Elijah's first steps

(In the interest of journalistic integrity these are his 5th and 6th steps...)

2010 Flashback - last day of school

I was sure I would be super emotional on the kids' last day of school. After all, Caitlyn had been at the daycare for almost 4 years (minus summers), and I had dropped both of my precious children off there at the fragile age of six weeks old. Even though the daycare kept switching the assistant teachers in both of my children's rooms, I felt very close to especially the lead teachers who had been with them the entire year. Of course things never go according to plan; I received a call from Elijah's teacher that he had a fever and needed to be picked up. I brought Elijah back to school with me where my coworker graciously led him in naptime. Since I had to go to the doctor, my much less emotional husband did the final pickup that afternoon.

More pics can be seen on facebook.

Is "ghettoblaster" really Dutch for boombox?

"HEMA" is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on 4th November, 1926, in Amsterdam . Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands.

Take a look at HEMA's product page. Don't try to order anything (it's in Dutch anyway), but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. Don't click on any of the items in the picture, just wait and see what happens. This company has a sense of humor and a great computer programmer.. 

(Wikipedia update - apparently "ghetto blaster" is in fact a synonym for boom box... who knew?)

Random Acts of Culture

Have you seen Random Acts of Culture? The Charlotte ones are great, but my favorite is this flash mob style version of Handel's Messiah. Too bad the Cinci Pops didn't pull this off when I was waiting in line at Kohl's yesterday...

Bruckmanns Got Talent

Having mastered the speed crawl and having no desire to walk, Elijah has turned his sights on his goal of becoming a chutes and ladders expert.

Having sung last year at the VBS program, Caitlyn made her Sunday night debut singing "Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like Me" with slightly less gusto than we practiced. I still think she did well to be in front of a whole big church. (The laughter halfway through occured when another girl grabbed the mic rock star style.)

For this I get up before sunrise on Saturdays?

Caitlyn has been having soccer practice for many weeks now, and for two weeks they have started having "games". I think this is mostly to appease the parents. The first week Jamie was out of town, and Caitlyn didn't really get into it until the team got to come together and yell "Go Panthers!" at the end of the game. She ran over about halfway through and asked me where she was supposed to stand. Actually this is a better soccer strategy than "everyone run after the ball and the biggest kids will kick it" - which is the normal 3 and 4 year old team strategy. Last week she got into it a little more, but I think she gets discouraged because she can't keep the ball and isn't the best at it. I bribed her with tv to get her to keep playing (she bargained me up to 2 shows), but I didn't feel so bad when I heard another dad bribe his daughter with candy. Ah the joy of being a soccer mom. Here's a video of all the excitement. Maybe I will put it in her video application to play soccer at Carolina one day.

Worship minus Warfare

Remember this?

What ever happened to singing the great songs of Christian battle? I'm a big fan of all the worship and praise songs found in most traditional or contemporary services today, but maybe we've lost one of the focuses of Christianity. In this old hymnal I'm using for an art project there are 20 hymns under the title "Christian Warfare". Is this perhaps a reflection of our increasingly pluralistic society or of our tendency to focus on the love of Christ above other biblical doctrines in the modern Church? How apropos to modern American Christians are these lyrics from the early 1800s hymn "My Soul, Be On Thy Guard"?

My soul, be on thy guard; Ten thousand foes arise;

The hosts of sin are pressing hard To draw thee from the skies.

O watch and fight and pray; The battle ne'er give o'er;

Renew it boldly every day, And help divine implore.

Ne'er think the vict'ry won, Nor lay thine armor down;

Thy arduous work will not be done Till thou obtain thy crown.

Fight on, my soul, till death Shall bring thee to thy God;

He'll take thee, at thy parting breath, To his divine abode. A-MEN

Manic Saturday (with apologies to The Bangles)

It's just another Manic Saturday.
Whatever is the matter day?
My everybody scatterday.
The sound of pitter patter day.
It's just another Manic Saturday.

