Hello All! Just a quick note to let you know that we have indeed arrived safely back to Oz- can I tell you how much we have missed the color GREEN this year? Oh, the beautiful trees, the lush lawns, the colorful flowers... it's so good to be surrounded by such pretty scenery again!
But there have been a few hiccups along the way, one of which will mean that I won't be back to blogging until July 9 or so. The family and I would certainly appreciate some good vibes sent our way as we navigate the mine field of misrepresentation by rental property managers...cough cough.
Thanks for reading and for continuing to visit during my absence from the blog- I hope to be back soon!
Michaele Sommerville's coffee-powered rants, resources and reflections of all things ~KINDERGARTEN~
Monday, June 30, 2008
Getting Back to My Teaching Groove
...and because I teach kindergarten students, this one is on my "must-practice" list:
Sing along, won't you?
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I dunno why she swallowed that fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd, to swallow a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she'll die
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat.
Imagine that, she swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die
There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
What a hog! To swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat...
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a goat.
Just opened her throat and swallowed a goat!
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ...
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat... She swallowed the goat to catch the dog...
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat...
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse -
She's dead, of course.
*****
Don't forget to look for these when you visit the library or bookstore:
Sing along, won't you?
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I dunno why she swallowed that fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd, to swallow a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she'll die
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat.
Imagine that, she swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die
There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
What a hog! To swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat...
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a goat.
Just opened her throat and swallowed a goat!
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ...
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat... She swallowed the goat to catch the dog...
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat...
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I dunno why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse -
She's dead, of course.
*****
Don't forget to look for these when you visit the library or bookstore:
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Jammin' Out
... to very acceptable remakes as I drive with the family to Kansas!
*****
What are some of your favorite "versions?" Dear Daughter is crushed I haven't included anything by Hilary Duff...*sigh*...I just couldn't do it. My iPod will be shuffling through music from the 70's, 80's and 90's...new John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Goldfrapp, with Journey/Steve Perry as my usual reliable motivator. Of course America will keep me in the driving groove:
*****
What are some of your favorite "versions?" Dear Daughter is crushed I haven't included anything by Hilary Duff...*sigh*...I just couldn't do it. My iPod will be shuffling through music from the 70's, 80's and 90's...new John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Goldfrapp, with Journey/Steve Perry as my usual reliable motivator. Of course America will keep me in the driving groove:
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Saturday...Adios Texas!
We'll miss the mountains, and some of the foliage:
But we will not miss the wind, the heat, and the dirt:
If all has gone according to plan this week, today is the day we begin our drive OUT of El Paso, Texas, toward our new home in Kansas.
Gracias Marty:
But we will not miss the wind, the heat, and the dirt:
If all has gone according to plan this week, today is the day we begin our drive OUT of El Paso, Texas, toward our new home in Kansas.
Gracias Marty:
Friday, June 27, 2008
Music Memories
As you're reading, I'm probably wrangling the toddler out of the movers' way, or making lunch for the crew, or trying to coax Anni the Cat out of her hidey hole so that the movers can empty the furniture from the next room. Thanks to postdating my blog entries this week, I've been able to supervise the wrapping of my dishes, glasses, and other breakables while *you* get to decide whether or not to indulge in some of my awesome music memories from the Bordertown. The memories aren't from this year, they're from my childhood, 1970-1980. If the tunes get stuck in your head for the rest of the day, blame my mother... I do!
(Enjoy the fashion!)
Diana Ross and the Supremes, Where Did Our Love Go
Tommy James, Crimson and Clover
ABBA, Dancing Queen
Seals and Crofts, Summer Breeze
Mom let me listen to the good stuff!
(Enjoy the fashion!)
Diana Ross and the Supremes, Where Did Our Love Go
Tommy James, Crimson and Clover
ABBA, Dancing Queen
Seals and Crofts, Summer Breeze
Mom let me listen to the good stuff!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Show and Share Thursday: Wedding Gift
If all is going well this week (I'm writing in advance, attempting to fill the queue with blog posts so you won't forget me), I'm picking up my hopefully-completely-repaired truck today. Good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts (seems to be my mantra for every move)...
