Left today on a two week family visit/vacation. I am working, so I didn't go (still love my job). G was sort of excited and helped to pack. I think if given the chance, which I didn't give, she might have cried. Hopefully, my mom won't say something in her forgetful state that hurts G's feelings or that she can't forgive. My poor mom is very confused. I see it well. I haven't any idea how well my siblings see it. I know my dad sees it but he too forgets somethings or maybe doesn't acknowledge some changes to cover for my mom.
It will be lonely when I go home tonight and in the morning. Hopefully, neither of us will be to homesick for each other although I am dying to call her, heh. It is just two weeks but if anyone thinks about it, please pray for traveling mercies for them both on the going and return as well as good visits with cousins.
It is a cooler day today so I am finally going to get to mow my yard after work. So tomorrow I will do who knows what other than be lazy. Maybe will clean my room out and start over. I have lots of stuff I can throw away if G isn't here or if I don't get caught up in remembering.
Last Sunday we had a family reunion and I had a paleo lunch, all meat. It was great, well except for the blueberry pie. G had pasta and veggies, sans meat. It is once a year that I can do that. Mostly I am a functional vegetarian (not restrictive) because I don't know how to cook meat or buy meat for that matter. Pastas are just easier. My meat cheat is tuna salad or pre-cooked steak bites for salad toppers and sausage in the morning. So when I get a chance to have a good steak or BBQ chop I go for it. I could never truly live the vegetarian lifestyle but I also could go many many months meatless as well.
Seeing the family truly came secondary to the food. But it was very good to visit with some second cousins. It is very sad that some of us live very close (on both sides of the family) but we see each other once a year or less.
On a totally unrelated front I am debating the 23 and me testing for G and me. My hold back is the whole "1984" thing going on right now with all the data mining by the government and no one seeming to be in charge or know anything about it. Not the mining so much as the ill use by humans in government work. I just am not sure I want that information collected without me knowing and there would be no way to keep it from being collected if we have it done. Plus I am not sure what could be determined with G other than future health possibilities which is not what I want to know necessarily. I will have to think more about it obviously.
I have two mini vacays booked for G and me in the fall and one day trip planned for when she comes home. I am getting rather excited about it and wishing the time would arrive already! I think one of the places we are going has a zip line. I wonder if G can do it or if we can be hooked together to do it. I might end up being the scared one, heh.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Friday, June 07, 2013
Wednesday Night We Had Storms
That knocked our power out for a short bit before bedtime. At bedtime however after readjusting all of the clocks and setting all the alarms to wake up the power went out again and stayed out while we went to sleep. I used my cell phone to wake us up because I didn't want to listen for when the power would come back on. I fixed the clocks the next morning when the power was back on.
So last night I had remembered setting the alarm and went to bed. Well, the alarm went off as it was set except that it wasn't set to the time I needed. It was set to midnight. I thinking I had taken care of the alarm got up and started breakfast. Of course I was exhausted because I had truly thought I fixed the alarm before bed and remembered doing so except that it was before the power went back out that I was remembering. At 12:07am I realized my error with a half cooked pot of grits and feeling like I was hit by a mack truck, I did return to bed. But that kind of interrupted sleep just carries onward and I am so very tired today.
G and a friend of hers have been in the city at a VBS in the morning and then with me in the afternoon. They have been so good and G has loved it much more than her friend (not the VBS part but the being at work with mom part). Hopefully today though we will be leaving at 3pm because I too need a break. I have had many co-workers compliment their behavior which does truly make me proud. G and I have had some battles on her lack of empathy or compassion and just the shear nature of her competitiveness. That is a whole 'nuther post.
Anyway, I am so glad it is Friday. Have a great weekend.
So last night I had remembered setting the alarm and went to bed. Well, the alarm went off as it was set except that it wasn't set to the time I needed. It was set to midnight. I thinking I had taken care of the alarm got up and started breakfast. Of course I was exhausted because I had truly thought I fixed the alarm before bed and remembered doing so except that it was before the power went back out that I was remembering. At 12:07am I realized my error with a half cooked pot of grits and feeling like I was hit by a mack truck, I did return to bed. But that kind of interrupted sleep just carries onward and I am so very tired today.
