My daycare children are all abuzz about their Halloween costumes as they gear up for the big day. They keep asking me what my costume is going to be...they don't get the joke when I tell them I will be wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants and gym shoes...the uniform of an overworked, under-appreciated daycare provider...
All their talk about Halloween has got me reminiscing about some of my Halloweens Past, and I would like to share the memories...
Continue reading "Spaghetti-O's For Dinner And Other Scary..." »
Wednesday, October 31. 2007
Spaghetti-O's For Dinner And Other Scary Halloween Stories
Monday, October 29. 2007
Can You Say Dedication?...I Knew You Could!
I was reading News of the Weird and I found this interesting tidbit to share with the class...
Here's what the piece said:
Australian Les Stewart holds what the Web site Oddee.com calls the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records: having typed out the written numbers "one" through "one million," over a period of 16 years from 1983 to 1998, according to an August story in his local newspaper Sunshine Coast Daily. He said he typed for 20 minutes at the beginning of every waking hour during that time because he "wanted something to do." "It just came naturally to me." - [Sunshine Coast Daily (Maroochydore, Australia), 8-22-07]
I am going to remember this man's work ethic the next time I feel that an undertaking is too daunting. He is proof positive that a little consistent effort on an enormous task over the course of time - eventually - pays off.
I wonder...if this endeavor holds the distinction of being the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records, what are the first and second? The mind reels...
Here's what the piece said:
Australian Les Stewart holds what the Web site Oddee.com calls the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records: having typed out the written numbers "one" through "one million," over a period of 16 years from 1983 to 1998, according to an August story in his local newspaper Sunshine Coast Daily. He said he typed for 20 minutes at the beginning of every waking hour during that time because he "wanted something to do." "It just came naturally to me." - [Sunshine Coast Daily (Maroochydore, Australia), 8-22-07]
I am going to remember this man's work ethic the next time I feel that an undertaking is too daunting. He is proof positive that a little consistent effort on an enormous task over the course of time - eventually - pays off.
I wonder...if this endeavor holds the distinction of being the "third most bizarre" of all Guinness Book world records, what are the first and second? The mind reels...
Friday, October 26. 2007
What's Cookin'? 10/26/07
Like Ripples In A Pond...
We live 2000 miles away from the California wildfires that have been burning seemingly forever. Until this week, hearing about them affected me the way far-off disasters always do...with a lump in the pit of my stomach for the horror I imagine the victims are experiencing. I am fortunate that I have never experienced a tremendous loss like so many in California. I cannot even comprehend all that they are surely going through. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones or possessions...it doesn't seem fair that things like that happen...
Until this week, we never even knew anyone personally who was affected by a disaster to the point of being evacuated. Scott's mom in Florida has sustained some property damage in a couple hurricanes, but fortunately she never had to evacuate and was never in imminent physical danger.
We, safe and sound here in the Midwest, were unexpectedly affected by the wildfires this week...A client of Scott's was evacuated from her home and, at least temporarily, is out of business until life returns to normal out there. As a result, she cannot pay him the next installment for the project on which he is working with her.
It is one of those situations where I am upset, but I feel even more guilty for being upset. Sure, this creates a financial disaster for us, but on the "disaster scale," I think it comes in at a measly 3 or 4 as opposed to the legitimate 8 or 9 of being evacuated from your home, and being subjected to the fear that you have lost everything you own, and your business to boot. It comes right down to one of those (extremely hard for me to accept) situations in life over which we have no control.
There will be no disaster relief coming to help us out of the jam this creates for us...chalk it up to the cost being self-employed. It is difficult to not be freaked out, but I have to find the fortitude to do the righteous thing, which is to count my blessings...for the things that are not falling apart in my world today.
This experience reminds me that - for better or worse - we are all connected...that no matter how far-flung we are from one another, what happens to one affects us all.
Until this week, we never even knew anyone personally who was affected by a disaster to the point of being evacuated. Scott's mom in Florida has sustained some property damage in a couple hurricanes, but fortunately she never had to evacuate and was never in imminent physical danger.
We, safe and sound here in the Midwest, were unexpectedly affected by the wildfires this week...A client of Scott's was evacuated from her home and, at least temporarily, is out of business until life returns to normal out there. As a result, she cannot pay him the next installment for the project on which he is working with her.