Soccer practice (water breaks are Caitlyn's favorite part)

Messy games with the UHBC youth            Disclaimer: This video is 10 minutes long. If you aren't a UHBC youth you might want to skip to the part where Elijah crawls at 8 minutes and 49 seconds in

Then family portraits for a local church fundraiser. Since we were all dressed up Jamie took us to Olive Garden. Woo hoo!!

Visualizing Obama's budget cuts

Also known as "Why America is so in debt" or "Spending money we don't have - the American Way" or "The Problem no Politician Could Seriously be Expected to Fix"...

 

http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/

Flashback

Although the trip from work to pick up the kids from daycare and then home was a short one, it seemed there was always much work put in to entertaining them during this time. All Daddy had to do was turn on the DVD player in the van, but I had to get more creative with things like looking for landmarks on the way home ala Dora the Explorer's map. Thankfully Caitlyn came up with some creative ideas too, like "Mommy! He likes it when I pull his ear!" as well as the, "Mommy! He likes it when I scream!" as evidenced below...

Fashion Show

audience:
26 stuffed animals
2 baby bottles
1 purse

1 fashion show
11 articles of clothing tried on for the fall without a fight - priceless

In case your kids just aren't picky enough...

America brings you FLAVORED BABY FORMULA! Now your baby can enjoy chocolate and vanilla flavored beverages right along with the rest of the family. Teach him to hold his own bottle and you won't even have to put down your own venti mocha frap! Maybe Caitlyn wouldn't be so skinny if we'd had this a few years ago.

Enough to Drive you Crazy

I'm a big fan of buying organic when I can, although we also occasionally ingest fast food and the ilk. Knowingly feeding pesticides to my family freaks me out, especially when children are more susceptible to the effects of even small amounts of chemicals on their developing systems. Pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems, including nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and skin eye & lung irritation. But since we can't always buy organic, I'm thankful for organizations that test fruits and veggies for pesticide toxicity. The EWG tests it as it is typically eaten - washed and peeled where applicable. According to their website "you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. When you eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll be exposed to an average of 10 pesticides a day. When you choose fresh produce from the 15 least contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll consume fewer than 2 pesticides per day." Since I like to shop at our local non-organic farmer's market, this is helpful to me. (You can download a pdf of the shopper's guide here in case you don't have a photographic memory)

We always buy organic hormone free milk, even sending it to preschool to protect Caitlyn from future breast cancer. Then there's the BPA issue. We tossed out all Caitlyn's old bottles and even the new ones I had bought Elijah after learning about plastics leeching BPA. We stopped heating in and started hand washing our plastic. But now we find out that BPA is in one of my biggest pantry staples - canned tomatoes! What am I supposed to do, grow and can my own in mason jars?

Now we discover that SPF claims in sunscreen are usually exaggerated new government data links a form of vitamin A actually used in sunscreens to accelerated growth of skin tumors and lesions. So sunscreen is both protecting us from and causing skin cancer? Now I have to get sunscreen for my kids from an approved list!

Maybe I should just stop reading...

Trouble on the Horizon

Somehow photographs of billowing oil or children scooping up "tar balls" off the beach with shovels aren't nearly as disturbing.

And check out the video from this journalist brave enough to swim in the oil:

Monday Materialism - so Miss Blythe can keep up with trends even after I'm unemployed

Tired of looking stupid because you can't use chopsticks? Looking for a way to enjoy Sushi at the beach witout having to observe that pesky "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule? Miss that feeling you had as a kid eating push pops from the ice cream truck? Well do I have a product for you - Sushi Poppers! Now you too can eat from "a portable tube with pre-sliced sushi that is pushed up from the bottom and eaten from the top". I know what you're thinking, and yes - dessert flavors are available! Be like this guy --->

Seriously though, my three year old and I would probably eat this, especially since they have the Philly roll.

"I don't believe in a lot of things but I do believe in duct tape."

