twaddle

2011-12-04T04:08:00.001-08:00

Dear Santa, I have done all my chores this year. I have been mostly good. If you think that is good, please bring me a DS. I will leave a treat for you. Love, Aaron

6!

2011-11-18T04:44:00.001-08:00

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!www.onetruemedia.com

2011-08-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

If I could, I would take pencil to paper and draw the sight of the houses lined up like soldiers at watch along the cliffs in all their salt-water taffy colored glory. I’d color in the fourteen, fifteen, maybe even twenty different shades of blue between sea and sky, only to run out of options when it came time to add the greens on the hills and in the hedges and in all the little nooks and

2011-08-17T21:03:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is our last full day in the US. I keep running that idea around in my head, trying to figure out how it feels. I had such good intentions this morning-- get the laundry done, pack everything we don't need for the next day and a half, put the boy down for a nap, haul out the laptop, and let my fingers sort it all out. Put into print everything we've been doing so that I could neatly

Another Test

2011-07-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

test test test

2011-07-28T23:40:00.001-07:00

test test test

mantra

2011-06-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Total meltdown at school today. I walked in the door right in the middle of it. He had, quite literally, run over another kid out on the playground while in a hurry to find someone else and then refused to stop when called out for his behavior by the teacher. Just kept going. When the teacher took steps to intervene, to get him to stop, to take control, he lost it. Hitting, kicking,

looky, looky!

2011-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here's what I did today: Everything Must Go! And, just think, if you're lucky enough to be local, some of it could come to YOUR house! I'll even bring it over for you! Maybe even if you don't exactly ask for it! Fa-la-la-la-la-ding-dong, it's the furniture fairy and everybody wins!

how i began my summer vacation

2011-06-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

So remember three weeks ago when I was all like "Hey! I'm really excited about something but I can't tell anybody anything about it, but woo-hoo! Homeward Bound!"? And then two weeks ago on Facebook when I was all like "Hey! We're moving to Delaware!"? And then it was Tuesday, May 31st and Josh came home from work and was all like "Hey! What if we didn't move to Delaware and I didn't quit

waiting

2011-05-26T22:13:00.001-07:00

There is a smile on my face tonight and my heart occasionally stops its steady rhythm to flutter emphatically. There is no certainty to the thoughts racing to my head, but they are relentless nonetheless. And although I can say no more here or there or anywhere, at least not now, I just may be humming this tune on endless loop and whispering, "Oh! Oh!" to myself between phrases.

2011-02-21T02:12:00.000-08:00

She is sitting with her back to me as we approach the park. "Oh, hun," I hear her say. "Do yourself a favor and wait until you meet your baby to decide how you're going to parent him." Aaron runs off in the direction of the slide. I catch her eye and give a little wave. "My sister," she mouths. I nod, set down the backpack and sit down beside it, catching a glimpse of curly red hair

troll fodder

2011-02-07T23:00:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that we're having Aaron tested to see if he fits somewhere along the autism spectrum? I know, I know! If only I had taken the time to hold my baby instead of isolating him in his jail-like bed at the far end of the house with nothing but a BPA laced bottle decorated with licensed characters in lead paint filled with Nestle Good Start and violence filled television programming for

why i don't think cio is the devil

2011-02-01T21:00:00.001-08:00

I'm trying so hard to just keep out of this (and all other controversy that doesn't directly impact my present life), but as a former member of the CIO camp, I feel that some balance is needed in the discussion. Not, I recognize, that there is much discussion going on over here lately. But maybe, just maybe, I keep thinking, someone will stumble on my site while trying to make sense of where

for sarah

2010-12-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

You who are on the roadMust have a code that you can live byAnd so become yourselfBecause the past is just a good bye.Teach your children well,Their father's hell did slowly go by,And feed them on your dreamsThe one they picked, the one you'll know by.Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.And you, of tender years,Can't

five!

2010-11-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

birthday eve

2010-11-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

It must have been a particularly hard night. Or maybe a day filled with teething and tantrum-ing. Maybe it was one of those long winter days after the snow has turned from fluffy-white to drudgey grey. Whatever. The exact setting isn't so important. There is no need of a scene to help frame the memory."If we make it to five," we whispered to each other over a nodding head, eyes finally

so... i guess we're off the hook for that puppy?

