For some reason the link to the Tuesday Blog isn't working in my previous post. Here it is:
http://www.half12.blogspot.com/
Friday, January 30, 2009
How Your Heart Can Break For A Stranger
Thankful I'm off work today. Thankful no one is here to see my bawling my eyes out. Thankful - knock on wood - I have a healthy child.
I can't imagine. I just can't imagine.
Please pray for Tuesday and her family - not just on Tuesday, but every day.
Plan B (this isn't about birth control)
On many occasions, I have marveled at the different high school experiences that Hubby and I had. I was a Good Girl. I never got into trouble (read: never got caught in anything more than minor mischief), I didn't drink, didn't smoke, and pretty much followed the rulz. Hubby on the other hand, did not. I'm sincerely amazed that he made it to and through college, much less to adulthood. Because of his partying ways, he somehow established the nickname, The Zorn. I don't get it, I don't understand it. But I have seen it in action and been amazed by the party power of The Zorn.
Because of this, I often worry about what the future holds for the Mini. Will he be The Saint or The Sinner? Or maybe a hybrid of the two? I've already decided that in order to delay additional graying of my hair and to help him make it to adulthood with a completely functioning body and all of his limbs intact, I must plan for the future.
Plan A.
At age 12, Mini will be informed that if he gets "A's" in junior high and high school, successfully obtains scholarships to pay for schooling, and maintains this success through college, upon graduation he will receive any and all money left over in his college fund to use as he wishes. Travel the world, down-payment on a house, cars, whatever. It is my firm belief that the promise of this money will encourage him to bury his nose in the books and eliminate any desire to duplicate The Zorn. If he were to labor under the misguided belief that the fund is larger than it actually is, I, of course, cannot control that. This is bribery of the highest order.
After further consideration, I came up with Plan B and immediately realized that Plan B is likely to have fewer loopholes or potential problems as Plan A (what if, by the time Mini reaches age 12, he's just not the absolute GENIUS that he is now?). So, Plan B is the New Plan A.
Plan B (but really A)
Commencing immediately, use of the computer will be encouraged. Monitored, of course. Since most habits, personality traits, characteristics are pretty much set in stone by age 5, I will spend the next 2 ½ years turning Mini into a computer nerd. If I shape him NOW to become a nerd, by the time he reaches high school, he will be more interested in pounded away on the computer keys, doing projects for science fairs and studying the migration habits of ants than he will in turning himself into the second coming of The Zorn.
Now, this is not to suggest that by being less like Hubby will make him happier, more successful, etc. But, it definitely increases his chances of survival.
Because of this, I often worry about what the future holds for the Mini. Will he be The Saint or The Sinner? Or maybe a hybrid of the two? I've already decided that in order to delay additional graying of my hair and to help him make it to adulthood with a completely functioning body and all of his limbs intact, I must plan for the future.
Plan A.
At age 12, Mini will be informed that if he gets "A's" in junior high and high school, successfully obtains scholarships to pay for schooling, and maintains this success through college, upon graduation he will receive any and all money left over in his college fund to use as he wishes. Travel the world, down-payment on a house, cars, whatever. It is my firm belief that the promise of this money will encourage him to bury his nose in the books and eliminate any desire to duplicate The Zorn. If he were to labor under the misguided belief that the fund is larger than it actually is, I, of course, cannot control that. This is bribery of the highest order.
After further consideration, I came up with Plan B and immediately realized that Plan B is likely to have fewer loopholes or potential problems as Plan A (what if, by the time Mini reaches age 12, he's just not the absolute GENIUS that he is now?). So, Plan B is the New Plan A.
Plan B (but really A)
Commencing immediately, use of the computer will be encouraged. Monitored, of course. Since most habits, personality traits, characteristics are pretty much set in stone by age 5, I will spend the next 2 ½ years turning Mini into a computer nerd. If I shape him NOW to become a nerd, by the time he reaches high school, he will be more interested in pounded away on the computer keys, doing projects for science fairs and studying the migration habits of ants than he will in turning himself into the second coming of The Zorn.
Now, this is not to suggest that by being less like Hubby will make him happier, more successful, etc. But, it definitely increases his chances of survival.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
I got this award from Katy! But technically, she didn’t give it to me. I begged for it. With smiley faces.
The rules for the Honest Scrap award -The honorees are to: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.