(Cue LOST death scene music) At the end of the season finale of LOST a silence hung heavy over the room, as if no one wanted to be the one to break the spell and admit it was all over. One friend who texted felt lied to and didn't expect the ending. My cousin Wendy loved the idea of couples going to "heaven" together - I suppose Jack's "live together die alone" should have the addendum "live together again". My feelings were somewhere in the middle, along the lines of "yeah, that's about right". I don't know what people were expecting, but I tend to go into these sorts of things a bit jaded with low expectations. After all, the only thing that would have truly satisfied me would be for producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof to come on and say, "Just kidding! We're really going to run the series into the ground until we answer every single question, explore every bit of island mythology, and no one but you is watching the show". Par for the course, the finale answered a few questions while creating a myriad more.

Really I should have seen it coming. After all they only said the island wasn't purgatory, never the flash sideways world. I was so sucked into my idea of parallel universes that even Desmond's almost angelic state didn't clue me in. LOST has always been much about an American new agey ecumenical blind faith versus science/reason, and faith did seem to usually gain the upper hand. So the "all dogs go to heaven" ending shouldn't have been surprising to anyone (which of course means Vincent was already in the light).

The point of the show was apparently the flash sideways world where people are able to work things out before moving on to "the other side", and the warm fuzzy was that you don't have to go alone. Jack, Sun, John, Miles, Faraday, and to some extent Claire all had "Daddy" issues to work out. Jack worked through his by creating an imaginary son and break the cycle of terse parenting which I suppose also allowed Juliet to work out any Mommy issues she had from not being able to save the pregnant women on the island. He also has to "fix" people and work through his god complex to some extent. Not surprisingly Jack has the hardest time letting go out of all the ones who end up in the room together. He always did get stuck on an idea and need some drastic act (like talking to his dead father) in order to let go. Sun and Jin were able to let go of all the mess caused by Sun's mobster style father. John creates a scenario where he has hurt his wonderful caring father (instead of vice versa) and is finally able to let go. Faith remains the cornerstone of his existence as he is able dramatically rise from his wheelchair and enter Eloise's church "fixed". Miles is able to live as an adult with a normal relationship with his father since in that world his father wasn't gassed to death.

Sayid's soul must not have been fully cleansed by his exploding self sacrifice because he had to use his killer skills one more time to save the girl he thought he loved before saving Shannon and realizing that she was his true soul mate.

It was nice that after Jack saved the world from electromagnetism/the powers of darkness without somehow becoming smoke monster the sequel Jorge ended up as the protector of the island, also allowing Ben to be a "great number two" and finally get the recognition and position he had always desired. The only thing Jorge needed was to feel lucky for once and live carefree for once. Ben apparently didn't find enough redemption from this number two position or the flash sideways character change of being meek and caring for his one time daughter. In my mind he eventually finds family with Rousseau and Alex so they can all "go into the light" together.

Sawyer and Kate both need a chance to be good guys, and it could be implied that in the flash sideways world Kate actually was innocent. Sawyer was able to choose a different path where he used his past for the forces of good rather than evil by being a cop. I was glad to see him and Juliet end up as soul mates as they were my favorite couple on the show, which also allowed Jack and Kate to be together drama free. I'm just a sap like that.

I was glad that Claire (and Charlie) needed Aaron to be able to cross over. (It always bothered me that Sun & Jin weren't ever super concerned about Ji Yeon, although I suppose it was the ultrasound of their daughter that allowed them to reach enlightenment.) Charlie only needed Claire since he had really reached enlightenment and peace before he died.

I do wonder how it works that some people in the "purgatory world" were imaginary (e.g. Jack's son) while some were still working through their soul issues (e.g. Eloise Hawking). So we end things still with much to ponder, with a series that could still be watched again with much to discover, and with the strange lingering feeling that we are still a bit lost about LOST.

How we roll

We really need to start writing down all the funny things that our daughter says. Of course, they aren't as funny unless you can see it. Maybe I need to convince TLC to give us our own reality show after I clean my house. For example, one day when I was coloring on the floor Jamie grabbed Caitlyn with the predictable "Save me Mommy!" ensuing. Since I was too tired (lazy) to get up I just stuck out my hand and said "THE FORCE". Since that day using the force has become an integral defense strategy. Caitlyn thinks it really should be done by holding up four fingers with a crayon between the middle and ring finger since it was demonstrated in said fashion. This weekend she was playing with her 12 year old Jedi cousin when "The Force" started being thrown around. Then from the living room you hear the three year old wisdom, "actually Taylor, that's not the force... that's just pushing". Genius.

