. But what would probably happen in this scenario would be a hiring freeze vs. layoffs although I guess if they had to they would, again by seniority.
I am pretty flexible what I can teach due to the courses I have so I think I'm safe, even if it is (annoying) in 2 schools or more.
Note: this is my baby sister, the one who lives with my mom in my parent's house. Yes, it is sad that they are giving her the boot from the one elementary, but she is not married, has no kids, and has a roof over her head no matter what. She's the baby, gotta love her...as they said on that dinosaur show from the 80s/90s. She will be fine, it was just a great big whinefest for her earlier today. :) I feel bad for her, but she is young and I'm fairly certain that the hs she works for will expand her load since she's not with the elementary in the fall.
FT. you don't need yeast. For this bread, that's all there is to it. Super easy. The flavor will change slightly according to the beer you choose but the end result is always good.
Amy, let us know how you like it!
"homemade dill spread"
Bella, I love dill anything. How do you make this?
Yes, please explain this homemade dill spread...I have dried dill weed, but no fresh dill as I have been a slacker and not gone to the grocery in the last few days. We're using Sierra Nevada and I am waiting impatiently on the process to finish. I want beer bread NOW.
I'm actually starting to feel better. not as exhuasted.
So question for you ladies out there. Little man sometimes doesn't say goodbye when he leaves my mom's house and refuses to give hugs. She always gets her feelings hurt and says she is going to find another grandson, etc. I try to make him, tell him he hurt Mimi's feelings and that it is good manners to say goodbye and thank you. Tonight it just wasn't happening.
Hey Bella. We are doing good. Taylor is still Taylor. She isn't letting a little thing like heart failure keep her down.
Kristin...my grandson was like that. His other nana was constantly asking for hugs and saying he didn't love her an the like. I always acted like it was no big deal. He now is very affectionate with me on his own.
As hard as it might be, your mom shouldn't take it personally. Some kids just need to decide when to hug and stuff on their own. But that was just our personal experience.
Bella - that was funny. I loved Flip a baby. Lord!
Kristin - I just don't know. On one hand, I think if you just ignore the behavior he'll quit making an issue out of it. But on the other hand I don't think you do the kids any favors if you don't tell them it's rude and not acceptable not to say goodbye. I'd push the goodbye issue, but maybe not the hugging issue. My niece is kind of the same way (although she's almost 6). My mom let her out of hugging but absolutely makes her say goodbye. It's kind of a compromise, I guess.
Kristin, again, *no experience with this, but does it happen at the end of the day? I know that I get overstimulated, "touched-out", at the end of a long day. Maybe it's something like that?
Thanks Dawn! This is really his only grandma. usually he is really good about giving everyone hugs and kisses but at times he doesn't, I'm trying to teach him manners and that it is polite to say thank you and give hugs. It does bother me that she says that though.
and since I didn't refresh - thanks everyone else.
He said he was going to call her and tell her sorry and thank you but when he did, he only mumbled.
Oh well.
It kinda was at the end of the day Bella - he fell asleep over there and I finally woke him up so we could go home. He was a bit crabby but I still wished I could have gotten him to say goodbye. He usually warms up and as we drive out he will say goodbye, not today though.
Kristin, he might just be sad about leaving her and doesn't know how to express it properly yet. That said, I hated forced and expected hugs and kisses as a kid and still do now. If he's not feeling it, he's not feeling it. I say teach him to "thank you" politely and wave goodbye, then call it good. I can't begin to tell you how much I *hate* the whole "I'm going to find another grandson" thing. That's just mean at his age and who wants to hug someone who finds you so replaceable? Not me, I know.
We went and got his haircut yesterday at Wal-mart - and he knew we were going to my sister's baby shower - after the haircut I had to pick up a few things, he ran to the flowers and said "I want to get this for Nana's baby!" and then said I want to say happy birthday to Nana's baby. It was really cute.
He just wasn't feeling it. I won't try to force him into the hug thing, although he usually is really good at giving them but will try to get him to at least say goodbye.
CK, I knew what you meant. I feel the same way about sharing when it comes to kids. I don't want to be *expected to share my car or jewelry with friends or the children of people my mom may know and have over just because someone else wants to use them. Why do we expect kids to share their valuable possessions unless they feel called to do so?
I use cooking as my therapy. If a recipe calls for fresh herbs, I will get and use them unless the cooking method negates the freshness factor (crockpot cooking is one thing I will always use dry herbs, no matter what). I am putting fresh dill on the list now that I have Bella's recipe; but basil, rosemary, and parsley are always on my list.
I have an unhealthy addiction to cooking blogs and cookbooks. JM is my big mommyblogging vice. I am in awe of some of the food bloggers cuisine and photos. Forget ultra aquamarine blue baby eyes ala JM...I adore a food blog where you can *see the food on your screen and it's as if it is sitting in front of you on a plate.
OK. I have come out to you all now. I am a food blog junkie. And I don't care who knows. We like to cook and eat here; a lot, A LOT!
ROFL! Amy, you're alright, you know that? I may not be a fresh-herb buyer and for the record, I don't consider fresh parsley and herb, it's a salad staple, but the whole "cooking as therapy" thing? I totally get. I'm not a food blog whore but I'm a grocery store whore and buy all sorts of things on impulse, then come home and google what to do with them if I'm totally clueless. I'm happiest cooking so this all makes sense to me. :-)
Kristin, it's just normal worrying any mom does when her upper-teenage son is away from home for a few days, especially with just friends. We've been texting off and on all evening and he's fine. They just left Megacon a bit ago and want to just hang out (probably translates to drink, if I'm all painfully honest) tonight. He'll be home in the late morning but yeah, I'm still a mom and he's still my baby so there's a little normal worry.
AP, you called me a food blog whore, I had to recover from that before I posted...I couldn't stop giggling! I started cooking for fun and therapy a while ago...grocery shopping is my favorite kind of shopping.
Bella, I have a list of favorite food blogs...like 15-20 I check regularly. I can't pick a favorite, that would be like picking a favorite child! I have a collection of cookbooks that I like to read, too. I might have a problem. The bread is almost done and smells *REALLY good.
