tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317742512024-03-07T09:51:36.203-08:00Problem UterusMy uterus doesn't work very well. Throw enough medical intervention at it, though, and you can sometimes force it to behave itself. We've now pushed our luck far enough, and are following the advice of every medical professional on the planet and not trying to have any more children.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-14694192883884053622011-05-06T08:49:00.001-07:002011-05-06T08:53:15.670-07:00Fairy TimeWe're entering the big leagues around here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MIZu8QJtj_RlPoEKkqAaxpD7VrbVsDjVawMWJQq_8gZP5vF3L2dv4q-jcy2I0wuyqXmifzwej04waToIfpagueckfkNMgyU_PTYt54LqmtP3vLub6Akkr_7EEMLQyONfaQ8yoA/s1600/Smile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MIZu8QJtj_RlPoEKkqAaxpD7VrbVsDjVawMWJQq_8gZP5vF3L2dv4q-jcy2I0wuyqXmifzwej04waToIfpagueckfkNMgyU_PTYt54LqmtP3vLub6Akkr_7EEMLQyONfaQ8yoA/s320/Smile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603631183420982898" /></a><br /><br />Dee was concerned that the Tooth Fairy would be unable to locate her tooth in the special pillow that hangs from her doorknob:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVirMjRCkDArM6FUi6CNuR2G0mVNM1kdEFa7wBhp0ysuGh_UirMWejsQDi9bxcUsyXrwIniZZ6OcxEwycmu7CHfgGM1ZIHMkaYYhQicG4IwDFaUnifZrJb-F7E8DY4B7X3uMcDAQ/s1600/ToothPillow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVirMjRCkDArM6FUi6CNuR2G0mVNM1kdEFa7wBhp0ysuGh_UirMWejsQDi9bxcUsyXrwIniZZ6OcxEwycmu7CHfgGM1ZIHMkaYYhQicG4IwDFaUnifZrJb-F7E8DY4B7X3uMcDAQ/s320/ToothPillow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603631194485686722" /></a><br /><br />So she left this under her pillow:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uqva85JkeS5iAwMv-3aeyp_dFj3i9f03uTlWU2QAC91bOCVPASdkUouRXYwMBSGmNW-Beo7SPuFbL-g4AG5NVw1P2Pe9w07gv7ay0Ag4uC29f2ZPU0Qm03-WkE6sZxLtUVFDPg/s1600/Letter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uqva85JkeS5iAwMv-3aeyp_dFj3i9f03uTlWU2QAC91bOCVPASdkUouRXYwMBSGmNW-Beo7SPuFbL-g4AG5NVw1P2Pe9w07gv7ay0Ag4uC29f2ZPU0Qm03-WkE6sZxLtUVFDPg/s320/Letter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603631197351410146" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-10921231341268664192011-02-08T13:56:00.001-08:002011-02-08T14:02:16.419-08:00School Sweetheart DanceHow long do you think it will be before the idea of going to a dance with her Daddy embarrasses the heck out of her?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi495uX66O4250B9856aElm_773KJ96P-EHmNhMLS5jU0p-ibD1rWs720gSp1eV8BC8R58WJn-hkeLGcF_vddgoFkFG3Gt95W8BKOvz7p_LxLRYnF3PQkZuCRZ5x9275CR_siABtQ/s1600/IMG_7285.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi495uX66O4250B9856aElm_773KJ96P-EHmNhMLS5jU0p-ibD1rWs720gSp1eV8BC8R58WJn-hkeLGcF_vddgoFkFG3Gt95W8BKOvz7p_LxLRYnF3PQkZuCRZ5x9275CR_siABtQ/s400/IMG_7285.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571441238265663314" /></a><br /><br />And here you may view their real personalities:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtiwaHqFk00NmE1HiMjQVP8KvpxSNzmSg2PKEhac0pPPwCE66Qo9VvbdrrOc8lKaI0l_qFnCIw93Y-QzqQINpH63fSMXx7-qUBuZeTU5IUnRPnLjseXbZA_Hr55m1Rn7JgQ6gRw/s1600/Goofs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtiwaHqFk00NmE1HiMjQVP8KvpxSNzmSg2PKEhac0pPPwCE66Qo9VvbdrrOc8lKaI0l_qFnCIw93Y-QzqQINpH63fSMXx7-qUBuZeTU5IUnRPnLjseXbZA_Hr55m1Rn7JgQ6gRw/s400/Goofs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571442221439824146" /></a><br /><br />I can't wait to show these to her prom date.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-12937938403843541362011-02-05T19:09:00.001-08:002011-02-05T19:11:49.268-08:00Kindergarten Curriculum, c. 2010I have very few memories of Kindergarten. I'm pretty sure we spent the whole year learning our letters, though.<br /><br />Dee, on the other hand, has cruised through the curriculum they want Kindergartners to complete, and has kept right on going. This is the sheet they sent home this week with words for her to be able to read.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWFGPaVDL7PzJRNBuZuWOnj_Xk-CLPyJGQ_SWgVmoGytmdOVDAZkNDYJ3k4H5LZKV8QCNU6GjfXDxm0dtvNas0xU5NE-4BwBHyPOJdt1ugFJVB2IFx7bcYEixMiEG8fbCrRcyKg/s1600/Phonics.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWFGPaVDL7PzJRNBuZuWOnj_Xk-CLPyJGQ_SWgVmoGytmdOVDAZkNDYJ3k4H5LZKV8QCNU6GjfXDxm0dtvNas0xU5NE-4BwBHyPOJdt1ugFJVB2IFx7bcYEixMiEG8fbCrRcyKg/s400/Phonics.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569948019335825762" /></a><br /><br />Cirrus!? Really? I have a degree from Stanford AND a PhD and I had to look it up. (I did think it had something to do with clouds, and it turns out I was right, so Mom, Dad... that $120,000 wasn't completely wasted.)<br /><br />They also have her spelling the phonics words now as well. I will say, for a state with a budget crisis that has pretty much eliminated money for gifted education, her teacher is doing a good job keeping her busy with 32 kids in the room and limited resources. Today, driving home in the car near sunset: "Mom! Look at those cirrus clouds!"Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-34221844480376476922011-02-04T13:14:00.001-08:002011-02-04T13:19:18.601-08:00Days 20-22I think this is the best one of the past three days:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigccrQO2i_jlVEedtwq0yfFtuDYM6Q4VoPW9NBhrFvSSaAEuYBDDHayhfmcMSqt437D0qvFmup04s1dqLvKi-BbOX78Aj9gAX2lOrMLzjQlknJ786Sm35Kce1PigZKNMU8YAasHw/s1600/DeeDay20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigccrQO2i_jlVEedtwq0yfFtuDYM6Q4VoPW9NBhrFvSSaAEuYBDDHayhfmcMSqt437D0qvFmup04s1dqLvKi-BbOX78Aj9gAX2lOrMLzjQlknJ786Sm35Kce1PigZKNMU8YAasHw/s400/DeeDay20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569945997783660482" /></a><br /><br />This was rather... meh. Though now that I really look at it, the giraffe print with the hearts isn't bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VnN5SnwcluS9nXIqYPhNVNKhHVB2TeYQ7iPVaSnFuLfI6p6sS7Fkjo1y3z8BHiPn4Mnq4isFhp2XG17Iu3IGb1bvlzT2C2CT8qsrJIx1r936kI61CiCJ4WDzwI6De7_0GQ-ovg/s1600/DeeDay21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VnN5SnwcluS9nXIqYPhNVNKhHVB2TeYQ7iPVaSnFuLfI6p6sS7Fkjo1y3z8BHiPn4Mnq4isFhp2XG17Iu3IGb1bvlzT2C2CT8qsrJIx1r936kI61CiCJ4WDzwI6De7_0GQ-ovg/s400/DeeDay21.