Ok the problem turns out to be that airplane seats are not designed for sleep. This is an unfortunate situation when you are flying across a rather large body of water (i.e. the Atlantic Ocean) at night. I mean really who can sleep sitting bolt upright!
Some have suggested getting one of those coveted window seats. The advantage to the window is of course that you can wedge your head in the corner formed by the wall and the seat and therefore keep it from lolling from side to side or dropping unto your chest while you try to sleep. The obvious problem with that is of course that in a 747 there are seven (count them 7) seats across and only two of those seats have the advantage of being next to a window (of course on the bright side that puts 4 seats on an isle, so there's really only one middle seat per row). You’d practically have to book a year in advance to get one of those seats on that type of flight just for that reason. Then aside from the few number of window seats to be had is that I’m claustrophobic and the idea of being trapped by someone else sitting next to me and blocking my escape to the aisle (never mind that there's no where to go once I get there...let's not start me thinking on that shall we.) is just unbearable.
They do provide you with a comfy little 'toy’ pillow on these long overseas flights but all that does is, that once you stick it behind your head, it helps keep your chin on your chest in that lolling position that you might achieve as you fall asleep anyway. If you recline your seat the 10 or so whopping degrees allowed by that little button on the armrest and then utilize said pillow, you have achieved nothing more than to put your head in its original upright position.
The seat I am currently sitting in has these lovely little wing things on the head rest that can be pulled forward to create an artificial corner for your head to rest in, but fail miserably as they are positioned a bit too high to be of any use to short people. They could improve on this design by making them adjustable and by adding a strap so you could strap your head to the head rest. That would solve all the lolling problems. Add a three point harness and you could even sleep through turbulence.
You might think that these disjointed and angry musing are just a product of a crabby and sleep deprived mind and well hell let’s face it you’re right. But what else am I to do for entertainment on a 9 hour flight. Sleep deprivation is an ugly thing.
I have to stop now because the woman in the (window) seat next to me is snoring and is disrupting my train of thought with her peacefulness. Hang on, I think I've just thought of another use for that toy pillow they gave me!
Friday, August 20, 2004
Leaving on a jet plane
Hey all! Know it's been a while but just bear with me a bit longer. We leave today for France on American Airlines Flight AA42 @ 6:20 pm.
I know that the DSL in France house is a bit messed up, but hope to get it fixed by middle of next week and then things should get back to what passes for normal in my life.
We had a great visit here with everyone and it is so sad saying goodbye. Love you all and we'll see you on the flip side.
I know that the DSL in France house is a bit messed up, but hope to get it fixed by middle of next week and then things should get back to what passes for normal in my life.
We had a great visit here with everyone and it is so sad saying goodbye. Love you all and we'll see you on the flip side.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Bunny Update
Hey, good news, another bunny on the driveway this morning. Go Snickers! The dead bunny was announced by one of my current ‘roommates’. She seemed a bit upset at my ‘You go Snickers’ response. Hmm.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Bits and Pieces
What I Miss
I visited the daycare the other day, the daycare that was the setting for almost 10 almost always happy years. I went in on the pretext of bringing Shannon some lunch and stayed to play a little bit.
I 'left the classroom' about 4 (maybe 5) years ago and the daycare altogether about 2 years ago.
Day care teachers are subject to burnout more quickly than most professionals because of the nature of the work. Whereas most jobs are hard and taxing and sometimes boring, the day care teacher’s job is more hazardous, physically and emotionally. These are people who are poorly paid and poorly esteemed and who literally raise, nurture and love other people’s children. And trust me, you don’t get paid to love these children, but love them you do because every one of these kids will worm their sticky, laughing way into your heart no matter how rotten or wonderful they are.
As the lights came on after nap time and the kids began the after nap ritual of putting on their shoes and washing up for snack it was as if I’d never left. Sitting on the edge of a cubby I was pulled right in by kids who came over and sat in my lap or asked for assistance or just came over to ask who I was.