Bella, we would grow herbs at home but our cats would eat them and get sick if we had them inside. We have not had much luck leaving plants outside, either. Neither one of us have much of a green thumb, I'm afraid.
Sandy- I am curious about that, too. A friend of mine has a daughter in 7th grade and they just taught her the basics, but never make them actually use it.
Sandy, not a teacher here but I've got an 18 year old who might suffocate if told to write a sentence in cursive. That said, I can write it but I don't and haven't since I could get away with not. I write print (is that the proper way to say it?) and don't even do that well since I use only capitals. Jake learned cursive in 4th grade, the first year I put him in public school, but he's always sucked at it and frankly, I don't care. Much like knowing how to read analog clock, its days are numbered. I know, I'm not helping, am I?
Sandy, it's not part of the curriculum so it's not mandated here. I have to print the date for my Grade 7 French class because some cannot read cursive writing. I don't know what the issue is,my 6 year old and 10 year old both can read cursive.
I have taught cursive (when providing planning time for a teacher she chooses what I teach and she chose cursive writing, God bless her heart) to Grade 3 students. I have never seen my Grade 5 son bring anything cursive until this year, and he brought *that home recently. A photocopied booklet for him to practice cursive one letter at a time and then link letters together. Surprisingly, even though his printing is horrific, his cursive is pretty. I was pretty sure he'd brought home someone else's duotang since there was no name on it and it was just too neat from what I've seen of his writing.
I think kids can learn cursive in Grade 3, and I think they should. It's popular belief, I think, that some consider cursive writing to be a dead or dying skill like telling time on an analog clock. I'd be sad to see both go.
It just amazes me that they are not learning cursive. My daughter can barely and I mean barely write her name in cursive. I was just curious because everything they do is in print. My daughter has an IEP and due to motor skill issues has permission to do assignments on the computer which is fine. Her current teacher keeps saying she doesn't want Caitlyn to rely on the computer because she needs to learn to write. Huh? Well then don't you think maybe they should teach it.
Analog clock, we learned that in 1st or 2nd grade. She has no clue.
But what is the *point of cursive? I get the point of being able to print and I get being able to sign your name in cursive to make it more individual for ID purposes, *maybe, but why do we need to know how to write in cursive anymore? Now, here's my stupid question of the day - do other languages use cursive or is it strictly an English thing?
Everyone is welcome! The only real rules here are no spamming shit and no posting personal addresses, phone numbers or other similar info. I don't need that kind of stress. That's it, although it could change if someone gets creative or something. If you don't like what is said here, you can: 1) Say so; 2) Hold it in and stew on it; 3. Address it privately to the person who said it; 4) Snark about it to your friends; 5) Leave. Don't bother me with it, I don't care and I won't get involved. I might, however, talk about you behind your back or post your email/message to me on here. *grins*
Them's the rules...all of them.
Have fun!
245 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 245 Newer› Newest»Thanks for the positive thoughts for Miss Arse, y'all. She's still nervous as hell this morning but she's just going to have to take a Xanax or something. She's made at me now because I told her that once she could see again, she might find she wanted to do some repainting and redecorating. ;-) I figured getting her mad might take her mind of being scared.
Taiya, congrats on your girl's big first night!
Good morning, everyone!
Morning! Figures the first day of Daylight Savings is the day after we worked for 15 hours at my mom's!!! The move went well, she was all settled in, unpacked, set up - and after 2 glasses of wine (for her) relaxing as we left! Had a good time really - hanging with my mom, my sister and Patti - lots and lots of laughing! and we all worked well together, fun times! As we were taking out some collapsed boxes my sister had borrowed, my mom and I were in the elevator, and its a LONG story - but we were laughing SO hard about these dumb boxes falling out of the grocery cart that I was using, and had to stack them all in the elevator, my mom had her dog, it was a "funny but you had to be there moment" and as I had tears running down my face from laughing I look at my mom who is bent over in the elevator - laughing so hard she PEED her pants!! I started laughing even harder, then she had to go through telling my sister, and Patti - OMG it was funny! still giggling this morning! Patti asked her WHY she peed, she said I had half a glass of wine... Patti looks at her and said you had a half of glass - she's eyeing me cause she knows she had more - my mom says "half a glass TOO MANY" and the laughing again starts!!! Fun times with the mom!! I think she will be very very happy in her new apartment even though there are some weird old people there! I don't love old people... unless I'm related or know them really well, and some of them are.... questionable!!
Pastor Bob's story reminds me of the first time my husband met my brother and his wife - we went to a bar-b-que at their house. My husband went to the bathroom and when he came out I was standing in the hallway bent over playing with my nephew and he palmed my butt - too bad it wasn't me it was my SIL. Welcome to the family!
I'm off for a while again today - have to move a desk out of my mom's old apartment that she is giving us - cause we gave her our smaller one, and moving a patio table and chairs from my mom that she's giving to my son and DIL - and then Megan and Ang are going to go to the movies together, and we are watching Tay and Riley - should be a fun day! Seeing all the kids, and all the grandsons! Gotta get myself ready for the day - hope everyone has a good day!!
That video is too funny.
Margaret, no we don't dress up. The kids will get more candy than they do at Halloween though.
Margaret, that's a cute story...did your SIL take it well?
Karen, I want to be a part of your family! Got room for one more? Ehh, two more?
Mornin'
AP - Is your mom up to adoption of another kid, or is she stuck on the "only" notion as we are? I adore her! Wishing her the best for Tuesday! My unsolicited advise?...take a xanax yourself to get Mrs. Arse through this, forgo all pasta, and have that marvelous son of yours drive you both to the appointment ;-D
Why do men not answer their own children? Why does it take 50 million "Dad" calls before they answer? Just wondering.
Good morning everyone. Or *afternoon because of the stupid time change. Ugh.
AP, I missed what's going on with your mom but I hope everything is ok!
Karen, moving sucks. I have moved 29 times in my 25 years and I'm sure there are probably a couple I forgot about.
I'm off to grocery shop for the grands. Yall try and behave yourselves.
Morning all!
AP, I loved your "I'm old" post yesterday. It made me cackle. I feel the same way. I've become such an old lady driver and truly don't understand why everyone else is in such a hurry.
