Dog water bowl filler upper.
Full time position.
Must provide own equipment: big cup, water proof shoes.
22 hours per day.
Must be ready to jump up at a moments notice when notified by doggie eyes shooting daggers at you.
Must maintain happy face in difficult situations such as giant nose in your crotch.
Salary: zero dollars
Friday, September 30, 2011
National Geographic
There is a great article in the October 2011 National Geographic about "The New Science of the Teenage Brain".
It is well worth a read and the $6 news stand cost.
Highlights include:
How the brain undergoes a massive reorganization from age 12 to age 25. These changes make the brain more sophisticated and much faster.
How the reward of risky behavior outweighs the consequences for the teenage brain.
The teenage brain makes teenagers very adaptable and perfect for leaving the nest and going out on their own.
It is well worth a read and the $6 news stand cost.
Highlights include:
How the brain undergoes a massive reorganization from age 12 to age 25. These changes make the brain more sophisticated and much faster.
How the reward of risky behavior outweighs the consequences for the teenage brain.
The teenage brain makes teenagers very adaptable and perfect for leaving the nest and going out on their own.
Jr High Recommendation
We are currently going thru the application process for Grace to get into the private school which Drew goes to. Everyone should be required to obtain letters of recommendation to get into Jr High. It is a great process for self reflection and gives incredible feedback from people who know your children. The letters we have received have brought tears to my eyes. Here is an excerpt from one of them:
Motivation
Grace is one of the most self-motivated students I have known in my twenty years as an educator. She sets very high standards for herself and works hard to achieve them. Due to the challenges that come with dyslexia, Grace can sometimes feel overwhelmed with her workload. Yet she takes responsibility for her own learning and asks for support when she needs it. Her parents did not push her to get math tutoring: that was *her* idea. She invariably comes to her lessons prepared with questions to ask and all necessary materials. Outside of school, Grace avidly pursues extracurricular interests, from playing on competitive soccer and hockey teams to reading books to hiking and traveling with her family. I’m confident that her high level of motivation will lead Grace to set inspiring goals for herself in junior high and beyond and to work hard to reach them.
Grace has one more asset that bodes well for her continued success: family support. Her parents understand the gifts and challenges that come with dyslexia, and are committed to providing Grace with whatever support is needed for her learning, from educational therapy to appropriate accommodations to assistive technology. In addition, her parents are very supportive of Grace's teachers and school, serving as effective liaisons and respectful advocates.
Motivation
Grace is one of the most self-motivated students I have known in my twenty years as an educator. She sets very high standards for herself and works hard to achieve them. Due to the challenges that come with dyslexia, Grace can sometimes feel overwhelmed with her workload. Yet she takes responsibility for her own learning and asks for support when she needs it. Her parents did not push her to get math tutoring: that was *her* idea. She invariably comes to her lessons prepared with questions to ask and all necessary materials. Outside of school, Grace avidly pursues extracurricular interests, from playing on competitive soccer and hockey teams to reading books to hiking and traveling with her family. I’m confident that her high level of motivation will lead Grace to set inspiring goals for herself in junior high and beyond and to work hard to reach them.
Grace has one more asset that bodes well for her continued success: family support. Her parents understand the gifts and challenges that come with dyslexia, and are committed to providing Grace with whatever support is needed for her learning, from educational therapy to appropriate accommodations to assistive technology. In addition, her parents are very supportive of Grace's teachers and school, serving as effective liaisons and respectful advocates.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bieber Birthday
Following a long standing tradition, Justin Bieber showed up at our house for Gracie's birthday! He is cycling thru all the girls on the soccer team. Each person adds something to him. This time, it looksl ike Gracie's jersey number, 14, was added! And it's hard to tell but there is a bag of cheetos behind his right leg and a party hat on his head - the hat sticks straight forward because as a cardboard figure, he does not have a rounded head for a hat!
Happy Birthday
Happy 12th Birthday to Gracie Marie!