2010-11-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

Boog, what do you want from Daddy and me for your birthday?Um. Oh, I know! How about a motorcycle?!Well, that would be a lot of fun, but you have to wait until you're old enough to drive one. We can add that to your list of things you want to do, though. What else do you want?How about a big water pail that's up on the roof and only I have the password to it and not you and Daddy and there's

stop. candy time.

2010-10-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hope you were all properly tricked and/or treated!

a love letter

2010-09-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Oh, Boog.Where do I start? We measured you the night before last. I was helping you get ready for bed when I glanced up at the door post between your bedroom and your bathroom and saw the mark from last year. 44 inches. When you stepped away from the door, I made you go back so that I could make sure that I hadn't messed it up. Three inches in a little over a year might not seem like much,

2010-09-09T00:15:00.001-07:00

Can't sleep tonight. Not sure what that's all about, but after lying in bed, fighting it for nearly an hour, I gave up. I had a sudden yearning for a cup of hot milk laced with vanilla and cardamom. Not sure where that came from, but I had all the stuff, so make it I did. A pinch of splenda and two minutes in the microwave later and I have to say it's quite tasty. Kind of rice puddingy without

top ten things I wish I had said

2010-08-02T19:18:00.001-07:00

to the biddy at the public pool who decided to take offense at my four-year-old in the women's locker room this afternoon:10. My child's comfort and safety trump your body image issues and repressed sexuality.9. He's way more interested in how the automatic shower head works than anything you could ever expose him to.8. If he's even looking, it's just because he's used to everything he's

dear man with the yellow hat,

2010-07-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

If we all get food poisoning tonight, it's your fault.xoxo,Susan

today was a good day

2010-07-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

July 5, 2010Today I found a message in a bottle. I was so surprised! I am sending my message out so that you will be surprised, too. If you find my message, I hope that you will let me know. You can email my mommy at s.sandn@gmail.com and she will read it to me. I hope your day is very good!From, Aaron, age 4Benicia, CA (USA)

2010-06-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

"Hey lady. I'm always thinking of you. I love you and miss you and wish you weren't so damned far away."It took me a minute to figure out what the buzzing noise was -- too much intermittently buzzing technology 'round here. This time my cell phone left on vibrate was the culprit. As I read her text, the miles just slipped away and there I was, sipping a cool glass of water from the sink in

happy father's day!

2010-06-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

holy. wow.

2010-05-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

Grab a box of tissues, click on the post title, then hold on to your seat. If reading through message threads isn't your thing, MotherJones pulls the story together quite neatly. (Hard to believe that it's) hard to believe this kind of thing still happens. Amazing what a few concerned individuals can do when they take the initiative. Once again I am slapped upside the head with the

elaboration -or- more about something i've already talked to death

2010-05-18T09:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Sister,(In my blog post) I hastily tossed out words, trying to capture a snapshot of what I was feeling at that instant. I wish now that I had been more deliberate, had taken the time to elaborate more fully. That’s what I’ll try to do here. Bear with me, please. The original post is indented, my explanation of each part below.I try to figure out when it all started. Maybe the key to the

did i tell you about wednesday yet?

2010-05-17T10:19:00.001-07:00

One of Dr. R's favorite ways to pass the time while I am snuffling incoherently on his couch is to ask me questions intended to get me to be more reflective and less reactive. At least I think that's the purpose. Maybe he's just trying to distract me so that I will STOP. WHINING. ALREADY. Last session he kept asking me "But who is nurturing you?" I rattled off the poor souls who are currently

2010-05-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

For me, the hardest part of writing has always been coming up with a way to start. I generally know where I want to go -- which witty little anecdotes I'll throw in along the way to keep the journey lively and what my big close will look like. I've always been proud of my writing; invigorated by the way the words just seem to wrap themselves around each other, painting a picture. Whether or

2010-05-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I had neglected this space long enough that I would be posting essentially anonymously again, so I was somewhat shocked by the handful of emails I got in response to my last post. The free version of Sitemeter that I've been running must only list certain types of visitors, keeping full disclosure for paying members. Whatever. The bottom line is that I thank each and every one of

[deep breath] here goes

2010-05-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

Um.Hi.Sorry, I'm kind of nervous. I'm not sure how this is supposed to go. My name? Oh. Sorry. My name is Susan. Do I wait for you all to echo that back? [nervous laugh]Sorry. I know, I'm not supposed to keep apologizing. Sorr... um, yeah. Anyways. My name is Susan and I am depressed. It's been just a little over 72 hours since the good doctor actually said the "d" word. I don't

and so it begins...