I also think my parenting skills have gotten a little lax. Elijah is going through some wicked separation anxiety - to the point that he will throw up at night if he wakes up alone in his crib and no one comes to get him. So of course I just have Jamie bring him in to sleep with Mommy when he cries. (The pediatrician backs me up - get off my back.) Caitlyn had a throw down all day from Daddy to daycare on Wednesday. When I picked her up did I give her a nice pep talk about emotions and choices? a lovely story from the Old Testament? a conversation about pleasing Jesus, God, parents, and teachers? Of course I didn't. I said, "Caitlyn, what would Ni Hao Ki Lan do?" Caitlyn: "She'd say, 'You gotta gotta try to find a reason why.'" So I go into a talk about how on said Nick Jr. show the tiger was able to calm down and change his attitude by swaying and making a choice to be happy. Whatever works, right?

In our family Daddy drives the minivan and Mommy drives the smallest car possible with two carseats, but this video is SO us. I can especially see Jamie & Caitlyn Anne in the tea party scene.

 

Viva Verde

On Earth Day my mother-in-law called and told me that Earth Day reminded her of me. Apparently I'm the most environmental person she knows what with my composting our scraps, trying to convert to flexitarianism, recycling whatever we can, and trying to convince her to use reusable bags and recycle the reams of junk mail they receive daily. I'll take it as a compliment, but I don't think we're the gold standard by any means. Working next to a giant mountain of landfill has that effect on you.

This year we went to the Viva Verde celebration in Kannapolis where we received a reusable bag from Target and Wal-Mart, ate snacks, voted in a photo contest, got to play some fun kids games, and saw lots of cool booths on composting/recycling/animals/etc. It was nice to see so many teenagers involved in the conservation including the one who painted pink and purple flowers on Caitlyn's face, Elijah stole hearts in his "Let's Go Green" t-shirt, and Jamie recycled some nasty tennis shoes that have been cluttering our garage. Anyone have any good "Go Green" advice?

Flooding in Nashville

The flooding in Tennessee isn't getting very much media coverage, so I thought I'd link to a couple of YouTube videos about it. I have friends from college whose house is totally flooded, and many others are in the same situation.



If you've ever been to the OpryLand Hotel it is hard to imagine it underwater, but here is a video:



Keep them in your prayers and consider sending some help if you can!

Rest in Peace Tamale

When my dog Sasha and I moved back to NC we left behind my best friend, her three cats, and the dog she adopted to help her deal with the pain of losing Sasha. Needless to say our apartment in NC lacked some of the chaos we had come to love. So I dropped by a local vet office and picked up a 6 month old diluted orange tabby reputed to have no fear of big dogs. She instantly became a part of our family and helped fill the void that comes when you move to a place where you are friendless and away from the people you love. Although playful she was usually content to snuggle on my lap or sleep with us in my queen bed. She was always trying to sneak outside, but in my panic that something would happen to her I would always get her back in as quickly as possible. Her name was originally Molly, but when I scolded Sasha for playing too rough with her, "Don't do that to Molly" I realized that naming her after Mexican food was really more my style.

Time passed and our threesome grew to include another cat, another dog, and two turtles, and eventually three other humans - but of course you always love your firstborns even when new distractions come your way. When I was in my third trimester of pregnancy with Caitlyn we kept a cat for our friend's brother who was hospitalized in a motorcycle accident. It didn't go well, and Tamale started peeing on the carpet and furniture. Apparently she inherited my temper and passive aggressiveness. Behavioral training didn't work, so we made the decision to put her outside. I just knew she would be dead in a couple of weeks, but the other option was to send her to a shelter where she would die or another cat would die because someone adopted her. I couldn't deal with that thought.