It is one of those situations where I am upset, but I feel even more guilty for being upset. Sure, this creates a financial disaster for us, but on the "disaster scale," I think it comes in at a measly 3 or 4 as opposed to the legitimate 8 or 9 of being evacuated from your home, and being subjected to the fear that you have lost everything you own, and your business to boot. It comes right down to one of those (extremely hard for me to accept) situations in life over which we have no control.There will be no disaster relief coming to help us out of the jam this creates for us...chalk it up to the cost being self-employed. It is difficult to not be freaked out, but I have to find the fortitude to do the righteous thing, which is to count my blessings...for the things that are not falling apart in my world today.
This experience reminds me that - for better or worse - we are all connected...that no matter how far-flung we are from one another, what happens to one affects us all.
Tuesday, October 23. 2007
One Of My Favorite Words 10/23/07
My favorite word I'd like to write about today is Shalom.In a very broad sense, it means "peace" in Hebrew.
Like a lot of my favorite words, though, it conveys so much more in itself than can be expressed with any one English word.
In addition to expressing the concept of peace, it can be used as a greeting, ("I greet you in peace"), a well-wish, ("peace to you") or a salutation, ("go in peace").
Peace is a deceptively complex concept. Once upon a time a little boy - 5 or 6 years old - in my daycare asked what "peace" meant...
I think he'd heard the word in a Christmas song..."Peace on Earth..."
Continue reading "One Of My Favorite Words 10/23/07" »
Upside Down Cat Du Jour 10/23/07
Apparently, we are not the only people to have cats of the Upside Down persuasion...Meet Georgie, a beauty who shares Uncle Bob and Aunt Carole's home.
I wonder, is she is really as comfortable as she looks?
Thanks, Cuz, for the the photo! It's my pleasure to submit Georgie's pic to the committee for consideration as "Upside Down Cat of the Year!"
(I think she's got a good shot at the prize!...)
Sunday, October 21. 2007
What's Cookin'? 10/21/07
Friday, October 19. 2007
Shame On You!
Today I saw three - count 'em - three cats walking past my house.
Three beautiful young cats let out in the big wide world on their own.
The first one was white with black patches. I saw her/him this morning walking down the sidewalk in front of our house. When s(he) reached our front walk, s(he) turned and walked right up to our front door. (I swear there's a sign in "Felinese" outside our house that reads, "Cat Sanctuary!"...) S(he) paused there a few seconds, then walked away along the front of our house.
The second and third were traveling together and played a while on the front lawn this afternoon. One was practically Cooper's twin, and the other was white with tabby tan patches.
My heart just broke for these little guys left to fend for themselves. I can't even imagine how people can thoughtlessly let these cats roam free! Is it possible they are unaware of the dangers that could befall stray cats, or (even worse) they don't care! When you commit to a pet, you simply can't be so irresponsible!
Unfortunately, these little abandoned cats are the ones who will pay the price for the negligence of these uncaring people!
I am outraged at these people and admittedly, infatuated with these cats I don't even know. How can their owners be so calloused?
No need to worry about us, though...we are firmly convinced that four cats living in our home is the perfect number for us.
I just wish I could help these poor kitties!
Three beautiful young cats let out in the big wide world on their own.
The first one was white with black patches. I saw her/him this morning walking down the sidewalk in front of our house. When s(he) reached our front walk, s(he) turned and walked right up to our front door. (I swear there's a sign in "Felinese" outside our house that reads, "Cat Sanctuary!"...) S(he) paused there a few seconds, then walked away along the front of our house.
The second and third were traveling together and played a while on the front lawn this afternoon. One was practically Cooper's twin, and the other was white with tabby tan patches.My heart just broke for these little guys left to fend for themselves. I can't even imagine how people can thoughtlessly let these cats roam free! Is it possible they are unaware of the dangers that could befall stray cats, or (even worse) they don't care! When you commit to a pet, you simply can't be so irresponsible!
Unfortunately, these little abandoned cats are the ones who will pay the price for the negligence of these uncaring people!
I am outraged at these people and admittedly, infatuated with these cats I don't even know. How can their owners be so calloused?
No need to worry about us, though...we are firmly convinced that four cats living in our home is the perfect number for us.
I just wish I could help these poor kitties!
The Dish(washer)
Following a power outage in the wee early morning hours Thursday, we experienced a power surge that we believed fried the electronic board of our dishwasher.The repairman came to the house and confirmed our diagnosis this morning. Our dishwasher is dead. To replace the circuit board (plus labor) would have cost the better part of what a brand new decent dishwasher would cost so...
My dear wonderful Scott is out buying a new one at this very moment...I did not send him - he willingly offered to shop!
Continue reading "The Dish(washer)" »