2010-05-02T20:48:00.001-07:00

2010-04-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

iWent.iTapped.iTilted.iTyped.iQueried.iPondered.iWandered.andThen?iStumbled headlong into a table filled with MacBook Pros and fell instantly in love and brought one home with me. iPad? i'mSorry. .

test

2010-04-04T14:41:00.001-07:00

Looks like I'm just an iTouch post away from jumping on the Pad-wagon. Crossing iFingers and iPublishing now...

it figures

2010-03-03T14:50:00.001-08:00

Guess who decided to be proactive re: the whole dropping of the nap thingy?Guess who decided to get up extra early to get a head start on all those things that are usually taken care of during naptime?Guess who planned FUN! ACTIVITIES! for the time formerly known as "naptime"?Guess who had it all worked out so that we would have that done and be on our way to this place and subsequently arrive at

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

2010-03-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Translation: The Nap is dead. Long live the Afternoon Rest*.Alternately: What the f*ck is Mommy supposed to do when her head starts to feel like it's going to explode and there is no grand, glorious, sparkly, shimmery blessed beacon of peace and quiet in the not too distant future?Or, In Other Words: How much longer until Kindergarten?Also: Don't tell me to enjoy this time, it's going to go

legacy

2010-02-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

I took Aaron to the pediatrician this morning -- a follow up to the follow up to his annual appointment back in early December. At that time I had brought up my (slight) concern that he sounds stuffy all the time ("Mommy" sounds more like "Bobby") and frequently snores. It probably doesn't help that he keeps that damned blankie shoved in his mouth at night, but that doesn't explain why he doesn't

well, the hoodie was scratchy. plus, i couldn't find a frame that fit my face

2010-02-05T14:34:00.001-08:00

I've spent the majority of my free time this week frantically typing out some of the pea-soup that, in my head, passes for thought. Trying desperately to make sense of my feelings re: political correctness. 2000+ words later and still only about halfway through, it occurred to me that I was writing more of a manifesto than a post. So I'll sum it up this way:Be respectful. Think first, then

pov*, I suppose

2010-01-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Checking through my email just now, I found this gem: I know some of you have seen this on my facebook status, but I wanted to share it with those who haven’t. I only wish I could take credit for it, but I “borrowed” it from a friend. I simply can’t get over the truth it holds while at the same time causing me to chuckle out loud each time I read it!!Hope it makes you chuckle/think too!!Love

good morning, indeed

2010-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

If you've spent more than 3 seconds with me, you know I'm a creature of habit and it should come as no surprise to learn that we have a specific routine that we go through most mornings. I say most because although Mama likes her routine, there is nothing quite as unpredictable as a 4 year-old with his mind made up to do things his own way, whichever way the winds of preschool rationality might

resolutions: less

2010-01-20T09:37:00.000-08:00

Less "never" and more "better late than". Just because I didn't get the thankyou's out for Aaron's birthday doesn't mean you don't deserve one. Is there a tactful yet endearing way to grovel?Less "yes" to everybody else so that I have more time available to say "yes" to my Most Important People. **MIP status subject to random and arbitrary change at a moment's notice, highly dependent on what

blips

2010-01-12T11:43:00.001-08:00

Mommy, I am going to make you my famous peanut butter and jelly water now.Mmm, that sounds delicious.Yes, it is. And it is very hard to make.It is?Yes, it is. It is very hard to make because it is water. So it doesn't have very many 'gredients. So you have to get it just right.Thinking: Hmmm. Seems like someone else had a similar problem once. Except that wasn't about making something else

dictation

2009-12-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,I want a great big dumptruck. It has blocks in the back. Yes, I have been kind of good and kind of bad but I will be good so you can still bring it.Love,Aaron.

this probably won't make much sense. sorry about that.