“Hi, what’s you name?”
“Marissa”
“Why”
“Hmm, because that’s what my mom called me”
“Why”
“Because she liked that name”
“Why”
“I don’t know”
“Why”
“Because I never asked her”
“Why”
“You know what, I think it’s time for snack.”
“Why”
I never cease to be amazed by the easy affection of 4 year olds. If you are sitting next to their teacher than you must be completely kosher and therefore approachable. I truly miss their innocence and their instant acceptance.
Then came a teacher hauling a screaming child down to the bathroom. The child was kicking and flailing and screaming 'NO' at the top of his tiny little adorable lungs.
Oh yeah, THAT’S why I don’t do this anymore.
The Cop
Driving down the highway with my cruise control set at exactly 72 mph in a 65. As the miles rolled by I hit that little 'accelerate' button and edged it up a mile at a time until I was at 77. Then I ran into a small rolling road block in the form of about 15 cars filling all three lanes and moving quite slowly. I inspected the rolling road block for chinks or cracks where I might pass them and instead spotted the light rack on the top of the lead car. State Trooper. So I slowed down to 68 and fell into place at the back of the pack. I can be patient, after all this guy will probably get off at the next exit or so. 5 exits later however and the pack still growing, the cop was still leading us.
For amusement in these situations I love watching those people who come up on you from behind and begin the passing ritual, the whole annoyed what-the-heck-is-the-matter-with-all-of-you-slowpokes attitude. And then as they start to rev for the ‘passing party’ they too spot the cop and abashedly fall into step behind the rest of us. It provides slim amusement while you’re trapped in the pack, but amusement none the less.
As I crested a hill near the back of the ever growing pack I was treated to quite a site. The cop leading the pack below me turning into a curve and all the others in close pursuit. It resembled a large flock of birds flying in formation. It struck me then that the cop was enjoying his private parade and that he was doing it on purpose.
Storm
While indulging in my favorite pass-time (sitting in borders and sipping coffee while reading a shiny new story) a wonderful thunder storm blows in. Sitting in the café, right in the very corner where two walls of windows come together and the storm blowing outside is close enough to touch. Lightning flash after lightning flash, the thunder is a steady and constant rumble and the rain falling almost sideways in the sudden wind. The buzz of conversation in the café has gone up a notch and everyone is watching the windows, some a bit fearful others just excited by the drama outside. This is one of those wonderful violent storms that always manage to keep me transfixed at my window. The lights are starting to dim a bit now and then and that makes the excited chatter in the café pause until they brighten up again. Sitting here in my corner I have a great view and I can hear every crackle of thunder and every heavy drop of rain. The only thing missing is some coffee. I think about getting some before the power goes out all together and mid thought the power goes out. I can storm watch without coffee if I have to.
Moneygrams
Meeting the Ya-ya’s for dinner one night and I drag them to my favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s probably the closest to authentic Mexican that you can get in the Midwest and I intend to eat my fill before returning to France.
When I arrive at Taxco, the restaurant is empty. I pick a table and wait for the others to arrive. As the minutes tick by the restaurant begins to fill and I also notice people coming in and standing at the counter. I assume they are picking up take-out orders but I don’t really notice, notice them. However, as the line at the counter slowly grows I begin to take a closer look at the group and then I understand what is happening. The people in line are all Mexican and they are all standing in line to send a Moneygram. It’s Friday and they all just got paid and they are lining up to send as much money home to their families as they can comfortably afford to part with. It’s a ritual that few of us can truly understand, it’s the proof that the American dream is still alive and well and to me it’s a sign that that hope is also alive and well. And it’s a sign of something else as well; it’s a sign of courage. Courage to face a life in uncertainty for the betterment of their families. Courage to do the hard things for a stake in an easier future.
I visited the daycare the other day, the daycare that was the setting for almost 10 almost always happy years. I went in on the pretext of bringing Shannon some lunch and stayed to play a little bit.