Karen, your Mom story was so sweet. I want to be in your family too. You guys seem so close and loving and have so much fun.
Dinner last night went well. Food was just okay, but the company was good. On a last minute impulse, I sprinkled some crushed red pepper in the pasta before I baked it, and I think it was a little overpowering. But they ate it. The peanut butter pie was well received. Oh, and Robin, I made the pioneer woman olive cheese bread and served it with appetizers, and they LOVED it. Thanks for the tip on that!
The purpose of the dinner was for me to meet my friend's new girlfriend. I liked her, but didn't love her. She's very young. She's 25 and my friend is 31. Apparently all 25 year olds aren't as mature as our dear Corinne. (You're 24 right, Corinne?) She was very nice though; brought me flowers. Hopefully I will grow to love her, because my friend is really really smitten.
Taiya, what a man clean up after himself? Never going to happen here.
Margaret, that is a funny story!
Taiya, I'm proud that your daughter stayed the night!
AP:
I love Miss Arse. Seriously. I love when post about her.
Hi, everyone else. :)
Hi BD! Miss Arse is definitely awesome. I'm happy she's getting the surgery.
That is, I love when YOU, AP, post about her.
What a great MIL you have, SW.
LOL I'm truly lucky BD!
I talked myself out of going to work today -- cause I'm a loser that way -- and am vegging so far. Haven't started cleaning up from dinner last night. Slovenly is how I roll, sadly.
I'm finishing up some work before I spend the day with the kids. This is unfortunate, because all I really feel like doing is shampooing the carpets and the couch. Since they were still in their pajamas from Friday night when I got home last night, I'm assuming Mr. BD did not take them out yesterday. They are going to get obnoxious if they don't do something.
My SIL did take it well. The first time he met my mom was pretty funny too. He came to the house and then we left to go on a picnic. When I got to the car I discovered that I didn't bring the blanket. He offered to go back in and get it - when he walked in the front door my mother was bending over taking off her panty hose after church... Poor guy, he came back out white as a sheet!
LOL Margaret!
I'm trying to watch a French subtitled movie and am having trouble concentrating. I think I need something easier. Maybe I'll watch Sex in the City for the 1000th time.
BD, do you have your own carpet cleaning machine? Do you rent one?
Sandy- My father never hears anything we tell him. Or, more precisely, he starts listening then somehow starts thinking about something else and it's like no one else is there. It's kinda funny sometimes because we start asking him questions about things we just said and he tries to answer with something we said over 10 min. before. Then we mock him. Hehe. :D
SW- I'm 20, almost 21 :)(Thanks for the compliment, btw) :)
I'm glad to hear the dinner went well. It's a good thing that you liked her- even if you did not love her. Because, that means you can at least be around her and that's nice for your friend :)
SW- re:the French subtitled movie
It might be easier to watch the movie in French with the English subtitles. That way, you *have to read the subtitles to understand the movie and that helps you learn the language faster.
I did that with American movies (watching in English/reading subtitles in French or Dutch) and I think it helped me improve my English-speaking skills :)
Sorry to be confusing, Corinne, the movie is French with English subtitles. Do you like French cinema? Given your dislike of the French and all. This movie is A Christmas Tale, with Catherine Deneuve.
Good lord, you're only twenty years old? That's crazy!
SW- I'm not a fan of French cinema. Sometimes there will be a French movie I really, really enjoy (A very long engagement, The fabulous destiny of Amelie Poulain, Officer's ward) but overall I think the quality of their cinema is...well, not good. ;-)
Let me know if you liked 'A Christmas tale'!
What about Swimming Pool, Corinne? I really liked that movie.
SW - I liked 'Swimming pool' but didn't love it. I'm not a fan of François Ozon's movies ;-)
Have you seen '8 femmes'. You might like that!
I'm logging off for a little while. BBL!
I haven't seen that movie, Corinne, but I remember reading Ebert's review of it and thinking I needed to see it. Lot of good actresses in it!
Oh my goodness, I'm old enough to be Corinne's mother.
Good morning!
Morning FT! I'm almost old enough to be her grandmother, so don't feel bad.
Crockpotting ribs and tidying up again today. What's everyone up to?
AP: poor Miss Arse. Hope the appointment runs smoothly.
Boo to the time change. Boo!
Hope everyone has had a good weekend so far! I am starting my corned beef at 3 today. 50 min per pound for a four pound slab of delicious.
We saw Alice In Wonderland yesterday. I loved it, but I love pretty much anything that Tim Burton does. I loved the Cheshire Cat and the March Hare.
AP, sorry to hear about Miss Arse. I think you are right though, if she goes through with the cataract surgery, it will do wonders for her.
Sounds like you've become comfortable with the crock pot, FT! I'm watching The Abyss (for about the 25th time) and slowly cleaning up dinner mess. And working on one of the cats with the Furminator. Spring shedding has begun!
Hi Bella! I second your Boo.
Hi SW :)
I'm boycotting cleaning today. I just did the kitchen, and will do laundry. I feel no motivation, so I am going to go with it.
You've already had the time change? It's not for another two weeks here. I'm dreading it. I *love the Fall time change but the Spring one? I hate, hate, hate it!
I'm feeling out of sorts too with this time change. Rainy here today (again). Not helping me feel productive.
FT- Sorry you're feeling out of sorts :(
OT- Have any of you seen the movie 'Desert flower'? It comes out in theaters in Belgium Wednesday and I think I'm going to see it.
Cold and windy here today. I'm glad I got my shopping done yesterday. I don't think I will make it out of the house today, and that is fine by me!
My husband just took the kids to the St. Patty's parade. Hoping the sun comes out. Corned beef and cabbage day. I wish I could smell.
Corinne: haven't heard of it.
FT- Well, at least I know you haven't seen it;-)
Here's a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W3imc7BSzo
I read the book and it was really powerful.
Corinne, that looks like an amazing movie, and based on a true story, wow! Doesn't look like it's a new release, and I checked Blockbuster online and it doesn't appear to be an available title. Damn, I would have liked to have seen it. Chapters carries it and I'm going to be there on Tuesday with the boys for a March Break activity, so I'm going to try to get a copy.