2009-12-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have a love-hate relationship with my TuesdayFreedays. I love dropping the boy off at school, getting a hug goodbye at the door. I love the quick walk back to the car. The key in the ignition sparks the beginning of a day full of endless options. Coffee on the couch with a paperback; grocery shopping without my focus on whats going into the basket being divided by what has to come back out.

personal correspondence

2009-11-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

Daddy:My responses in bold.On Sun, Nov 29, 2009 at 3:03 PM, PS wrote:Questions I Believe Need Answers1. Does man need someone or something greater than self to revere?"Need" in what capacity? For happiness or fulfillment? To drive towards greater good? I don't know whether or not some manner of reverence is absolutely necessary to achieve these ideals -- there are a number of people I

hi, four

2009-11-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

I see you there, peeking around the corner. In a few short hours you'll be all settled in, ready to unleash all the special Fourishness you can muster... I just hope we're as ready for you as we are excited to see what you have up your sleeves!I feel like I should warn you, though, that Three has left you some pretty big shoes to fill. Three has developed into quite the master of negotiation

what i would have posted if i hadn't put the usb cable in a safe place so i wouldn't forget where it was

2009-10-19T15:17:00.001-07:00

Thankfully, while I was pulling out my hair wringing my hands muttering incoherently looking for it we had friends visiting who were wise enough to suggest getting a card reader which made Josh remember that his computer already has a card reader so I was able to upload these pictures and post them after downloading Picasa to his computer and making a few minor tweaks. *take breath here* Anybody

how i spent my mini mommy vacay

2009-10-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

Per normal, I pissed the entire morning away, alternating between trying to get into a more relaxed frame of mind and freaking out over what I might have forgotten to pack/say/do that would result in my unexpected allotment of freedom being cut all too short. Kinda like thinking you won the lottery only to discover at the last minute that you were actually 1 number off. Completely unnecessary

freaked

2009-10-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

That's what my innards are doing right now. Especially my stomach. My stomach feels like Slash (ala the 2:52 mark) has taken up residence just to the right of my pyloric sphincter.Normally at this time on Tuesday afternoon I am realizing that I've pissed* the entire day away and that in less than two hours, I'll be back on Mommy duty. Not today, though. Today, Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 2

so this is monday

2009-10-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

So let's say that you are feeling all super-mommish whilst your only boy child is watching a particularly riveting episode of Sid (he's in your house often enough (along with Mom, Dad, Grandma, Zeke, Teacher Susie, Gabriela, May, and oh yes, let's not forget Gerald) for you to be on a first name basis) and you decide to take the "Hey, you're a scientist! You can do this too!" challenge

moving on

2009-10-02T21:37:00.001-07:00

< bury post > Can't live with the raw, unedited feelings on the front page anymore. Not ashamed of them, trying very hard to not feel guilty about them or to somehow make excuses for the circumstances that brought them out, but not yet ready to face them every time I come to my space. Somehow, I think most of you get that. Thank you. Throwing a temper tantrum never felt so good. < /bury post

and then i will leave it alone.

2009-09-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy,Thank you so much for your letter. What a surprise to hear from you. My initial response, my ONLY response, is this:Thank you for (inadvertently, of course) confirming that our decision to have only one child is truly "for our good". Slipping into the habits and "norms" from my childhood would be all too seductive otherwise. This way? My choices are MY choices,

complacency check

2009-09-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

All it takes is one red towel in a not-so-red load of wash to take an otherwise not-so-bad weekend down a notch or two..

yet another reason i (heart) pbs

2009-09-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

On 9/8/09 11:21 AM, "s.sandngmail.com" (dictated to me and I) wrote:Dear Martha,At the end of the show when you were the school teacher, that man put on a sign that said "no dogs". I would like to know what might happen if you didn't follow the rules?Love,Aaron(age 3, CA)On 9/14/09 11:13 AM, martha_feedback wrote:Hi Aaron!Thank you so much for writing! What a stupendous question! I think the “no

sing-song

2009-09-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Last night Aaron asked me to "sing something we never sang before" for his bedtime song. Of course, the only songs I could come up with were our old standbys -- Twinkle Star, I See the Moon, Little Boy Blue... and then I suddenly remembered a song that Granny Nina used to sing to us. As I started humming the tune, I momentarily wondered why I had never sung this song before, feeling almost

things (part 2.75)

2009-09-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering:We have had several conversations since last week re:teeth are for food and blankie and not people. Some matter of fact (there are lots of germs in our mouths and when we put our mouths on other people, we pass along our germs), some stern (people don't like to be around people who hurt them), some silly (wouldn't you rather eat spaghetti than arm?). We hadn't

things (part 4)

2009-09-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

My little brother will soon be deploying deployed for Afghanistan last weekend.Though a self-proclaimed pacifist at heart, I respect that his chosen field is honorable and, yes, even necessary. I am proud, proud, proud, PROUD of him -- he seems to have found something that he is passionate about and has worked very hard to get to where he is. He is (usually) a level headed kind of guy, quick to

things (part 3)

