Yes, I am one of the fortunate (well, I guess it's how you look at it) folks that wears jeans to work. But I never forget that I am dressing for city-work. Which means pairing it with a black top. And until this morning I thought it was a pretty good look.
Today I wore a lovely tailored pant (can you tell I've been watching this year's sad season of Project Runway?) and paired it with a seasonally teal sweater. Nice, professional, and perfect for my workshop/training on Saturday morning. The participants in this workshop will wear jeans and be comfortable, so I fall back on the "slightly more professional-yet-exudes-warmth-and-confidence" look of the master trainer.
I thought I had it all going on until I got home and my child asked me if I had ever noticed that I wear a lot of black --- and blue. In fact, in the enthusiastic way only kids have - he mentioned "it's cool you dress like a bruise". And then he took his one sock, brown-shirt and khaki pants- wearing self back to the computer to play wizards101.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
VOTE '09
As a resident of one of two states with governor's races... yes ... the democratic incumbant was defeated. But it's not the result of Obama failure... it's the fact that our incumbant hasn't done much except watch taxes spiral out of control... and make a public service announcement about wearing seatbelts - after his huge car accident.
Even though the major news outlets are reporting this is a defeat for Obama - don't believe it. Believe the outrage in NJ voters over taxes (climbing to $14k on a house with 1.5 bathrooms and no backyard...), old school politics, and a governor who promised much, but in the end, couldn't get much done. Especially when his romantic scandels created so much distraction and distrust. And that's after lessons learned from McGreevy!
Took the boy to vote with us last night. He lost interest when he saw the line, but did think it was interesting that we were in the same municipal building that he visited on Sunday for his pigflu vaccine. Yup. Right up the nose. The kids were snorting and oinking, and the nurses were dutifully saying "it's proper name is H1N1." Just like there are proper names for all the body parts. But give a kid an opportunity to sound like a pig, and they will.
I digress. I was voter number 299 in my district, and I saw almost everyone. Not like the lines to vote for president, but line-enough to discuss neighborhood gossip, the school play, and dog walking schedules. Which means basically everyone was out to vote. I didn't reveal who I voted for - but surprisingly, the democrat whose blood runs blue in every election, voted for an independent candidate, and then a straight republican line! Which just tells you how tired he is of hearing about school overcrowding, property taxes, and corruption on every level of the state political scene. Wow.
And then again, as we were watching the news this am, he was furious that his votes were being interpreted as against Obama. In fact the discussion in the voting line last night was still about how people supported Obama, but that Obama would do well to distance himself from the useless incumbant here. As the blue-blood said, the only person to really get it right was the Time Magazine reporter.
Even though the major news outlets are reporting this is a defeat for Obama - don't believe it. Believe the outrage in NJ voters over taxes (climbing to $14k on a house with 1.5 bathrooms and no backyard...), old school politics, and a governor who promised much, but in the end, couldn't get much done. Especially when his romantic scandels created so much distraction and distrust. And that's after lessons learned from McGreevy!
Took the boy to vote with us last night. He lost interest when he saw the line, but did think it was interesting that we were in the same municipal building that he visited on Sunday for his pigflu vaccine. Yup. Right up the nose. The kids were snorting and oinking, and the nurses were dutifully saying "it's proper name is H1N1." Just like there are proper names for all the body parts. But give a kid an opportunity to sound like a pig, and they will.
I digress. I was voter number 299 in my district, and I saw almost everyone. Not like the lines to vote for president, but line-enough to discuss neighborhood gossip, the school play, and dog walking schedules. Which means basically everyone was out to vote. I didn't reveal who I voted for - but surprisingly, the democrat whose blood runs blue in every election, voted for an independent candidate, and then a straight republican line! Which just tells you how tired he is of hearing about school overcrowding, property taxes, and corruption on every level of the state political scene. Wow.