I 'left the classroom' about 4 (maybe 5) years ago and the daycare altogether about 2 years ago.
Day care teachers are subject to burnout more quickly than most professionals because of the nature of the work. Whereas most jobs are hard and taxing and sometimes boring, the day care teacher’s job is more hazardous, physically and emotionally. These are people who are poorly paid and poorly esteemed and who literally raise, nurture and love other people’s children. And trust me, you don’t get paid to love these children, but love them you do because every one of these kids will worm their sticky, laughing way into your heart no matter how rotten or wonderful they are.
As the lights came on after nap time and the kids began the after nap ritual of putting on their shoes and washing up for snack it was as if I’d never left. Sitting on the edge of a cubby I was pulled right in by kids who came over and sat in my lap or asked for assistance or just came over to ask who I was.
“Hi, what’s you name?”
“Marissa”
“Why”
“Hmm, because that’s what my mom called me”
“Why”
“Because she liked that name”
“Why”
“I don’t know”
“Why”
“Because I never asked her”
“Why”
“You know what, I think it’s time for snack.”
“Why”
I never cease to be amazed by the easy affection of 4 year olds. If you are sitting next to their teacher than you must be completely kosher and therefore approachable. I truly miss their innocence and their instant acceptance.
Then came a teacher hauling a screaming child down to the bathroom. The child was kicking and flailing and screaming 'NO' at the top of his tiny little adorable lungs.
Oh yeah, THAT’S why I don’t do this anymore.
The Cop
Driving down the highway with my cruise control set at exactly 72 mph in a 65. As the miles rolled by I hit that little 'accelerate' button and edged it up a mile at a time until I was at 77. Then I ran into a small rolling road block in the form of about 15 cars filling all three lanes and moving quite slowly. I inspected the rolling road block for chinks or cracks where I might pass them and instead spotted the light rack on the top of the lead car. State Trooper. So I slowed down to 68 and fell into place at the back of the pack. I can be patient, after all this guy will probably get off at the next exit or so. 5 exits later however and the pack still growing, the cop was still leading us.
For amusement in these situations I love watching those people who come up on you from behind and begin the passing ritual, the whole annoyed what-the-heck-is-the-matter-with-all-of-you-slowpokes attitude. And then as they start to rev for the ‘passing party’ they too spot the cop and abashedly fall into step behind the rest of us. It provides slim amusement while you’re trapped in the pack, but amusement none the less.
As I crested a hill near the back of the ever growing pack I was treated to quite a site. The cop leading the pack below me turning into a curve and all the others in close pursuit. It resembled a large flock of birds flying in formation. It struck me then that the cop was enjoying his private parade and that he was doing it on purpose.
Storm
While indulging in my favorite pass-time (sitting in borders and sipping coffee while reading a shiny new story) a wonderful thunder storm blows in. Sitting in the café, right in the very corner where two walls of windows come together and the storm blowing outside is close enough to touch. Lightning flash after lightning flash, the thunder is a steady and constant rumble and the rain falling almost sideways in the sudden wind. The buzz of conversation in the café has gone up a notch and everyone is watching the windows, some a bit fearful others just excited by the drama outside. This is one of those wonderful violent storms that always manage to keep me transfixed at my window. The lights are starting to dim a bit now and then and that makes the excited chatter in the café pause until they brighten up again. Sitting here in my corner I have a great view and I can hear every crackle of thunder and every heavy drop of rain. The only thing missing is some coffee. I think about getting some before the power goes out all together and mid thought the power goes out. I can storm watch without coffee if I have to.
Moneygrams
Meeting the Ya-ya’s for dinner one night and I drag them to my favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s probably the closest to authentic Mexican that you can get in the Midwest and I intend to eat my fill before returning to France.
