Streams of Consciousness II: The Return

Sunday...#2's first guitar recital. He's taken lessons for two and a half years, but his previous teachers didn't "do" recitals. I was so proud! He played a song he wrote himself. It sounded bouncy and Spanish, so he called it "Bouncing Ball", only he used the Spanish translation that he painstakingly researched on the internet.

Monday...Teachers' work day. It's what they call "Turnaround Day", the day between the first and second semester in the high schools. Students across the division get the day off, and teachers get to use it for catch-up or prep for the future. I call it "Breathing Day", and I worked hard. Still not caught up, but not quite as far behind now.

Tuesday...Went to see Babel. Wasn't nearly the profound film I was led to believe it would be. Left me depressed and sad. Didn't really make me think, just left me empty. Some have compared it to Crash from last year. Now that was a movie! It made me think and reflect. Although it had its moments full of sadness and despair, it ended with a resounding note of hope. If you are vexed in the future about just which DVD to pick up at the rental place, and Babel and Crash are in your hands, please go for Crash!

There's so much more to write, but so little time. Stay tuned for Streams of Consciousness III, coming soon to a blog near you.

Streams of Consciousness

So...far...behind...

Been trying to get around to visit all of the kind people who have visited my way before I post again. Futile. Must get new post up, or people will think I've given up on the Nook.

Booktalk. Huge distributor treats roomful of teacher-librarians to lunch. Then inundates them with talk of newly published children's books. Woman drones on and on. Is it possible to be intensely boring? How much of a challenge is it to excite teacher-librarians with talk of books? Apparently too much of a challenge. Lunch was good.

Also good that booktalk finished early. (Good for several reasons.) Am in the kitchen waiting with snacks when the boys return from school. Feel like a stay-at-home mom. Nice feeling. Warm and fuzzy. Coincidentally, Oprah's show that day is working moms versus stay-at-home moms. Shouldn't have watched.

In middle of busy week, get email from principal that I am one of the lucky ones who is on the cycle to be observed and evaluated this year. I see the point, but I'm still not happy.

Furnace cuts out in middle of the night. No rhyme or reason. Luckily starts up on its own in the afternoon. What gives? When will it happen again? Hard to be thankful on Thursday.

#2's birthday party. Heaps of Harry Potter. Men's XL black t-shirts cut up the middle for Hogwarts robes. Sorting hat complete with hidden walkie-talkie so #1 can provide voice effects. Make-your-own chocolate frogs. Potions: coloured vinegar and baking soda, Kool-Aid and club soda. #1 acting as a Dementor. One guest so scared he's in tears. Quidditch complete with pool noodle brooms and a golden snitch as big as your head. All go home with a goblet, two "test tubes" (that look mysteriously like bud vases), and their chocolate frogs. Exhaustion! Main Man has outdone himself yet again in the party department.

Yesterday marked half-time for the school year. Where has the time gone?

Happy Birthday, Mentok!

Well, this past weekend has been "Hail Mentok" weekend.

My sweetheart turned the ripe old age of 43 yesterday, and the world stopped to honour him.

Like wine and cheese (his favourites, incidentally), he gets only better with age.

If you have a chance, pop over and give him a hard time - oops - I mean your best wishes.

I hope you have a wonderful year, my Main Man!

My Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Baroness Library the Kind of Fishkill St Wednesday Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

This is courtesy of my friend booklogged. I think I'll walk a little taller today, knowing I am a Baroness.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful...

...that we are out of the deep freeze we were in this time last week. It's 25 degrees warmer today than it was last Thursday. Now this is manageable.

...that my dad and his wife made it to Hawaii safely. They had to leave a day later than expected due to a huge blizzard that shut down the airport, but Dad phoned last night, and they are safe and sound in their sunny spot now.

...that #3 has recovered. He had a terrible cold on Sunday and Monday. We kept him home from school on Monday, and Main Man (who stayed home with him) said that he slept pretty much all day. Keeping him home was obviously the right decision, as he is almost completely recovered now.

...for Chuck E. Cheese's. Although it may not be my idea of a good time, my boys (all four of them!) love it. It is almost always their choice when they are allowed to choose where to have supper on their birthday. As they bounce around entertaining themselves, I sit at our table and get homework done, so I guess everyone is happy.

...for Wal-Mart pizza. Last night, Main Man and I were fortunate enough to go out for supper - a fundraiser banquet thingy. The boys begged me to pick up a Wal-Mart frozen pizza for them on my way home from work. For $3.98, I can feed them something they love to eat. And you know, it isn't that bad, as frozen pizzas go.