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569946005764616578" /></a><br /><br />And this! Just the dress! No accessories at all! What is the world coming to?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXtKQK5EOQOItvFKI-FE1G_oCZ3sDIEHUooTnqICj-o8uTgk3FIA81dpOnuDWemseaYPyI3Kt85TSf_BHU7tLA2B3kvdwVG2iEu2Ny-b-19HgPMkDCcdPLYdVgm0_t7THltsadw/s1600/DeeDay22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXtKQK5EOQOItvFKI-FE1G_oCZ3sDIEHUooTnqICj-o8uTgk3FIA81dpOnuDWemseaYPyI3Kt85TSf_BHU7tLA2B3kvdwVG2iEu2Ny-b-19HgPMkDCcdPLYdVgm0_t7THltsadw/s400/DeeDay22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569946008096451506" /></a><br /><br />Tonight, though, she gets dressed up for the Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance at her school. She gets to stay out until NINE. It doesn't get more exciting around here than that, people!Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-88167013841271868082011-02-01T14:46:00.001-08:002011-02-01T14:46:48.154-08:00Snuzz, Several Years LaterBaby Dee laying on a fairly new Blankie, early in 2006:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr9veLQs4Jw7nOQI6ijXPZi01XibHBbO0WAIMa8S_MhS_Ej3EdMOmCs8Wc7sq1kT9sEmACInxjF3MfEjoYt4JPBcCyko0TVQhi37ab-rzfB7xZmvKGAoQPRt3g1p3TrjkXsK2Ng/s1600/Blankie1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr9veLQs4Jw7nOQI6ijXPZi01XibHBbO0WAIMa8S_MhS_Ej3EdMOmCs8Wc7sq1kT9sEmACInxjF3MfEjoYt4JPBcCyko0TVQhi37ab-rzfB7xZmvKGAoQPRt3g1p3TrjkXsK2Ng/s400/Blankie1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447548505367778" /></a><br /><br />Blankie was a Christmas present, perhaps from my sister, in 2005. I was in a post-bedrest-now-I-have-a-colicky-baby haze. Look how pink, on one side, how white on the other!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7aM5odmrh1a34mEIuOjgL7IwpktJloRqhQUg2lsd3IWfaPW0ceBCQTJLgV6BvBmP2DkOJfGxYwC0gYVQvImsQ6a2irQ6DgvYPxEJG-A22_BRA23AplnaqOGxqbggLs7VLKtjrQ/s1600/Blankie2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7aM5odmrh1a34mEIuOjgL7IwpktJloRqhQUg2lsd3IWfaPW0ceBCQTJLgV6BvBmP2DkOJfGxYwC0gYVQvImsQ6a2irQ6DgvYPxEJG-A22_BRA23AplnaqOGxqbggLs7VLKtjrQ/s400/Blankie2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447550873901874" /></a><br /><br />And then, the snuzz was born. My mother described it well in <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/2008/04/snuz.html">2008</a>. Today, the yellow snuzz is considerably worse for the wear:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnHUwj7Psy-VaDXx2KoT4lv_I3q1RW1m2dD81niXWfUYSqcs5_f8LmqGuRV0WXky5g9J2dmzOpPB60NfbY6Hxpgl6caFH4x95bcWGYWZTkoECrtyiXNORq7IYZo-5eq9H2nn3Q/s1600/Snuzz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnHUwj7Psy-VaDXx2KoT4lv_I3q1RW1m2dD81niXWfUYSqcs5_f8LmqGuRV0WXky5g9J2dmzOpPB60NfbY6Hxpgl6caFH4x95bcWGYWZTkoECrtyiXNORq7IYZo-5eq9H2nn3Q/s400/Snuzz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447560743162530" /></a><br /><br />This comes from being chewed on before the nose-snuzzing/thumb-sucking begins:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmnxy48Z_KrzKR4cORBnVY9vmFuDVlYHxutRq5EJHuWrzNLOV8ff8GdVPN13vGCr6LzsWouSEcWbwG1NFbmutQElGjpJkW_arE1skASBlrBnuH10h32IJI54CTVuaTwz9Yu5INQ/s1600/Snuzz2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmnxy48Z_KrzKR4cORBnVY9vmFuDVlYHxutRq5EJHuWrzNLOV8ff8GdVPN13vGCr6LzsWouSEcWbwG1NFbmutQElGjpJkW_arE1skASBlrBnuH10h32IJI54CTVuaTwz9Yu5INQ/s400/Snuzz2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447566284353314" /></a><br /><br />I hesitate to speculate on either the purpose of the toe-snuzz, or what it may do to the poor Yellow Snuzz:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR3JD_RBeU2lDky-6TwFNF5dtywidsUwUWawf4pYtoHLvkn45bYgJWM4Z4CAYF5kIQqCTvOYGS01vxHb9T9C0F7XVmpOGPKgGFEBT9m1NDZkbLVan_IYR35X7Hjf_sug6D4QhuQ/s1600/ToeSnuzz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR3JD_RBeU2lDky-6TwFNF5dtywidsUwUWawf4pYtoHLvkn45bYgJWM4Z4CAYF5kIQqCTvOYGS01vxHb9T9C0F7XVmpOGPKgGFEBT9m1NDZkbLVan_IYR35X7Hjf_sug6D4QhuQ/s400/ToeSnuzz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447578393420434" /></a><br /><br />Long live Blankie.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-27813795331203553012011-01-31T09:26:00.000-08:002011-01-31T12:14:38.710-08:00Days 16-19FRIDAY:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWKLL2l2FEBHHhaBIcyzQfntvKwIlpGaG4lKpSl3XM3r1BgFa3PENOwP1xxQzNemR8lmdsW3jUULg2VB3CQs-Z_lNC3cS8YlpUgcKG68ltlbUJ2tjvb_PZbV3G4dSktDJ-SbV9A/s1600/DeeDay16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWKLL2l2FEBHHhaBIcyzQfntvKwIlpGaG4lKpSl3XM3r1BgFa3PENOwP1xxQzNemR8lmdsW3jUULg2VB3CQs-Z_lNC3cS8YlpUgcKG68ltlbUJ2tjvb_PZbV3G4dSktDJ-SbV9A/s400/DeeDay16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444449618882770" /></a><br />It was Career Day at school: dress like what you want to be when you grow up. Dee's final two candidates: Vulcanologist (Volcano scientist) and... one of Santa's Elves.<br /><br />SATURDAY:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggesAmubQgIzXKdqv3t7iUJCV4zbI0sD7tCEnguJiKcLcT3BdQfCAEx52q9h4_FlPq4Y0oFHA0IQCm9GtK_qLaD4PcFHlEGnafYrxClRj4F_0OwPqr1e9Fi6oIej8EOVlONSAgNg/s1600/DeeDay17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggesAmubQgIzXKdqv3t7iUJCV4zbI0sD7tCEnguJiKcLcT3BdQfCAEx52q9h4_FlPq4Y0oFHA0IQCm9GtK_qLaD4PcFHlEGnafYrxClRj4F_0OwPqr1e9Fi6oIej8EOVlONSAgNg/s400/DeeDay17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444458862641922" /></a><br />Originally there was a fuchsia skirt over the pants but it came off when it got in the way of her jump rope.