2009-09-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

When he's not biting me (which, to be fair, is like 98% of the time. I guess the 2% just seems like a lot more because, oh, I don't know, IT HURTS.), Aaron is transforming into a pretty neat kid. I'm stunned, STUNNED on a minute by minute basis by how much stuff this kid knows and sees and retains and applies. I try to keep up, but somehow I managed to birth a gear head and damned if that stuff

things (part 2.5)

2009-09-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Guess who bit another kid at school yesterday?"I was just too frustrated to use my words and decided I should use my teeth, Mommy," he told me. Apparently he had been building a block tower and someone else decided to knock it over."Oh, I understand. That makes sense," he told the teacher when she pulled him aside and told him in no uncertain terms that biting was never, ever, ever appropriate

things (part 2)

2009-08-23T22:50:00.001-07:00

My child is a biter.You know that list of despicable human qualities that you carry around in your head? The one that helps you decide if the person standing in line behind you is worthy of a smile and possibly bumping ahead of you because he's only got two things and you've got a whole basket full of chocolate covered shame that he hopefully won't notice because he will be so surprised and

things

2009-08-18T09:52:00.001-07:00

Part 1 in a multi-part series because I can't stand looking at all the unfinished drafts anymore.Let the Hodgepodge begin!We finally made the decision to euthanize Annabelle. I keep telling myself it came down to a matter of choosing Quality of life over Quantity of days. I keep questioning exactly whose quality of life was really declining, but that's a guilt trip to take on another post.

gigantic: block party edition

2009-08-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

When Amy took on the task of Theme Thursday several months back, I thought "Ah! The perfect opportunity to reintroduce myself to my camera on a regular basis!" and promptly forgot that I was going to join in all the fun. Week after week I've watched the themes go up, followed by an amazing array of photographic interpretations and personal recriminations for yet again not getting my act

dear automotive shop front desk lady,

2009-07-31T17:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is the term "Stay-At-Home-Mom" that is throwing you off. So let me clarify this for you: I do NOT, in fact, simply stay at home all day. A good bit of my time is spent at home and, yes, I do tend to be responsible for the more traditional tasks often associated with motherhood -- laundry, cooking, cleaning. But my responsibilities, my job description, if you will, entails far more

happily ever (edited)

2009-07-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish you had done it this way?I do.-from a FB post of a friend who was there*... Thanks, Sean, for sharing this! I'm still smiling, thinking of what a good start those two are off to.EDIT: *oops, my bad. I misread his post to say "This is how we make an entrance at a wedding..." when in fact he posted "This is how you make an entrance at a wedding." And to think for a second I truly

squeee!

2009-07-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Lora tagged me and then (AND THEN!) gifted me with a fabulous new button which I posted here for your viewing pleasure (once I was sufficiently done squealing with delight and reflecting that the 2,500 mile buffer between us might be for the best since my first inclination upon seeing her post was to run down the street and tongue-kiss her. That might have made future interactions, how do you

3 hours, 48 minutes...

2009-07-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

I think we're ready...(Mentally, emotionally, we've been ready for days!).

instead

2009-07-13T20:08:00.001-07:00

vs vs vs vsThis staycation could work out just fine, don't you think?pics from top to bottom: fruits-n-veggies we packed, fruits-n-veggies we picked from the garden when we got back, hanging out in the hammock at the cabin, playing at Stinson Beach, "fishing" off the footbridge at the cabin, looking for seashells, chocolate milk mustache, face painting (by himself!) at the CDM..

of mice and (wo)men

2009-07-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1The mouse pills on the blanket didn't really phase me. Gross, yes, but I just pulled that off the bed (it was at the back, anyways), found some clean sheets and a new blanket and went downstairs to make sure that all the nibble-able food was safely stored in either the refrigerator or the nibble-proof cooler.Chapter 2I was able to successfully convince myself that the

hibye

2009-07-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

So since I last left you I've alternated posting furiously over here, waiting anxiously by the phone/computer for the next update, packing for Aaron's and my little trip, repacking what Aaron just unpacked, freaking out because the packing still isn't done yet (although, as of 10:45pm tonight it is offically as done as it is going to get), and running back to the computer to make sure that I

independence day: boogs eye view

2009-07-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Our 2nd annual neighborhood parade as seen by Aaron:

ask me how cute it is in a week

2009-06-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

your feel good clip of the week

2009-06-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

Found this gem over at the newly renamed Everybody Cares. Two things about writing this post make me smile: (1)who doesn't love a good story about inter-special cooperation when a determined squirrel is the protagonist, and (2) on June 25th, 2009 at 2:03 pm, Curiosity posted the following comment on the then named Emotional UmbrellaSomeday I’m bound and determined to start up a site detailing

oh, hi. you're still here?