Before leaving the Bordertown, I wanted to finish up one last craft, a wedding gift. Alex's family rented rooms to my husband years ago when he was stationed in Germany, and we met up with her (and met Aaron) quite by accident a few months ago here in Texas. Alex and Aaron are both soldiers, Alex in the German Army, Aaron in the U.S. Army, and both are into Harleys, like my husband. Yes, it was the motorcycles that brought us full circle, but we have enjoyed the humor, company, friendship, and German COOKING ever since we were reunited. Perhaps we can convince them to honeymoon in Oz!
Alex's bike is black, Aaron's is burgundy/red. It was fairly simple to figure out a color scheme for their collage:
Figuring out the layers took a little time, trying this configuration, that arrangement, shaking my head, maneuvering each element into the spot that worked:
A pretty bow, a little heart charm:
Arranging the photos (black and white seemed to work best):
Black velvet ribbon for the trim:
Ta da!
Since I caught Alex and Aaron playing up and down the aisles of Hobby Lobby one weekend (seriously!), I'm thinking they just might like the gift. If not, they'll certainly enjoy the gift CARD TO HL!
(By the way, I used a 12X12 chipboard square for the base, decorative papers, a chipboard heart, burgundy Scrabble Tiles, ribbon, a small heart charm, brown photo corners, black brads, black velvet, and lots of hot glue for this project. Not pictured is the metal stand I purchased to prop the collage against so Alex and Aaron can display it wherever they like.)
*****
~We're still packing, I'm sure. By now I might be in need of Five Tips for Tranquility (thanks to WishStudio Blogzine)...
~ So it's not yet Christmas in July, but Mom, if you need ideas for what we'd like for Christmas in DECEMBER, how about some of this guy's knitted creatures? Here's his products page...
~Candice is making me wish my crafting goodies were unpacked by July 4!
*****
If all is going according to plan, we'll watch the movers load up the semi tomorrow, and we'll be relaxing in the hotel, getting a good night's rest so we can start the drive to Oz on Saturday morning. Thanks for any good thoughts you mentally send our way!
Before leaving the Bordertown, I wanted to finish up one last craft, a wedding gift. Alex's family rented rooms to my husband years ago when he was stationed in Germany, and we met up with her (and met Aaron) quite by accident a few months ago here in Texas. Alex and Aaron are both soldiers, Alex in the German Army, Aaron in the U.S. Army, and both are into Harleys, like my husband. Yes, it was the motorcycles that brought us full circle, but we have enjoyed the humor, company, friendship, and German COOKING ever since we were reunited. Perhaps we can convince them to honeymoon in Oz!
Alex's bike is black, Aaron's is burgundy/red. It was fairly simple to figure out a color scheme for their collage:
Figuring out the layers took a little time, trying this configuration, that arrangement, shaking my head, maneuvering each element into the spot that worked:
A pretty bow, a little heart charm:
Arranging the photos (black and white seemed to work best):
Black velvet ribbon for the trim:
Ta da!
Since I caught Alex and Aaron playing up and down the aisles of Hobby Lobby one weekend (seriously!), I'm thinking they just might like the gift. If not, they'll certainly enjoy the gift CARD TO HL!
(By the way, I used a 12X12 chipboard square for the base, decorative papers, a chipboard heart, burgundy Scrabble Tiles, ribbon, a small heart charm, brown photo corners, black brads, black velvet, and lots of hot glue for this project. Not pictured is the metal stand I purchased to prop the collage against so Alex and Aaron can display it wherever they like.)
*****
~We're still packing, I'm sure. By now I might be in need of Five Tips for Tranquility (thanks to WishStudio Blogzine)...
~ So it's not yet Christmas in July, but Mom, if you need ideas for what we'd like for Christmas in DECEMBER, how about some of this guy's knitted creatures? Here's his products page...
~Candice is making me wish my crafting goodies were unpacked by July 4!
*****
If all is going according to plan, we'll watch the movers load up the semi tomorrow, and we'll be relaxing in the hotel, getting a good night's rest so we can start the drive to Oz on Saturday morning. Thanks for any good thoughts you mentally send our way!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Um, *Yeah*
I'm not a big fan of the word "yeah," but it seems to fit right about now:
(Tuesday, Day 1 of the packers in our house)
Wowie, BARE walls!
Nearly-bare china hutch....
Hard to believe that the house used to look like THIS at Thanksgiving...
Dear Daughter's room hasn't been THIS clean in quite some time (don't tell her I told you!)...
