Friday, September 29, 2006

Oh where, oh where had friend LB gone,

O where, oh where can she be?

Well, the answer is that she is doing her best to live life. My schedule is unbelievably hectic this year. I feel like Midnight Blue (our new van) and I could be hired out as a taxi service. The last few days, I have been leaving the house at 8 or 9 in the morning, and not getting home till 4 or 5. I am really struggling with this.

Part of the issue is that we have more going on than I had originally thought we would. I had not taken into account that when the Girl was preparing for a piano competition (Bach Fest at the downtown Sherman Clay store, Oct. 7th), that she would be taking 2 piano lessons a week, instead of 1. She has an amazing teacher, and they are working very hard. I don't want to discourage this in any way, but it takes up 2 hours of my day for each lesson.

The other thing that is sucking my time up is my physical therapy. I am entering my 6th month of physical therapyand going twice a week. Again, this takes up two hours of my day, and then I am supposed to go straight to bed and rest afterwards. Thanks again so much to the poopy-butt-head that decided to take his road rage out on me and push my sweet mini-van into a tree, and then thought it was ok to drive off without even an apology.

These two things are really eating into my week. I want to be able to spend time each week with my mom, I want to spend an entire day volunteering with those less fortunate than us, I want to cook wonderful meals for my family, and have a living room that is clean and welcoming. I want to do my household chores pain-free and joyfully. I want to get my basement cleaned and organized so my hunny can get the chores done he needs to down there. I want to read tons of books this year, and make lots of quilts, and then blog about them. I want to spend time preparing for my teaching jobs (Yeah, did I mention I am supposed to be teaching nature studies 3X a month, and also a class or two at the community college?). I also want to feel like I am doing a good job as a teacher, and supporting the kids in their educational endeavors. But right now, I just feel like an inadequate taxi driver.

It would help if my Boy was self-motivated in his studies. He is not using the little bit of time that he does have with me to his advantage. THe hormones get in the way. I think he is starting to get it, but it is so hard to be patient with him right now.

Well, in a nutshell, that is what is up with me, ans why I haven't been blogging. I don't have this issue resolved, but will spend some time thinking about what poosibilities I have here.

LB

Friday, September 08, 2006

Friday Five for Donna

Today's Friday Five, as always, from Miz Booshay

Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged?
A double hug with both my Girl and my Boy, in a poor attempt to get them to stop fighting for a minute this morning.


Soup
Would you ever have plastic surgery?
No, not for looks, but I have considered reconstructive surgery for my poor mangled nose, which would be done by a plastic surgeon.

Salad
What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?
Dang, I have too many fast food places! A loaded, drippy burger from Herfy's with fried zukes on the side, or a loaded pizza, or orange chicken.

Main Course
What time of day do you usually feel most energized?
From about 10 in the morning to about noon.

Dessert
When you were a kid, what job did you most want to have when you grew up?
Well, at one time, all I wanted to be was a gazelle, lol. That translated into being a ballet dancer, but my body has never been the right shape for that. Then I wanted to be an artist, and an early childhood ed teacher. I also wanted to be a mom and adopt all my kids.

Okay now, I would really like to see some answer in the comments, or some links to your blog, if you haven't already done this at Donna's, okay?

TTFN,
LB

Sunday, September 03, 2006

One Book Meme

Found this one over at Circle of Quiet.

1. One book that changed your life: For some reason, this was a hard question. I will say A Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: A complete volume of all the works of William Shakespeare

4. One book that made you laugh: Why is this a hard one? I guess I have read too many to pick just one easily. How 'bout the funny bits in Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

5. One book that made you cry (and it wasn't necessarily in a good way, although I do think this was a good story): The Wedding by Nicolas Sparks

6. One book that you wish had been written: A memoir written by either or both of Robin William's or Jonathon Winter's mothers, on how to successfully raise a very kinethetic Boy to adulthood without squelching their weirdly wonderful traits.

7. One book that you wish had never been written: She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Too close to home, too sad, hard to read, yet I couldn't put it down. Left a bad taste in my mouth for months. I am following the example set at A Circle of Quiet, and not linking to this one.

8. One book you’re currently reading: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Iliad by Homer

10. Tag five others: I won't tag, but you are all invited to the party. Let me know if you blog this, or leave it in the comments.

I feel compelled to add this question!
11. One book you just couldn't put down till it was done: East by Edith Pattou
LB

Friday, September 01, 2006

50 things for Laney

50 things
Actually, it's just 49 things. There is no #17. My question is why not? Was #17 offensive? Can we make one up for #17? I think I will, just for fun!

I was tagged for this meme from Laney at Press On.
Miz Booshay did it too.
1. My roommate and I once: Had a huge screaming fight in the parking lot because she was dating my scary drug-addict/alcoholic/abusive brother and had him move into our apartment without asking me.

2. Never in my life have I: been in a wet t-shirt competition.

3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is: My Mama.

4. High school was: pretty horrible until I found a great group of outcasts to be friends with. I am still friends with several of them 23 yrs later.

5. When I'm nervous: I bite my nails to the quick, I stutter, and my left eye twitches.

6. The last time I cried was: Yesterday. Having a heart to heart talk with my kiddos.

7. If I were to get married right now, my bridesmaids would be: Hmm. I never actually had a wedding. How 'bout my bestest friend from high school, Mary, and my daughter? Is 11.5 too young to be a bridesmaid?

