Younger son "Ernest" is off for 3.5 days at Science Camp. Smalltownmom has been on tenterhooks the last week. When older son "Frank" went to Science Camp six years ago, he was sick for two months after he got back. Tested for mono, twice, both negative. Tested for other things too. But his symptoms most closely resembled mono.. so I think that's what it was... Two months of intense stress. I have been reliving that in nightmares this last week. So I sent "Ernest" with lots of hand cleaner and wipes, even though they won't do much good and I am not normally germophobic.
Can't wait to see him Thursday at noon!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Two things fixed
The plumbing issues have all been fixed. Handy Husband (I do love that name!) replaced the faucet last weekend. We used to have a really expensive german faucet because we were german plumbing snobs. Now it's a home depot price pfister. Well, phister still sounds german. I am half german, it is OK if I like german faucets.
We never resolved the DVD issue, but "Frank" did get the computer to school.
And most importantly, I now have a coffeemaker with a timer. Now all I have to do is remember to fill it the night before.
But I have just realized there is a Frank and Ernest comic strip. Not a really good strip. (I looked at two weeks worth.) So now what can I call my sons?????
We never resolved the DVD issue, but "Frank" did get the computer to school.
And most importantly, I now have a coffeemaker with a timer. Now all I have to do is remember to fill it the night before.
But I have just realized there is a Frank and Ernest comic strip. Not a really good strip. (I looked at two weeks worth.) So now what can I call my sons?????
Monday, January 22, 2007
My Second Kiss
When I'm bored I start clicking the next blog button. Today I came across two women talking about their first kiss: Metro Mama and Sunshine Scribe. My first kiss was a nice thank you after a Sadie Hawkins dance.
It's my second kiss that rocked my world.
Let's enter the Way-Back machine, to the fall of 1977. This cute boy, who I'd been crushing on since 6th grade, asked me to a barbecue and I turned him down. Then I felt bad about it and called him up (brave shy me) and invited him to go see Star Wars. There was no theater in our small town then, so we had to drive 40 miles. Partway through the movie the projector broke down.
Then he made his move. We kissed in the dark theater until the film started again. And the earth moved. And there were fireworks. And history was made. And he's been my Handy Husband for many years. A happy ending. How rare is that?
This was a Princess Bride kiss: “Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” OK, maybe this one wasn't so pure. But it changed my life.
Theremin
Some time ago we saw a documentary on theremins. This unusual instrument fascinated the Younger Son (I could also call him Curious George) and he has wanted one ever since. For Christmas, he got his wish and received a theremin kit. Last weekend Handy Husband, the electronics whiz, borrowed a soldering iron from work and they put it together. Anyone need sci-fi sound effects? It can also meow like a cat.
To hear what a beautifully played theremin really sounds like, check out http://www.peterpringle.com/pg1.html.
To hear what a beautifully played theremin really sounds like, check out http://www.peterpringle.com/pg1.html.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Pseudonyms
Blog names.
Some bloggers have really great pseudonyms for their family:
Drunken Housewife and her Sober Husband
The Twat
Petite's Tadpole
Mooselet's Hermit, Teen, and Tween
Now, I like the sound of Handy Husband, because he really is one. I was toying with Frank and Ernest for the kids, because the older one is pretty frank, and the younger one is earnest. I've also called them Alphadog, Betadog, and Gammadog. But I don't think they would like being called dogs on a regular basis. Or I could use their real names...I don't think I'm going to write anything incriminating. Maybe embarassing.
Maybe my one regular reader can weigh in here...
Some bloggers have really great pseudonyms for their family:
Drunken Housewife and her Sober Husband
The Twat
Petite's Tadpole
Mooselet's Hermit, Teen, and Tween
Now, I like the sound of Handy Husband, because he really is one. I was toying with Frank and Ernest for the kids, because the older one is pretty frank, and the younger one is earnest. I've also called them Alphadog, Betadog, and Gammadog. But I don't think they would like being called dogs on a regular basis. Or I could use their real names...I don't think I'm going to write anything incriminating. Maybe embarassing.