And finally, our bed (yeah, it's king sized!), covered with our traveling gear:
Wednesday will see the office, toddler's room, my classroom gear, and our storage closets all being packed, Thursday MIGHT see the start of the furniture being prepped with the boxes getting loaded onto the semi...and Friday evening, this home will no longer be ours.
By the way, dear tax paying readers, THANK YOU. It's your tax dollars that house my husband and my family so he can do his job and we can all be together for the United States Army. While I take great pride in keeping each house we live in feeling like a home, we all do our best to take good care of each property out of appreciation and respect for you, our friends and family.
(Tuesday, Day 1 of the packers in our house)
Wowie, BARE walls!
Nearly-bare china hutch....
Hard to believe that the house used to look like THIS at Thanksgiving...
Dear Daughter's room hasn't been THIS clean in quite some time (don't tell her I told you!)...
And finally, our bed (yeah, it's king sized!), covered with our traveling gear:
Wednesday will see the office, toddler's room, my classroom gear, and our storage closets all being packed, Thursday MIGHT see the start of the furniture being prepped with the boxes getting loaded onto the semi...and Friday evening, this home will no longer be ours.
By the way, dear tax paying readers, THANK YOU. It's your tax dollars that house my husband and my family so he can do his job and we can all be together for the United States Army. While I take great pride in keeping each house we live in feeling like a home, we all do our best to take good care of each property out of appreciation and respect for you, our friends and family.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I Hope You Dance
No, it's not the sappy country song.
Matt and his friends had me smiling and even crying as I watched this video. If it's grainy on my blog, just go here and click on the blue link "watch in high quality" underneath the video box, turn up your volume, and be inspired.
This...is...good. So...good.
Matt and his friends had me smiling and even crying as I watched this video. If it's grainy on my blog, just go here and click on the blue link "watch in high quality" underneath the video box, turn up your volume, and be inspired.
This...is...good. So...good.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Cat Knows
Our cat, Anni, *knows* something is up.
Dear Daughter spending a week with grandparents has created the extra clinginess, the extra pacing, and the extra meowiness from Anni that we've come to expect. Yesterday's increase in visitors (friends came over to help my husband get the garage in order and partially packed), the constant running of the washer, dryer, and dishwasher (I like our things to be packed CLEAN so they can quickly find their new locations when we open up the moving boxes on the other end) and my extended stay in Daughter's room (wow, teens are amazing packrats!) with a garbage bag in hand pushed Anni past some kitty breaking point. Immediately after we got into bed to get some much needed sleep, Anni jumped on the bed and proceeded to do her best to... trample us. One doesn't usually associate cats with trampling, but I assure you, trampling is exactly what Anni was doing.
No, she didn't want to be petted.
No, she didn't want to be brushed.
No, her litter box didn't need to be changed.
No, she wasn't hungry, and her food and water bowls were full.
She *knows.*
She hasn't seen it in almost a year, but she knows the cat carrier is around here somewhere, lurking, waiting, ready to pounce on her and bind her back into captivity for the two-day (or more) drive back to Kansas.
I caught her yesterday afternoon, preparing for battle, sharpening her no-longer-there claws:
Oh...boy...
Dear Daughter spending a week with grandparents has created the extra clinginess, the extra pacing, and the extra meowiness from Anni that we've come to expect. Yesterday's increase in visitors (friends came over to help my husband get the garage in order and partially packed), the constant running of the washer, dryer, and dishwasher (I like our things to be packed CLEAN so they can quickly find their new locations when we open up the moving boxes on the other end) and my extended stay in Daughter's room (wow, teens are amazing packrats!) with a garbage bag in hand pushed Anni past some kitty breaking point. Immediately after we got into bed to get some much needed sleep, Anni jumped on the bed and proceeded to do her best to... trample us. One doesn't usually associate cats with trampling, but I assure you, trampling is exactly what Anni was doing.
No, she didn't want to be petted.
No, she didn't want to be brushed.
No, her litter box didn't need to be changed.
No, she wasn't hungry, and her food and water bowls were full.
She *knows.*
She hasn't seen it in almost a year, but she knows the cat carrier is around here somewhere, lurking, waiting, ready to pounce on her and bind her back into captivity for the two-day (or more) drive back to Kansas.