<br /><br />SUNDAY:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrKz6ipppzSfX-ikeOOIF15nfysmSS3cxE3vsuyW057QRVKkPNThseDERnAbe8K_B4pQKR4Jks56wsPHrySbmv3W5OZLs2H__oOaLXuMux6PuUNHeY728k9Fdz3tLl15f273SKw/s1600/DeeDay18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrKz6ipppzSfX-ikeOOIF15nfysmSS3cxE3vsuyW057QRVKkPNThseDERnAbe8K_B4pQKR4Jks56wsPHrySbmv3W5OZLs2H__oOaLXuMux6PuUNHeY728k9Fdz3tLl15f273SKw/s400/DeeDay18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444469395772354" /></a><br />In the morning there were giraffe print shorts under the dress, by afternoon she had gone to the tights.<br /><br />MONDAY:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueOIkQ8ZUTycGWYc9Oo1wDbGWBwhMUP3NpOCnrkAZWWIJmwLRKjYBO6_d2vVZAqJ7O8AqqCak6ngPzVP17lk7vK5jMwgzNRZfWE7zXGEuZ6o-aDnQB6T7bHnfSj2hRRm65JFPaw/s1600/DeeDay19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueOIkQ8ZUTycGWYc9Oo1wDbGWBwhMUP3NpOCnrkAZWWIJmwLRKjYBO6_d2vVZAqJ7O8AqqCak6ngPzVP17lk7vK5jMwgzNRZfWE7zXGEuZ6o-aDnQB6T7bHnfSj2hRRm65JFPaw/s400/DeeDay19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444477958739554" /></a><br />Really remarkably tame, I think.<br /><br />And a gratuitous dimple shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSohjHqhsyUHrpiwbXx7ENbs8RZ1yk-tJ1b70x_jAZQ3ByOT6-ejfQ0pY_B-l471qD5U-fDgrvB-tUzYzT-jlmRsJ8F3gBFiWJUnjTaNXLIPYTyJo3giL3b09_9t8G-43aHuOvQ/s1600/Handsome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSohjHqhsyUHrpiwbXx7ENbs8RZ1yk-tJ1b70x_jAZQ3ByOT6-ejfQ0pY_B-l471qD5U-fDgrvB-tUzYzT-jlmRsJ8F3gBFiWJUnjTaNXLIPYTyJo3giL3b09_9t8G-43aHuOvQ/s400/Handsome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568444439804718866" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-53136559255170059452011-01-27T12:14:00.001-08:002011-01-27T12:17:48.168-08:00Day 15<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYdqqQJePMFAMEMJ3ec09svIpSvWofTklRDt5_pcGmUIee6HyGe0bi_9jiYf9udgIEc9VzXFVvVClL7QlCz9flHSILMkMYr0sEWoG0XK3K-xp3W7RdwvnR9Fu3T0_5_12COAw0w/s1600/DeeDay15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYdqqQJePMFAMEMJ3ec09svIpSvWofTklRDt5_pcGmUIee6HyGe0bi_9jiYf9udgIEc9VzXFVvVClL7QlCz9flHSILMkMYr0sEWoG0XK3K-xp3W7RdwvnR9Fu3T0_5_12COAw0w/s400/DeeDay15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566961718120189682" /></a><br /><br />Kind of a psychedelic schoolgirl look today. Pleated denim skirt over the penguin stretch pants. And the green socks with the pink sandals are pretty eye-catching, I think.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-29528723760488936602011-01-26T18:43:00.001-08:002011-01-26T19:00:56.459-08:00Days 13 and 14Aaaaaand now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Day 13 was a good one, I think:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZNOWDrkXRg74hTSugouzW0BIEPyPVgLZld5_RxwQnWzxIxrU_TdAtvEJGZjBx7LusWfUZ1BpZbfpU3Ybu97X2LMNbypC2v6DPKDA7ivAeF9kLYEUq4tFzH1JZHOhNfzmE5iJTg/s1600/DeeDay13_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZNOWDrkXRg74hTSugouzW0BIEPyPVgLZld5_RxwQnWzxIxrU_TdAtvEJGZjBx7LusWfUZ1BpZbfpU3Ybu97X2LMNbypC2v6DPKDA7ivAeF9kLYEUq4tFzH1JZHOhNfzmE5iJTg/s400/DeeDay13_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566690977622686194" /></a><br />Especially the way she INSISTS on putting in her headbands:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xPvtoGcHmyfOtCTxoA4tDfpG_FpdlmCWP6_GxryN7JEqrQXXpqm7sIvG4vy2L8cY0zJJqsK7LyUrWifEl3flxN13zscHZKFzFERXwHC99uRXMEvugygNuN6nb5Hvbehqzrv7kQ/s1600/DeeDay13_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xPvtoGcHmyfOtCTxoA4tDfpG_FpdlmCWP6_GxryN7JEqrQXXpqm7sIvG4vy2L8cY0zJJqsK7LyUrWifEl3flxN13zscHZKFzFERXwHC99uRXMEvugygNuN6nb5Hvbehqzrv7kQ/s400/DeeDay13_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566691157391225986" /></a><br />Day 14 was a little more ho-hum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKkGVlo2wKBsLO_xjSriS6U36htgsMqAml2powujB0lZoeMD7EvgMfBlyf0NYjMjP7VEj5Vj03SozKXrcNBPzpj-YCdpwhMShEPSHjELv4bnj3lIbZWrTTEGJXeUXdXoQZ-zQ6w/s1600/DeeDay14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKkGVlo2wKBsLO_xjSriS6U36htgsMqAml2powujB0lZoeMD7EvgMfBlyf0NYjMjP7VEj5Vj03SozKXrcNBPzpj-YCdpwhMShEPSHjELv4bnj3lIbZWrTTEGJXeUXdXoQZ-zQ6w/s400/DeeDay14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566691328835239026" /></a><br />Note Buddy in the background there, trying to steal the flashy pink shoes.<br /><br />Things may get more sporadic here as I actually had to return to work. (Sob.) The semester's first class meeting was last night and it went pretty well, aside from the fact that I spent 3 of the 4 hours blabbing at the poor students. Introductions, the syllabus, safety orientation, roll call and adding latecomers, lab tour, how to use the equipment, how to write up a lab notebook properly... I was even boring myself. Fortunately now that this is out of the way, the rest of the semester I just give my hour lecture when they arrive and then they have three hours to get their stuff done. It's my favorite class to teach. Should be a good group, too, as far as I can tell from the first day. <br /><br />Dee's enrichment classes started up again this week as well: gymnastics, a multi-sport class (piano was full) and then (drumroll please) her long-awaited "Mad Science" class starts tomorrow after kindergarten. This is the same group that we hired for her fifth birthday party:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMB6wdqCaRx3jL3_5EZeCPJ1uxFek9OjJP8_EZok1rUGrCjInY5DkI9kJk5wVmsm5TeXWIfmNtZ0HMWoUN-WxFtfVJP8x3OwFp93tia9_nZoMzgw2WpT-pm2NdyAxZiVBDRldBw/s1600/Science.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMB6wdqCaRx3jL3_5EZeCPJ1uxFek9OjJP8_EZok1rUGrCjInY5DkI9kJk5wVmsm5TeXWIfmNtZ0HMWoUN-WxFtfVJP8x3OwFp93tia9_nZoMzgw2WpT-pm2NdyAxZiVBDRldBw/s400/Science.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566694945669424578" /></a><br /><br />They were making slime. I shudder to think what might be coming home in her backpack tomorrow.