Maybe my one regular reader can weigh in here...
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Things Come in Threes
Three has always been my favorite number. But sometimes misfortunes come in threes.
1) We've been having a cold spell, down to 18 at night. Warnings about pipes freezing, which we did not heed. Sunday morning, no water. It thawed out around 10, just as we decided to go out to breakfast. Monday morning, leaking water under the sink. Possibly unrelated to the freeze. Handy Husband replaced a waterline, then noticed that the faucet hose was also leaking. Time for a trip to the nearest Home Depot for a new faucet. 20 miles away. Yes, I truly am a small town mom. Hey, that's three things already.
2) Senior Son and a friend worked all weekend on a history project, a film featuring stop-motion animated army men. Everything worked, they burned the DVD, played it and it stopped 2/3 way through. Many burnt DVDs later, we could not solve the problem. It took hours to load the program and various files on the new laptop, so he could take the laptop to school the next day.
3) The third and worst thing that happened is that the coffeemaker died. Fortunately I had a backup, a cheapo model from our "guest suite." Life without coffee is unimaginable. I told Younger Son (have to think of a better blog name for him) he could take it apart. He likes to tinker. But it was held together with a strange screw: not flat, not phillips, not even allen wrench. The slot was triangular. So I let him bash it apart with a mallet instead. He had great fun, and is now an expert on how coffeemakers work.
1) We've been having a cold spell, down to 18 at night. Warnings about pipes freezing, which we did not heed. Sunday morning, no water. It thawed out around 10, just as we decided to go out to breakfast. Monday morning, leaking water under the sink. Possibly unrelated to the freeze. Handy Husband replaced a waterline, then noticed that the faucet hose was also leaking. Time for a trip to the nearest Home Depot for a new faucet. 20 miles away. Yes, I truly am a small town mom. Hey, that's three things already.
2) Senior Son and a friend worked all weekend on a history project, a film featuring stop-motion animated army men. Everything worked, they burned the DVD, played it and it stopped 2/3 way through. Many burnt DVDs later, we could not solve the problem. It took hours to load the program and various files on the new laptop, so he could take the laptop to school the next day.
3) The third and worst thing that happened is that the coffeemaker died. Fortunately I had a backup, a cheapo model from our "guest suite." Life without coffee is unimaginable. I told Younger Son (have to think of a better blog name for him) he could take it apart. He likes to tinker. But it was held together with a strange screw: not flat, not phillips, not even allen wrench. The slot was triangular. So I let him bash it apart with a mallet instead. He had great fun, and is now an expert on how coffeemakers work.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Words I Never Thought I'd Hear
Yesterday my 16-year-old was playing Geometry Wars and said, "This is gonna make my eyes bleed if I play it too much." What? Did I hear right? A teenager worrying about playing video games too much? (This from the guy who went to two all-night LAN parties during vacation.) I couldn't watch it for very long. So here's the loving mother statement: I'm glad he has some common sense. One of the many things I admire about him.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
The Telemarketer's Opposite
We ate dinner last night at Cafe Angelica. Funny how we always go out when the older son is not home. (Sorry, sweetie.) We had a great lunch there on Tuesday..I highly recommend the chicken panini. Last night's dinner was delicious too. The topper of my evening was when the waitress said they had mistakenly thrown my leftovers away but they were cooking another steak for me. I was given a whole new meal to take home. Pretty nice service!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Please sir, may I have s'more? (Not!)
alternately known as the mammogram.
The joys of being in your 40s. The feeling of having each breast squashed like a marshmallow --twice-- between two plates…roast me over a fire and call me a s’more.