Part A. Honesty:
1. I have a weird fascination with natural disasters. Ever see “Catch and Release”? Jennifer Garner’s character starts revealing deep, dark secrets about herself and says, “I love natural disasters and I’m genuinely disappointed when the death toll isn’t higher.” Well, I’m not THAT bad, but I found it hilarious in the same way I found Coco’s booger collection funny. So maybe I can identify with that. No judging, thanks. I guess I have a little bit of a dark side.
2. I’m very anal (pardon the pun) about pinching off a loaf in public/shared restrooms. If I am ever unable to take care of business BEFORE coming to work, I have a very complicated way of getting it done between the hours of 7:30 and 4:30. And, if I’m being PERFECTLY honest, I never go poo-ey after 10-ish. For some reason, my biological make-up just doesn’t allow it.
3. I love restaurants. I love not cooking. I love being waited on. I love being given practically anything I ask for (within reason, of course).
4. When I was little, I wanted to be a garbage collector. Riding on the back of the truck looked so effing fun.
5. I have a hard time turning the household and toddler-related chores over to Hubby. Last night, it took everything I had to just sit on the couch and watch TV while Hubby gave Mini his bath. I think I have control issues.
6. I don’t have high self-esteem. In fact, it’s pretty low. Work compliments? Nah, they just haven’t figured me out yet. Looks? I hate my nose, I have a butt-crack wrinkle between my eyebrows, I need to lose 20 pounds to be at my wedding weight and I have horribly dry feet. Being a wife and mom? I don’t have the most patience in the world and think I could be doing a better job for them both.
7. I used to worry so badly about my parents – if I couldn’t reach them on the phone I would be in a near-panic state, convinced they’d been in a car wreck or had died from carbon monoxide poisoning. I think living so far away has sort of cured that for me.
8. If you had told me ten years ago that I would live any farther away from A-Town than Dallas, TX, I would have laughed at you. If you had told me that I’d move to Portland without knowing a soul in town, I would have told you that you were nuts. It just wasn’t something I ever imagined for myself.
9. I want to live in New York City and am insanely jealous of anyone that does. Watching The City makes me sadz. Whitney Port has my dream job AND lives in my dream city. What a Bitch.
10. I love to spend money, but never do.
Part B. Pass it on!
Lindsay
Kally
Impulsive Addict
Anniebanannie
Coco (although she just listed 100 things about herself, so she might be listed out.)
Shannon
Lisa
No worries if you don't want to do it! I'll still like you.
The rules for the Honest Scrap award -The honorees are to: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.
Part A. Honesty:
1. I have a weird fascination with natural disasters. Ever see “Catch and Release”? Jennifer Garner’s character starts revealing deep, dark secrets about herself and says, “I love natural disasters and I’m genuinely disappointed when the death toll isn’t higher.” Well, I’m not THAT bad, but I found it hilarious in the same way I found Coco’s booger collection funny. So maybe I can identify with that. No judging, thanks. I guess I have a little bit of a dark side.
2. I’m very anal (pardon the pun) about pinching off a loaf in public/shared restrooms. If I am ever unable to take care of business BEFORE coming to work, I have a very complicated way of getting it done between the hours of 7:30 and 4:30. And, if I’m being PERFECTLY honest, I never go poo-ey after 10-ish. For some reason, my biological make-up just doesn’t allow it.
3. I love restaurants. I love not cooking. I love being waited on. I love being given practically anything I ask for (within reason, of course).
4. When I was little, I wanted to be a garbage collector. Riding on the back of the truck looked so effing fun.
5. I have a hard time turning the household and toddler-related chores over to Hubby. Last night, it took everything I had to just sit on the couch and watch TV while Hubby gave Mini his bath. I think I have control issues.
6. I don’t have high self-esteem. In fact, it’s pretty low. Work compliments? Nah, they just haven’t figured me out yet. Looks? I hate my nose, I have a butt-crack wrinkle between my eyebrows, I need to lose 20 pounds to be at my wedding weight and I have horribly dry feet. Being a wife and mom? I don’t have the most patience in the world and think I could be doing a better job for them both.
7. I used to worry so badly about my parents – if I couldn’t reach them on the phone I would be in a near-panic state, convinced they’d been in a car wreck or had died from carbon monoxide poisoning. I think living so far away has sort of cured that for me.
8. If you had told me ten years ago that I would live any farther away from A-Town than Dallas, TX, I would have laughed at you. If you had told me that I’d move to Portland without knowing a soul in town, I would have told you that you were nuts. It just wasn’t something I ever imagined for myself.