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-5945951076366743752011-01-22T21:08:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:36:38.117-08:00Days... hmm. Who can say?Our weekend was not so great. Buddy had a cold before Christmas and so a couple of weeks ago we took him to the pediatrician since he wasn't kicking the cough. The pediatrician diagnosed bronchitis, and prescribed an antibiotic (Augmentin), which he duly took for the full 10 days without incident. His cough and funky nose went away. Then, the day after the last dose of antibiotic he developed a horrible rash, so we returned to the pediatrician, who agreed that he's probably allergic to the antibiotic (which is in the penicillin family; I had a similar reaction in college). Then over the next two days he developed this weird joint inflammation, causing him to say "it really hurts" and not want to walk. He just laid there like a lump. My husband consulted Dr. Google and diagnosed <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000820.htm">serum sickness</a>. It degenerated to the point that he couldn't/wouldn't walk, so we called the pediatrician's after-hours line Saturday night, who told us to take him to the hospital.<br /><br />So, the ER on Saturday night. You can imagine. They left here right after dinner and got home at 4:30 AM. Diagnosis: serum sickness. Treatment: wait for it to go away. Apparently the trip to the ER was all it took to cure him because Sunday and again today Buddy is back to his old self. <br /><br />The immune system is weird.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-13943193305460443742011-01-20T09:37:00.000-08:002011-01-20T09:55:35.213-08:00Days 7 and 8Well, yesterday was interesting. Between the two kids we now have a truly impressive rash, 4 new medications, and one suspected penicillin allergy. The Christmas cold: the gift that keeps on giving.<br /><br />Yesterday did show a return to Dee's more traditional fashion flair. This is Dee getting one last <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/2008/04/snuz.html">Snuzz</a> before heading out to face the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeUEJHuzFX97n11-dR70Aupn1Br8tsQvkMiDN6ozlFLTM4opichX_Y9uPgg73M5M18UuwjXDjVmTx0xrwaWZm4mp9aUX1SKknpuXUhjT-afjAyMutejw3dKhyQKwWcXNmvLp-_w/s1600/DeeDay7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeUEJHuzFX97n11-dR70Aupn1Br8tsQvkMiDN6ozlFLTM4opichX_Y9uPgg73M5M18UuwjXDjVmTx0xrwaWZm4mp9aUX1SKknpuXUhjT-afjAyMutejw3dKhyQKwWcXNmvLp-_w/s400/DeeDay7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564325582450651762" /></a><br /><br />But then today, meh:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRjAG0KAGe_CuMv32uOTtUNG6_sD9PV_gcXvmErejw2R4RmVDoU8Pvqrjyg2M4t0RJ5OOmrReEFqzoLN1PjDhG3KQeNMSqrIXwD_CfW_PCxyyRP4uA_4gt6PtEBTKfAXBFSXd3A/s1600/DeeDay8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRjAG0KAGe_CuMv32uOTtUNG6_sD9PV_gcXvmErejw2R4RmVDoU8Pvqrjyg2M4t0RJ5OOmrReEFqzoLN1PjDhG3KQeNMSqrIXwD_CfW_PCxyyRP4uA_4gt6PtEBTKfAXBFSXd3A/s400/DeeDay8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564325957666118306" /></a><br /><br />Buddy, however, got in on the fashionista action today, including his "Yucky Charms" t-shirt:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR5Ay-ruuBtOz7zV5WaVJCdNC5-QBwyGD9FwFVgdbCDy-9qYzhIOVKHVB_dx6rT4uyn1Yc3wi9FsIpHipKD2qVv-Qgh0OKql_fVBOQhi1JFq7UqSss_T4CVkJNIgDxDxh9xMyjw/s1600/BuddyDay8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR5Ay-ruuBtOz7zV5WaVJCdNC5-QBwyGD9FwFVgdbCDy-9qYzhIOVKHVB_dx6rT4uyn1Yc3wi9FsIpHipKD2qVv-Qgh0OKql_fVBOQhi1JFq7UqSss_T4CVkJNIgDxDxh9xMyjw/s400/BuddyDay8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564326213973032210" /></a><br /><br />Please please please let me not need to return to the pediatrician's office any time in the near future!Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-27813439558447446242011-01-18T09:48:00.000-08:002011-01-18T09:54:58.080-08:00Day 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_g5V_voyPdeIualI-2TBpQx-lKoOndAi-yBIncD5LUiW2FFlYCO1X8-7EOgjD_3_jMKLLe0ZVJmWr6Ym_6oelC_wY3MQXJ10CMDe8FejUVxafntb-NTICHgpq9G6bEJDEJKjCw/s1600/DeeDay6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_g5V_voyPdeIualI-2TBpQx-lKoOndAi-yBIncD5LUiW2FFlYCO1X8-7EOgjD_3_jMKLLe0ZVJmWr6Ym_6oelC_wY3MQXJ10CMDe8FejUVxafntb-NTICHgpq9G6bEJDEJKjCw/s400/DeeDay6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563584552266891522" /></a><br />A vision in pink. Well, pinks. Several of them. <br /><br />Back to school after MLK weekend. Just in the nick of time. I thought Dee and Buddy were going to kill each other. Buddy is going through two stages simultaneously: "Why? Why, Mommy, Why?" and the one where saying something once is only 10% as good as saying it ten times. This is driving Dee nuts: "Buddy, I KNOW. You already said that." My husband and I just giggle to one another, remembering the days when Dee drove us batty doing exactly the same thing.<br /><br />I'm off to work myself in a few minutes after a paltry four weeks off for Christmas. It's a rough life. I actually had to put on something other than flannel.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-81738709643939289202011-01-17T17:49:00.001-08:002011-01-17T18:02:59.799-08:00Day 5 and Lego Brother-in-Law<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ZGbYlw4uRWLpZgWSknyVAyWA6KwpYtgtyVj1RuK8paub4hUAhUpLDfZXfq_G06a2xEzz1y1NinWAi0dCMdoEVVhdBfbPAqajh6Fngwi-RiyPf9trAu9S7lkZYvx5R2V6w0Q7A/s1600/DeeDay5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ZGbYlw4uRWLpZgWSknyVAyWA6KwpYtgtyVj1RuK8paub4hUAhUpLDfZXfq_G06a2xEzz1y1NinWAi0dCMdoEVVhdBfbPAqajh6Fngwi-RiyPf9trAu9S7lkZYvx5R2V6w0Q7A/s400/DeeDay5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563337502113502450" /></a><br />Some new clothing makes its debut today, as I have just spent my Christmas Gymbucks. The penguin on the hem of the skirt is hidden in the fold, and you can just make out the sequined peace symbol on the front of the shirt. It worked even better later in the day with the ruby red slippers when she went to soccer.<br /><br />And moving to an entirely different topic, my sister got married in September, to a wonderful man who shares a first name with my husband, so we call him "Uncle Critter." Here he is with my sister in a photo I have shamelessly snatched from my sister's blog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGz5G99GQjGrcCPJ4BvOE3AnqLUZ9z_fNbzzvbnbFCzMG5U2Hb9-kVsiWOm0vDUfN2xTTBEDyfjHIrOly23j8uFgrROXGGSdMpiWaUyvTYDL3XfvyVIOTFEmaz_hf0bHPkr1umQ/s1600/JenCritter.