Hi - to add to the French flick talk -
Jean de Florette, and the sequel Manon of the Spring.
Great character study, and a lesson in interconnectedness.
Yves Montand & Gérard Depardieu
Highly Recommended! Jean de Florette is from 1986 so it might be tough to find.
FT- If it's anything like the book (and it looks like it is) it must be a really powerful, thought-provoking movie!
It is so quiet here today!
CK- I've seen both of these movies! Ironically, I thought Jean de Florette was just OK but I loved 'Manon des sources'!
Manon des Sources, that movie I did see!
That takes me back a few years. Can't remember if I saw it in high school(graduated 1988) or university...
FT- It's a really nice movie, isn't it?
Corinne, it really is. I can't remember if it had English subtitles when I saw it, I'm thinking not if it was part of a French class, I wonder how I'd enjoy watching it again? Hmmm... wonder where I can secure a copy of Manon des Sources. Maybe eBay? Going to go check it out.
I found a combo DVD (Jean de Florette and Manon) on amazon or barnesandnoble.
You'd probably like to see Jean to learn the first part of the story.
They are both so good, but different.
FT,
If you'd like, I can loan you mine. My thank you for the pin.
FT- I think you'd enjoy watching it again :)
Have you seen 'Joyeux Noël!? Ok, it has nothing to do with Manon des Sources but it's one of the few French movies I really loved. I think you'd like it!
I had completely forgotten that Depardieu was in this. Found a Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources set on eBay. I'm intrigued enough to watch it again, although I don't think I saw Jean de Florette.
Here's a link to the imdb page of 'Joyeux Noël':
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424205/
FT - It'll be on it's way next week.
Corinne - I've added that one to our Netflix queue. Looks good!
CK: no worries! I think I want to watch Jean de Florette too, I have no recollection of watching it and I think I'll watch it before Manon des Sources this time. That's very generous of you though to offer, if I ever get stuck and think you can help I will ask you, thanks again though!
It looks like I can get both on eBay for $20 including shipping, if I ever teach high school French that would be a good movie to show too.
I'm having a rough day CK, your offer lifted my spirits a bit. Thanks.
Joyeux Noel looks interesting too.
CK: mail me your doxie?
Ooh - FT - I don't know that I could let him go. He's my unofficial therapy dog.
Perhaps another picture?
Rusty sends a snuggle, FT. Sorry it's a hard day.
The dog version of "Getting to Know You"
http://www.meetup.com/mndmad/photos/852550/#13640724
A dachshund smile for FT:
http://www.meetup.com/mndmad/photos/852550/#13641095
My doxie:
http://www.meetup.com/mndmad/photos/852550/#13641087
Oh, and "which one doesn't belong?"
http://www.meetup.com/mndmad/photos/852550/#13641103
Thanks, Rusty! And CK, those dachshund pictures made me smile!
CK: okay really before I go do something productive, did that dog's head explode? LOL!
Facebook can be revealing. I joined the FB group, "Let Constance Take her Girlfriend to the Prom!" And a friend of mine who is a Southern Baptist left two comments:
Comment 1: Oh please!
Comment 2: let's treat her like a hero...insert sarcasm here...
FT - back from a short nap.
Pomeranian - quite humorous, huh. It looked even odder in it's little RV sweater (yes, it had a ivory colored knit sweater just like RV).
Hi all, is it me or did none of CK's links but for that last one? CK, is the dapple doxie yours? He's really cute and that's a big deal coming from a bnon-dog lover. ;-)
SW, re: Constance, what is the big deal letting her take her girlfriend? I just don't understand. To my recollection, major, nauseating public displays of affection aren't allowed at prom anyway, so it can't be that. It's not like this girlfriend is a secret either, obviously. What possible harm can it do? Not to mention, these kids are all soon to be college students and/or employees, where this is becoming more and more common. Since they won't be able to ban fellow college students and employees, are they just going to not go to college or work? That all said, I will say that the rules *did clearly state dates had to be of the opposite sex and so, for now, the school is within its rights for refusing to let her come with the girlfriend but the whole broader picture is what disturbs me. Why is this such a problem for people?
PS, minus a kid for one more night. I refuse to think about what all he may be doing over there. Have wineglass, will shed the bra, and be happy. ;-)
None of Ck's links WORK but for the last one, I mean.
Yikes AP - and I tested them before I posted them. Let me see if I can make them a tiny url.
The longhaired red with lots of black highlights is mine. In the first three links.
Oh, and SW, tell your friend Constance *is a hero to some of us gay folk. I wish I'd had that courage at her age.
A quick consultation with everyone having dinner here tomorrow led to the conclusion none of us are really in the mood for corned beef. As a result, a huge crockpot of lamb stew will be cranked up in the morning. I believe I will make fried cabbage and green tinted beer bread to go with it. Easy-peasy and very Irish. In return for cooking, everyone has to watch Billy Elliot with me. Again. :-D
CK, I just tried them again and still a no-go. It could be me, though.
I don't understand either, AP. I get that some Christians think homosexuality is a sin. What I don't get is why some of them treat it as a much *bigger sin than other sins. Such that they devote so much time, effort and energy in fighting to keep homosexuals from having basic civil rights.
Gluttony is a sin, but if I'd joined the group, "Let Constance eat her pie," I doubt my friend would have had a problem with it. Er, maybe a bad example.
http://tinyurl.com/yl4smrc
http://tinyurl.com/yl6re77
http://tinyurl.com/ylrt7q4
How do these work?
Yes, the dapple is a cutie.
PS, minus a kid for one more night. I refuse to think about what all he may be doing over there. Have wineglass, will shed the bra, and be happy. ;-)
Enjoy!!! Raising my mug of French Roast at you. :::glaring at my bra and scrubs:::
AP, I responded to her comment with, " I'm not suggesting she be treated like a hero. I just think she should be treated like everybody else." And by that I mean that everybody else gets to take their date of choice to the prom.
The first links worked for me, CK. And your doggie is very cute!
AP, let me know if those work. I'm going to the gym.
Reading backwards, thank you again for all the good wishes for Miss Arse. BD, thank you a extra bunch for appreciating her so much. She was not always like this so I'm really loving how she's mellowed and stopped taking herself so seriously with age and with my dad gone. That sounds awful, I know, but she's more relaxed with him gone.