2009-06-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Has it already been a week? Oops. I've been trying so hard to think of my Freedays Tuesdays as RememberThatBlogYouUsedToWritedays, but I think there are just too many syllables for that to ever really catch on. Not to mention all the ungainly capital letters in the middle of the word. But, it's either that or the ever-so-over-used hyphen to get my runallmywordstogether point across and I get

if you say so

2009-06-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, remember that time when I was all worried because Aaron wasn't yet talking? So I'm feeling better about that.Also, just in case you were wondering, the term "lifter chair" refers to the chair lift thingy in the movie UP which all three of us would highly recommend. Josh liked the 3D, I liked the message(s)* and the bird, and Aaron, well, obviously Aaron liked the lifter chair.*friends

bullet to the brain

2009-06-10T09:35:00.001-07:00

As we were getting ready for bed last night, I had one of those no filter moments and spoke out loud the question that had been plaguing me all day:Do the voices in your head ever get so loud that you briefly consider putting a bullet in your brain so that they will all just shut the eff up for a minute or two? I mean, if the desired outcome isn't so much about the dying and ending it all but

2009-06-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

/ʃɛər/ [shair] noun, verb, shared, shar⋅ing.–noun1. the full or proper portion or part allotted or belonging to or contributed or owed by an individual or group.2. one of the equal fractional parts into which the capital stock of a joint-stock company or a corporation is divided.–verb (used with object)3. to divide and distribute in shares; apportion.4. to use, participate in, enjoy, receive,

jimmy legs

2009-05-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

I've been antsy for weeks now. Defensive and easily offended, my affective filter hovering somewhere between the "scream" and "cry" settings. Pissy and pissed off for no good, or at least no apparent, reason.I thought maybe it was the therapy -- in the next to next to last session before I turned into Quitty McQuitterson and told the good Dr. I needed a break, he hinted a little too loudly that

nothing to see here

2009-05-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Unless you want to look at my new banner of which I am insanely proud. I spent the better part of Friday evening tweaking and splicing and stretching and patching and spliffing and sploofing (okay, I made up those last two) the banner from a free template that I found over at BlogspotTemplate.com and Ta-DAAAA! I am so head over heels in love with the way it turned out that I hurt my tongue

let's play a little game of truth and dare

2009-05-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Truth: The weather forecast showing rain for the whole weekend is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when you consider that the 12-hour, knockyouonyourass flu thing that came to visit a certain little boy's family decided it liked the hospitality well enough to extend its stay by a few days and so a couple days of R&R might be just the thing.Truth: Translating the words "rainy weekend" into

whine flu

2009-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

The morning of September 11th, 2001, I was snuggled down under a fluffy comforter in a cozy little nest of pillows with two cats sound asleep on my feet when the alarm went off. I remember thinking "yikes, a plane crashing into a building? What are the odds of that happening?" as I reached out to punch the snooze button and pull the pillow back over my head. 9 minutes later the alarm went off

quick! what's the number for the spca?

2009-04-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

Can you believe these conditions?Two cats expected to survive on such rations?Poor, pitiful little beasts with barely a mouthful of kibble apiece.Oh. Right. So maybe all that yowling was unnecessary..

don't worry, mommy. i will fix it.

2009-04-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

oh, yeah, and

2009-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Just some stuff I forgot to mention in the last post that I had changed. Yeah, I missed some. I know, shocker.-My daily graces (aka" __ of 365") have their own home. If you care to read them, the latest three posts are listed over there ---> under the Grace In Small Things badge. I toyed with the idea of adding a sitemeter to that blog to see how many of you go from here to there but decided

shift

2009-04-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

I started to start this post with "It all started in the shower." But that's not quite right. Closer to say it all coalesced in the shower. Even closer to say "Because it was naptime and I was in the shower and god only knows where the cats were and the husband was at work and the shower door was all steamed up except for the upper half that was covered by a towel and there was absolutely

stop it, storm!