When I arrive at Taxco, the restaurant is empty. I pick a table and wait for the others to arrive. As the minutes tick by the restaurant begins to fill and I also notice people coming in and standing at the counter. I assume they are picking up take-out orders but I don’t really notice, notice them. However, as the line at the counter slowly grows I begin to take a closer look at the group and then I understand what is happening. The people in line are all Mexican and they are all standing in line to send a Moneygram. It’s Friday and they all just got paid and they are lining up to send as much money home to their families as they can comfortably afford to part with. It’s a ritual that few of us can truly understand, it’s the proof that the American dream is still alive and well and to me it’s a sign that that hope is also alive and well. And it’s a sign of something else as well; it’s a sign of courage. Courage to face a life in uncertainty for the betterment of their families. Courage to do the hard things for a stake in an easier future.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Musings
Red Hat Society
Driving past Coldstone (Ice cream parlor) in the Geneva Commons mall I saw a group of about 20 of these women sitting at umbrellad tables on the sidewalk out front. They seemed to be enjoying huge sundaes and having a great time. All of them in full 'Society' regalia, that being red hats and purple outfits.
I had heard tales of these women, I'd never actually had a sighting of them in a herd like that, and was happy to see that they do exist. According to the website these groups have sprung up all over the country after the founder was inspired by this poem by Jenny Joseph:
I admire these women, they have spunk. My mother-in-law has often spoken of this group and I think she even belongs to a chapter. Well, while shopping in San Diego I ran across the most beautiful red hat and with this group and my mother-in-law in mind I bought it. Now, technically I bought the hat for her to wear to her society meetings, but whether she actually receives the hat or not is yet to be seen as I have fallen in love with the lovely crimson topper. I'm thinking that I’ll go ahead and give it to her and make her swear an oath that she will return the hat to me when she tires of wearing it. Mind, I’m not a hat person so I don’t actually intend to wear it, I just want to be able to look at it from time to time, crowning my hat stand.
Bloody Gifts
Those of you who own cats will understand, the rest of you should perhaps avert your eyes.
Having been away from my Snickers for almost a year, I had managed to forget some of the sweet yet grisly benefits of cat ownership. You see cats, unlike dogs, are scrupulous about earning their keep around the house. What you might ask could a cat possibly do to earn its keep. Well, cats are extraordinarily good hunters and in a show of loyalty (yes, they are just as loyal as dogs, if not more) they like to share their nightly kill with their masters.
When Snickers was young she began earning her keep by leaving her freshly killed mouse or baby bunny or ground squirrel (well the bloody, furry mass that was left over after she’d eaten her share.) on the front steps where I would be sure to nearly step on it on my way out to work.
At first I didn’t understand these road blocks and would kick the grisly prize into the nearby shrubs and curse the damn cat loudly. Then I began to understand the significance of these bloody fur balls and would kick the grisly prize into the nearby shrubs and thank the cat and then get into my car and curse her loudly.
Over the years Snickers’ prizes became smaller and less frequent. In the years preceding our move her prizes had dwindled to large dragonflies on the doorstep a few times during the summer.
I of course attributed this to the fact that the fat cat was aging and not as spry as she used to be and also that she had become complacent and confident as to her place in our hearts and home.
However, in the two weeks since I have arrived back at Illinois house, Snickers has left me, no less than 4 dead baby bunnies (identified mostly by their color and their ears). Of course she also seems to know that I’m not going to go out the front door in the morning and has left these grisly baubles in the driveway behind my truck where I am sure to run them over and grind them into the pavement where they will be forever immortalized as macabre stains.
Apparently my suppositions were wrong about the dwindling size and frequency of her gifts. Apparently the issue was lack of game. You see, S (and sometimes I) would dispose of nests full of these rodents when we’d run across them in our gardening. We’re not the cruel tear-the-wings-of-off-flies types, we are gardeners and grown rabbits can eat an astonishing amount of vegetation. Well, it seems that in the year that we’ve been gone the rabbit population has known some really happy times. They are everywhere you look and apparently still breeding, even this late in the season. Poor Snickers is doing her very best, but there are just too many of them. On the bright side, I have three more weeks of lovely surprises to look forward to.
