Sunday, May 20, 2007

Gone on vacation!

DV and I are going on a big adventure!

Tomorrow morning IV is driving us to Florida, where my parents live, and then we are leaving for California on Wednesday morning. I believe we have to leave my parents' house at the ridiculous time of 2:30 am!!

We are going to visit my grandmother and aunt who live near Santa Cruz, California. We'll be there about a week and then we are staying in Florida for another week.

So it will be an adventure! It's the longest time DV and I have been away from IV since DV was in the NICU in Arizona and IV had to start work here in Alabama.

I'll try to do an occasional update... but expect me to be back to ~daily blogging after June 3!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Thursday 13 Needed Home Improvements

I saw this meme on Toni's blog and it looked like fun- plus STILL having no voice seems to be dashing my creative powers, so I needed a topic.

Thirteen Needed Home Improvements
A List I hope IV reads, although I promise to do a lot of the work!

1. Screen in breeze way (to protect me from the evil summer mosquitoes and so maybe we can have a cat- a place to put the litter box!)
2. Replace rotting board over breeze way (yes, I think the roof may eventually fall down if we don't)
3. Paint unfinished wood on back porch (hmmm, it may not like the rain being unfinished after 1 year)
4. Power wash green crud growing on shady sides of the house
5. Replace DV's door (someday we might want to close it)
6. Paint baseboards, door frames in our room to match the rest of the room (not that anyone but family sees them.... but still beige and grey-navy are not such a good combo)
7. Replace light fixture in kitchen (ours hangs too low... how about a small fan?)
8. Paint kitchen in a lighter color- I am tired of the grey-navy
9. Cover evil tile in kitchen with linoleum (ugh, the grout is cracking and the tiles too!!!)
10. Do something about the guest bath (yes, we will probably have to hire someone for this! peeling old paint, peeling old fixture coating)
11. Paint dining room (I am still hoping for mint green!)
12. Plant a fruit tree (OK, we have to wait for the right season)
13. Put insulation on the exposed pipes (so we won't have to run water next winter, maybe)

Yes, we have an older home (built in 1952) and we just moved in about a year ago so there are lots of things we still haven't done! I am hoping the summer will give us more time to work on some projects- but IV still has to work so maybe not.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Science Education- The RIGHT Way!!!!

Today DV and I went to our local science museum.

Let me tell you, I was so pleased! There were SO many classes taking field trips and having a ball it made me all sunny inside!

Formerly, I taught high school chemistry. The experience gave me an appreciation for what is lacking in early science education. No one teaches the kids that science is fun!!

Chemistry is SO cool (can be anyway)! I couldn't even get some kids interested in explosions or other really exciting demonstrations- shockingly some student even found making and eating homemade ice cream (to demonstrate the freeze-lowering properties of salt) boring.

It was an uphill battle all year to get my students to realize that science can be fun. However, I think the main problem lies with early science education or lack thereof. Most elementary teachers that I knew didn't have enough time/background to do much with science. And, what they did do came from handouts.

No wonder students think science is a chore!

So- I think science education, especially for elementary students should be like going to the science museum. Lots of variety- cool demonstrations- relevant concepts!!!!

OK- I'm off my soap box now.

I hope DV has good science teachers...

Monday, May 14, 2007

Funny meme for nearest book...

I saw this meme on Catholic Mommyhood and I am too tired tonight to think of something original to blog about.

Here's the deal:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth full sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.Don't search around looking for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.

I guess this is a good way to find out where in the house the computer is located.... or the interests of a fellow blogger!

So, I found The Out-of-Sync Child and on page 161 the fifth sentence is, "He can recognize a hammer, an "R," and a trapezoid, whether it is right side up or upside down."

What does that say about me? As a former educator I am always interested in educational topics- and DV was very sensitive to sensory stimuli when he was younger so the book was very helpful.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel more inspired!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Mother's Day

What a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

We started the day at 5am with waking up- then quick breakfast and open my GIFT from Little Jules (I'll work on posting a digital picture, it doesn't look like anything they have online, it's better!) a sterling silver necklace! I love it! And a card from both DV and IV, so I feel very special.

Then we drove to New Orleans- not bad at 6am on a Sunday- and we arrived in time to go to Cafe Du Monde for beignets (for DV and IV anyway) and lovely black coffee for me- I had to buy some to bring home too.

After a our breakfast we went to the Vatican Mosaic exhibit- and it was SO WONDERFUL!!! In fact, I'll have to do a post just about that, when I am running out of ideas. We let DV run around the gardens of the convent/museum at the end to get some energy out.

Then we walked around the French Quarter for about an hour- and settled on the Gumbo Shop for lunch- it wasn't crowded- yet- at 11:30 and mmmm.... I had catfish florentine it was SO great!!! DV enjoyed a grilled cheese and IV had the full meal (DV helped him with the ice cream at the end.)

After such a wonderful lunch DV fell fast asleep in his stroller- allowing IV and I to wander the Quarter and talk. Now that was a Mother's Day gift! We ended our time in New Orleans by playing in another park.... all in all we were there 6 hours and it was perfect! DV had such a great time he talked all the way home!