2009-04-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

battle lost

2009-04-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Did anyone notice the unexpected storm clouds over this particular region today? Museum goers were hit with a brief burst of turbulence downstairs followed by a full-on squall minutes later just outside the Wonder Cabinet. The tired looking, at-her-wits-end blond sitting on the floor, trying not to openly weep? Hi. That was me. *waves*It was supposed to be a morning of fun, exploration, and

double take

2009-04-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

I was just typing "weather.com" into my search engine (for obvious reasons), but typo'd "wear" instead. You know how Google has that drop-down box of suggestions to complete what you're typing? Well, it came up with "wearehills"* as one of the possibilities. Which I read as "wearhills" which my mind translated as "wear heels" and then had a little bit of a panic moment that someone had been

whoda thunk it?

2009-04-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

You know me. I'd be the first to jump off a cliff if all the other kids said they were going to do it. So I'm a little impressed with myself that it's taken me this long to do this since Lora and Val posted their results a month and a week ago, respectively. Maybe I've matured to the point that I would at least check to see if I was wearing clean underwear before I took that first step. Go me

abracadabra!

2009-04-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

maybe i don't sound like charlie brown's mother

2009-04-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Just received the following email from our daycare lady:I announced that I was going to the bathroom. [Himself] starts to follow me down the hall. He proceeds to tell me that it is dangerous to go to the bathroom by myself and a stranger might try and talk to me. He told me he would go to the bathroom with me so I wasn't alone. Tooooo Cute!He's been fascinated with the men's restrooms when

reader

2009-04-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

Edited because this is much easier to distinguish from this than this is. Found this over here and just couldn't resist seeing how I stack (get it? As in library stacks? Oh, never mind.) up. I've read the ones in orange. Looks like I need to consider the not-Xanth sections at the library the next time we go...1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen3. His Dark

leap-er

2009-04-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

Lora's rally cry on Friday (and the subsequent drama that played out in my mind alone) kept me all knotted up in my head all weekend. If you haven't read her post yet, go do it.I'm not guaranteeing that her post will make this one make more sense, by it might give you some context and hey, at least you'll have read something coherent and thought provoking at the end of this little exercise if you

his turn

2009-04-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

So what did you want to ask me, boog?Um. Um. Mommy? I can ask you some questions, okay?Yep, it's your turn. You answered my questions; I'll answer yours.We take turns! And den you are so happy because we are such good friends.That's right, boog. Did you have some questions for me?Why, yes, I did. Mommy? whispers: You hafta say "What" to me. Mommy?What?Do you know what is my question?No,

one more thing

2009-04-02T21:31:00.001-07:00

This has been bothering me for over a week now, so it must need to be said:Dear Parent at the Park-Loudly muttering (shout muttering? shmuttering?) "Boys will be boys!" and then rolling your eyes and shrugging your shoulders conspiratorially in my direction does not release you from your role as a parent. If, however, you choose to act as if it does, please have the courtesy to not get your

interview, part I

2009-04-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hey, boog, can I ask you some questions?Yes, my mommy. And den I will ask you some questions. Can I ask you my questions, mommy?You bet. Here's what I want to know:1. What is something I always say to you?I don't know2. What makes me happy?I not going poop in my unnerwears3. What makes me sad?I hide when I going poop in my unnerwears4. How do I make you laugh?like this *fake laughs*5. What was

i did it.

2009-03-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

I finally sucked it up and emailed him. Now I'm going to go puke my guts out as I wait for a response.

me in numbers

2009-03-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a therapy Tuesday and I have this sinking feeling that we're going to keep picking at the oozing scab my mood is going to be rather introspective afterwards, so all I have for you this week is fluff. Recycled fluff, no less. Except for the last two. Those are new, just for you!Facebook 25:This is the third time I've started this silly exercise. Even with the tag-back rule*, I

once upon a time

2009-03-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

I believed that the only difference between boys and girls was the all too often subconscious cultural view that boys and girls should be different and that given the right environment those differences could be at least minimized if not eradicated. And then I learned that the other half believes that if you truly love something, you must smash it!I believed that any child could be reasoned with

playtime

2009-03-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of taking my inner tyrant down a notch or two, I've been trying to get us out of the house and to something "new" more often.Here are some of my favorite shots from our latest adventures:(Ninth Street Park) (Yerba Buena Gardens) (Jack London Park) Playing the fool never felt better..

coincidence? i think not.

2009-03-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

"I must learn to love the fool in me--the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and