Ten Things the day after Tuesday

Why can't I get this right?

Next Ten in my Netflix queue

1 Underdog
2 Dan In Real Life
3 Nancy Drew
4 Monster in law
5 The Simpsons Movie
6 The Astronaut Famer
7 The Golden Compass
8 Raiders of the Lost Ark
9 Autism: The Musical
10 No Country for Old Men

Claire's Day!

Claire's Day is one day of the year that mini-me and I look forward to annually. Today was the best of the 5 years we have been visiting the event. The weather was phenomenal, cool breezes and patchy sun. The craft projects were marvelous, as always! mini-me made a weaving, a flower-arrangement, and an owl. She bypassed the coffee filter hats and head wreaths this time.

We picked up about every item possible from the local PBS station, and she had her photo taken with STRAW Man. She got all kinds of paraphanelia about all of her favorite shows, including something new about Super Why and Princess Presto that I haven't even seen yet! For my money, nothing will ever replace Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow! Oh, and let's not even dare to dream about good old-fashioned Kratt's Creatures (no talking lemurs and dorky claymation!).

Hmmm. . where was I?

Our favorite author of the day was Jonathan Rand. We had already purchased 2 of his books and were waiting in line for an illustrator to sign our copy of "The Legend of the Loon" when Mr. Rand's vehicle arrived. He is the author of such series as Michigan Chillers, American Chillers, and Freddy Fernornter Fearless First Grader. His van is not inconspicous.




We were brave enough to split up for a few minutes so that I wouldn't lose our place in line while she joined the throng of children meeting Mr. Rand. It helped that we could see one another the whole time. I would've liked to get a better photo of him signing her books, but I got what I will refer to (and Picture Pam will understand) a "Mellencamp Moment" photo here:




This is the first of the 5 years we've gone that mini-Me has actually sat through an entire lecture. She started out sitting second from the aisle in the back row of chairs and ended up sitting on the floor so close to the author that I worried he would trip over her. Here she is at his feet and hanging on his every word!



We were reunited just in time to get her picture taken with the great van Frankenhuzers She is an author and he illustrated the loon book I mentioned above. I love loons! (pause for cheap shots from my loony friends) The Mrs. took time to point out to us that there is a secret about the book we purchased and had signed! On each page, there is a hidden loon or two, awaiting discovery!. The paintings are simply gorgeous and make me want to rush "Up Nort" to for a summer visit!




Most years, we have been lucky to get one autograph, but this year, was record-breaking. Last year was awesome when illustrator Will Clay took time to sketch a precious drawing of mini along with his signature. Remembering that, or maybe it was the intense Disney World training from January, she waited patiently as we took turns choosing activities.

I was able to have books signed also by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Sara Holbrook who is a wonderful poet, especially for "tweens".

Well, I could post a lot more photos and drivel on about how much fun we had, but this is already longer that most people will hang in there. It's after 10 p.m. and I still hear pages turning in the little one's room next door. I think I will pretend I don't hear a thing and just let her bask in the glow for tonight!

Stop Calling me that!

I hate being labelled, I really do. Does that make me part of Generation X? No, that would be a LABEL. Labelling leads to pigeon-holing and assumptions that everybody carrying that label must be alike.

Recenlty, I commented on this blog and it has been implied that I am a right-wing conservative. I like to think I'm pretty liberal and when forced to choose, I normally vote with the democrats. And so,this morning, I asked Jeeves and he led me here . Drum roll please . . . I will now take the quiz (insert Jeopardy theme here).


And I am officially, a Centrist:

"ACCORDING TO YOUR ANSWERS,

The political group that
agrees with you most is...

.

CENTRIST



CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government

control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on

the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention

and sometimes support individual freedom of choice.

Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind,

tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what

they describe as "practical" solutions to problems."



So there!

Ten Things Tuesday

I just finished reading "The last lecture" by Randy Pausch and it's gotten me thinking about childhood dreams. I'm going to see if I can pull 10 out of my memory bank and then see how I'm doing on achieving them.

1. Be an art teacher
2. Be a mom, full-time
3. Travel to Australia
4. Go to Disney World
5. Make a difference
6. Become an author
7. Find love
8. Work with animals
9. Help others
10. Feel safe


I taught scrapbooking classes for a while and enjoyed it somewhat, but it didn't allow for the creativity and inspiration that I had imagined. Recently, I did an art project with the kids at our school and I realized that as much as I love art, I am no match for 20 or more children at a time! Still, it was something that I'm glad I tried and now I can safely put a checkmark there! I still love teaching techniques and tidbits to my own budding artist, but I prefer not to be outnumbered!

When I was in 6th grade or so, I knew that what I wanted to be most in the world was a mom. I had other goals (such as the art teacher scheme) that I thought might hold me over until I started a family. Later, in high school, I was talked into attending college and not "wasting" my intellect. They must have meant another college, because I didn't find my intellect particularly challenged there. Maybe it was because my heart wasn't in the right place at the time. Who knows, but I followed the recommendations and got a degree in business (not my dream, but something solid and employable). Knowing that I didn't want to be a working mother, and that I couldn't give 100% to more than one job at a time, I was not disappointed when I found out that we were not able to have kids. Ten years later SUPRISE! A KID! Best thing that ever happened to me (although it took a while to convince me of it).