Surprisingly enough, Tamale thrived outside. She rid all the surrounding yards of voles and other sundry varmints, bringing them to our doorstep as a thanksgiving offering. Who needs front claws when you have brains I suppose. In recent months she had been allowed in and out of the house whenever she wanted, and she usually chose outside when it wasn't freezing and/or snowing.

When I received the text from my neighbor Thursday night asking if I had seen Tamale recently because she thought she saw a cat that looked like her dead in the road my heart sank. It had already been a ridiculously bad night, and I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. I walked towards the body in the road repeating "Please don't be Tamale" over and over again, but it was no use. I saw cars carefully going around her, and although the face was grotesque I recognized the markings of my kitty. I couldn't leave her body there, so I picked her up in a towel. I made it back to our yard then came inside to get Jamie then collapse in grief, shock, and horror. He was so supportive, and we took the other animals out to see her body so maybe they would understand. I know she died quickly and probably didn't really feel much pain, but I wish I had been there to hold her as she died so I wouldn't feel guilty about it.

Since she sometimes got into mischief like getting stuck in trees after chasing squirrels I felt it was appropriate to bury her in my "Naughty Monkey" boot box. Talking to Caitlyn the next morning actually helped me deal with things. We have talked about death before, so I knew that a million questions would be coming.  The conversation went back and forth. "Tamale got hit by a car last night and died" "Why" "It was an accident and she was in the road." "Why was she in the road?" "I don't know... maybe she had some friends over there she was going to see." "Why did you do that?" "Do what, let her outside?" "Yeah." (guilt.... thanks kid) "Because she was pee-peeing on things and that's gross." "When is she going to come back?" "She isn't coming back. When your cat dies you can't have them anymore." "Did she die on  the cwoss?" "No, she got hit by a car." "Why did they do that?" "It was an accident.""When the angels bring Tamale back to our house I'm gonna hug her." "The angels aren't going to bring her back... it's rare for people to come back to life." (Jesus' resurrection, while helpful on many levels, does not come in handy when explaining dead pets to 3 year olds.) I told her that we were going to dig a hole and have a funeral where we could say nice things about Tamale, and she would have a chance to say how she was glad Tamale let her hold her and pet her.

This morning Jamie dug the hole and we all went outside, including Elijah and our friend Rebecca Ann who had spent the night. Upon Caitlyn's request and after checking things out, Jamie let her see Tamale's body. Caitlyn helped him put the box in the hole, and I asked her if she wanted to say a few words. I couldn't hear most of what she said, but when it began with a bowed head and "Dear God, thank you for Tamale" we all quickly bowed respectfully. The prayer was several minutes long and included thanks not only for having a sweet cat that let her pick her up but for Daddy digging the hole, Mommy giving the box, and Rebecca Ann coming to the funeral. (Either she's been watching eulogy television behind our backs or she's the next Anne Graham Lotz. When Jamie's Episcopalian Dad heard about it he said what a good Baptist Caitlyn is.) The whole process was good for all of our emotional healing I think, but my sweet kitty will always be missed.

The past few weeks

Click here for Elijah's latest weekly pics

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (even though my friends and family in Western NC disagree). I just want some two hour delays people! I was greatly disappointed to see that we would be having a delay on March 3rd, only to realize it was an archived internet article from 2009. (sigh) I just need some planning time at school, is that too much to ask? At least we had two really good snows this year. The first was a great sledding snow - nice and icy. Of course I couldn't find the camera to document it all, but here she is before it all melted away. This latest one two weekends ago was perfect for packing. Caitlyn got her wish of making a snow angel, having a snowball fight, and making a snow man. Jamie had a fun idea to get out the sand buckets and make snow castles. We also made snow cream, which none of us really knows how to make. Enough sugar and vanilla can make almost anything edible.