Of course, by the time we got home DV was so tired he slipped while running in the hall and busted his lip.... poor baby!

What a great Mother's Day! The only thing that could have improved it would have been sharing it with my Mom in far away Florida.

Now I am even more inspired to deserve such an awesome day next year!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

The Lost Voice

Today I have NO voice. But, I am feeling much better. In fact, I have been literally running around all day... or at least it seems like it since I spent most of the day in bed or resting Wednesday through Friday.

Poor IV- it is so hard on him that I really can't talk and if I do I sound very funny. He is always thinking I'm mad, which I'm not, but arrgh! Talking hurts so I don't want to do it very much- and if I am I hope you're listening. He's being pretty sweet and really hoping my voice will be back to normal tomorrow.

DV on the other hand has not been impacted my my voice at all. He wants me to talk just as much and read to him and name things and explain things.... Finally, I had to say, "Mommy can't!" when he kept bringing me books to read so now he has been bringing me a book and saying, "can't."

Ah well, tomorrow we're taking a day trip to New Orleans to see the Vatican Mosaic Exhibit so I shouldn't have to talk too much. IV is very happy listening to the radio in the car and DV too. Happy Mother's day all!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Posting delay...

A delay in posting, ugh! I started to get a sore throat Tuesday night and it turned into laryngitis and an ear infection (at least something DV can't catch!) so I got some antibiotics yesterday. I should be feeling much better by tonight/tomorrow and hopefully my voice will be back soon.

DV and I have music class tomorrow morning... so I guess I won't be singing (ha, ha.)

Unfortunately, since I was doing nothing I can't think of much interesting to post about.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

My lap... the target and an almost 2 year old eating cocktail sauce??

Today has been a really fun (although tiring) day. My mother-in-law is visiting so today we went to the mall in the morning/early afternoon and to one of my FAVORITE restaurants for dinner.

Some of you locals may recognize- The Original Oyster House- mmmm- I just love it. It's fun even though there's almost always a wait (mainly because it has a great playground with a small preschool section for DV.) And, their seafood it SO fresh!

I always order the steamed shrimp (OK you have to remove the heads-ick- but they are SO good!) And the salad bar is really great too.

So we get our food- and the waitress comes back to check on us- and she seed DV reaching for the melted butter in a little cup (he has a LONG reach) she tries to grab it and it ends up in my lap. Staining my new pants... sigh butter never comes out... but she is really sweet about it. She brings us some soda water to dab it with and apologizes 10 times. Really, it's no big deal, my fault for wearing my nice pants around DV because he probably would have done the same thing anyway.

The funniest thing though is DV. He was watching IV eat his fried shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce and wanted some for himself. So I told IV to let him have some (assuming of course that a 22 month old wouldn't actually eat it!) But, he loved it! He proceeded to dip his popcorn shrimp in cocktail sauce himself and eat them- getting covered in red along the way (good thing he was wearing an old shirt.)

So we had a lot of fun- even though my nice new pants are probably destined for wear around the house rags... ok I'm sad about that- it's not too often that I can afford a nice pair of pants. But it was worth it! Good thing DV was so cute or I might be mad.

Monday, May 7, 2007

A GREAT Book!

Something you should know about me before reading this post.... I love books- almost every book- especially fiction and most especially good fiction.

What do I mean by good fiction? A plot that really grabs you and brings you into the lives of the characters. A book that makes you laugh and cry. Something that seems like it could/should be real.

I found all this and more in the book The Girls by Lori Lansens. I don't want to spoil the story for any of you- so I'll just say it's about 2 conjoined sisters- and who they are- not their handicap. At points you totally forget that they are conjoined twins.

I got to the end of the book and turned the pages for more. It was that good. One twin is a writer and one is a history buff and they're as different as sisters can be.

Go read it already!!!!

It's a great book! It made me think!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

I've been tagged!

Jennifer at Playgroups are No Place for Children tagged me for a getting to know you meme. Fun!
I'll try to write.... 10 Little Known Facts About Jennie! and I'll tag 10 of my blogging buddies (hopefully I can think of 10 people who will respond) no tag backs!

1. I have been going to bed at 9pm to get up at 5am and go to the gym
2. I have had 10 different paying jobs in my life (just filled out a resume)
3. I don't know how old my sweet doggie is (I adopted her as an adult)
4. I love anything craft related (especially jewelry making, sewing, french beaded flowers, cake decorating)
5. I am a big fan of new fiction
6. Mosquitoes love me more than anyone else (even mid-day)
7. I use cloth diapers on DV
8. I cut my hair once a year
9. I've never worn contacts (only glasses)
10. I started out as a nursing major and became a chemist

Now, who will I tag? I think I'll decide later... it's my bedtime!
I hope everyone has had a nice weekend!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Beaded Dreaming....

Lately, I have been thinking about how to start working while staying at home with DV. First, I started off by applying to adjunct at the university where IV works. Well, that's done for now- the application is submitted and I am just waiting to see if there is a position available for this fall.