Twelve is a big deal and to commemorate it, I got her a silver pendant to wear around her neck that says:
Never
Never
Never
Give
Up
Winston Churchill said these words to his fellow Brits during WWII and inspired a nation to hang in there during tough times.
This is a famous quote and I think its perfect to highlight her drive and perseverance.
Twelve is a big deal and to commemorate it, I got her a silver pendant to wear around her neck that says:
Never
Never
Never
Give
Up
Winston Churchill said these words to his fellow Brits during WWII and inspired a nation to hang in there during tough times.
This is a famous quote and I think its perfect to highlight her drive and perseverance.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
An old married couple?
This is Murray and his girlfriend Stella. She is nagging Murray to play with her and Murray is saying, "leave me a alone WOMAN!"
Monday, September 26, 2011
Ring around....
Mari's finger!
A great big congrats to Mari and Kyle who are engaged!
No date or location for a wedding yet, but we are heavily pitching the wedding in Hawaii idea!
A great big congrats to Mari and Kyle who are engaged!
No date or location for a wedding yet, but we are heavily pitching the wedding in Hawaii idea!
Bathtub
The birds in the neighborhood are using our new fountain as a bathtub! It is very cute to watch!
Weekend Tournament
Grace's team had a tournament this weekend and it was a bit of a bust! They lost all three games but that really didn't matter too much because they had a GREAT time together. Including this pic of the trip to the tourney. They stopped at a fast food place to get icees and play!Friday, September 23, 2011
How can you not smile about this?
In Morocco, the native Tamri goats are so enticed by the berries of Argan trees that they have become adept at climbing the branches to reach their food. Even stranger still, the goats' droppings contain seed kernels which local farmers then grind into an oil that is used in cooking and cosmetics.
Cranky
You know what makes me super grumpy?
When I fracture a tooth because I am clenching my teeth so much!
So, not only does the tooth hurt and need a crown, but it will cost me almost $600 to have the work done! Not to mention the hour and a half procedure to do the work.
And that is without even knowing if I might also need a root canal.
I am totally driving the "bitter bus" over this!
And.....did I mention my feet hurt again with plantar's faciatis?
All these things make me feel super old! And grumpy!
When I fracture a tooth because I am clenching my teeth so much!
So, not only does the tooth hurt and need a crown, but it will cost me almost $600 to have the work done! Not to mention the hour and a half procedure to do the work.
And that is without even knowing if I might also need a root canal.
I am totally driving the "bitter bus" over this!
And.....did I mention my feet hurt again with plantar's faciatis?
All these things make me feel super old! And grumpy!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Fountain is Flowing
We turned the fountain on last nite and it worked. It is really cool. Each of us keeps going out to look at it.
We need to put a flood light on it and then fix the landscaping around it and we will be done!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Out with the Old....
In with the new....
The "giant pumpkin that wasn't" was hauled to the curb this weekend and in its place is a new fountain.
We had bought a pot/giant vase to make a fountain last fall but I have been waiting to make it to see if we could grow the pumpkin. Once the pumpkin started rotting, I decided the time had come!
The fountain is all put together but we have not put water in it yet because some foam sealer we used had to cure for 24 hours. So tonite at 6:20, the water will be added and the pump turned on.
Let's hope it's more successful than the pumpkin experiment!
Pics to come!
The "giant pumpkin that wasn't" was hauled to the curb this weekend and in its place is a new fountain.
We had bought a pot/giant vase to make a fountain last fall but I have been waiting to make it to see if we could grow the pumpkin. Once the pumpkin started rotting, I decided the time had come!
The fountain is all put together but we have not put water in it yet because some foam sealer we used had to cure for 24 hours. So tonite at 6:20, the water will be added and the pump turned on.
Let's hope it's more successful than the pumpkin experiment!
Pics to come!
Ohhhhhhhmmmmmm
Last nite at bedtime, Ahi was practicing a little yoga: upside down dog!
That stuffed animal looking thing is a leg from a tiger....the leg is all that is left!
Mojo
Grace got her mojo back on the soccer field this weekend.