The joys of being in your 40s. The feeling of having each breast squashed like a marshmallow --twice-- between two plates…roast me over a fire and call me a s’more.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Alpha Dog or Queen Bee
For the first time in a while, there are 3 males home at the same time...alpha dog syndrome has been rampant ...alpha daddy dog has made major accomplishments in networking my new computer, and rightfully asserts himself as the computer alphadog.... but betadog and gammadog are unused to the alpha presence and are right back at'cha with their computer needs. (Thank you to Wickipedia for the correct greek alphabet.) So we're trying to find a balance. Alphadad got to make his own set up on the laptop. Beta/Gamma got to set up a GameFly account.
BUT I feel the queen bee really controls the hive mind of the family. I am the queen.............I must direct the hive.... Hmmmmm...... Eventually, they bow down to me. Bzzzzz.......
BUT I feel the queen bee really controls the hive mind of the family. I am the queen.............I must direct the hive.... Hmmmmm...... Eventually, they bow down to me. Bzzzzz.......
Here's a Twist
Yesterday a telemarketer swore at me. I thought it was supposed to be the other way around. He said he was so-and-so, customer service manager from blah-blah magazine, and I had been sent the wrong renewal card. But...I already renewed the magazine a few months ago...I renewed it for 3 years. He apparently didn't like me talking back so he said, and I quote, "you don't know what you're talking about you stupid bitch" and hung up. Excuse me? I'm the one that should have been swearing. I called the magazine and found out that the subscription solicitors don't actually work for them. They work for an outside agency. Well, that was interesting. I feel sorry for the next one who calls me.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Best Christmas Ever
OK, I think I said in my last blog that one of my best gifts ever was about 3 years ago when my husband surprised me with a computer... Tonight he surprised me again with a laptop, which I have been pining* for, especially since my sons started playing Guild Wars on our only computer and I could never get enough computer time to do what I need/want to do. That's why my Christmas letter was so late. I was also given an epson printer which will print 12x12 scrapbook pages. I'm not [totally] materialistic , it's just nice when I'm given something I really want! So here I am, connected, sitting by the fireplace, happily typing away while older son works out his stomp box, younger son listens to his iPod, and kind husband watches Dirty Jobs and thinks about trying out his car gadgets tomorrow. And we had a lovely dinner with Grandpa Pete and JoAnn. (Sorry Pete [who was hiding the laptop], I could not wait till breakfast to open the big package and no one stopped me!) So, Merry Christmas, talk to everyone later.
* excuse me, I must say it: PINING FOR THE FJORDS!!q!!&j!!!*s(*!!!!!!
* excuse me, I must say it: PINING FOR THE FJORDS!!q!!&j!!!*s(*!!!!!!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Christmas Quiz
I “borrowed” this from http://stukjebijbeetje.blogspot.com/, which I found while hitting the next blog button.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap his gifts or does he just put them under the tree?
He fills the stockings on Christmas morning.
3. Colored or white lights?
Colored lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
If I can find it. I guess I could get out the pole pruner and lop some off the neighbor’s tree.
5. When do you put up your tree?
Second weekend in December.
6. What is your favorite Christmas food?
As a child it was my aunt’s Norwegian cookies. Now it’s See’s Candy. I used to work for a large company and we would receive huge boxes from the company that managed our computer system. For a while my department was close to the mail room so we would get our box first, and then spread the word to Accounting: “The See’s Candy is here!”
7. What is your favorite Christmas memory from when you were a child?
My uncle taking us driving through San Francisco to see the Christmas lights.
8. Do you open presents on Christmas eve?
Yes.
9. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With as much stuff as possible. The more interesting an ornament, the better. I have Star Wars, snails, Barbies, pickles (hey, they are a German tradition). I got a sequined fish at the aide’s gift exchange at school and it fit right in!
10. Snow! Love it or hate it?
Nice to look at. The one time we went to Lake Tahoe in the winter, we didn’t have the best time. It didn’t help that I had the flu while we were there.
11. Can you ice skate?
As with most sports, badly.
12. Do you remember your best gift?
The pearl necklace Jeff gave me years ago, the computer (which was completely unexpected and hidden at his dad’s house for weeks), and anything made by the kids.