...that my dryer, although it sounds as if it's on its last legs, is still working. Main Man tells me that, with the noises it's making, the motor will probably seize up soon, but it's been making those noises since before Christmas, so I figure every load I get done now is pretty much gravy at this point. We bought the poor old thing second-hand when we got married 17 and a half years ago, so I think it's probably time to let it die with dignity.

...that #2 has shown interest in another activity. Tuesday, he signed up for Tae Kwon Do, and he's very excited. His first lesson is tonight, and I hope he enjoys it as much as he thinks he will. (Aside: I have to tell you that I just don't quite understand these martial arts classes. There was a class in session when we signed him up, and it looked like these people were just doing the same motions over and over again. They were intent on their work and seemed to be getting something out of it, but it wouldn't be for me.)

Well, time to finish getting ready for work, I guess, speaking of doing the same thing over and over again. Have a great week everyone!

I Hate This Commercial!

I can't believe McDonald's is airing this commercial. How are parents supposed to teach their children how to treat others with respect and kindness when this is the sort of garbage they watch on television?

I can monitor my kids' shows, but this commercial comes on during programs I sanction.

What do you think? Am I overreacting? Or do you think these women (and their male friend) are witches?




BTW - Today is #2's tenth birthday. I can't believe it's been ten whole years! Happy birthday to you, Sweetie!

Confusion

Main Man and I went out Saturday evening to our favourite nightspot.

It is our habit to sit upstairs and watch the dancers from the balcony. On a creative evening, we make up elaborate stories about the people below. This past Saturday was especially interesting as there was a bachelorette party, complete with blow-up male doll!

Poor Main Man talked himself into a corner, though.

As we scanned the crowded dance floor, I asked him which girl would have caught his eye 20 years ago. He indicated his choice and followed up with, "She's not drop-dead gorgeous, but she looks like good girlfriend material."

"Like I was in college?" I queried.

After a short but pregnant pause, "Ummm, I'm trying to figure out what the right answer is to that."

What Do You Do All Day?

My sister sent me this. I thought many of you would appreciate it. Forgive me if you've seen it before.
____________________________________________________________________

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.


The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.


He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door.


As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?"

"Yes," was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

In Honour of...

... Naughty Librarian Month, I've decided to change my avatar.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for...

... a car that will start even when the windchill is -47 degrees Celsius. Toyota Corollas rule!

... a cozy house where I can sit and drink hot cocoa with my family when the weather outside is crrrappy!

... my dad and stepmom having the opportunity to fly to Hawaii for a holiday. They've both worked so hard all their lives, and they deserve to enjoy their golden years.

... the opportunity to stand in front of a roomful of ten-year-olds and feel the excitement as they learn something new. It's palpable!

... how much my boys love tuna casserole. (That makes what-do-we-have-for-supper nights much easier!)

... my library assistant, who is not only one of the most efficient, hard-working women I know, but is also an incredible sounding-board and confidante.

... those times when I keep students in at recess so I can help them with their corrections, and they actually thank me when we're done.

... students who say thank you when I check a book out of the library for them. (Heck - for that matter, I'm thankful for kids who check books out of the library at all!)

... #2's teacher, who called yesterday to let us know that he had left his backpack at school. Unfortunately, we didn't get the message in time to get the backpack, but I really appreciate her efforts.

Have a great week, everyone!

Even Old People Can Play Candyland

There are still a few Christmas stories left to tell. This is one of the cutest, I think.

#3 received the game "Candyland" as a gift, and he and I were getting ready to play a game Christmas morning. The rules state that the youngest player goes first. I read that to him and asked him who was the younger player between the two of us.

"I am, because I'm six!" he exclaimed.

"And I'm not, because I'm 41," I deadpanned.

His face suddenly clouded over, and he gasped, "You're so old!"

As soon as he said it, he realized that he may have hurt my feelings (though he actually didn't). Wanting to make things better, he took my face in his little hands and said, "I'm sorry - I didn't mean that in a bad way. I just want you around for a long, long time."

You know, it doesn't happen very often, but I was rendered speechless.

Back to the Grind

Well, when my alarm went off at 6:00 this morning, I was not looking forward to going back to school.

And as I put on pantyhose for the first time in two weeks, I was not looking forward to going back.

And as I packed my boring lunch into my ugly lunchbag, I was not looking forward to going back.

And as I scraped the ice off my windshield this frigid morning, I was not looking forward to going back.

And as I battled traffic on the icy streets through the dark early morning, I was not looking forward to going back.

But you know, once I got there, listening to all the students' excitement about the holidays and comparing holidays with my colleagues, I was actually happy to be back.