I've always been fascinated with Australia. I believe it all began with a Mutual of Omaha program about koalas. The more I learned about the fascinating wildlife that is abundant "down under" the more I craved a first-hand experience. I have yet to travel outside of US, but I am hoping with all hope that this adventure is not too far down the road at this point.

As a child, my brother used "Disney World" as a manipulative tool. He was much older than my sister and I and used his power/authority for evil. Like any youngster, we longed for the Magic Kingdom, which was always dangled as a promise, but never came to fruition. This year I was lucky enough to receive a small windfall and used it primarily to treat myself, my daughter, my mom and my sister to a 5 day trip to Disney in Orlando. I can't wait to go back with just my little girl! Or hey - maybe even convince my husband to come along!

I don't know whether or not a make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but I try to reach out to people and be helpful on a daily basis. I know for certain that I've made a difference to some people who are very special to me. I'm still working on the rest of the world!

I think if I focus on authoring a children's book, a novel, or a memoir, it will come to be. There are always so many thoughts and ideas swimming around in my mind, I would be smart to start journalling them and keeping track. Seems that writing things down should be easier. I need to take time to do that.

As much as I complain about my mate, I really do know that he loves me. He puts up with a lot from me and supports me in my mothering career. He's a good man and a decent father on most days. I'm lucky to be loved by him!


One of the first adventures I had on my own when I moved out of my mother's house was volunteering at the local zoo. I loved it. My favorite part was learning about the animals and receiving the training. I learned so much! I still have the manual around here someplace, I'm sure! We were encouraged to handle small animals and biofacts. Also we would hang around our favorite exhibits, answering questions and engaging visitors in conversation about the fauna. I still love guiding tours of the zoo for friends, although it has changed a lot in the last 15 years. I love sharing cool animal facts, especially with kids.



9. My favorite paying job ever was when I worked in the credit card department at a large bank. I was able to help people who were mis-charged by merchants on their credit accounts. I felt good helping people, knowing the codes, rules and regulations that protected them and being able to ease their stress by putting that information to work for them.


10. Growing up, every day I felt the need to "go home" even if I was at my place of residence. I didn't feel safe there. I never knew what would happen. I tried to be at friends' houses most of the time. Later, I think I felt fairly safe in the world until 2000. That is the year when my marriage started getting difficult, my cherished nephew (now deceased) fell ill at 5 weeks old, and I unexpectedly became pregnant. Through all of that and then followed by the notorious attacks of 9/11/01 when my baby was only a week old, I haven't really felt that safe. Having a child to protect makes me feel, at times, more vulnerable than ever. I still have bouts of invincibility, but normally that's just me getting into trouble. Maybe nobody really feels safe in the world, maybe it was just a pipe dream.

PS - I really did begin this post on Tuesday

Enjoy your mother's day with a look at these precious mama's!

http://listoftheday.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Cary!

Happy Mother's Day

In preparation for my busy and gift-filled day tomorrow (yeah,right) I am posting my well-wishes for you a few hours early. If you are a mom, or ever had a mom, have a blessed, happy day today. Focus not on what your mother wasn't, or your own shortcomings as a mom, but what a great person Mom was outside of being a mother. What were her hopes and dreams for the future when she was a child? How about when she was the age that you are now? What are you hopes and dreams for your own children?

My first Mother's Day as a mom, I wrote a letter to my unborn child. I may just dig it out and read it tomorrow. I'm not ready yet for her to see it. Perhaps when she is pregnant (30 years from now right??) and expecting her own bundle.

I am in the mother's day mood because of a podcast I listened to tonight from Julia Sweeney. It was her Earth Day special on NPR which I missed and had been meaning to listen to since that day. Whether or not you believe in a "Mother Earth" or that our planet is the firmanent created by the one and only true God of the universe, please take time to listen to her show. I found it quite interesting and am looking forward to future installments of Home Sweet Earth on National Public Radio.

Ten Things Too Late for Tuesday (teacher apprec)

Teacher Appreciation ideas for this week - Teacher appreciation week - or any other time.

1. Basket of flavored coffee. We also gifted our teachers with a coffee maker by Cuisinart on Monday.

2. "Thank you for MOLDing the future" gift bags including tiny play-dough packets

3. "Thank you for planting the seeds of success" gift card including flower seeds

4. Organize a potluck or cater in lunch

5. Teacher's Hall of Fame: Each class makes a poster regarding how much they appreciate their teacher, and they are all hung in the hallway.

6. Fill photo album with pictures of the class and tie it with a bow!

7. "we are so FORTUNE-ate to have you as a teacher" label on box of fortune cookies

8. Have children make special card for teacher

9. Don't forget your "specials" teachers

10. Gift certificates - you can't go wrong!