9. I want to live in New York City and am insanely jealous of anyone that does. Watching The City makes me sadz. Whitney Port has my dream job AND lives in my dream city. What a Bitch.
10. I love to spend money, but never do.
Part B. Pass it on!
Lindsay
Kally
Impulsive Addict
Anniebanannie
Coco (although she just listed 100 things about herself, so she might be listed out.)
Shannon
Lisa
No worries if you don't want to do it! I'll still like you.
Make It Count Monday
Yeah, yeah. So it’s not Monday. But dammit, this is MY blog and I can call it Monday if I want to. I was preoccupied with pictures of The Mini on Monday.
Today my MICM is a double barrel shout-out. This one goes to…my parents!
My momma
I really do have the best mom and know how lucky I am to have her. And I know how lucky she feels to have me as a daughter, because let’s face it - who wouldn’t? But, seriously folks… I know there were a lot of sacrifices that were made while my Sis and I were growing up and Mom was more than happy to make them. Or, if she wasn’t happy about it, she never let on! :o) I’m so glad that I was never a latchkey kid and that there was someone home after school when I got there. I’m so glad that once I got into Junior High, she never made me ride the bus… she always drove me to school in the big blue tank (that 76 Buick Regal was hot!) – which was infinitely better than one of the Yellow Dawgs. I’m so glad that, even though we weren’t the richest family in town, sis and I always had (almost) everything we wanted. I may have never had a pair of Guess jeans, but dammit it if I didn’t have a pair of Keds and a pair of Dexters. My momma is funny - intentionally and unintentionally – and is never funnier than when she gets tickled about something and you can tell she just might tinkle on herself.
Daddio
My daddio is Da Man. Anybody who knows him will tell you I’m not lying. He’s funnier than most people I know and loyal to the core. Dad worked hard so that we could have what we needed and to make sure we were all safe, so much so that he went halfway across the world to do it. When he was gone to Desert Storm in 1991 (first to go, last to come home!), I was in a bit of a selfish teenager phase. I’m not sure why, but when he was gone, I think I only wrote him one letter and I still feel guilty about it to this day. I talked to him on the phone when he would get a chance to call and I missed him like crazy. Maybe it was easier for me to deal with it that way. But, regardless, he never let on if this made him angry or hurt him in any way. That’s how awesome he is. One summer, the newspaper in town was having a contest – sort of a scavenger hunt with new clues each week – and my dad and I tried to figure it out together. We didn’t, but to this day it’s one of my very best memories with my dad.
My parents are fun, funny, smart, and steadfast. If everyone had parents like mine, the world would be a better place.
Today my MICM is a double barrel shout-out. This one goes to…my parents!
My momma
I really do have the best mom and know how lucky I am to have her. And I know how lucky she feels to have me as a daughter, because let’s face it - who wouldn’t? But, seriously folks… I know there were a lot of sacrifices that were made while my Sis and I were growing up and Mom was more than happy to make them. Or, if she wasn’t happy about it, she never let on! :o) I’m so glad that I was never a latchkey kid and that there was someone home after school when I got there. I’m so glad that once I got into Junior High, she never made me ride the bus… she always drove me to school in the big blue tank (that 76 Buick Regal was hot!) – which was infinitely better than one of the Yellow Dawgs. I’m so glad that, even though we weren’t the richest family in town, sis and I always had (almost) everything we wanted. I may have never had a pair of Guess jeans, but dammit it if I didn’t have a pair of Keds and a pair of Dexters. My momma is funny - intentionally and unintentionally – and is never funnier than when she gets tickled about something and you can tell she just might tinkle on herself.
Daddio
My daddio is Da Man. Anybody who knows him will tell you I’m not lying. He’s funnier than most people I know and loyal to the core. Dad worked hard so that we could have what we needed and to make sure we were all safe, so much so that he went halfway across the world to do it. When he was gone to Desert Storm in 1991 (first to go, last to come home!), I was in a bit of a selfish teenager phase. I’m not sure why, but when he was gone, I think I only wrote him one letter and I still feel guilty about it to this day. I talked to him on the phone when he would get a chance to call and I missed him like crazy. Maybe it was easier for me to deal with it that way. But, regardless, he never let on if this made him angry or hurt him in any way. That’s how awesome he is. One summer, the newspaper in town was having a contest – sort of a scavenger hunt with new clues each week – and my dad and I tried to figure it out together. We didn’t, but to this day it’s one of my very best memories with my dad.