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGz5G99GQjGrcCPJ4BvOE3AnqLUZ9z_fNbzzvbnbFCzMG5U2Hb9-kVsiWOm0vDUfN2xTTBEDyfjHIrOly23j8uFgrROXGGSdMpiWaUyvTYDL3XfvyVIOTFEmaz_hf0bHPkr1umQ/s400/JenCritter.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338140165021410" /></a><br /><br />Now Buddy is becoming quite the LEGO fiend, and he got quite a few new ones for his birthday. One of them is a police set, and includes a "robber" mini figure. I swear it is my brother-in-law in LEGO form. My sister thinks I'm nuts. I leave it to you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N4BCs3nK1PgJF4KNtWBW-kZ6QikEkLbPAT9g3PbTaoiUP31pk_f4bAPgSVtiKmQm_7Klz3UV-XbdmMazweNo8ymBaRea0JxzKKBzeoA-2ojvjafc0TSMbSese5BiPCcUCIjD4w/s1600/LegoCritter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N4BCs3nK1PgJF4KNtWBW-kZ6QikEkLbPAT9g3PbTaoiUP31pk_f4bAPgSVtiKmQm_7Klz3UV-XbdmMazweNo8ymBaRea0JxzKKBzeoA-2ojvjafc0TSMbSese5BiPCcUCIjD4w/s400/LegoCritter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563338512952114306" /></a><br /><br />I'm pretty sure it's the grin. Here, let me find another one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVnSWfN534T5mpz_FHzpF_MShZMSwAZNBtofGfuHYq1EnAWOwRiH1qmeKJO_pRB8RJd6DWI228JLcDgUAsYoPCTq-UbmsO8jwEkIAgejBQVhUnyv4b91eu0gGqEBeq-79VSRyDw/s1600/Critter2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVnSWfN534T5mpz_FHzpF_MShZMSwAZNBtofGfuHYq1EnAWOwRiH1qmeKJO_pRB8RJd6DWI228JLcDgUAsYoPCTq-UbmsO8jwEkIAgejBQVhUnyv4b91eu0gGqEBeq-79VSRyDw/s400/Critter2" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563340340739097842" /></a><br /><br />(Also stolen from Jennie's blog)Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-37255881075760619802011-01-16T18:56:00.001-08:002011-01-16T18:57:11.381-08:00Day 4... bland again. What happened to the style?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5fUYZyQGGi74_3Qd_aLfzhQwF5nRjUJD1Oa5T0UvxaEAdY4GzlP6JOP_jM_lAamschEwlZNYoiHpXRk-AG5oDO2QQMKI9YpS7sBPjeQX1FeI17y6fH-Aif7K4qcsCaZ2SeaFDg/s1600/DeeDay4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5fUYZyQGGi74_3Qd_aLfzhQwF5nRjUJD1Oa5T0UvxaEAdY4GzlP6JOP_jM_lAamschEwlZNYoiHpXRk-AG5oDO2QQMKI9YpS7sBPjeQX1FeI17y6fH-Aif7K4qcsCaZ2SeaFDg/s400/DeeDay4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562983387398539602" /></a><br /><br />I guess this is what happens when you try to document something... it vanishes.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-38737706514365174352011-01-15T19:34:00.000-08:002011-01-15T19:38:05.912-08:00Day 3: Buddy's Birthday Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2iE6lQBqVoe_FspupdgA10tQwhC1Gkj13dy714fiTQNopGA0nzfdwn48QwVVvh2rER0tpbbZjpkjIKcn4H14SBPZzbZaBQTKMujvz7sQ2TCM4JrHI0oGqMJwNFAQDdHyDmxmZQ/s1600/DeeDay3_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2iE6lQBqVoe_FspupdgA10tQwhC1Gkj13dy714fiTQNopGA0nzfdwn48QwVVvh2rER0tpbbZjpkjIKcn4H14SBPZzbZaBQTKMujvz7sQ2TCM4JrHI0oGqMJwNFAQDdHyDmxmZQ/s400/DeeDay3_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562622277918827970" /></a><br /><br />Again, fairly tame. I guess she can tell I'm trying to capture her flair, since it's gone into hibernation this week. There was a peek, with the differing stripes on the sweater and the socks, and of course the ruby red slippers.<br /><br />But the boy of the day... How can my baby be three?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwzSwoTZCune5IXBS8QkwjVdfYcD4lgHa3l2PAgIRX-mHaRddZP2L35m7rcY_QS_FY2wS0_jA0AMrA10EM1ZdN10SXOqSKe6Jq8HIcYS07qDvbrBq7E9hntlTBqb2Mell0Lsduw/s1600/DeeDay3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwzSwoTZCune5IXBS8QkwjVdfYcD4lgHa3l2PAgIRX-mHaRddZP2L35m7rcY_QS_FY2wS0_jA0AMrA10EM1ZdN10SXOqSKe6Jq8HIcYS07qDvbrBq7E9hntlTBqb2Mell0Lsduw/s400/DeeDay3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562622761490562210" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-91679222296570147852011-01-14T13:58:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:03:47.547-08:00Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvt-PPctAEiJh9sURPeA5Eh2TfyCMqBjwRNPACrIXVxy8Zn9fg7GH4TZmEzDVUafRjl1C18oGVIW2aL3ZnTm25UqFkajwDI6QcApt2D3hHj-pmFnYrihoeIltC23Grg2AN3Y7YA/s1600/DeeDay2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvt-PPctAEiJh9sURPeA5Eh2TfyCMqBjwRNPACrIXVxy8Zn9fg7GH4TZmEzDVUafRjl1C18oGVIW2aL3ZnTm25UqFkajwDI6QcApt2D3hHj-pmFnYrihoeIltC23Grg2AN3Y7YA/s400/DeeDay2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562165361962633026" /></a><br />Kind of bland today, actually. What you can't see are the giraffe-print bicycle shorts under the cherries-and-teapots-print skirt. And the rats-nest of hair at the back of her neck that her mother forgot to comb out before school.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-7467557168632404722011-01-13T10:55:00.000-08:002011-01-13T11:07:11.720-08:00Pregnancy Blog Becomes Photo Blog?Yes, I am still alive. I'm still lurking or commenting on all of your blogs!<br /><br />I'm breaking my long silence for an interesting reason. I spoke to my <a href="http://grovestreetjournal.blogspot.com/">sister</a> last night, and she had an excellent suggestion for this blog. I was describing to her the interesting outfit that Dee had put together for school yesterday, and she suggested I document Dee's fashion choices for one month and post the photos here. So, here goes. I have no idea if I'll last the whole month, and I may not post daily, but I will give it a try. At any rate, I think it will be fabulous for me to have a record of the way my wacky 5 year old likes to dress.