Routine brings out the best in me, I guess...

Happy Birthday!

Two of my regular readers who are also real-life friends are celebrating birthdays right around now.

I'm not sure either of them wish to have their big days revealed, so I'll not name names, but to each of them, I send hearty birthday wishes for a fabulous year to come. I expect they will know who they are - unless they've been celebrating a bit too much!

I've Decided I Really Don't Like...

...sleepovers.

#1 had a friend sleep over last night. They camped out in the basement with junkfood, a couple of DVDs and a rented GameCube. Of course, #2 and #3 wanted to join in the fun, but #1 wouldn't hear of it. I tucked in two broken-hearted little boys as they listened to their older brother and his friend giggling it up in the basement.

They stayed up late (of course), resulting in grouchy, hard-to-deal-with children this morning. #1 even had the audacity to complain to me (albeit privately) that the sleepover wasn't nearly as fun as it could have been because his friend wanted to go to sleep at 2:00. I think his exact words were, "Who sleeps at a sleepover?!"

I don't even like it when the sleepover is at someone else's house. There's something about when our family is not together overnight that makes me feel uncomfortable. I've even caught myself doing a mental inventory when I awaken for a quick moment in the night. Is everyone in their beds where they're supposed to be? Just the sound of #2 snoring in the next room helps me settle back to slumber.

Looking back, I didn't like sleepovers as a kid either. I'm sure that makes me the ultimate in dweebie. I was the kid who got homesick and had to go home, so - yeah - do that twice and you never try again. I remember having girlfriends sleep over at my house, but I don't remember it being a huge deal. I don't remember begging for a sleepover, like my boys sometimes do.

I guess I'm just being a stick-in-the-mud. And - don't get me wrong - just because I don't care for them doesn't mean I deprive my kids of them.

But - no - I simply cannot say that I like sleepovers.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful...

...for my blogfriend Happy and Blue 2, who reminded me in his post today that it is indeed Thursday and that it is time for me to resume being thankful.

...for the outdoor rink across the street, where my boys play hockey with their friends. Allow me to let you in on a secret: my boys are not really all that athletic. Watching them play hockey with their friends almost brings tears to my eyes - that's what being a Canadian kid is all about.

...that Main Man is back at work this week and that I am not. He's a veritable slave driver, that man, and the boys and I are quite enjoying our week off.

...that my whole family was able to be together for Christmas dinner. It was a blast for me, but, even more important, the boys got a chance to see every one of their cousins on my side. They seem to know their cousins on Main Man's side so much better, probably because they're closer in age to them, and it meant a lot to me to see them "hang out" with the ones on my side.

...that the weather this week has been heavenly - temperatures 15 - 20 degrees higher than normal. (The boys are complaining, though, that the rink across the street is melting.)

...for my fabulous shopping trip earlier this evening. I was able to buy a new pair of skates and a pair of pants for #1, two pairs of winter boots, a sweater, a pair of gloves for me and more, and the whole bill came to $105. Nothing (well, almost nothing ;-) satisfies me as much as a great buy!

...for the delicious lunch Main Man and I had today. He took me out for Indian food. It was one of the most delectable meals I've ever had.

...that I have a comfy bed to crawl into as soon as I finish this list.

Have a great week, everybody!

"Espresso Tales"

It seems forever and a day since I did a book review. I am still reading, but more slowly, I suppose, since work seems to encroach upon every "spare" minute of life. I suppose that's why this entry happens to be during my holiday...

Anyway, on to the fun...

Alexander McCall Smith's Espresso Tales is a quirky little read.

It, like its predecessor 44 Scotland Street, originated as a serial in the Scotsman newspaper. What a lovely tradition to bring back! I wish our newspapers would begin having serial fiction among its pages. How Dickensian! As a result of its origin, though, Espresso Tales has compact, concise little chapters that are easily digested and always leave you wanting more.

The stories centre around the residents of 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh. My favourite is Bertie, a six year old prodigy whose mother pushes him above and beyond and whose father lost his backbone years ago. Read Espresso Tales, however, and you may just see a few inches begin to grow back.

Bruce, another resident of the townhouse, is unrepentantly narcissistic. His flatmate Pat is a quiet young woman who tolerates Bruce simply because she loves 44 Scotland Street. Domenica is an older woman who is vibrant and unrestrained. She and Pat become fast friends, although there are times when Pat is vexed by Domenica's forthrightness.