And then again, as we were watching the news this am, he was furious that his votes were being interpreted as against Obama. In fact the discussion in the voting line last night was still about how people supported Obama, but that Obama would do well to distance himself from the useless incumbant here. As the blue-blood said, the only person to really get it right was the Time Magazine reporter.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday School Volunteer
November 1. The day after Halloween. It marks my start as the rotational Sunday School teacher for the 3rd and 4th graders. Yes, I know I won't be able to answer all the questions. Yes, there's a curriculum. Yes, I previewed the video. Yes, I was ready with my animal partners cards. Why? Because this month is about Noah - possibly the kids' favorite bible story. Usually there are 15 kids.
Today three boys showed up - one of whom is my own. Was it me? Was I starting too early? Um, no. It's the day after Halloween - and the kids that did show up informed me that most of their friends had too much chocolate or sugar or just plain stayed up too late because it was a holiday on a Saturday night. All reasonable excuses.
The first activity, according to the guide, is basically an animal charades game - and more than 4 participants are needed. Which I guess explains why one of the other classroom teachers (who was checking in on me) looked horrified as one child slid on his belly and became a snake, while another began clucking and pecking around the classroom, acting the part of a chicken. Hey - whatever works, I say. The boys thought about how hard it must have been to keep all the animals organized - and alive.
Bible story time... each child takes turns reading aloud, and I discover, pleasantly, that my child is really good - I mean really really good - at reading aloud. (For regular homework I usually get a muffled version with appropriate pauses...today, clear with tone differentiation and even emotion!) Essentially a terrifying story - God destroys the earth - but ends with a promise that God will never again destroy the world. Which unnerves them a bit until we talk about God's promise - and second chances.
That moves us on to the next activity - writing thank you notes. The assignment - just like Noah thanked God with burnt offerings at the newly built alter - you pretend you are Noah or a member of his family, and write a thank you note to God.
Here are two of the notes:
Dear God: Thank U for letting me servive and for letting me not get sick from the smell. I love you and I love my wife. Your friend, Noah.
Dear God, Thank you fer leting me and the animals live. The storm was a little strong. Thanks again. Love, Noah
A few more bits of conversation led to the questions I couldn't answer - but I'm sure have been answered somewhere.
Here are the questions I couldn't answer with authority.
Did any of the animals have babies while on the Ark?
Did any of the grown up animals eat the babies? (This came up when discussing rabbits and chickens and gerbils.)
If there were two animals of every kind, what was Noah's burnt offering? Remember, it smelled good and God knew it.
If there was only one window how did they clean up all the poop?
Did Noah forget any animals? (answered by a classmate - we'll never know, because it's dead.)
Did the Ark smell bad, or really super bad? Because of all the poop, you know? (I did offer that if cleaning up after one dog was any indication, it was probably very very stinky)
Why don't people live to be 601 years old any more?
I can't wait to see what next Sunday brings.
Today three boys showed up - one of whom is my own. Was it me? Was I starting too early? Um, no. It's the day after Halloween - and the kids that did show up informed me that most of their friends had too much chocolate or sugar or just plain stayed up too late because it was a holiday on a Saturday night. All reasonable excuses.
The first activity, according to the guide, is basically an animal charades game - and more than 4 participants are needed. Which I guess explains why one of the other classroom teachers (who was checking in on me) looked horrified as one child slid on his belly and became a snake, while another began clucking and pecking around the classroom, acting the part of a chicken. Hey - whatever works, I say. The boys thought about how hard it must have been to keep all the animals organized - and alive.
Bible story time... each child takes turns reading aloud, and I discover, pleasantly, that my child is really good - I mean really really good - at reading aloud. (For regular homework I usually get a muffled version with appropriate pauses...today, clear with tone differentiation and even emotion!) Essentially a terrifying story - God destroys the earth - but ends with a promise that God will never again destroy the world. Which unnerves them a bit until we talk about God's promise - and second chances.