FT, sorry about the rough day...can we help?
"Gluttony is a sin, but if I'd joined the group, "Let Constance eat her pie," I doubt my friend would have had a problem with it. Er, maybe a bad example."
Heeeee! But I do agree...I saw nothing about unwed mothers not being allowed to come. Or products of unwed mothers, for that matter. I saw nothing about those who had ever been arrested not being allowed to come. And your response to your friend was *perfect.
CK, thanks for trying...the problem is obviously with me. "Your search - http://tinyurl.com/yl4smrc - did not match any documents."
Kaytie, how many more days until you're off?
Was just reading the local news and found this story. What a cool idea! I'd be inclined to go to one of these...hmmm.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100314/NEWS01/3140324/In-Brevard-beer-faith-go-hand-in-hand
SW - Your reply was perfect.
AP- Tuesday is last night of stretch. Speaking of stretching...gotta run. Will miss talking with y'all!
Miss you, too, Kaytie. Text me if someone famous comes in and dies or something. I've always wanted to be a "source". :-D
AP: thanks AP, the weather may be messing with me. Still rainy and gloomy. Maybe I should take some Vitamin D.
The links all worked for me, adorable dogs. My kids really want a dog and I love dogs but I know it would be all (feeding, walking, cleaning, vet) for me, so for now, no. I think dachshunds are adorable though, that would be a breed I'd definitely consider one day.
FT, the weather can definitely affect you, no doubt. I hope you get a big dose of sun tomorrow! I'll send you mine, even. ;-)
Any name for Shortround yet?
Thanks, AP. Were you the one with reverse-SAD? If so, definitely yes, we should just switch places.
Nope, no name yet. He was 2 week old last Friday. I hope to get to see him tomorrow since I have an app't in Toronto anyway.
I am the one, yes. It sucks and I'd be happy to switch places if I could. Florida is a bad, bad place for me to be but I'm stuck here for now.
Have they made any progress in naming him? Because, really, it's important to give your kid a name you love but far more important that they actually hear that name being spoken. It took my folks a week and I thought that was awful.
I think it *will be harder the longer it goes on. When my oldest was born, we didn't know he'd be a boy although we did have our boy name ready. Still, we had been calling him "the baby" for so long that his name felt awkward and we often called him the baby well into the first few months. With our second, we knew we were having a boy at about 16 weeks and we picked a name soon after that. So we called him by his name the whole time and the transition wasn't so hard.
Right now I'm watching Big Mac: Inside the McDonalds Empire (documentary). There's a tonne of money right there.
Good evening, all :)
Corned beef was good, but you know, it's corned beef :) I'm actually happier to eat it as leftovers, but Jay loves meat and potatoes in any combo, so he was thrilled. Oz got a taste, and then I found him eating some cabbage leaves out of the trash. I can't imagine how bad his toots will be tonight.
I have a slight headache, so I'll mostly lurk tonight. And finish up the laundry...my life is so exciting!
Hello! Had to scratch the corned beef for tonight - got started on dinner too late. Tomorrow night it is.
FT - I'll take a picture of the package so you can take it to your butcher and ask them about it. I can't imagine they don't have it in CA. Maybe it's just called something else. I'll post it on my blog tonight or tomorrow. Yay for seeing Shortround. Boo he doesn't have a name. Legally don't they have to give him a name soon?
Bella - I'm sending you some $$ and I was hoping you could buy me a powerball ticket :P
AP - I bet Miss Arse is glad she has you. I love hearing about you two and your relationship :)
AP,
Watching the public television special on Carol Burnett right now - I love her. Smart, silly, kind.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/carol-burnett/a-woman-of-character/90/
Let's see if that works!
FT,
Just wondering why your brother and SIL are having such a hard time deciding on a name?
Lindsay, thanks that would be great!
Here they have 30 days to name the baby. At our first visit at his house, I had bought this card and I did not know what the heck to write in it, I needed to write his name. So I instructed my kids to each pick a side of the inside of the card, and each write a message starting, "Dear Shortround". What else could I do?
I bought a Shortround figure on eBay and can't wait to receive it so that I can give it to him. This is partly amusing, I guess.
Ooooh, I love documentaries like that.
We were never able to determine for sure if Jake was a boy or girl with enough certainty to make anyone okay calling "boy". We still went into it with a plan and he was named right away. Over 2 weeks? I do not get. Surely he "looks" like one of the names by now.
At this point, FT, they should just put names in a hat and draw one.
Lindsay, I told Jay that I was going to re-do the kitchen with giveaway winnings :D
CK: the last I heard, they had 3 names, and before he was born eliminated one of them. Of the 2 left, she likes one, he likes one. They are both nice. I happen to prefer the one she likes. Now it is my understanding that they have brought the eliminated name back into the mix plus added at least one more that I know of.
The thing is that they want a first name and a second name, so when they had 2 names what could have been easier? Choose the order of it using rock paper scissors, whatever! Now I believe they are looking at 4 names. I don't even ask anymore.
A cousin texted me a few days ago, and the email started something like this: Hey, listen I'm kind of scared to ask XXX directly, any news with the name?
Why should he be scared to ask my brother directly? He's about 12 years older than my brother for God's sake. But really I do know why, because the last time I asked he got snippy with me and really pissed me off and I ignored him for a couple of days. So when I get those texts I respond, me too, I don't know, ask him yourself.
Hey ladies - I'm back. Been a long day.
Going to catch up but thought I'd say hi!
Dressed in the drapes....
AP and Bella: agreed.
As to what name he looks like, let me think, I have just never thought of that. I would say that the name that would suit him the most would be the eliminated name. Damn. I like the name SIL liked, esp the nicknames.
FT,
Do they often have difficulty making decisions?
CK: "dressed in the drapes": Carol Burnett as "Starlet"?? LOL!!!!
CK: yes, now that you mention it. And they are always, always (did I say always?) late. To everything. Really late, like an hour. Their wedding started late. Their baby was late. When they should be on their way to my house they'll be home cooking whatever it is they're supposed to bring.