Books
The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy – Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud - A fantasy novel for young readers told from the point of view of the djinni, Bartimaeus, about a young magician in training named Nathanial. I loved Bartimaeus’ sarcasm (me? Sarcasm?) and his self promoting style in telling the story of this unfortunate boy. I can’t wait for the sequel, The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 2) to come out in September.
Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, Book 6) - I have read all of the books in this series, that has been over twenty years in the making/completing. I know that Mr. King meant for this to be his opus, but this installment is a bit disappointing. It’s not up to his usual high standards of story telling. To make things worse he writes himself into this story. I read it because I’ve read all the others and will read the final installment The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book 7) when it comes out in September, because I really want to see what all the sacrifice of this band of friends has been for. I like the story and it’s been wildly imaginative, but this last installment was thrown together too fast and he seems to reach hard to incorporate a lot of stuff from his other writings.
That is all.
Driving past Coldstone (Ice cream parlor) in the Geneva Commons mall I saw a group of about 20 of these women sitting at umbrellad tables on the sidewalk out front. They seemed to be enjoying huge sundaes and having a great time. All of them in full 'Society' regalia, that being red hats and purple outfits.
I had heard tales of these women, I'd never actually had a sighting of them in a herd like that, and was happy to see that they do exist. According to the website these groups have sprung up all over the country after the founder was inspired by this poem by Jenny Joseph:
Warning
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat But now we must have clothes that keep us dry But maybe I ought to practice a little now? |
I admire these women, they have spunk. My mother-in-law has often spoken of this group and I think she even belongs to a chapter. Well, while shopping in San Diego I ran across the most beautiful red hat and with this group and my mother-in-law in mind I bought it. Now, technically I bought the hat for her to wear to her society meetings, but whether she actually receives the hat or not is yet to be seen as I have fallen in love with the lovely crimson topper. I'm thinking that I’ll go ahead and give it to her and make her swear an oath that she will return the hat to me when she tires of wearing it. Mind, I’m not a hat person so I don’t actually intend to wear it, I just want to be able to look at it from time to time, crowning my hat stand.
Bloody Gifts
Those of you who own cats will understand, the rest of you should perhaps avert your eyes.
Having been away from my Snickers for almost a year, I had managed to forget some of the sweet yet grisly benefits of cat ownership. You see cats, unlike dogs, are scrupulous about earning their keep around the house. What you might ask could a cat possibly do to earn its keep. Well, cats are extraordinarily good hunters and in a show of loyalty (yes, they are just as loyal as dogs, if not more) they like to share their nightly kill with their masters.
When Snickers was young she began earning her keep by leaving her freshly killed mouse or baby bunny or ground squirrel (well the bloody, furry mass that was left over after she’d eaten her share.) on the front steps where I would be sure to nearly step on it on my way out to work.
At first I didn’t understand these road blocks and would kick the grisly prize into the nearby shrubs and curse the damn cat loudly. Then I began to understand the significance of these bloody fur balls and would kick the grisly prize into the nearby shrubs and thank the cat and then get into my car and curse her loudly.
Over the years Snickers’ prizes became smaller and less frequent. In the years preceding our move her prizes had dwindled to large dragonflies on the doorstep a few times during the summer.
I of course attributed this to the fact that the fat cat was aging and not as spry as she used to be and also that she had become complacent and confident as to her place in our hearts and home.
However, in the two weeks since I have arrived back at Illinois house, Snickers has left me, no less than 4 dead baby bunnies (identified mostly by their color and their ears). Of course she also seems to know that I’m not going to go out the front door in the morning and has left these grisly baubles in the driveway behind my truck where I am sure to run them over and grind them into the pavement where they will be forever immortalized as macabre stains.