I caught her yesterday afternoon, preparing for battle, sharpening her no-longer-there claws:
Oh...boy...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Not in the Forecast
...but welcome just the same! Rain- that wonderful stuff that helps the grass and flowers grow- is appreciated here this weekend. Not for the foliage though- for the DIRT. Steady rain keeps the sand, grit, and dust out of our eyes when the wind picks up, and friends, the wind blows hard enough here to make the desert dirt an incredibly painful exfoliant!
This weather makes for a great BAKING day!
Cookies and pecan nummies for friends and neighbors:
...with some quick crochet while each batch bakes in the oven:
The squares will be for a new afghan, while the scarf was made with left over baby yarn...I was trying out a new design, one that leaves an opening in the scarf to pull the tail through after you've wrapped it around your neck a few times...I like the design. I don't like the scarf in this baby yarn. Winter time will probably see me making more with some softer, prettier yarn.
Cookies are done! Now to make oatmeal raisin!
This weather makes for a great BAKING day!
Cookies and pecan nummies for friends and neighbors:
...with some quick crochet while each batch bakes in the oven:
The squares will be for a new afghan, while the scarf was made with left over baby yarn...I was trying out a new design, one that leaves an opening in the scarf to pull the tail through after you've wrapped it around your neck a few times...I like the design. I don't like the scarf in this baby yarn. Winter time will probably see me making more with some softer, prettier yarn.
Cookies are done! Now to make oatmeal raisin!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
...for I am the (Floral) Binder Queen!
It was a quiet Saturday, nothing but the sound of the blade slicing through the pretty papers, and me muttering not-so-kindergarten-teacherish words under my breath each time I accidentally burned myself with the hot glue:
Now I have both "inspiration" binders finished, full of seasonal/holiday decorating and craft ideas, as well as the regular home decorating inspirations that help me figure out furniture placement and storage solutions each time we move to a new home, new floorplan, and new traffic pattern. The third binder is extra, just for me, though I have no idea what I'll be saving in it just yet. Something about the binders matching/coordinating makes me smile. I'm also assured that their flowery femininity will guarantee that NO ONE will mess with them "on accident."
The packers arrive next Tuesday, which means tomorrow and Monday will be spent working through the to-do list:
* baking "thank you" and "we'll miss you" cookies and goodies for friends and neighbors
* cleaning all of my copper decor
* laundering all of the linens, spare blankets, sheets, etc. so they're clean and closet-ready when we open the boxes in Kansas
* packing our travel suitcases, preparing car activities and snacks for the kids
* getting BOTH trucks back from the repair shops (oh yes, Dear Husband's truck decided to have brake problems this morning)
* making sure all of our legal documents and necessary paperwork are in our family binder, ready to travel with us
* buying our travel stash of diapers, snacks, toiletries
* loading the iPod up with drivable and motivating music
* making sure the cat carrier is clean and ready for Anni
* TRYING to work ahead, posting blogs in the queue so you all don't think I've abandoned Kindergarten's 3 R's while our household goods (and my computer) are in transit
* finding one small craft that I can bring with me to help me wind down each evening in the hotel while the kids take their baths (I'm thinking crocheting)
*****
~ Country French Antiques continues on with the flower theme (I mean really, did you take a good look at my binders? I seem to have absorbed a bit too much floral/romantic inspiration lately), sharing photos from Shoe-Fleur
~ I might just have to subscribe to small, after this Frida-inspired photo shoot (oh yes, more flowers!)...it's an ONLINE magazine! Thanks to AllSorts for the link!
*****
With a name like Rosy Posy Confections, how could I *not* include this blog on my post today?
*****
I hope you are having a FABULOUS weekend!
Now I have both "inspiration" binders finished, full of seasonal/holiday decorating and craft ideas, as well as the regular home decorating inspirations that help me figure out furniture placement and storage solutions each time we move to a new home, new floorplan, and new traffic pattern. The third binder is extra, just for me, though I have no idea what I'll be saving in it just yet. Something about the binders matching/coordinating makes me smile. I'm also assured that their flowery femininity will guarantee that NO ONE will mess with them "on accident."