8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends? I am not sure I have any secrets that are that deep, really. I don't think I'd choose the running nekky through a crowd, either. At least not with this current body shape!

9. My hair: Is no longer naturally auburn. Why did no one warn me that red hair fades with age!? Now I have to get my red in a box. Help! My roots are showing!

10. When I was 5: I think that was the year my family forgot my birthday for the first time (yes it happened more than once!).

11. Last Christmas: We spent way too much money on books, books, and more books.

12. When I turn my head left: Hey! I can actually do this without pain! Cool. I see a messy living room when I do it though. Phooey.

13. I should be: Well, there are truly no shoulds, but I could be sitting with the Girl, doing MY schoolwork.

14. When I look down I see: 5 pairs of shoes on an unswept wood floor.

15. The craziest recent event was: trying to locate escaped chickens in the dark with a flashlight.

16. If I were a character on "Friends": I don't have a tv, so find it hard to remember the characters' names, but probably the dude that David Schwimmer plays.

17. Someone from my childhood I view as a positive role model: My dear friend S. Melton. She was/is a wonderful mother and she taught me so much about having patience with children and your spouse.

18. My favorite aunt is: My aunt Violet. She grew parsley in a pot on her front porch for me, spoiled me rotten, and loved my husband and kids right away. She has dimensia and doesn't remember me anymore, sigh, but I have some delightful memories of her from my early childhood.

19. I have a hard time understanding: Algebra

20. One time at a family gathering: First time I had seen my (abusive, alcoholic, and very scary) father in many years. My sister showed up and started screaming at my father from the front yard, at the top of her lungs, for all the horrible things he did to her as a child. They were all true, and it really spoiled the whole mood of the evening, but took the focus off me so I didn't have to tell my father that I was in a relationship with a man he had never met and pregnant.

21. You know I like you if: That's easy- I like everybody. I will talk to anyone.

22. If I won an award, the first person I'd thank: Probably my family for putting up with me while I was working towards the goal.

23. Take my advice: Don't tense up your entire body right before your vehicle is rear-ended and you see you are going to crash head-on into a tree. You will end up in P.T. for the next year, sigh, ask me how I know.

24. My ideal breakfast is: A whole wheat english muffin or a very seedy whole grain bread with bacon or sausage, fried egg, tomato, cheese and butter, and a huge glass of grapefruit juice. Right. Dreaming, of course. I need to make myself a boring protein shake now, sigh.

25. If you visit my home town: I would take you to the cheese factory, where it was rumoured that I was almost born, as my mother went into premature labor while taking a tour. I still don't know if this is just rumor, or if this really was where she went into labor, but my older sibs still tease me about it.

26. Sometime soon I plan to visit: the feed store

27. If you spend the night at my house: You can have my dd's bed or the couch, and we can stay up late talking over hot chocolate.

28. I'd stop my wedding if: I really have no idea- did I mention I never had a wedding? Maybe if my intended showed up drunk, or with lipstick on his cheek.

29. The world could do without: cockroaches and slugs.

30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Get this straight: I would never, ever, ever be willing to lick the belly of a cockroach. I have now met a pet cockroach up close and personal, and it was a very trying experience for me!

31. The most recent thing I've bought myself is: A little chart that tells you what the percentage score will be regardless of the number of problems on the test or assignment. It is way cool.

32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is: Papa bought me rings and lids with which to can, and he bought me some pomagranite juice, too. My fave drink after a hot day over the stove.

33. My favorite red head is: My young friend L. Don't worry, I have already warned her that red hair fades, so she won't be dissapointed like I was, when I was no longer a redhead.

34. My favorite brunette is: hmmm. No one here is a brunette, other than me. The Papa dude is my favorite gray-haired dude that was a brunette way before I met him, does he count?

35. My car must have a sign on it that reads: Not sure. I used to have a sign on my VW that said, "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."

36. The last time I was drunk: I thought it was a stupid waste of time, and not much fun, and decided not to drink again, and I haven't.

37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: Turtles, and horses.

38. I shouldn't have been: There are no shoulds and shouldn'ts. I refuse to live in the past.

39. I should have: I am perfect just the way I am. See above.

40. Last night I: went to Trader Joe's with the Papa Dude, and he kissed me in the frozen food isle. Cool.

41. There's this girl I know who: loves to play the piano.

42: I don't know: what the future holds....but I am cool with that. One never knows, do one?

43. A better name for me would be: Can't think of one now, but when I was a kid, I wanted to be named Elizabeth Laurel.

44. If I ever go back to school I'll: take lots of art, music, and history classes.

45. How many days until my birthday? approximately 210.

46. One dead celebrity I wish I'd met is: Gracie Allan

47. I've lived at my current address since: Halloween, 2003

48. I've been told I look like: My mother from the neck up, and my paternal grandmother from the neck down.

49. If I could have any car, it would be: A VW covertible, or a 1965 Mustang convertable.

50. If I got a new cat tomorrow, I would name it: No new cats! 3 is plenty. The ones we have are named Sassy, Sparrow, and Catkin. Enough is enough!

TTFN,
LB