She was back to scoring and steam rollering over people....all in the spirit of the game!
It was nice to see the girls get a win.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Locker room
My living room and kitchen have turned into a locker room. I came downstairs this morning and spread all over the place were:
My gym bag
My running shoes
Drew's football bag
Two football jerseys
A pair of football pants
Gracie's soccer cleats
A soccer bag
A pair of roller blades
10 rolls of tape for wrapping injuries
Two footballs
A soccer ball
Either we are a bunch of slobs or we are playing too many sports! Or....maybe a little of both!
My gym bag
My running shoes
Drew's football bag
Two football jerseys
A pair of football pants
Gracie's soccer cleats
A soccer bag
A pair of roller blades
10 rolls of tape for wrapping injuries
Two footballs
A soccer ball
Either we are a bunch of slobs or we are playing too many sports! Or....maybe a little of both!
Journey into Dyslexia
We watched the documentary, Journey into Dyslexia and WOW - it was powerful! Here were my take aways:
* LOTS of super smart and super creative people with dyslexia.
* We have only been reading as a culture for the last 5000 years. Before that there were people with dyslexia and it did not matter because they were not asked to use the part of the brain that is best suited for understanding symbols that turn into words. They were probably the leaders of those times because they could see the big picture!
* Dyslexia can be seen in brain scans - a complete different part of the brain lights up when people with dyslexia read.
* No two people have the same kind of dyslexia - how it affects a person is different in everyone. So there is no one way to tackle the issue.
* Dyslexia is truly a gift if you can learn to manage it enough to make it thru school with your self esteem in tact.
* Every teacher should be required to watch this documentary.
* LOTS of super smart and super creative people with dyslexia.
* We have only been reading as a culture for the last 5000 years. Before that there were people with dyslexia and it did not matter because they were not asked to use the part of the brain that is best suited for understanding symbols that turn into words. They were probably the leaders of those times because they could see the big picture!
* Dyslexia can be seen in brain scans - a complete different part of the brain lights up when people with dyslexia read.
* No two people have the same kind of dyslexia - how it affects a person is different in everyone. So there is no one way to tackle the issue.
* Dyslexia is truly a gift if you can learn to manage it enough to make it thru school with your self esteem in tact.
* Every teacher should be required to watch this documentary.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Words for Thought
"Don't ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
― Howard Thurman
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
― Howard Thurman
Ding Dong the Pumpkins Dead
I am DONE with the giant pumpkin experiment. The darn thing finally grew a pumpkin, it got to the size of a softball and now its rotting!
Next up....a fountain in that spot!
Next up....a fountain in that spot!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday Morning Sports Round up
Football:
The game ended in a loss for VC but Drew played great and LOVED it. He started and played all defensive plays and one offensive play. He had 3 sacks and a forced fumble. Pretty good for his first game - ever - of football and after only one week of practice! If the gene for football exists, I think he inherited it from his dad!
Jim, Grandpa Roy and Drew were in Fresno all day - they got home at midnite after watching the Freshman, JV and Varsity games!
Soccer:
Rough soccer weekend! Girls lost both games: 2 to 0 and 1 to 0. We can't seem to get one in the net and we have no subs for defense so our poor defensive players are being run into the ground. On a positive soccer note, we made $437 in our sno cone booth at opening day! The girls had a game right in the middle of the day, so a couple of the older brothers ran the booth for the girls!
The game ended in a loss for VC but Drew played great and LOVED it. He started and played all defensive plays and one offensive play. He had 3 sacks and a forced fumble. Pretty good for his first game - ever - of football and after only one week of practice! If the gene for football exists, I think he inherited it from his dad!
Jim, Grandpa Roy and Drew were in Fresno all day - they got home at midnite after watching the Freshman, JV and Varsity games!