G and a friend of hers have been in the city at a VBS in the morning and then with me in the afternoon. They have been so good and G has loved it much more than her friend (not the VBS part but the being at work with mom part). Hopefully today though we will be leaving at 3pm because I too need a break. I have had many co-workers compliment their behavior which does truly make me proud. G and I have had some battles on her lack of empathy or compassion and just the shear nature of her competitiveness. That is a whole 'nuther post.
Anyway, I am so glad it is Friday. Have a great weekend.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Art Gallery Opening
G and her painting and with my parents. I was so glad my dad came. I knew my mom would but like I told mom this might be the only time a painting of hers is hanging in an art gallery (I hope not, but...) so I wanted him to come see. It was nice. We arrived about half way through because of work. G's friend who will be with us during the day all week was there as well. I stupidly didn't take one of G with her art teacher because, #fail! I don't know why I didn't think of it until this morning. There is one of me with G and my parents but I look like a ginormous cow so I am not posting it.
Her painting as well as the other 2nd and 3rd grade paintings will hang in this gallery for the month of June. Though it is not a very big gallery it is very nice, and this is the second opening my mom and I have attended there. After the art exhibit the paintings will all go back to hang in the school for the next year.
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Book Review: The Point by William E. Jefferson
I was given a copy of this book to review for free. The opinions are 100% my own.
I read a suspenseful snippet of this book that truly did get my attention but then I received the book. The book is very long. The print on the pages are small with smallish margins on each page. Lots of words that truly (I think) are not necessary.
Basically, it is a story about a young couple searching for meaning? excitement? something after the woman was diagnosed with an illness. They travel to an island that is more like a modern day monastery and abbey. The "priests" on the island hold talks or readings of the scripture (yes the Bible) but do so in a scripted style with the visitors being part of the voices. All of the leaders in the group have names like "Epic."
The sisters on the island run and infirmary which comes into play later in the book. There is one old crotchety fellow who lived on the island a long time with lots of bitterness of the soul. There is a twist about the relationships of the couple and this character. I think if a majority of the words were cut down the book would be enjoyable. As it is, I honestly could not enjoy it. It is not an easy weekend read first of all. Second, most of the monastery readings seem pointless or maybe there seems to be too many points of main focus when some of the readings should be more ancillary.
It seems to me that too much of the book wants my main attention rather than being background noise that just plays on as the main song runs its course. Too much is still too much. Maybe it could have been a sequel type book. I don't know, I would not recommend buying it. I managed to skip enough to get the gist of the story without being trapped in the monotony of it.
And in all fairness, I may not be in the right frame of mind to read it. Like I said, the snippet that got me interested and the 1st chapter held my attention well. It seems to be all the "readings" and too many other ideas being forced into the book to hold my attention.
I read a suspenseful snippet of this book that truly did get my attention but then I received the book. The book is very long. The print on the pages are small with smallish margins on each page. Lots of words that truly (I think) are not necessary.
Basically, it is a story about a young couple searching for meaning? excitement? something after the woman was diagnosed with an illness. They travel to an island that is more like a modern day monastery and abbey. The "priests" on the island hold talks or readings of the scripture (yes the Bible) but do so in a scripted style with the visitors being part of the voices. All of the leaders in the group have names like "Epic."
The sisters on the island run and infirmary which comes into play later in the book. There is one old crotchety fellow who lived on the island a long time with lots of bitterness of the soul. There is a twist about the relationships of the couple and this character. I think if a majority of the words were cut down the book would be enjoyable. As it is, I honestly could not enjoy it. It is not an easy weekend read first of all. Second, most of the monastery readings seem pointless or maybe there seems to be too many points of main focus when some of the readings should be more ancillary.