<br /><br />Dee, dressed for a typical Thursday at Kindergarten:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbawb3e0uAZs15jyXcwLEp0HDQgTmVBubN5r3H1LCGXVtY-jzf3NvvTF4Te4Vr7Q6o46k_v3S-lFIWhJWouDOl54OFhZbu-LBDzajbJwmD2RW_gZNWP-LWDKh2VLGY-OF27mNTQ/s1600/DeeDay1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbawb3e0uAZs15jyXcwLEp0HDQgTmVBubN5r3H1LCGXVtY-jzf3NvvTF4Te4Vr7Q6o46k_v3S-lFIWhJWouDOl54OFhZbu-LBDzajbJwmD2RW_gZNWP-LWDKh2VLGY-OF27mNTQ/s400/DeeDay1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561747303580116994" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I should note that her shoes light up when she walks in a rather spectacular display of multicolored LED lights. And, in case you missed the tights:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPEyIWCs9scrMkUvyMiOs5cQPD_zyk3wjwjshyphenhyphenOggB7HAcUootXzmHbd3MxeYF3V4ywpZB1eYAAVoCu8aEH6JMolT3-61YykS4-ffnG8BDkamfCTE5Q9eqAxU2kJiQSnedSDDhA/s1600/DeeDay1Close.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPEyIWCs9scrMkUvyMiOs5cQPD_zyk3wjwjshyphenhyphenOggB7HAcUootXzmHbd3MxeYF3V4ywpZB1eYAAVoCu8aEH6JMolT3-61YykS4-ffnG8BDkamfCTE5Q9eqAxU2kJiQSnedSDDhA/s400/DeeDay1Close.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561748840824999650" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-17071962382580818352010-04-02T15:01:00.000-07:002010-04-02T15:03:18.326-07:00And how, exactly, might I reproduce the problem?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAiAUGj53Gb-HsMdWx9U8AzA0aGJmxrvTGLr3AdSbV1MtpSW0HOij2myNNX75bxnSfe0C_BEXgk5ZweyXSRxwJvEE3ni0EJgTgV4hZZRTxCDKqNNRkf5V2Lk-m7RiFid68-OoqA/s1600/IMG_5456.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAiAUGj53Gb-HsMdWx9U8AzA0aGJmxrvTGLr3AdSbV1MtpSW0HOij2myNNX75bxnSfe0C_BEXgk5ZweyXSRxwJvEE3ni0EJgTgV4hZZRTxCDKqNNRkf5V2Lk-m7RiFid68-OoqA/s400/IMG_5456.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455664055237041362" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-13434465700939056122009-11-23T11:54:00.000-08:002009-11-23T12:17:52.557-08:00Guilty as Charged<a href="http://knockuout.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/22-all-we-need-is-a-little-love/">Some people</a> have recently implied that I haven't updated my blog in a while. Well, okay, true enough. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7M9Lo7mNC5O8rqEhK7C6d5xMGqnRJ0SP5phDeM6BN0mP7xvpzMlOXI2umKPnYZZ9gj_uJKHpUFX3kvqL5Kqa7l-CyaLRFN0qD_AW7EKw_IbDRtOFmTSXjyguuVmrGAeqQVR7bg/s1600/Dee.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7M9Lo7mNC5O8rqEhK7C6d5xMGqnRJ0SP5phDeM6BN0mP7xvpzMlOXI2umKPnYZZ9gj_uJKHpUFX3kvqL5Kqa7l-CyaLRFN0qD_AW7EKw_IbDRtOFmTSXjyguuVmrGAeqQVR7bg/s400/Dee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407395282098622530" /></a>Things are good. Dee and Buddy are thriving. Dee turned 4 in September and is just a smart little cookie. She reads fluently (!!) and is a nonstop source of questions and curiosity about how the world works. (It's exhausting.) Buddy is going through the tantrums associated with not quite being able to express himself the way he wants, but his language is developing, and my parenting skills regarding tantrums are quite well-developed, seeing as this is the second time around for this for me. (See, "It's exhausting," above.) So he is also good. He'll be 2 in January (?!?)<br /><br />I am a little bit past the age with Buddy where I was with Dee when I got pregnant again. I am NOT going to get pregnant again, but the number of people around me who are pregnant with, or have recently had, child #3 are causing twinges. Mostly, though, I have mourned the loss of my future fertility. And my hands are pretty full as it is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmD-CDPz7NMU_KCdmyUQzoewpa0wbz6Z2WCS-P1Z-ioBBGGBiXB3bkT1tycNcxI-0hAxznON_tqtKefS91SeioMcPX_doHY1NztPEv5xZ34BIycSatGqJRz_9rIzVU9BABviDOw/s1600/Buddy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmD-CDPz7NMU_KCdmyUQzoewpa0wbz6Z2WCS-P1Z-ioBBGGBiXB3bkT1tycNcxI-0hAxznON_tqtKefS91SeioMcPX_doHY1NztPEv5xZ34BIycSatGqJRz_9rIzVU9BABviDOw/s400/Buddy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407395283564725778" /></a>I am teaching three different classes this semester, and it is kicking my ass. A few more weeks, though, and I have a month off, and then in January I'll be teaching just one upper-division lecture/lab combo class (for 8 units!) so that is going to help out a lot. I'm hoping to have time to breathe.<br /><br />My Dad just turned 60, so I flew up to Washington for the party. My sister just got engaged. My Mom is dealing with some medical issues. And the kids have recently brought home 2 separate upper respiratory viruses and shared them around the house. I have 16 people coming for Thanksgiving dinner. Life is full. I am well, and grateful.<br /><br />Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.<br /><br /><a href="http://knockuout.wordpress.com/">DD's</a> Meme:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMv_U9DpDwdjcmsylwZgAFt4_M_HL9Is3u3Bef9aMfSqUaywq80rk_7qPQq0vYdNyt1bKyNTrBWcUQz1hfS-Eezl2FugWk5PrpDX3qMYR58Tw2Cgnr6Hva9oLwXcJNE-5HytwEg/s1600/allweneedislove.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMv_U9DpDwdjcmsylwZgAFt4_M_HL9Is3u3Bef9aMfSqUaywq80rk_7qPQq0vYdNyt1bKyNTrBWcUQz1hfS-Eezl2FugWk5PrpDX3qMYR58Tw2Cgnr6Hva9oLwXcJNE-5HytwEg/s400/allweneedislove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407393059739793714" /></a>All we need is a little LOVE! This award is about sisters uniting together and giving others some love because life is hard and who couldn’t use a little love? The rules for this award is simple. I LOVE YOU = 8 letters which gives you 8 rules:<br /><br />Here are the rules: <br /><br /> 1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award and write a little bit about why you love them. That would be DD from Mama Said Knock You Out. She is never afraid to be who she is. It is so wonderfully refreshing!<br /> 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. <br /> 3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. <br /> 4. Nominate no more than 17 people who you love or you think could use some love. <br /> 5. Write one word (you can only use a word once) about what you love about their blog. <br /> 6. You cannot nominate someone who has already been nominated-the love has to spread to all.<br /> 7. Post links to the blogs you nominate. <br /> 8. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated. <br /><br />I have a giant pile of lab reports currently eying me from my desk, so I'm going to have to punt here, and say if you're still reading this, and you want to participate, consider yourself nominated!Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-55011264505435990952009-08-07T16:03:00.000-07:002009-08-07T16:06:48.483-07:00DUPLO Danger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxLp7tevxjgwlhN8x6ITyTKtnHS4V_DBrFSpk1Em672BzkLEEDLTV2ka2EJHzrQowPlyaUyoQrjUWhTHnch7UT263s2SsWcMgiD8SZz6HMSte3QXnmjsPazFD0XjJ9T1N7o5yuQ/s1600-h/Shiner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxLp7tevxjgwlhN8x6ITyTKtnHS4V_DBrFSpk1Em672BzkLEEDLTV2ka2EJHzrQowPlyaUyoQrjUWhTHnch7UT263s2SsWcMgiD8SZz6HMSte3QXnmjsPazFD0XjJ9T1N7o5yuQ/s400/Shiner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367362042739663362" /></a><br /><br />Gee, Mommy, I'm sorry. I didn't MEAN to give you a black eye when I whacked you with my oversized LEGO blocks yesterday.<br /><br />Eighteen-months-olds are dangerous.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-5621748880791774172009-07-13T19:22:00.000-07:002009-07-13T19:28:05.988-07:00VocabularyScene: Dee is coloring with her new set of 50 crayola markers. As she finishes with a color, she shoves it all willy-nilly back into the package. I am idly tidying the markers back into their individual plastic slots. <br /><br />DEE: Mommy, what are you doing?<br /><br />MOMMY (absentmindedly): Oh, don't worry, sweetie. Mommy's just being anal. <br /><br />DEE: That's okay, Mommy. You're just a little bit anal. <br /><br />MOMMY: Thank you, dear.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-22589946189910925902009-05-28T18:16:00.000-07:002009-05-28T18:18:38.184-07:00PostscriptI also don't regret my policy of always buying washable ink markers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ7OcmShzzHBG5J7Kn8q54KHnqAURJDMjL4QjLLVQV-2WauPlt9s3tlY1_Pq8ntZ9yeCg5F_aupVrbdROT8JTHsCTWraZSweySY1Q1Fkh3JbFkL7RC1b7qAjnPmXijU4fmeo9Jg/s1600-h/Ink.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ7OcmShzzHBG5J7Kn8q54KHnqAURJDMjL4QjLLVQV-2WauPlt9s3tlY1_Pq8ntZ9yeCg5F_aupVrbdROT8JTHsCTWraZSweySY1Q1Fkh3JbFkL7RC1b7qAjnPmXijU4fmeo9Jg/s400/Ink.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341049013841040866" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-88992982746487103032009-05-14T13:26:00.000-07:002009-05-14T13:32:25.569-07:00And How Is YOUR Day Going?This:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuVZQkZzbUWzrL3qeSdwU-nJ2UJIlQ_5GY35dk8jJPsDEmNyYH53o3wQNGlHsXsUuNX58CBUi_2alJVypR55a1O_T2z3i3rkwdSjCLhXdvnl_O_hojdmbM2Qmj7H9iloL73u3eA/s1600-h/Cereal.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuVZQkZzbUWzrL3qeSdwU-nJ2UJIlQ_5GY35dk8jJPsDEmNyYH53o3wQNGlHsXsUuNX58CBUi_2alJVypR55a1O_T2z3i3rkwdSjCLhXdvnl_O_hojdmbM2Qmj7H9iloL73u3eA/s400/Cereal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335779851910325714" /></a><br /><br />is why I do not regret the money I spent on this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mCzSuihj2s-7AoBU5oMAI0IROGi2u78j7iBKrqlKYQqVt1hok9T46fXziMTl1KirnJFzduNkdlNeFfGcMYTPOCMwgAtfrukFbYvcnZvW6PumoM31agJhMbLK7A7PtYB5KmBVjg/s1600-h/dyson.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mCzSuihj2s-7AoBU5oMAI0IROGi2u78j7iBKrqlKYQqVt1hok9T46fXziMTl1KirnJFzduNkdlNeFfGcMYTPOCMwgAtfrukFbYvcnZvW6PumoM31agJhMbLK7A7PtYB5KmBVjg/s400/dyson.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335780016745589090" /></a>Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-78242927312320231222009-04-25T15:10:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:10:38.752-07:00Mothers, Part 2 of 2So my mom (Hi <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/">Mom</a>! How are ya?) was down here visiting last week and we got into a random conversation about what I'd do if I suddenly had a lot more money. I told her about an idea I'd had ages ago about starting some sort of free/nominal fee service for pregnant women on bed rest in the hospital I spent so many weeks in myself. <br /><br />Bed rest is horrible. There's no other way to describe it. While everyone around you is making variations on the same joke ("Better get that rest in now before you've got a baby to take care of!!!" "Gee, I sure wish MY doctor would tell me to go lay around in bed for a while!!!"), you are lying in bed, terrified that your baby is going to die, wondering if it was because of something you did, and your body is slowly going to pieces. Your muscles atrophy, various medical staff poke you with a variety of needles as part of your treatment, and everything seems set up to deprive you of any and all chances of actually getting any of that rest you’re supposed to be getting. (Hello! 4 AM! Time for blood draws!)<br /><br />There was a flier up in one of my hospital rooms about a service where someone would come to your room and give you a massage or a pedicure or something else along those lines. I’ve occasionally thought since then that I’d like to set up some way for women in the perinatal unit to have access to something like that without spending a fortune, especially as the bed rest may be unexpectedly depriving them of a large portion of their income (as indeed it did for me). Mom (Hi <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/">Mom</a>! How are ya?) and I talked about this for a bit and then moved on with the conversation.<br /><br />I guess it’s been percolating in my mind since then, because as I was administering an exam to my lecture students this week, I found my mind returning to the idea. Looking back, while a massage for my aching back would have been fabulous, an even better gift would have been to have been aware of, and had access to, the ALI community from that hospital bed.