With all the precipitation Caitlyn's room flooded a bit. It wasn't Hurricane Katrina flooding or anything, but it was enough to soak the carpet and make us call for professional help. We were going to have professional restorers come in, but in the end were able to hire a friend to help us so we could gut things and find the problem. Jamie took care of getting someone to grade the outside and I am dealing with the interior. My friend started gutting out the drywall and ripping out the insulation so we could make sure there was no mold or anything of that nature. He called me downstairs to show me a few things... like black stuff... not mold... wait for it... mouse poops! Also I noticed that I could see my yard through a hole causing me to wonder aloud, "Where is my brick?" Apparently there was a plasticy thing and a place below it with no brick at all. So the only thing between my sweet baby girl and the outside world/coyotes/attacking zombies was some drywall and insulation. (Oh... and some old mouse poops... not sure if zombies are afraid of mouse poops.) So for now Caitlyn and her many worldly possessions are in brother's room. (Also she has no intention of moving back into her room once it is fixed.) So the only two rooms I had organized and finished are trashed. C'est la vie.

In a new twist, I had students out filming a project and they filmed in the parking lot... from their friend's car... out the sunroof... while it was moving...

Elijah was 18.9 lbs two weeks ago at his 6 month checkup, rapidly approaching Caitlyn's 31 lbs.

Tennis season began, basically leaving me alone as a single mom except in the mornings. Bah humbug high school athletics. My school trounced his in the opening match - serves him right. (get it... serves???)

In two moments of weakness I agreed to sing a duet in the Easter cantata as well as oversee youth VBS (since our dear youth minister is off to be a military chaplain in June).

Also I was never good at closing/conclusion paragraphs in school...

Olympian weather

Apparently there is snow in 49 of the 50 American states, no word yet on Puerto Rico. Finally the nation is coming together as one. Maybe next we can fight global warming. . .

Or maybe this is all some brilliant ploy set up through some voodoo of the IOC to coincide with the start of the winter games. People are stuck inside, wishing they were professional skiers so they could get more ingredients for dairy sandwiches, nothing to do but watch curling. (Speaking of which, are my girls still in training for our team? We can make it in 2014!)

It was pretty fun to have Jamie and Caitlyn enjoy a snowball fight after dinner. This morning the snow is melting quickly, but hopefully she will have a chance to make the ever elusive snow angel before it's gone.

Jamie and I enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Games. The contrast between it and those in Beijing were striking (obvious?)

• Beijing - the many become one to triumph, the people as a force (machine?), technology and the triumph of the Chinese spirit
• Vancouver - the individual will to survive, the people as hardy souls, nature and the triumph of the Canadian spirit

Of course all was overshadowed by the tragic death of a young luger from the country of Georgia, played in graphic detail for a grieving international community - a reminder that there are inherent dangers in sports as in life, and we are never promised tomorrow.

Jesus, Where's that Hi Ho Cherry-O??

Last night we were searching for a lost Hi Ho Cherry-O. Caitlyn said, "Let's ask Jesus. . . let's ask Jesus so he can come over and find it." (very widow and the lost coin, I know)

Especially since my dad was diagnosed with cancer (update below), I have desperately longed to be with family and friends. So why is it that I spend the majority of my time on work and cleaning, neither of which ever are completed. Last Saturday I was at school, working on grading, baby Elijah and I the only people in the building, feeling completely overwhelmed and trying to figure out what I should do out of all the things I needed to do next. I prayed, "God, help me know what is most important", then looked straight down as my baby boy started to wake up. I know, I know. . . hokey Hallmark Channel special, but I do need to get my priorities in order. Skyping is helping me feel more connected to my family but also creates a deep longing to be in the living rooms in the background - rooms where I have felt the most safe, relaxed, and secure in my life with the people who shaped me into anything good I have become. Cutting back on sleep very much is only going to be a short term fix to the drive I feel to accomplish more than is humanly possible.

On a brighter note - Heroes vs Villains may be the greatest Survivor yet. We only watched the first hour but were drawn to cheer for the "good guys". Had Caitlyn been up, I'm sure she would have gone villain all the way. She told me yesterday that when they play at school she's the bad guy. . . apparently it's more fun.

Caringbridge update from my mom:

Since we last met…

The MRI showed that a couple of vertebra have spots on them that Dr. Brian felt were of concern.