Soccer:
Rough soccer weekend! Girls lost both games: 2 to 0 and 1 to 0. We can't seem to get one in the net and we have no subs for defense so our poor defensive players are being run into the ground. On a positive soccer note, we made $437 in our sno cone booth at opening day! The girls had a game right in the middle of the day, so a couple of the older brothers ran the booth for the girls!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Religious Relic
My mom gave me this Catholic religious relic that is a family heirloom. As a religion lesson, here is what a relic is:
"First-Class Relics: Items directly associated with the events of Christ's life (manger, cross, etc.), or the physical remains of a saint (a bone, a hair, skull, a limb, etc.). Traditionally, a martyr's relics are often more prized than the relics of other saints. Also, some saints' relics are known for their extraordinary incorruptibility and so would have high regard. Parts of the saint that were significant to that saint's life are more prized relics. For instance, King St. Stephen of Hungary's right forearm is especially important because of his status as a ruler. A famous theologian's head may be his most important relic."
This is a relic from 3 different saints. If you open the cross, the back of it has pieces of "something" in the wax. My mom had others that were made out of Saints bones or had Saints hair, but those creeped me out! So I chose this one which is quite beautiful. The idea is to use it to pray with.
I am considering leaving it in the mini so it keeps us safe while we are driving it.
"First-Class Relics: Items directly associated with the events of Christ's life (manger, cross, etc.), or the physical remains of a saint (a bone, a hair, skull, a limb, etc.). Traditionally, a martyr's relics are often more prized than the relics of other saints. Also, some saints' relics are known for their extraordinary incorruptibility and so would have high regard. Parts of the saint that were significant to that saint's life are more prized relics. For instance, King St. Stephen of Hungary's right forearm is especially important because of his status as a ruler. A famous theologian's head may be his most important relic."
This is a relic from 3 different saints. If you open the cross, the back of it has pieces of "something" in the wax. My mom had others that were made out of Saints bones or had Saints hair, but those creeped me out! So I chose this one which is quite beautiful. The idea is to use it to pray with.
I am considering leaving it in the mini so it keeps us safe while we are driving it.
First Game
Drew is off to Fresno to play his first football game of his life! All the teams are going in buses together. Then they have a big team lunch when they get there, followed by Freshman game at 2, JV at 4:30 and Varsity at 7.
It's going to be a long but fun day!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Weed Man
There is a guy in our neighborhood who walks ALLLLLL around the neighborhood and kicks all the weeds out of the cracks in the sidewalk. We see him all the time and covering an area of about 9 square miles!
He clearly has something that is not "quite right" with him. But he is delightful - he always looks well put together and smiles and waves as he is doing his "job". We often talk about him and wonder if he goes thru a bunch of shoes with all the kicking and scraping of the sidewalk that he does.
Well....today I saw him with a BROOM and I was thrilled for him....he improved his process! It tickled me to think about how excited he must be with that broom!
He clearly has something that is not "quite right" with him. But he is delightful - he always looks well put together and smiles and waves as he is doing his "job". We often talk about him and wonder if he goes thru a bunch of shoes with all the kicking and scraping of the sidewalk that he does.
Well....today I saw him with a BROOM and I was thrilled for him....he improved his process! It tickled me to think about how excited he must be with that broom!
New Mini Key
I ordered a new mini key last nite and was RELIEVED that it was ONLY $83.41! I could have got the one with the electronic key fob but that was $199! My response...."ah, no....we will suffer and unlock the door by ourselves!"
I just bought some new house lock keys and those were only $1.99! Seriously, my house has all my most important possessions in it and the key costs less than two dollars! And my mini that doesn't have the room to hold ANYTHING important is close to one hundred dollars.
That's just dumb!
I just bought some new house lock keys and those were only $1.99! Seriously, my house has all my most important possessions in it and the key costs less than two dollars! And my mini that doesn't have the room to hold ANYTHING important is close to one hundred dollars.
That's just dumb!
The Good Son
Drew's Grandmas and Grandpas act as his personal taxi drivers for all his activities. We have an elaborate schedule for them to make sure all his events are covered.
Last nite, we were chatting and he asked who was taking him this morning. I told him and then he proceeded to tell me that he really enjoys the time he spends with his Grandmas and what he likes about each Grandma when they drive him places:
* He likes talking to Grandma Anna about sports and football!