13. What does Christmas mean to you? What is the most important thing about it, for you?
It’s important to be with my family (husband and sons).
14. What is in the top of your Christmas tree?
It varies. This year it’s Matthew’s peanut people, which he made in 3rd grade.
15. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Decorating the tree, although I wasn’t really into it this year. I’d been sick with a cold, tired, and discouraged because the tree was in a corner and I couldn’t decorate the back. As I put it, “I can’t get enough ornaments on it.”
16. What do you like better, giving or receiving?
Giving. I love shopping for the perfect gift.
17. What is your favorite dessert after Christmas dinner?
Pumpkin Pie.
18. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Anything from the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack to the Peanuts Show. Matthew plays “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmastime is Here.”
19. Kerstkransjes. Do you like 'em?
This was from a Dutch blog, so I don’t know what they are. Cookies? Candy? They look like Aunt Ollee’s spritz cookies.
20. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas. A Christmas Story. The Peanuts special.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap his gifts or does he just put them under the tree?
He fills the stockings on Christmas morning.
3. Colored or white lights?
Colored lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
If I can find it. I guess I could get out the pole pruner and lop some off the neighbor’s tree.
5. When do you put up your tree?
Second weekend in December.
6. What is your favorite Christmas food?
As a child it was my aunt’s Norwegian cookies. Now it’s See’s Candy. I used to work for a large company and we would receive huge boxes from the company that managed our computer system. For a while my department was close to the mail room so we would get our box first, and then spread the word to Accounting: “The See’s Candy is here!”
7. What is your favorite Christmas memory from when you were a child?
My uncle taking us driving through San Francisco to see the Christmas lights.
8. Do you open presents on Christmas eve?
Yes.
9. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With as much stuff as possible. The more interesting an ornament, the better. I have Star Wars, snails, Barbies, pickles (hey, they are a German tradition). I got a sequined fish at the aide’s gift exchange at school and it fit right in!
10. Snow! Love it or hate it?
Nice to look at. The one time we went to Lake Tahoe in the winter, we didn’t have the best time. It didn’t help that I had the flu while we were there.
11. Can you ice skate?
As with most sports, badly.
12. Do you remember your best gift?
The pearl necklace Jeff gave me years ago, the computer (which was completely unexpected and hidden at his dad’s house for weeks), and anything made by the kids.
13. What does Christmas mean to you? What is the most important thing about it, for you?
It’s important to be with my family (husband and sons).
14. What is in the top of your Christmas tree?
It varies. This year it’s Matthew’s peanut people, which he made in 3rd grade.
15. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Decorating the tree, although I wasn’t really into it this year. I’d been sick with a cold, tired, and discouraged because the tree was in a corner and I couldn’t decorate the back. As I put it, “I can’t get enough ornaments on it.”
16. What do you like better, giving or receiving?
Giving. I love shopping for the perfect gift.
17. What is your favorite dessert after Christmas dinner?
Pumpkin Pie.
18. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Anything from the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack to the Peanuts Show. Matthew plays “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmastime is Here.”
19. Kerstkransjes. Do you like 'em?
This was from a Dutch blog, so I don’t know what they are. Cookies? Candy? They look like Aunt Ollee’s spritz cookies.
20. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas. A Christmas Story. The Peanuts special.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Procrastination
over the first blog...
So I've been meaning to blog something for months now. Still not ready, but somehow I've gotten to this point on the website. And I'd like to see something when I egotistically search for myself.
Today was a good day. I painted scenery for my second grade's class play. A lovely brick wall, and a house. (The mice will say, "hello roof" and "hello cellar.") My roof is quite spectacular. I am pleased. No rants today.
So I've been meaning to blog something for months now. Still not ready, but somehow I've gotten to this point on the website. And I'd like to see something when I egotistically search for myself.
Today was a good day. I painted scenery for my second grade's class play. A lovely brick wall, and a house. (The mice will say, "hello roof" and "hello cellar.") My roof is quite spectacular. I am pleased. No rants today.
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