That moves us on to the next activity - writing thank you notes. The assignment - just like Noah thanked God with burnt offerings at the newly built alter - you pretend you are Noah or a member of his family, and write a thank you note to God.
Here are two of the notes:
Dear God: Thank U for letting me servive and for letting me not get sick from the smell. I love you and I love my wife. Your friend, Noah.
Dear God, Thank you fer leting me and the animals live. The storm was a little strong. Thanks again. Love, Noah
A few more bits of conversation led to the questions I couldn't answer - but I'm sure have been answered somewhere.
Here are the questions I couldn't answer with authority.
Did any of the animals have babies while on the Ark?
Did any of the grown up animals eat the babies? (This came up when discussing rabbits and chickens and gerbils.)
If there were two animals of every kind, what was Noah's burnt offering? Remember, it smelled good and God knew it.
If there was only one window how did they clean up all the poop?
Did Noah forget any animals? (answered by a classmate - we'll never know, because it's dead.)
Did the Ark smell bad, or really super bad? Because of all the poop, you know? (I did offer that if cleaning up after one dog was any indication, it was probably very very stinky)
Why don't people live to be 601 years old any more?
I can't wait to see what next Sunday brings.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Flashlight Club - membership renewal
To be an official member of this club you must use all your powers for good, and be wiley enough to defeat the evil-doers who believe in sleep and lights out. Your superpowers must be evolved enough to hear footsteps from a floor away. You must be clever enough to act quickly, with stealth, and with confidence. And you must manage various bits of lighting technology, all while balancing the most important piece - the book you just can't put down.
Tools of the Club:
clip-on booklight
touch on/touch off headlamp
flashlight
extra batteries
small phillips head screwdriver
extemely exhausted parents
most excellent book(s)
Yes, we've been throught his before. He has already stayed up most of the night reading another great one - Knucklehead. And I know I am supposed to be encouraging reading, and I do. In fact, we all do. There are things to read everywhere, and we have been known to fill our suitcases with more books than clothes...yet, the alarm for school calls early - and that has to be the priority. (drat says the mom who would also stay up all night reading, except for that nasty habit no boss appriciates -- napping during a meeting).
He's eight and he's almost there. A new book arrived - The Lightening Thief - about a boy who is half human and half god. He checked the mail everyday, waiting for it's arrival. And even after listening to two chapters last night, he attempted to renew his membership in the Flashlight Club.
Caught with the big light on at 9:30, he went all out 10 minutes later with the headlamp. Now, if the headlamp hadn't left an indentation on his forehead, he might have gotten away with it. That piece of equipment was removed from the clubhouse. Next came the request for water. And somewhere from the bathroom came a clatter, an uh oh, and a don't come in. Upon checking, because, really, bathrooms are not areas for safe play, it was discovered that said club member was throwing a towel down on the floor. When he knew the game was over, he lifted the towel to reveal batteries. Which led to the march back to the clubhouse, sans water.
The evildoer swept the room for other lighting instruments and found one thing - the flashlight that cackles like a witch (for halloween). The evildoer left it because its noise makes stealth impossible. "Of course you can keep this flashlight in case the power goes out. I wouldn't want you to not have any light. cackle. cackle. cackle.)"
The evildoer was summarily dismissed with a hmph and the covers being pulled all the way up and over the head of the club member.
Membership is not yet quite renewed, but it's coming - I feel it. Friday's only a few more days away...
Tools of the Club:
clip-on booklight
touch on/touch off headlamp
flashlight
extra batteries
small phillips head screwdriver
extemely exhausted parents
most excellent book(s)
Yes, we've been throught his before. He has already stayed up most of the night reading another great one - Knucklehead. And I know I am supposed to be encouraging reading, and I do. In fact, we all do. There are things to read everywhere, and we have been known to fill our suitcases with more books than clothes...yet, the alarm for school calls early - and that has to be the priority. (drat says the mom who would also stay up all night reading, except for that nasty habit no boss appriciates -- napping during a meeting).