It seems to me that too much of the book wants my main attention rather than being background noise that just plays on as the main song runs its course. Too much is still too much. Maybe it could have been a sequel type book. I don't know, I would not recommend buying it. I managed to skip enough to get the gist of the story without being trapped in the monotony of it.
And in all fairness, I may not be in the right frame of mind to read it. Like I said, the snippet that got me interested and the 1st chapter held my attention well. It seems to be all the "readings" and too many other ideas being forced into the book to hold my attention.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Found
My earring has been found. I texted the choir director to tell her I lost it and I thought it might be somewhere at church Wed. This morning when the power came back on and woke me up, I saw a text from her saying it had been found. I am so thankful. I was fearing the worst as I had gone to lunch with work friends and was very afraid it had dropped at the restaurant. So I will get it Sunday when I get to church! Yea!
G spent the night with my parents. When I called them yesterday while I was driving home, mom said that G and dad were out shooting. Haven't a clue what except that at some point dad came to get the targets for practice. I suspect they were scaring rabits and squirrels. I doubt seriously that anything died as a result of her shooting.
So today I was able to get to work pretty early and am hoping to leave fairly early. Next week I will have G and her friend will be at VBS nearby and then with me for lunch. I have lots of planning to do for the next week for the girls. Early day everyday, hopefully not late day any day!
G spent the night with my parents. When I called them yesterday while I was driving home, mom said that G and dad were out shooting. Haven't a clue what except that at some point dad came to get the targets for practice. I suspect they were scaring rabits and squirrels. I doubt seriously that anything died as a result of her shooting.
So today I was able to get to work pretty early and am hoping to leave fairly early. Next week I will have G and her friend will be at VBS nearby and then with me for lunch. I have lots of planning to do for the next week for the girls. Early day everyday, hopefully not late day any day!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Last Day of 3rd Grade
Otherwise titled: G's 3rd Grade Teacher Hates Me!
Case in point: Do you see this bell? Yes, G's teacher gave her this bell with instructions not to irritate your mother. Really? What 3rd grader doesn't relish the idea of irritating her mother? That bell is loud; I can attest to that fact. G was so very proud of it because every child wanted it just so they could irritate their mothers since it was the best bell the teacher had. Ms Teacher gave it to G in private with instructions to not tell any other child she was the receipient of it.
The bell may accidentally get lost soon, very soon. This is G right before we left this morning. See how blurry she is with all the other stuff like broom/mop handles and junk on the counter in extreme focus? yeah, G got tickled right at the time I snapped the pic with my phone camera. And I need new glasses because I am not usually a terrible photographer (not good, just not terrible) Sadly, she still looks much older than a soon to be after today 4th grader. :-{
Case in point: Do you see this bell? Yes, G's teacher gave her this bell with instructions not to irritate your mother. Really? What 3rd grader doesn't relish the idea of irritating her mother? That bell is loud; I can attest to that fact. G was so very proud of it because every child wanted it 
The bell may accidentally get lost soon, very soon. This is G right before we left this morning. See how blurry she is with all the other stuff like broom/mop handles and junk on the counter in extreme focus? yeah, G got tickled right at the time I snapped the pic with my phone camera. And I need new glasses because I am not usually a terrible photographer (not good, just not terrible) Sadly, she still looks much older than a soon to be after today 4th grader. :-{
Anyway, after today she moves to a new school building which is already giving me panic attacks with regard to drop off and pick ups. She has a very busy June and a not so very busy July in which I will probably hear the words, "I'm bored" until my head explodes.
And in even more depressing news (the first being my child growing up right before my eyes), I lost a gold hoop earring last night. Have no idea where and why didn't anyone ask why I was attempting to look like a pirate with the 1 hoop still in? The earrings have more sentimental value than true value though they are gold. I bought them in Florence on my first trip to Europe. I really liked them and have only recently been coming out of the black funk to want to wear jewelry so I rarely wore them.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Holiday Weekend and other Ramblings
All was quiet on this side of the world (for us anyway). Saturday G went swimming with her friend and decided she was grown enough to ignore mama's rule of sunscreen usage. Saturday evening she was in a bit of pain. Aloe to the rescue as well as a promise to never ever swim without sunscreen!