* He likes talking to Grandma Kathy about the news and how Pepper got a bad hair cut!
A friend once told me that she was so impressed with how good Drew is to his grandparents and how respectful he is to them. Last nite I realized it is really much more than that.....he truly enjoys the relationship he has with them and appreciates the enrichment they bring to his life.
Regardless of his up and down grades, his occassional teenage grumpiness or anything else I might complain about, I see the man he is growing into and I could not be prouder. He is a good, kind, empathetic teenager who is growing into a man who will make a tremendous husband and father.
And.....I know, he will always be a good son to me!
Last nite, we were chatting and he asked who was taking him this morning. I told him and then he proceeded to tell me that he really enjoys the time he spends with his Grandmas and what he likes about each Grandma when they drive him places:
* He likes talking to Grandma Anna about sports and football!
* He likes talking to Grandma Kathy about the news and how Pepper got a bad hair cut!
A friend once told me that she was so impressed with how good Drew is to his grandparents and how respectful he is to them. Last nite I realized it is really much more than that.....he truly enjoys the relationship he has with them and appreciates the enrichment they bring to his life.
Regardless of his up and down grades, his occassional teenage grumpiness or anything else I might complain about, I see the man he is growing into and I could not be prouder. He is a good, kind, empathetic teenager who is growing into a man who will make a tremendous husband and father.
And.....I know, he will always be a good son to me!
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Ahi Update
Ahi's foot seems better. I didn't take a walk with her yesterday so she would rest it.
But Daisy and I snuck out the door and went without her. When we were coming back from our walk, I could hear Ahi screaming from a block away. She was upstairs in Gracie's window letting out these crazy screeches! Clearly, the sneaking away did not work!
But Daisy and I snuck out the door and went without her. When we were coming back from our walk, I could hear Ahi screaming from a block away. She was upstairs in Gracie's window letting out these crazy screeches! Clearly, the sneaking away did not work!
Mini Key
I need to get another key for my mini and imagine my surprise when I got the cost estimate:
$175 to $345!!!
Yikes!
$175 to $345!!!
Yikes!
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Happy Birthday Daisy Mae
This is what a lab looks like when
they are 8 years old - Happy Birthday Daisy Mae!
Monday, September 05, 2011
3 legged Ahi
Poor little Ahi has a hurt foot and is walking around on 3 legs. It is making everyone so sad!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Really?
So I put money into my flexible spending account for our ed therapy expenses. I do the max amount which is $3000 because that is $3000 I am not taxed on.
Once a year, I submit the paperwork for reimbursement of the entire $3000 and provide receipts for the ed therapy. This expense is reimbursable because I have a "medical necessity form" completed by our doctor.
Well, today I got a call that our claim was denied because the medical necessity form was from 2009.
Really???? Do you think that the dyslexia was cured since 2009? I WISH dyslexia was curable!!!
I can't even call them back right now because I would laugh at them!
Once a year, I submit the paperwork for reimbursement of the entire $3000 and provide receipts for the ed therapy. This expense is reimbursable because I have a "medical necessity form" completed by our doctor.
Well, today I got a call that our claim was denied because the medical necessity form was from 2009.
Really???? Do you think that the dyslexia was cured since 2009? I WISH dyslexia was curable!!!
I can't even call them back right now because I would laugh at them!
Woot!
We have a football player!
Drew was finally released by the trainer to play yesterday. And he came home all FIRED up about it!
The coaches took one look at his giant self in his pads and started re-thinking his positioning. They had him playing defensive end and he was excited to get his hands on the quarterback 4 times!
Now today he is all beat to hell with bruises and scratches.
Should be a fun season!
Drew was finally released by the trainer to play yesterday. And he came home all FIRED up about it!
The coaches took one look at his giant self in his pads and started re-thinking his positioning. They had him playing defensive end and he was excited to get his hands on the quarterback 4 times!
Now today he is all beat to hell with bruises and scratches.
Should be a fun season!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)