My parents are fun, funny, smart, and steadfast. If everyone had parents like mine, the world would be a better place.
Monday, January 26, 2009
For a Limited Time Only
ETR (Edited to Remove) pictures of Mini!
First of all, I would like to send a Thank You to the person who put the sticky note on the bathroom stall door which said “No T.P.” on it, thereby helping me to avoid the dreaded drip dry. Even though you don’t read this blog – whoever you are – thanks for alerting us all to the absence of shit tickets. You have served human kind well today.
Katy has asked that I come out of the glass and share some pictures. The idea of this makes me very nervous. As it is, there are certain identifiers in my blog that could undeniably tie it to me and I’ve been very careful to avoid being detected. That said, I really would like to share some pictures of my Mini. So for today and today only, I am honoring Katy’s request.
A bit of photojournalism for you…
Here is Mini pretending to be asleep. If only…
:o) Picture deleted!
He doesn’t have a long shelf life in faking me out. He’s easily distracted by Little Einsteins.
:o) Picture deleted!
And now Leo, Annie, Quincy and June have worn out their welcome. Time to get up….
:o) Picture deleted!
…and give a smile to the Vessel (aka Me)
:o) Picture deleted!
What? Someone dared to tell the Mini no?!?!
:o) Picture deleted!
And now the demonic possession begins to manifest.
:o) Picture deleted!
I’ve heard that when you take pictures of people who are possessed, the image is distorted.
:o) Picture deleted!
And just as quickly as it takes hold, it is exorcised by the discovery of the Vessel’s (aka Me) headband.
:o) Picture deleted!
Have a great day everyone!!
First of all, I would like to send a Thank You to the person who put the sticky note on the bathroom stall door which said “No T.P.” on it, thereby helping me to avoid the dreaded drip dry. Even though you don’t read this blog – whoever you are – thanks for alerting us all to the absence of shit tickets. You have served human kind well today.
Katy has asked that I come out of the glass and share some pictures. The idea of this makes me very nervous. As it is, there are certain identifiers in my blog that could undeniably tie it to me and I’ve been very careful to avoid being detected. That said, I really would like to share some pictures of my Mini. So for today and today only, I am honoring Katy’s request.
A bit of photojournalism for you…
Here is Mini pretending to be asleep. If only…
:o) Picture deleted!
He doesn’t have a long shelf life in faking me out. He’s easily distracted by Little Einsteins.
:o) Picture deleted!
And now Leo, Annie, Quincy and June have worn out their welcome. Time to get up….
:o) Picture deleted!
…and give a smile to the Vessel (aka Me)
:o) Picture deleted!
What? Someone dared to tell the Mini no?!?!
:o) Picture deleted!
And now the demonic possession begins to manifest.
:o) Picture deleted!
I’ve heard that when you take pictures of people who are possessed, the image is distorted.
:o) Picture deleted!
And just as quickly as it takes hold, it is exorcised by the discovery of the Vessel’s (aka Me) headband.
:o) Picture deleted!
Have a great day everyone!!
Weird.
I didn't really watch any news this weekend, and this morning when I briefly heard the news about a shooting downtown, I cringed internally and then went about my morning. On the way to work, Hubby told me all about it. Apparently some random guy parked his car outside the building I work in, walked about 6 blocks away and started shooting at some teens waiting to get in an underage nightclub for a birthday party on Saturday night. The worst part, according to the story Hubby read? The club had been rented out by the Rotary Club and there were a bunch of foreign exchange students there for the party. One of the girls that died was from Peru and another was a local girl who was planning to study in France or Spain. Seven other people were shot.
Aside from the fact that two families' lives were just completely destroyed, I'm selfishly sad that this happened HERE. As you probably know from my previous post, I lived downtown when I first moved here. I've always loved the vibe and how alive it is. Yeah, you got your freaks, druggies and runaways, but that's part of its charm and for the most part everyone coexists rather peacefully. I've always felt so safe at any time of day or night. I suppose it doesn't really matter where you are, though. This sort of thing can happen anywhere, right?
Oh well....
Aside from the fact that two families' lives were just completely destroyed, I'm selfishly sad that this happened HERE. As you probably know from my previous post, I lived downtown when I first moved here. I've always loved the vibe and how alive it is. Yeah, you got your freaks, druggies and runaways, but that's part of its charm and for the most part everyone coexists rather peacefully. I've always felt so safe at any time of day or night. I suppose it doesn't really matter where you are, though. This sort of thing can happen anywhere, right?
Oh well....
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