First sunburn, who says adoptive parents don't get to celebrate a lot of firsts, heh. Call me a sunscreen nassi, because I am. And yes, little brown Chinese girls do sunburn, friend!
My consolation was that the friends are bright white which means they had to have been hurting much worse than G. All the girls were sun kissed at first glance just later realization hit that the sun gave them painful hick*ys, heh.
Work is still very very good. Loving my job. We were given 3 extra hours of holiday on Friday which was very nice. G and I had karate Friday night but will be out until June, so a short break.
Saturday my mom called out of the blue and said, "Let's go somewhere." I said, "I am on my way. G is at a friend's. Let's go." She and I went shopping for shorts that don't try to fall down around my knees and a belt to hold the ones up that do. Much success was found. Even in the swimsuit area I was able to find a reasonably priced (hard to do in summer) swim set (shorts and top) which willobviously hopefully last a right long time for me.
I even struck cheap on G a different swimsuit so she now has two which can be switched in and out for cleaning and drying purposes. Hers luckily fell in at less than $20 and she even liked the top and shorts. She is rather modest in her swim choices so finding one is difficult and becoming more so with age. I don't know why swim makers think everyone wishes to see pre-pubescent girls in all their poochy glory with bikinis and high legs on swimsuits but some of us really don't! Cover them up. A. it protects the skin from the sun and B. it looks better to not show all that fluff! Yeah, I am old, what of it?
Sunday we hung out at my parents. I napped and it was good. G swam with a cousin. No sunburns this time. Sunday night, G and I watched Prince Caspian on Amazon which took a bit of an effort due to the lack of continual streaming so the 2 1/2 hour movie was more like 3 or so and it kept stopping at inconvenient times. I think, not having seen the Voyage of the Dawn Trader, PC is my fave. The stone table scene in the LW&W is difficult for me in movie and in book. G fell asleep in the middle but woke up (after who knows how long) to see the end. We both fell asleep after midnight. That is what holidays are for right?
Monday we hung out at my parents. Sensing a theme? We hang out with my parents when work and school is out mostly. To me it is just fun. G, my mom and I went to visit a friend and her newish baby (almost 5 months old) then out to the hobby store where G spent $25 of her money on stuff to do. Then to G's favorite restaurant with the child eating toilet (sensitive sensor don't ya know?). We have had two very difficult back to back incidents with that toilet. G can't stand the sound of flushing toilets and she has a fear of getting sucked in, anyway; this toilet does nothing to assuage her fears.
G is out of school one day this week and will be a 4th grader (where'd the time go?). Last week she and the other 3rd graders took a field trip to the new school. Each child was given a booklet created by a current 4th grade student. The booklet G received is filled with so many grammar and spelling errors that the school should be ashamed to pass it out. Really, this is a 4th grader's work? G and I had a great time finding all the errors. I haven't a problem if a child can't do the work or is a bit slow but don't advertise the fact that apparently teaching has failed at least this one student. This was not their best idea. I may start applying for private education grants over the summer. I can't take out a loan for elementary school, but I don't have her standardized test scores to apply to schools and for grants, yet either.
No kid left behind = big mistake and common core = even bigger mistake!!
Anyhoo, today feels like Monday which throws the rest of the week off for me. Four day week though is great. I am severly behind in laudry, UGH! Ready for another long weekend, hello, Labor Day, anyone? July 4 is on a Thursday so that messes up the whole long weekend thing.
This year, as soon as the PTO kicks in, G and I are going on a 4 day vacay, just the two of us. As the time and details get closer I will mention more about it though probably not the actual dates or place until after we are back. Something about internet safety or lack thereof will keep me from posting too much until after. Let's just say that we are both very excited about it, even though it is a longer drive than I expected.
Well, I suppose this catches the blog up to today. I put Memorial Day observance on FB though I do not wish to neglect the blog.
Thanks to all the men and women who have given all for our freedom. Thanks to those who have served and are serving and to their families for their sacrifices throughout our history. God Bless the USA!