He's eight and he's almost there. A new book arrived - The Lightening Thief - about a boy who is half human and half god. He checked the mail everyday, waiting for it's arrival. And even after listening to two chapters last night, he attempted to renew his membership in the Flashlight Club.
Caught with the big light on at 9:30, he went all out 10 minutes later with the headlamp. Now, if the headlamp hadn't left an indentation on his forehead, he might have gotten away with it. That piece of equipment was removed from the clubhouse. Next came the request for water. And somewhere from the bathroom came a clatter, an uh oh, and a don't come in. Upon checking, because, really, bathrooms are not areas for safe play, it was discovered that said club member was throwing a towel down on the floor. When he knew the game was over, he lifted the towel to reveal batteries. Which led to the march back to the clubhouse, sans water.
The evildoer swept the room for other lighting instruments and found one thing - the flashlight that cackles like a witch (for halloween). The evildoer left it because its noise makes stealth impossible. "Of course you can keep this flashlight in case the power goes out. I wouldn't want you to not have any light. cackle. cackle. cackle.)"
The evildoer was summarily dismissed with a hmph and the covers being pulled all the way up and over the head of the club member.
Membership is not yet quite renewed, but it's coming - I feel it. Friday's only a few more days away...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
How was school today?
Yes. I know you are not supposed to say to your kid "how was school today?" - and in true form, I often say something along the lines of "what made you laugh at school" or "what were the school announcements?" - or something that doesn't get a basic "fine."
Wednesday during dinner.
Me: So how was school today?
Him: Great! No injuries today.
Hmmm.
Wednesday during dinner.
Me: So how was school today?
Him: Great! No injuries today.
Hmmm.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The First Binder
Most kids greet their teacher by saying hello. Ours couldn't get his questions out fast enough. I am so glad I'm not his classroom teacher.
Standing in line the first day: Hi. Do we get chameleons in your room? Are there other animals? Do they eat crickets - live ones?...pause for breathing...Do they..."
Teacher: It's so nice to meet you. Tell me who you are.
Ours: "Um, you don't know me?!?"
On to the next kid and parents.
All the stuff is carefully labeled and stuffed into his backpack. And it's the year of his first binder - the good old inch and a half one filled with lined composition paper. It's the only day of the year it will be neat. I took a picture.
Our fab sitter managed to find one that zips closed - so at least he can get stuff home... it may not be in the rings, but the zipper might help. The two of them tag-teamed the local stores scouting for supplies in early August - so we could locate everything on the new and improved school supplies list. At the end of the month it's hard to find plastic two pocket folders in colors other than pink. He firmly announced that this year we needed to do a better job of stocking up on supplies. Check. Done.
Til again. Orange is still our family color.
Standing in line the first day: Hi. Do we get chameleons in your room? Are there other animals? Do they eat crickets - live ones?...pause for breathing...Do they..."
Teacher: It's so nice to meet you. Tell me who you are.
Ours: "Um, you don't know me?!?"
On to the next kid and parents.
All the stuff is carefully labeled and stuffed into his backpack. And it's the year of his first binder - the good old inch and a half one filled with lined composition paper. It's the only day of the year it will be neat. I took a picture.
Our fab sitter managed to find one that zips closed - so at least he can get stuff home... it may not be in the rings, but the zipper might help. The two of them tag-teamed the local stores scouting for supplies in early August - so we could locate everything on the new and improved school supplies list. At the end of the month it's hard to find plastic two pocket folders in colors other than pink. He firmly announced that this year we needed to do a better job of stocking up on supplies. Check. Done.
Til again. Orange is still our family color.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
12 Noon
Today I wish I was spending the noon hour with my kid. Because he'll be watching the inauguration in class - and I'll be watching with colleagues. And I'd really like to see him at noon. Because really, a 7 year old may not be totally into watching the oath being delivered - but he'll totally be into the fact that Abraham Lincoln's hands touched the bible Obama will be using.