FT - I'm with Bella. Pull it out of the hat! I really don't care for my daughter's name, but it was the only one we could semi-agree on. Sometimes you just gotta go with it!
Hey Kristin! How're you feeling?
Hi all.
Hi BD :) How are you tonight?
Lindsay - I'm feeling better - just run down but it was a beautiful day outside so we spent most of our day outside and even ate lunch/dinner outside.
FT - I'm sorry. That was the good thing about being a single mom - it was all my decision. It took me forever to decide on a name once I knew it was a boy.
Can I say that I am excited that I get my bed all to myself tonight :)
Full and tired. I made this last minute brown sugar/teriyaki glaze for a pork loin; I cut little slits into the meat and stuffed them with fresh garlic and fresh ginger, minced together. So good.
Kristin, Mr BD works at night. I LOVE having the bed all to myself 5 nights a week.
Although I'll be sleeping in the guest room tonight, because I steam cleaned my mattress today.
Bella, do I remember incorrectly, or did you go on a beer extravaganza this weekend?
FT: I have what might be a really dumb question, but bear with me here. You said Shortround has his Korean name already. Why can't his Korean name be his legal name?
I am apparently talking to myself. :) That's cool. I ask scintillating questions and give expert answers.
Hello everyone...I'm just jumping in and have no idea what is going on...but before I TRY to catch up, I thought I'd say hi...
We were going to, BD, but had to much to do at home. Real life getting in the way and all that.
Hey Amy!
Hey BD! Yes, I am thrilled! I like days where he closes and isn't home until 3 or so.
Hey BD! I hope A and M are well (and you, too)!
Hi Kristin! Hope LM is getting better. Jealous of you having the bed all to yourself tonight...I would kick my bed mate out, but he is keeping me warm atm - we have to replace our heatpump and furnace; big drain on the old emergency funds :*(
My SIL has a Korean name too but like many Asians, she chooses to go by an Western type name, I have never heard her Korean name even her parents and brother use her Western name. So even though my darling Shortround is (Bi-Ho) Flying Tiger (third of the five names he'll have) he'd end up choosing a Western name anyway.
I had to look up the email from my brother to remember that it was Flying Tiger. I think I might have mentioned here before that it was White Tiger. Damn. The kid only has the 1 name so far and I can't even remember it.
Poor little bug.
Hi CK and FT! My sister was given a pink slip on Thursday from the elementary school where she teaches French. They want to go with Spanish. At least she's going to Paris for Spring Break this week with her high school class...I would love such a vacation, even if I had to be the chaperone as she will...
Amy: Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. Can they just lay her off like that? Don't they have to place her in another school in the same board? Is she unionized?
::fuming::
Bella...do you have a beer bread recipe you'd be willing to share? I seem to recall you mentioning it at one point "somewhere else" perhaps?
Amy, I do have one. Let me go look for it.
FT,
It is a Catholic school, and a very new one in a growing area of the Archdiocese. She was only teaching there part time; like two days a week. There is a lot of turmoil in that parish right now, and the school is bearing the brunt of the upheaval. She is also teaching at a Catholic high school in our city, so she is not completely unemployed, just underemployed in the fall. I do not think they have the same unions/groups as public schools in the city, since they are private.
I use the Tastefully Simple knock off recipe, it's really good.
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
3 cups self-rising flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
Just mix the flour and sugar together first, then add the beer. Put in a loaf pan. Then I usually pour one or two melted pats of butter over the top...naughty! Bake at 350 for about an hour.
Beer and bread, is there anything better? lol
Thanks, Bella! We're going to try this tonight!
I hope you like it Amy :)
Carbs with more carbs...nothing better!
Amy,
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. That stinks! I know private schools are having a tough time with the economy - a lot of parents can't afford them anymore.
FT - in Minnesota, private school teachers are not part of a union. They are paid less than public school teachers.
If you teach in a public school, you are in the union, and once you have tenure, you are protected by a very prescribed, lengthy disciplinary process if the school wants to let you go. Unless, they are letting you go due to budget cuts. Then, they must do it based on number of years in the district.
First the non-tenured teachers are let go, then move to tenured, starting with those with the least number of years in the school district (which is like your school board).
Yes - FT - Starlett. Complete with drapery rod across her shoulders.
So, is this where everybody is now? I couldn't find the other blog (SIP) on my list anymore so I wasn't sure what happened.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Dawn!!!!! Yes, we are here.
Carol Burnett fans - Eunice was modeled after Carol's mother, who was quite bitter and unhappy.
Bella, that's the recipe I use only mine calls for baking the bread without the melted butter for 43 (??) minutes, then rubbing half a stick of butter on the loaf, letting the heat melt it as you rub. Pop it back into the oven for 5 minutes. The end results are probably about the same.
Also if you don't have self-rising flour (I never buy it), add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to every cup of regular flour. Same thing.
Hey CK!
WOW! Hey Dawn! How are you?
Amy - that sucks! I'm sorry.
Just got done playing monster with LM - almost bed time. I had the time change - little kids just don't understand.
DAWN!! *grabs Dawn and hugs her hard*
We're here and it is so good to see you!
CK, loving the whole Carol B. and drapes thing. :-)
Amy, I hate this for your sister a lot. I assume private schools are probably taking a big hit in this economy, no?
Good tip on the flour, AP. That is one of my favorite breads. So easy and so tasty. It goes great with homemade dill spread.
Dawn, nice to see you! How are you? How is the family?
Thanks for the conversion info, AP...I just realized we only have all purpose flour...not self rising...was googling wth I could do to make it levitate on its own!
Amy: I am very sorry to hear that.
Bella: I've never made bread before is that all there is to it? Even though the flour is self-rising don't you have to add yeast? I'm pretty sure my mother always does, that Fleishmann stuff like granules.
CK: we don't have "tenure" at the elementary level. I remember having profs in university who were tenured. Whether this happens at the high school level I don't know, I should ask my SIL. So if the job at my school becomes obsolete (or partially obsolete as was my case putting me in two schools) the teacher with least seniority loses (again, me) and they try first to put you in your family of schools, or the closest one within the same board. If there's no spots at all (unlikely) I guess they could lay me off. But what would probably happen in this scenario would be a hiring freeze vs. layoffs although I guess if they had to they would, again by seniority.