<br /><br />(Side note: this exam marked a new first for me. One of my students actually FELL ASLEEP during the exam. I glanced around, and there he was, arms crossed, chin resting down on his chest, fast asleep. In much the same position my mom (Hi <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/">Mom</a>! How are ya?) assumes when she falls asleep in front of the TV. So, I was at a loss. What’s the protocol? Do I ignore him? Poke him? Stand immediately behind him and clear my throat loudly? Plus, am I really THAT boring? Fortunately for Mr. Sleepy, he woke up on his own after about 5 minutes as I was pondering getting the guy next to him to elbow him in the ribs. Always the professional, I pretended not to have noticed anything amiss as I giggled into my coffee mug.)<br /><br />Anyway, while he was snoozing and the rest of the class was working on my (fascinating, engrossing, and brilliant) exam, I got to thinking. These days I do the majority of my blog reading from my <a href="http://store.apple.com/us_edu_187471/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch?mco=MTIxMTE/">iPod</a>. It certainly would have been handy, while curled up on my left side, towel rolls, pillows, nurse call button, IV line, fetal monitoring cords, etc. all carefully arranged, to have been able to surf the internet on a tiny handheld device instead of trying to perch a laptop sideways somewhere in this mess. Also, not everyone can afford a laptop. Or an iPod for that matter. The hospital does have free wireless for patients. I'm sure a large number of women who land in the hospital on bed rest were just wandering through what they thought was going to be an uncomplicated pregnancy, and they probably aren't aware that all of you wonderful ladies are out there blogging.<br /><br />So, here was my thought: scrap the whole personal grooming idea. What women on bed rest need is (1) a loaner iPod, and (2) a handout with a few starter blogs listed on it (I bet <a href="http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.com/">Lost and Found and Connections Abound</a> would probably be enough, but say there were five or so to get your feet wet, plus the link to <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/">March of Dimes</a>, <a href="http://www.sidelines.org/">Sidelines</a>, etc.)<br /><br />What do you think? Any obvious refinements? Pitfalls? Do you think nonprofit status and a nicely phrased letter to Steve Jobs would get me 25 free iPods? Oh, wait. <a href="http://www.ssireview.org/opinion/entry/the_least_philanthropic_companies/">I guess not</a>.<br /><br />And seriously, ASLEEP during an EXAM??? This is college, people! Good grief.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-27306309313978890082009-04-22T20:34:00.000-07:002009-04-22T20:35:22.064-07:00Mothers, Part 1 of 2I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Michele, who is the author of comment #5 on my previous post, and also happens to be my...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...wait for it...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />my mother!<br /><br />Yes, Mom found me. EARLY LAST YEAR, people. Talk about lurking!<br /><br />So, some housekeeping. As you might imagine, I immediately searched my archives for any references I'd made to my mom (<a href="stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/">Mel's</a> search engine is wonderful for this, by the way) to see if I'd written anything terrible about her, which apparently I had not. (But I MIGHT HAVE. She being such an EVIL LURKER!!!) I do seem to have mentioned in several places that I kind of like her. A little. That is, I used to... before the DELURKING.<br /><br />My mom has a wonderful blog of her own, Bell Street Journal, which you can find <a href="http://bellstjournal.blogspot.com/">here</a>, or alternatively through the link in her comment. It's mostly about her artistic pursuits and her extensive travels. She occasionally mentions me there, and Dee, and Buddy, and H, and where we live, all by our real names. And there are photographs. (Next she'll probably post a map to our house, as well as what expensive electronics we own and where we hide the spare key.)<br /><br />As you can see by my very sporadic posting, I'm not really going anywhere with discussion of my (retired) uterus anyway, so I thought I may as well take this opportunity to come out of the closet, remove things from my archives that I really wouldn't want certain individuals I know to encounter (cough*BROOM*cough) and blog a little more openly. <br /><br />On the other hand, I don't really want any of my students to find their way here. So, I have been pruning my archives accordingly, and I will continue to use the pseudonyms I've been using for everyone all along. But I guess I can now admit I'm an actual person with a mother:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP9k5qmX7pkKLgJ0NXsYPXyTD2TOLONwaW4k656n0lEAzcbg2UOJH9SVwtT8ZE83iRuE4SEuXB2utqfrcw5QUwA_nYR5Yh7V-fRNAKg75fTIQGVrsYdl0Gd7YMWxmIpT6VmH39A/s1600-h/Mom600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP9k5qmX7pkKLgJ0NXsYPXyTD2TOLONwaW4k656n0lEAzcbg2UOJH9SVwtT8ZE83iRuE4SEuXB2utqfrcw5QUwA_nYR5Yh7V-fRNAKg75fTIQGVrsYdl0Gd7YMWxmIpT6VmH39A/s400/Mom600.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327724199563883858" /></a><br /><br />Isn't she cute? She says she's 5 feet 3 inches tall, but we all know she's exaggerating by an inch. People that are 5'2" find it much easier to unobtrusively LURK.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31774251.post-75198416177880698372008-12-14T20:25:00.000-08:002008-12-14T20:32:27.268-08:00Maybe I should lay off the boozeWe arrived at a friend's house late Friday afternoon for our playgroup's every-second-Friday tradition of pizza and play for the kids and drinks for the moms. I am the organizer of this particular aspect of our group, earning me the moniker "cocktail captain."<br /><br />Anyway, we arrived and were just walking up to the table containing a steaming bowl of spiced apple cider alongside a variety of, er, "additives" to be added to the grown-ups' cups, when my charming daughter pipes up, "Mommy? Would you like a cocktail?"<br /><br />Why, yes. Yes, I would.Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877459820678525532noreply@blogger.com8