He wore red, white and blue today to school. And he is planning on visiting DC to see three things:
The Lincoln Memorial (because after you look at a penny under a magnifying glass it seems cooler)
The Spy Museum (he has his night vision goggles ready)
The First Puppy - (I did explain that would be hard - but he said he's up for it)
Enjoy the day. It's a new one.
He wore red, white and blue today to school. And he is planning on visiting DC to see three things:
The Lincoln Memorial (because after you look at a penny under a magnifying glass it seems cooler)
The Spy Museum (he has his night vision goggles ready)
The First Puppy - (I did explain that would be hard - but he said he's up for it)
Enjoy the day. It's a new one.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Fresh Starts
Fresh starts are for everyone, right? Well, our little family is undergoing a bit of a change, as one of us will be traveling to the west coast with enough frequency to just about claim status in another zip code.
I was sitting in church today and thought about all the new beginnings and fresh starts. In this economic time it's a rare, brave, and possibly foolish soul that says "no, boss, I'm not going to do that" - unless of course, it's illegal and then I expect the old "do the right thing" motion. And so we find ourselves at the beginning of a new adventure, a fresh start. For a week a month, on a regular basis, one of us will be based on the west coast. A new beat, a great company, and probably the expectation that we'll all be west coast based in a bit more than a year.
So sitting in church I began to place my thoughts into two categories - the denial and the adventure. Because otherwise this will seem too much like the slowly-pull-off-the-bandaid approach. I prefer the rip and the clean break.
Maybe this will just be more traveling - and heck, people travel tons more than this. And maybe this will mean traveling to a great west coast city for vacations and part of the summer holiday. And maybe this means not taking each other for granted so much, simply because the luxury of rolling over in bed and saying "no, you let the dog out" just won't be there.
I am trying to adjust slowly - since for years it's been me on the travel train. And now it's not. And since I know his appointment on Thursday is with a realtor I am also certain that only huge prices and icy cold weather could dampen his enthusiasm for sunshine, fog and great views. He may not realize it yet, but he's falling in love with another girl - the west coast girl. And she's going to tempt him with fabulous restaurants, new construction, sunshine and attitude.
I'm only certain that home is where my family is - and for now, it's in the east. I'm not cheering for either team - just hoping for the opportunity to make our own choice, and fall in love together.
I was sitting in church today and thought about all the new beginnings and fresh starts. In this economic time it's a rare, brave, and possibly foolish soul that says "no, boss, I'm not going to do that" - unless of course, it's illegal and then I expect the old "do the right thing" motion. And so we find ourselves at the beginning of a new adventure, a fresh start. For a week a month, on a regular basis, one of us will be based on the west coast. A new beat, a great company, and probably the expectation that we'll all be west coast based in a bit more than a year.
So sitting in church I began to place my thoughts into two categories - the denial and the adventure. Because otherwise this will seem too much like the slowly-pull-off-the-bandaid approach. I prefer the rip and the clean break.
Maybe this will just be more traveling - and heck, people travel tons more than this. And maybe this will mean traveling to a great west coast city for vacations and part of the summer holiday. And maybe this means not taking each other for granted so much, simply because the luxury of rolling over in bed and saying "no, you let the dog out" just won't be there.
I am trying to adjust slowly - since for years it's been me on the travel train. And now it's not. And since I know his appointment on Thursday is with a realtor I am also certain that only huge prices and icy cold weather could dampen his enthusiasm for sunshine, fog and great views. He may not realize it yet, but he's falling in love with another girl - the west coast girl. And she's going to tempt him with fabulous restaurants, new construction, sunshine and attitude.
I'm only certain that home is where my family is - and for now, it's in the east. I'm not cheering for either team - just hoping for the opportunity to make our own choice, and fall in love together.
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