I am pretty flexible what I can teach due to the courses I have so I think I'm safe, even if it is (annoying) in 2 schools or more.
Hi Dawn, where ya been?
Hey Kristin. I'm good...finally getting some semblance of order going on in our life right now...well as much as anyone can have order.
I'm making time to just unwind and visit the blogs I want and chat with my friends. I've been guilty of not making an "me" time.
How's everyone else?
Oh, man, I love Eunice as much as I love Mr. Tuddball. Mama's Family was funny as hell for its time, too.
FT, I think something with the baking soda/beer bubbles makes it rise. Sort of like a soda bread.
I thought the time change would make me stay up later, but I am feeling sleepy already!
Whoops, maybe mom uses all-purpose. Never mind.
Note: this is my baby sister, the one who lives with my mom in my parent's house. Yes, it is sad that they are giving her the boot from the one elementary, but she is not married, has no kids, and has a roof over her head no matter what. She's the baby, gotta love her...as they said on that dinosaur show from the 80s/90s. She will be fine, it was just a great big whinefest for her earlier today. :) I feel bad for her, but she is young and I'm fairly certain that the hs she works for will expand her load since she's not with the elementary in the fall.
FT. you don't need yeast. For this bread, that's all there is to it. Super easy. The flavor will change slightly according to the beer you choose but the end result is always good.
Amy, let us know how you like it!
"homemade dill spread"
Bella, I love dill anything. How do you make this?
AP,
I'm trying to get a picture in my head of Miss Arse. Can you help?
If anyone has a spare three minutes, this is funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saqO_ZqX6uY
Yes, please explain this homemade dill spread...I have dried dill weed, but no fresh dill as I have been a slacker and not gone to the grocery in the last few days. We're using Sierra Nevada and I am waiting impatiently on the process to finish. I want beer bread NOW.
I'm actually starting to feel better. not as exhuasted.
So question for you ladies out there. Little man sometimes doesn't say goodbye when he leaves my mom's house and refuses to give hugs. She always gets her feelings hurt and says she is going to find another grandson, etc. I try to make him, tell him he hurt Mimi's feelings and that it is good manners to say goodbye and thank you. Tonight it just wasn't happening.
Any ideas?
AP, I use this one:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dill-Feta-and-Garlic-Cream-Cheese-Spread/Detail.aspx
I let it sit for a day or so in the fridge, it makes the flavor awesome.
Hey Bella. We are doing good. Taylor is still Taylor. She isn't letting a little thing like heart failure keep her down.
Kristin...my grandson was like that. His other nana was constantly asking for hugs and saying he didn't love her an the like. I always acted like it was no big deal. He now is very affectionate with me on his own.
As hard as it might be, your mom shouldn't take it personally. Some kids just need to decide when to hug and stuff on their own. But that was just our personal experience.
Amy said "dill weed". :D
Bella - that was funny. I loved Flip a baby. Lord!
Kristin - I just don't know. On one hand, I think if you just ignore the behavior he'll quit making an issue out of it. But on the other hand I don't think you do the kids any favors if you don't tell them it's rude and not acceptable not to say goodbye. I'd push the goodbye issue, but maybe not the hugging issue. My niece is kind of the same way (although she's almost 6). My mom let her out of hugging but absolutely makes her say goodbye. It's kind of a compromise, I guess.
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saqO_ZqX6uY"
Well, I was sad when that all ended.
"no fresh dill as I have been a slacker and not gone to the grocery in the last few days."
Yo get fresh dill every time you go to the grocery store? If so, I'm impressed and sort of in awe!
Kristin, again, *no experience with this, but does it happen at the end of the day? I know that I get overstimulated, "touched-out", at the end of a long day. Maybe it's something like that?
And hi Dawn! I haven't seen you in ages!
Thanks Dawn! This is really his only grandma. usually he is really good about giving everyone hugs and kisses but at times he doesn't, I'm trying to teach him manners and that it is polite to say thank you and give hugs. It does bother me that she says that though.
Oh well!
...that is what my spice bottle says, Bella! ;-)
I wonder if "dill weed" might be like a "root vegetable"? I might have to wiki this...
I feel like the second video Monday through Friday. Just me, screaming a day-long "F&#%".
***At the risk of being an accused husband hater, I call my hubs dill weed from time to time.***
I just remember that dill-weed was a put down, oh, about 5th grade or so. Along with dillhole.
and since I didn't refresh - thanks everyone else.
He said he was going to call her and tell her sorry and thank you but when he did, he only mumbled.
Oh well.
It kinda was at the end of the day Bella - he fell asleep over there and I finally woke him up so we could go home. He was a bit crabby but I still wished I could have gotten him to say goodbye. He usually warms up and as we drive out he will say goodbye, not today though.
Kristin, he might just be sad about leaving her and doesn't know how to express it properly yet. That said, I hated forced and expected hugs and kisses as a kid and still do now. If he's not feeling it, he's not feeling it. I say teach him to "thank you" politely and wave goodbye, then call it good. I can't begin to tell you how much I *hate* the whole "I'm going to find another grandson" thing. That's just mean at his age and who wants to hug someone who finds you so replaceable? Not me, I know.
Bella,
That video is funny and nasty in many ways.
Kristin,
Your mom should buck it up and not take it personally. Or at least not make it a big deal in front of LM. Let him come around on his own.
I'm with AP - a polite thank you and wave. But you can't make kids be affectionate. Why would you want to? It wouldn't be genuine.
I sounded nasty - not why would "you" as in Kristin want to. But why would the general "you" want to?
Evening, all!
Kristin- How old is LM, again? Isn't he quite young, yet?
I understood CK!
He really is a good kiddo.
We went and got his haircut yesterday at Wal-mart - and he knew we were going to my sister's baby shower - after the haircut I had to pick up a few things, he ran to the flowers and said "I want to get this for Nana's baby!" and then said I want to say happy birthday to Nana's baby. It was really cute.
He just wasn't feeling it. I won't try to force him into the hug thing, although he usually is really good at giving them but will try to get him to at least say goodbye.
Taiya - he is almost 3 1/3 - August is his b-day.