The packers arrive next Tuesday, which means tomorrow and Monday will be spent working through the to-do list:
* baking "thank you" and "we'll miss you" cookies and goodies for friends and neighbors
* cleaning all of my copper decor
* laundering all of the linens, spare blankets, sheets, etc. so they're clean and closet-ready when we open the boxes in Kansas
* packing our travel suitcases, preparing car activities and snacks for the kids
* getting BOTH trucks back from the repair shops (oh yes, Dear Husband's truck decided to have brake problems this morning)
* making sure all of our legal documents and necessary paperwork are in our family binder, ready to travel with us
* buying our travel stash of diapers, snacks, toiletries
* loading the iPod up with drivable and motivating music
* making sure the cat carrier is clean and ready for Anni
* TRYING to work ahead, posting blogs in the queue so you all don't think I've abandoned Kindergarten's 3 R's while our household goods (and my computer) are in transit
* finding one small craft that I can bring with me to help me wind down each evening in the hotel while the kids take their baths (I'm thinking crocheting)
*****
~ Country French Antiques continues on with the flower theme (I mean really, did you take a good look at my binders? I seem to have absorbed a bit too much floral/romantic inspiration lately), sharing photos from Shoe-Fleur
~ I might just have to subscribe to small, after this Frida-inspired photo shoot (oh yes, more flowers!)...it's an ONLINE magazine! Thanks to AllSorts for the link!
*****
With a name like Rosy Posy Confections, how could I *not* include this blog on my post today?
*****
I hope you are having a FABULOUS weekend!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Ruby Red...Sneakers?
My feet are *so* ready to return to Oz!
The rest of me is too, but for now, these spangly ruby red sneakers will just have to do their part in keeping my mood upbeat as my family and I endure this latest round of power packing, marathon driving, and bidding one state goodbye (er, "adios") and another hello.
As for the sparkly shoes, head to Walmart~ they're nine dollars!
Unfortunately, their heels don't click...
*****
My truck is at a collision repair shop here in the Bordertown. They've *promised* it can be repaired, good as new, by next Thursday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed since we're supposed to drive out two days later! Until then, I'm getting used to driving my husband's truck (it's the one I'll be piloting back to Oz, pulling a small trailer) while he drives a rental car. May I just say THANK YOU GEICO? I think you're pretty terrific, even though your spokesgecko reminds me of a SleeStak:
*****
~Back to kid-friendly snacking, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Marguerites (Ritz crackers, peanut butter and marshmallows!). I'm a kid, right?
~Strawberry Shortcake from Tracy Porter
~Andrea doesn't know it but she crafted the perfect crown for ME...Fairy Tale Dress Up Day just won't be the same this year!
*****
It's time for me to start collecting all things Tasha Tudor~ she has always been my favorite featured artist in magazines such as Victoria, and one of my favorite childrens' book authors/ illustrators. She died two days ago at the age of 92:
The rest of me is too, but for now, these spangly ruby red sneakers will just have to do their part in keeping my mood upbeat as my family and I endure this latest round of power packing, marathon driving, and bidding one state goodbye (er, "adios") and another hello.
As for the sparkly shoes, head to Walmart~ they're nine dollars!
Unfortunately, their heels don't click...
*****
My truck is at a collision repair shop here in the Bordertown. They've *promised* it can be repaired, good as new, by next Thursday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed since we're supposed to drive out two days later! Until then, I'm getting used to driving my husband's truck (it's the one I'll be piloting back to Oz, pulling a small trailer) while he drives a rental car. May I just say THANK YOU GEICO? I think you're pretty terrific, even though your spokesgecko reminds me of a SleeStak:
*****
~Back to kid-friendly snacking, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Marguerites (Ritz crackers, peanut butter and marshmallows!). I'm a kid, right?
~Strawberry Shortcake from Tracy Porter
~Andrea doesn't know it but she crafted the perfect crown for ME...Fairy Tale Dress Up Day just won't be the same this year!
*****
It's time for me to start collecting all things Tasha Tudor~ she has always been my favorite featured artist in magazines such as Victoria, and one of my favorite childrens' book authors/ illustrators. She died two days ago at the age of 92:
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Show and Share Thursday: Collision
I'll let the pictures do the talking, but no worries, I'm fine, the toddler is fine (though he did exclaim "Mommy, BUMP!") and the young man who hit my truck (with his 1976 VAN!) is fine too. Instead of posting something girlie or teacherish, I'm off to spend the afternoon filing a "blue report" for insurance purposes. In 100+ degree heat.
Yep, it certainly could have been worse, and I'm ever thankful that it was only the back of my truck that felt the crunch. Whew!