First sunburn, who says adoptive parents don't get to celebrate a lot of firsts, heh. Call me a sunscreen nassi, because I am. And yes, little brown Chinese girls do sunburn, friend!
My consolation was that the friends are bright white which means they had to have been hurting much worse than G. All the girls were sun kissed at first glance just later realization hit that the sun gave them painful hick*ys, heh.
Work is still very very good. Loving my job. We were given 3 extra hours of holiday on Friday which was very nice. G and I had karate Friday night but will be out until June, so a short break.
Saturday my mom called out of the blue and said, "Let's go somewhere." I said, "I am on my way. G is at a friend's. Let's go." She and I went shopping for shorts that don't try to fall down around my knees and a belt to hold the ones up that do. Much success was found. Even in the swimsuit area I was able to find a reasonably priced (hard to do in summer) swim set (shorts and top) which will
I even struck cheap on G a different swimsuit so she now has two which can be switched in and out for cleaning and drying purposes. Hers luckily fell in at less than $20 and she even liked the top and shorts. She is rather modest in her swim choices so finding one is difficult and becoming more so with age. I don't know why swim makers think everyone wishes to see pre-pubescent girls in all their poochy glory with bikinis and high legs on swimsuits but some of us really don't! Cover them up. A. it protects the skin from the sun and B. it looks better to not show all that fluff! Yeah, I am old, what of it?
Sunday we hung out at my parents. I napped and it was good. G swam with a cousin. No sunburns this time. Sunday night, G and I watched Prince Caspian on Amazon which took a bit of an effort due to the lack of continual streaming so the 2 1/2 hour movie was more like 3 or so and it kept stopping at inconvenient times. I think, not having seen the Voyage of the Dawn Trader, PC is my fave. The stone table scene in the LW&W is difficult for me in movie and in book. G fell asleep in the middle but woke up (after who knows how long) to see the end. We both fell asleep after midnight. That is what holidays are for right?
Monday we hung out at my parents. Sensing a theme? We hang out with my parents when work and school is out mostly. To me it is just fun. G, my mom and I went to visit a friend and her newish baby (almost 5 months old) then out to the hobby store where G spent $25 of her money on stuff to do. Then to G's favorite restaurant with the child eating toilet (sensitive sensor don't ya know?). We have had two very difficult back to back incidents with that toilet. G can't stand the sound of flushing toilets and she has a fear of getting sucked in, anyway; this toilet does nothing to assuage her fears.
G is out of school one day this week and will be a 4th grader (where'd the time go?). Last week she and the other 3rd graders took a field trip to the new school. Each child was given a booklet created by a current 4th grade student. The booklet G received is filled with so many grammar and spelling errors that the school should be ashamed to pass it out. Really, this is a 4th grader's work? G and I had a great time finding all the errors. I haven't a problem if a child can't do the work or is a bit slow but don't advertise the fact that apparently teaching has failed at least this one student. This was not their best idea. I may start applying for private education grants over the summer. I can't take out a loan for elementary school, but I don't have her standardized test scores to apply to schools and for grants, yet either.
No kid left behind = big mistake and common core = even bigger mistake!!
Anyhoo, today feels like Monday which throws the rest of the week off for me. Four day week though is great. I am severly behind in laudry, UGH! Ready for another long weekend, hello, Labor Day, anyone? July 4 is on a Thursday so that messes up the whole long weekend thing.
This year, as soon as the PTO kicks in, G and I are going on a 4 day vacay, just the two of us. As the time and details get closer I will mention more about it though probably not the actual dates or place until after we are back. Something about internet safety or lack thereof will keep me from posting too much until after. Let's just say that we are both very excited about it, even though it is a longer drive than I expected.
Well, I suppose this catches the blog up to today. I put Memorial Day observance on FB though I do not wish to neglect the blog.
Thanks to all the men and women who have given all for our freedom. Thanks to those who have served and are serving and to their families for their sacrifices throughout our history. God Bless the USA!
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