CK, I knew what you meant. I feel the same way about sharing when it comes to kids. I don't want to be *expected to share my car or jewelry with friends or the children of people my mom may know and have over just because someone else wants to use them. Why do we expect kids to share their valuable possessions unless they feel called to do so?
AP,
I use cooking as my therapy. If a recipe calls for fresh herbs, I will get and use them unless the cooking method negates the freshness factor (crockpot cooking is one thing I will always use dry herbs, no matter what). I am putting fresh dill on the list now that I have Bella's recipe; but basil, rosemary, and parsley are always on my list.
I have an unhealthy addiction to cooking blogs and cookbooks. JM is my big mommyblogging vice. I am in awe of some of the food bloggers cuisine and photos. Forget ultra aquamarine blue baby eyes ala JM...I adore a food blog where you can *see the food on your screen and it's as if it is sitting in front of you on a plate.
OK. I have come out to you all now. I am a food blog junkie. And I don't care who knows. We like to cook and eat here; a lot, A LOT!
Just finished watching Knocked Up. I love that movie.
AP - sorry you are worrying about jake - have you heard from him?
I too hope he is okay but it sounds like you have done a good job and I am sure he is fine.
ROFL! Amy, you're alright, you know that? I may not be a fresh-herb buyer and for the record, I don't consider fresh parsley and herb, it's a salad staple, but the whole "cooking as therapy" thing? I totally get. I'm not a food blog whore but I'm a grocery store whore and buy all sorts of things on impulse, then come home and google what to do with them if I'm totally clueless. I'm happiest cooking so this all makes sense to me. :-)
Amy, what is your favorite food blog? Also, have you thought about planting herbs at home?
My most favorite food blog is http://mattbites.com/ He is so funny. I love him.
Kristin, it's just normal worrying any mom does when her upper-teenage son is away from home for a few days, especially with just friends. We've been texting off and on all evening and he's fine. They just left Megacon a bit ago and want to just hang out (probably translates to drink, if I'm all painfully honest) tonight. He'll be home in the late morning but yeah, I'm still a mom and he's still my baby so there's a little normal worry.
AP, you called me a food blog whore, I had to recover from that before I posted...I couldn't stop giggling! I started cooking for fun and therapy a while ago...grocery shopping is my favorite kind of shopping.
Bella, I have a list of favorite food blogs...like 15-20 I check regularly. I can't pick a favorite, that would be like picking a favorite child! I have a collection of cookbooks that I like to read, too. I might have a problem. The bread is almost done and smells *REALLY good.
Amy - if you ever want to cook and send me something, I would be more than happy to accept :)
I need to live near you, or SW or BD or RiM!
I really need to try my hand at cooking. You would think dating a chef, I might learn something but he only cooks like once a week for me. hmmppphh
Bella, we would grow herbs at home but our cats would eat them and get sick if we had them inside. We have not had much luck leaving plants outside, either. Neither one of us have much of a green thumb, I'm afraid.
Popping out of lurkdom...I have a question for our teachers here. At what grade level should a child being writing 100% in cursive?
My daughter is in 4th grade and barely knows how to write cursive nor do they really teach it.
being/be
Sandy, no help from me.
How are you?
Feeling a little better tonight. How about you?
Sandy- I am curious about that, too. A friend of mine has a daughter in 7th grade and they just taught her the basics, but never make them actually use it.
Just tired, going to apply to this job and then climb into bed.
How is the goiter?
The swelling is finally going down. This is what I get for not having a cold in a good year and a half. I made up for it. lol
Sandy,
I think schools are moving away from teaching and/or emphasizing cursive.
So much is now done on computers, that keyboarding is a more useful skill.
And with all the testing, something had to give.
Sandy, not a teacher here but I've got an 18 year old who might suffocate if told to write a sentence in cursive. That said, I can write it but I don't and haven't since I could get away with not. I write print (is that the proper way to say it?) and don't even do that well since I use only capitals. Jake learned cursive in 4th grade, the first year I put him in public school, but he's always sucked at it and frankly, I don't care. Much like knowing how to read analog clock, its days are numbered. I know, I'm not helping, am I?
It's good if they can sign their name in cursive.
Sandy, it's not part of the curriculum so it's not mandated here. I have to print the date for my Grade 7 French class because some cannot read cursive writing. I don't know what the issue is,my 6 year old and 10 year old both can read cursive.
I have taught cursive (when providing planning time for a teacher she chooses what I teach and she chose cursive writing, God bless her heart) to Grade 3 students. I have never seen my Grade 5 son bring anything cursive until this year, and he brought *that home recently. A photocopied booklet for him to practice cursive one letter at a time and then link letters together. Surprisingly, even though his printing is horrific, his cursive is pretty. I was pretty sure he'd brought home someone else's duotang since there was no name on it and it was just too neat from what I've seen of his writing.
I think kids can learn cursive in Grade 3, and I think they should. It's popular belief, I think, that some consider cursive writing to be a dead or dying skill like telling time on an analog clock. I'd be sad to see both go.
If you're
I am lucky enough to have lovely cursive, thanks to Shirley Goodness' beautiful handwriting, and wanting to please my elementary school teachers.
::former teachers pet speaks proudly of her cursive skills::
Amy, you can thank RiM for the "whore" thing. I picked that up from hanging about her. She talks about whore and hookers a lot. :-D
Husband is stirring his nuts. He said I could share that with you.
Speaking of husbands oversharing - where's Shannon?
AP - what does Miss Arse look like?
Night ladies! See ya tomorrow!
It just amazes me that they are not learning cursive. My daughter can barely and I mean barely write her name in cursive. I was just curious because everything they do is in print. My daughter has an IEP and due to motor skill issues has permission to do assignments on the computer which is fine. Her current teacher keeps saying she doesn't want Caitlyn to rely on the computer because she needs to learn to write. Huh? Well then don't you think maybe they should teach it.
Analog clock, we learned that in 1st or 2nd grade. She has no clue.
But what is the *point of cursive? I get the point of being able to print and I get being able to sign your name in cursive to make it more individual for ID purposes, *maybe, but why do we need to know how to write in cursive anymore? Now, here's my stupid question of the day - do other languages use cursive or is it strictly an English thing?
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