I'll be back tomorrow, posting on hopefully more *cheerful* events!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I Know What NOT To Be When I Grow Up...
After getting my daughter on the plane to see her grandparents this morning, I have to say I know another job I hope to never have: baggage inspector. It joins the rest of my do-not-ever-hope-to-be list of occupations: garbage collector, sewer maintenance repairman, surgeon (needles I can handle, literal blood and guts, not so much), and mortician.
Dear Daughter already had her boarding pass pre-printed at home, and wasn't checking any luggage, but in order to guide her all the way to her gate, I had to obtain a parent's pass at the ticket counter. Not a problem. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at Burger King in the terminal, and headed upstairs to the security checkpoint. It was a rather long series of two lines since the first few flights of the morning were scheduled to leave in the next hour, but pilots mingled and chatted pleasantly with the passengers as everyone slipped off shoes, wrangled belts out of belt loops, with several young women wriggling out of tons of cheap jewelry and accessories that kept setting the alarm beeper thingies off.
After my daughter and I made it through the scanner beep and alarm-free, the only unpleasant, sour people we encountered informed my daughter her carry on would have to be searched. Yep, the baggage inspectors. Turns out her ziploc baggie carrying her toiletries was too large and that two of her three items surpassed the 3 ounce limit. Surprising, because the two items were a two-thirds used tube of toothpaste (and yes, it was obviously MORE than half used) and a half empty 4 ounce bottle (half would be TWO ounces) of sunscreen. Apparently the original container size itself determines whether or not the ever-deadly gingivitis fighter and its sidekick, anti-cancer cream make it on board. Dear Daughter said there wasn't a problem, she'd just ask Grandma and Grandpa to let her stop by the store once she landed to replace the toothpaste and sunscreen.
To which Grumpy, the baggage inspector replied:
"Fine. But YOU (meaning me) need to take this downstairs, to your car, and then you can come back up here."
I told Grumpy in a purposefully pleasant voice that if I took the toothpaste and sunscreen to my car, I'd have to go to the ticket counter, obtain another pass, then wait in another line to come through security, and therefore MISS getting my daughter to her gate. "Would it be possible to just dispose of those items here so I can make sure she doesn't miss her flight?" Smile, smile, pleasant pleasant...
Grumpy growled. Oh yes, she growled. "Fine." Then she slapped the lid down on Dear Daughter's carry on case, and shoved the case down the roller ramp.
I couldn't resist: "Thank you!" (smile, smile, smile) "Have a great day!" (beam, beam, beam)
Perhaps Grumpy was just ending a long, difficult shift. Maybe Grumpy had had a tough morning at home. Maybe Grumpy is just G-R-U-M-P-Y.
*****
*Perhaps installing one of these Passive Aggressive Anger Release Machines would help... (I'm not kidding! Go take a look!)
*...or maybe a hug from a Softie made from scraps would better soothe the inner-Grump?
Dear Daughter already had her boarding pass pre-printed at home, and wasn't checking any luggage, but in order to guide her all the way to her gate, I had to obtain a parent's pass at the ticket counter. Not a problem. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at Burger King in the terminal, and headed upstairs to the security checkpoint. It was a rather long series of two lines since the first few flights of the morning were scheduled to leave in the next hour, but pilots mingled and chatted pleasantly with the passengers as everyone slipped off shoes, wrangled belts out of belt loops, with several young women wriggling out of tons of cheap jewelry and accessories that kept setting the alarm beeper thingies off.
After my daughter and I made it through the scanner beep and alarm-free, the only unpleasant, sour people we encountered informed my daughter her carry on would have to be searched. Yep, the baggage inspectors. Turns out her ziploc baggie carrying her toiletries was too large and that two of her three items surpassed the 3 ounce limit. Surprising, because the two items were a two-thirds used tube of toothpaste (and yes, it was obviously MORE than half used) and a half empty 4 ounce bottle (half would be TWO ounces) of sunscreen. Apparently the original container size itself determines whether or not the ever-deadly gingivitis fighter and its sidekick, anti-cancer cream make it on board. Dear Daughter said there wasn't a problem, she'd just ask Grandma and Grandpa to let her stop by the store once she landed to replace the toothpaste and sunscreen.
To which Grumpy, the baggage inspector replied:"Fine. But YOU (meaning me) need to take this downstairs, to your car, and then you can come back up here."