I found myself becoming intertwined in the stories McCall Smith wove. I wanted to hug Bertie and let him know that it's alright to enjoy being a little boy and that his mother is full of fluff. I wanted to give Bruce a piece of my mind and let him know that he is not as "all that" as he thinks he is. Then I have the ironic advantage of reading of someone else doing that very thing, however, and I realize that it has no effect whatsoever. I find myself sad at the conclusion of the book - sad to have to say good-bye to my friends at 44 Scotland Street.

I suppose that is the sign of a truly good read, isn't it?

Big Brother?

Okay - I just got a notice in the mail offering me a free issue of the magazine More.

Yes, the magazine celebrating women over the age of 40.

My question is - how do those people (whoever those people are) know that I'm over 40? And how do they know where I live?

"The Holiday"

Last night a couple of girlfriends and I went to see the movie The Holiday.

I was in the mood for some fluffy holiday romance, and I definitely got it.

I was delighted to encounter a few surprises as well, though. I'll try not to reveal too many spoilers.

In England, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has been treated very shabbily by a former beau. She desperately needs to escape from her life for a brief stint.

Coincidentally, in Los Angeles, Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz) has just kicked her cheating boyfriend out of her massive L.A. home. She also feels the need to get away.

The two decide to swap homes for two weeks.

Although neither is even remotely interested in romance, of course it finds them in the forms of Jack Black (for Iris in L.A.) and Jude Law (for Amanda in England).

I must mention the character of Arthur Abbott, played by Eli Wallach. Arthur is a retired Hollywood screenwriter who is an L.A. neighbour of Iris, and who becomes one of her best friends. The relationship between the two of them is a charming surprise, and it adds depth and dimension to a movie that could easily be otherwise flat.

Another delightful surprise is an interesting twist to Jude Law's character. I'll say no more about this, as I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who haven't yet seen the movie. If you have seen it, though, you know of which I write.

One last captivating curveball was the acting of Jack Black. My boys love Jack Black because of his appearances in shows like The School of Rock, Nacho Libre, and King Kong. Me - not so much. In this movie, however, he is amusing and adorable.

Just about the only thing I didn't like about this film I hesitate to mention, because it makes me sound petty. I found much of the relationship between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law difficult to take. The two of them are simply too attractive to be real. It's as if the film was air-brushed to achieve perfection, especially in those scenes where there is lengthy wide-eyed emoting back and forth. I mean - honestly - how can "ordinary" people possibly relate?

This is definitely a "chick flic" that regularly travels over into the "date movie" sector. I think guys would get a kick out of Jack Black's character and - to a certain extent - Jude Law's character, as well.

Well worth seeing.

Ahhh, Gee, Moondoggie!

Main Man and I caught the original Gidget on Turner Classic Movies last night.

Honest to goodness - it was the absolute ultimate!

Main Man had never seen it before, but it used to be one of my favourite movies when I was a teenager. (No, I didn't see it when it was in the theatres; I watched it on TV!)

Looking back, maybe it was one of my favourites because Gidget proved that even skinny awkward tomboys (like I was) had a chance with the cute boys.

Fondue, Frolicking, Fatigue and Feeling Forlorn

So...I'm curious to learn how everyone spent their New Year's Eve.

We had a quiet evening (well, as quiet as it gets around here, anyway) at home with the boys.

We revived an old tradition we used to have PK (pre-kids), and we spent the evening enjoying fondue. We had fondue chinoise, and it was a delightful evening as we gathered around the diningroom table, waxing nostalgic over the year that was.

Fondue takes a long time, and I was ready for a quick nap once we were done, so I took a little rest before we got the dessert fondue ready to go. We dipped pieces of angel food cake and marshmallows in addition to fruit.

I had eaten so much in the first fondue that I felt like a Weeble (Remember - Weebles wobble but they don't fall down?), so I found the chocolate fondue unbearably rich. I so wanted to enjoy it, as the toll of midnight would be signalling the beginning of yet another diet season for me, but I just couldn't. It was just too much.

We tried to smush a game of Cranium into the evening, but we sort of lost the boys once the MTV New Year's countdown began, so we gave up on that after just seven or eight turns.

I don't know whether it was all the food or the bottle of bubbly we splurged on or just the overwhelming idea of a new year beginning, but it was almost impossible to keep my eyes open until midnight. We did the funny hat/noisemaker thing with the boys at midnight, and I left the dirty dishes in the sink and hit the sack.

I suppose the ideal would be to wake up January 1 with a spotless kitchen, but c'est la vie...

Anyway, I went to sleep with #3 and the dog keeping me company in my bed and with Main Man on the computer emailing two of his blog friends (both of whom just happen to be 25 year old females) into the wee hours of 2007.

Symbolic of what the new year will bring for me? Guess we'll just have to wait and see...