Last week I came across an article in the newspaper about a work-at-home direct selling type of opportunity. It involves teaching people how to make jewelry in their homes at parties. I am thinking that this would be the perfect work for me!

I have always wanted to start a business (well, since my second year of graduate school when I learned to make beaded jewelry and realized I enjoyed it too much to afford it as a hobby.) I have been talking about starting an online store to market my beaded jewelry since that time.

Now, with this opportunity to teach people how to make jewelry AND make money I am dreaming again. (The best part is there is very little actual selling- mostly teaching AND the jewelery is actually a great value, I would buy it and I know about all the cheap internet sources!)

Now I am putting together a business plan where I would be teaching at jewelry parties and also making custom jewelry to sell on the internet. I will love it! Best of all, I would still be at home with DV and we would have a little more discretionary income.

So here's hoping it all comes together like I am planning... Beaded Dreaming!!!!

Friday, May 4, 2007

A scheduled sort of life….

I have determined that I am very fond of scheduling my days. How did I reach this epiphany of sorts? Well, it all started when DV was a very small baby (and by very small I mean VERY SMALL he was 2 lbs 4.5 oz when he was born and about 5 lbs when he came home.

Since DV was born 3 months prematurely he was quite developmentally delayed and totally sensory reactive. Meaning, he acted like a newborn for a LONG time and he was totally sensitive to any sensory stimuli- light, sound, touch, etc. This translated into a baby who didn’t sleep during the day except in small spurts while being held and if we were very lucky slept 3 hours in a split interval in his bassinet at night. Mostly he slept badly on my or IV’s chest in the recliner.

Because of his sensitivity and the fact that he spent 9 weeks in the NICU he has always loved a predictable schedule. And, I have always been a fan of a bit of scheduling myself- although not as rigidly as he required. So, we had a really tight schedule until he was about 10 months old.

DV started crawling when he was 10 months old so I tried to relax the schedule- but because of his sensory sensitivity crawling was really hard on him and he had to go back to occupational therapy and a strict schedule.

DV is now pretty much caught up developmentally (he doesn’t have any 25% delays anyway so he’s no longer in Early Intervention) and he’s ahead in his language development. We still pretty much stick to our schedule, though. He just seems happy with it and now that I am used to the scheduling it’s easier for me too.

Of course, some days the schedule just goes out the window. And who is that hardest for? Me!

Yesterday was one of those days, DV got up extra early and we went to Lowe’s because IV was home from work in the morning- then we went to the fruit stand- then DV and I arrived LATE (ok, I totally hate being late- if I am it just bugs me) to play at the park with some of our friends. Then DV and I went to the library which should have taken 5 minutes and took more like 45 minutes because the library misplaced the book I had on hold.

So we were very late eating lunch- and DV took his nap late…. And then instead of resting/internet surfing/blogging/sometimes even cleaning I decided I just HAD to go out and run errands since IV was still at home working and could listen for DV. Then we went out for dinner and DV went to bed.

Whoooo! Was I tired last night! I even fell asleep numerous times during Grey’s Anatomy, one of my two favorite shows.

I need my schedule!!!! Waaaaaa!

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

The last box!

So we closed on our house on May 10th of last year.... and moved in at the end of May. Are there any awards for unpacking all of your boxes before one year is out? Because today I unpacked my last box!

It seems like a real accomplishment to me- there were these 3 boxes just hanging around in the garage- all my stuff- and I attempted to unpack them several times. But, for whatever reason I just COULD NOT get myself motivated. Pure laziness???

They were large boxes, by the way- as tall as my waist. And, why was I finally motivated? I wish I could say it was because I am such a neat and organized person (that would not be true.) I have been on this icky diet (more on that in another post) and I have lost ~10 lbs so all of my pants have been falling off. Usually I'm not too particular about how my clothes fit... if you know me you will probably have noticed this (ha, ha.) But, I draw the line at having to pull up my pants all the time in public or risk exposure of my ugly underwear.

So, why did I finally unpack? I wanted some clothes to wear and I was hoping I had saved some too small clothes wishing that one day they would fit. I did find some so at least my hunt was successful. I also found the mate to my leopard house slipper which I have been searching for all winter. It's probably too late in the season to wear it now, but I can keep it for next winter.

About that award? I give it to myself!!! I deserve to go out and buy a new outfit since I so thriftily found all my old clothes and don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

"Do not follow where the path may lead..."

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I found the above quote in an excellent book I am reading titled The Girls by Lori Lansens. (I will post about the novel when I finish it.)

The quote above started me thinking... I have always thought of myself as a make-your-own-trail sort of a girl. But am I really? I totally imitate other people that I think have good idea or great success. (Starting this blog is one great example- thanks playgroup buddies.)

Where's the line? I mean, do you have to be so totally different to make your own trail? Or just combine qualities you admire in others in your own unique way? Plus, of course, add your own spice to the mix. Maybe I am not quite so individual as I have always imagined.

And maybe that's a good thing- I mean a little conformity can go a long way to improving relations with other human beings. It's good to relate well to others and for that you have to be at least a little similar....

Hmmmm, I am just wondering maybe there's something to following a path and taking little side trips???