I told Grumpy in a purposefully pleasant voice that if I took the toothpaste and sunscreen to my car, I'd have to go to the ticket counter, obtain another pass, then wait in another line to come through security, and therefore MISS getting my daughter to her gate. "Would it be possible to just dispose of those items here so I can make sure she doesn't miss her flight?" Smile, smile, pleasant pleasant...
Grumpy growled. Oh yes, she growled. "Fine." Then she slapped the lid down on Dear Daughter's carry on case, and shoved the case down the roller ramp.
I couldn't resist: "Thank you!" (smile, smile, smile) "Have a great day!" (beam, beam, beam)
Perhaps Grumpy was just ending a long, difficult shift. Maybe Grumpy had had a tough morning at home. Maybe Grumpy is just G-R-U-M-P-Y.
*****
*Perhaps installing one of these Passive Aggressive Anger Release Machines would help... (I'm not kidding! Go take a look!)
*...or maybe a hug from a Softie made from scraps would better soothe the inner-Grump?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Freezerburn MIGHT Be a Bad Thing...
I started this day waking up from a somewhat trippy dream. One fragmented scene I remember had me attending the Olympics with my daughter, watching Olympic mascot characters (in this case, bunnies and kitties) lined up next to one another falling down, "wave" style. That was the whole opening ceremony. While attempting to find seats in the crowded bleachers, we looked up to see an avalanche of weather, rain, snow, lightning...rolling toward the unsuspecting people in the venue...and no, it wasn't a wave of weather, it was somehow an avalanche, falling as it rolled, racing...maybe it didn't want to miss the bunnies and kitties.
Can't forget the children with blue hair wearing clothes that looked as if they had been sewn from picnic table covers.
Hair like this, only BLUE (thanks Joan):
Something tells me that the package of hot dogs I prepared last night for dinner occupied our freezer a tad bit too long... who knew freezerburn was hallucinogenic?
*****
108 degree weather kept us indoors most of the day, though we did venture out to the PX to join my godmother for lunch:
Once we returned home, I re-acclimated to the much cooler temperature of our home and made a ton of progress on the scarf I started yesterday:
It will be finished later this evening, just in time to be put away with our winter gear, ready for the movers to come and pack away next week.
*****
*You can't beat a cold treat on a scorchingly HOT day like today. Our freezer is full of Otter Pops, but Haute*Nature shares a link to some nummy sounding popsicle recipes...
*There's no way I'm turning on the stove today, tomorrow...possibly the next day either... but once the temperature cools down, and we're settled into our new home, I just might celebrate my return to baking with Smitten Kitchen's Pistachio Petit-Four Cake...
*My daughter wants to save some of our moving boxes to try her hand at making cardboard food art! Perhaps I can use a few of her creations to inspire my students to make something other than robots in my Creative Construction Zone.
*****
Interestingly enough, these guys never gave me nightmares. Yep-yep-yep-yep, it *had* to have been the hotdogs.
Can't forget the children with blue hair wearing clothes that looked as if they had been sewn from picnic table covers.
Hair like this, only BLUE (thanks Joan):
Something tells me that the package of hot dogs I prepared last night for dinner occupied our freezer a tad bit too long... who knew freezerburn was hallucinogenic?
*****
108 degree weather kept us indoors most of the day, though we did venture out to the PX to join my godmother for lunch:
Once we returned home, I re-acclimated to the much cooler temperature of our home and made a ton of progress on the scarf I started yesterday:
It will be finished later this evening, just in time to be put away with our winter gear, ready for the movers to come and pack away next week.
*****
*You can't beat a cold treat on a scorchingly HOT day like today. Our freezer is full of Otter Pops, but Haute*Nature shares a link to some nummy sounding popsicle recipes...
*There's no way I'm turning on the stove today, tomorrow...possibly the next day either... but once the temperature cools down, and we're settled into our new home, I just might celebrate my return to baking with Smitten Kitchen's Pistachio Petit-Four Cake...
*My daughter wants to save some of our moving boxes to try her hand at making cardboard food art! Perhaps I can use a few of her creations to inspire my students to make something other than robots in my Creative Construction Zone.
*****
Interestingly enough, these guys never gave me nightmares. Yep-yep-yep-yep, it *had* to have been the hotdogs.
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