Tu​esday we saw Dr. Black (radiologist​) for him to determine if radiation is an option for treatment. He wants to study it for a couple of days and discuss it with some members of his team, but at this point they feel they will probably do radiation. After the radiation, Dr. Brian will decide about the next round of chemo.

Ea​ting is still a major problem, but he’s trying hard! He said that food is his worst medicine. However, the chicken I fried last night was a big thumbs up!

Please pray for him to be able to eat well, put some of his weight back on and that he will regain strength in order for the treatments to have the best effect possible.

When you don’t hear from us for a while, don’t think that means we don’t need your fervent prayers. It might mean that we need them even more!

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

Love​,
Ed and Marsha

The part of the childhood bear will now be played by one very nervous penguin

All signs point to Sasha - she was the only one not in a cage or aquarium at the time of the crime. More than likely she was jealous of the photo ops the inanimate object was receiving over her. . . or possibly decades old bear stuffing smells like liver. . . or she was upset that I spent the morning chasing/carrying the other dog back when he ran away. But for whatever reason the bear is no more. At least now I don't have to feel guilty when I finally threw the thing away after his commuted death sentence (1 year of photos) was up. You can see his portfolio by clicking here.

Best quotes of the day:
Student: Is this really a good definition for Messiah? an awaited deliverer>
Me: Yes, that's a pretty good definition.
Student: So the pizza guy is a Messiah?
Me: I guess it depends on how hungry you are.

Caitlyn: Mommy, did you know God takes care of us?
Me: Yes honey, God does take care of us.
Caitlyn: Did you know God takes care of us so the bad guys don't sword us? And the angels fly around and flap their wings?

This is the same 3 year old who tells Bible stories about Joseph swording the baby, Jonah swording the guy off the boat so he had to go to the doctor, etc. I decided to tell her about some actual Bible stories involving swords so maybe she'll at least start to get some of her theology right.

Well, time to get LOST as I plan for school and ponder the important questions in life:

• Is Jacob really dead, or was the whole thing just too "Jesus betrayed by Judas" to be the end?
• Is Sayid really Sayid?
• Who are the real bad guys here, or are we all just bad guys who sometimes do good things?
• Could the Japanese dude running the temple be any cooler?
• Are there just so many alternate realities that none of this really matters?
• Will this episode of LOST actually answer more questions than it poses or is that still just a misadvertisement?

Just in time...

Since I am quite often lost when I watch LOST, this recap came at just the right time. Now I can watch the final season with understanding and a recollection of past seasons.

Hitler Finds Out Scott Brown Won Massachusetts Senate Seat

From a fellow history teacher who also needed some comedy after two days of babysitting disgruntled students.



(It's a satire, not a political statement on my part.) There's an equally funny one about Sarah Palin resigning, but the language is just too bad for me to put on here. Apparently it's a big thing - there are even parodies where Hitler finds out there is no Santa, can't complete Mario brothers, finds out Pokemon are not real, etc. What a wonderful way to spend my workday!

Safety Rules

(Previous posts can be found at imcarolanne.blogdrive.com)

We visited with my parents last weekend (hence the amazing trampoline hair pic.) My dad says he's improving every day (moved up from -50 to -47 during our stay) and even drove himself to grab a hot dog today.

On the way home the hubs wanted to show us a snow tubing spot and we got a bit turned around - even the GPS wasn't helping. So I told Caitlyn no movie because Mommy and Daddy were a little bit lost (and honestly I wanted her to sleep). She said "Oh no! What friend can help us?!?!" My response, "Do you know someone who can help us?" She wisely responded "Another mommy!" I felt great about my parenting skills as I have been trying to teach her to yell our name if separated rather than just yelling "Mommy! Daddy!" and also to ask another mommy for help. (Mommies are almost always good guys.) My bubble was slightly burst today when she said if she was lost she would hide behind the tire wheels so the monsters wouldn't get her . At dinner she told me that she couldn't be friends with an old pal anymore because said friend received a time out. At least she has a desire to stay away from the wrong crowd, right?

Check out Elijah's latest weekly pic here.