Apparently my suppositions were wrong about the dwindling size and frequency of her gifts. Apparently the issue was lack of game. You see, S (and sometimes I) would dispose of nests full of these rodents when we’d run across them in our gardening. We’re not the cruel tear-the-wings-of-off-flies types, we are gardeners and grown rabbits can eat an astonishing amount of vegetation. Well, it seems that in the year that we’ve been gone the rabbit population has known some really happy times. They are everywhere you look and apparently still breeding, even this late in the season. Poor Snickers is doing her very best, but there are just too many of them. On the bright side, I have three more weeks of lovely surprises to look forward to.
Books
The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy – Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud - A fantasy novel for young readers told from the point of view of the djinni, Bartimaeus, about a young magician in training named Nathanial. I loved Bartimaeus’ sarcasm (me? Sarcasm?) and his self promoting style in telling the story of this unfortunate boy. I can’t wait for the sequel, The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 2) to come out in September.
Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, Book 6) - I have read all of the books in this series, that has been over twenty years in the making/completing. I know that Mr. King meant for this to be his opus, but this installment is a bit disappointing. It’s not up to his usual high standards of story telling. To make things worse he writes himself into this story. I read it because I’ve read all the others and will read the final installment The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book 7) when it comes out in September, because I really want to see what all the sacrifice of this band of friends has been for. I like the story and it’s been wildly imaginative, but this last installment was thrown together too fast and he seems to reach hard to incorporate a lot of stuff from his other writings.
That is all.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Tonight
It’s a beautiful night. There is just a sliver of a moon showing through a bit of haze in the sky. The air is thick and heavy and full of the scent of my stargazer lilies in the garden. I’d like to sit next to an open window and read one of the shiny new stories I just bought at Borders tonight. Because I’ve just come home from some heavy duty book shopping. (Yes, more books…you can never have too much reading material you know.) Yes, it would be nice to sit next to an open window and read and listen to the night sounds and smell the flowers.
Of course the window would have to have a screen to safeguard against nasty, buggy creatures, and well…I’d have to have a fan to move some of this heavy, soggy air around. Ok….well maybe the window would have to be closed so I could run the air conditioning…And well, reading by moonlight would be hard so I’d need a lamp….
You know what, forget it, it’s a HOT and STICKY night that’s hard to breathe in because every breath feels like a drink of water. And the bugs are icky and numerous and the smell of the lilies is too sickening sweet to be tolerated for too long.
I’m going to get into my bed and read and just pretend I’m outside in the picture perfect night. Yup, that’s the ticket.
Three posts in one day? I must be bored.
Of course the window would have to have a screen to safeguard against nasty, buggy creatures, and well…I’d have to have a fan to move some of this heavy, soggy air around. Ok….well maybe the window would have to be closed so I could run the air conditioning…And well, reading by moonlight would be hard so I’d need a lamp….
You know what, forget it, it’s a HOT and STICKY night that’s hard to breathe in because every breath feels like a drink of water. And the bugs are icky and numerous and the smell of the lilies is too sickening sweet to be tolerated for too long.
I’m going to get into my bed and read and just pretend I’m outside in the picture perfect night. Yup, that’s the ticket.
Three posts in one day? I must be bored.
DMV
The day having started out so fine and me being in such a good mood I decided, after my cruising in the rain storm, to go and get a new Illinois Driver’s License. I prepared my paperwork and proofs of ID. I gathered my birth certificate, voter’s registration card, utility bill, passport, canceled check and blood sample and drove to the DMV.
Upon my arrival I was greeted by NO line and a very friendly young man named Mario. I told Mario I needed a replacement driver’s license because mine had been lost. (Yes, lost…that is what you call it when the French confiscate your license and refuse to give you one of theirs in trade for 2 or 4 months!) I began to hand over all of my identifying paperwork and after looking at the first two, he held up a hand to stop me and said “This is all I need.”
I mentioned to Mario that my license was due to expire in December and could I go ahead and extended it. I expected to hear that I would have to take a test, but Mario just said “Ok.”
A little keyboard clicking, a 2 second pretend eye exam and a quick photo and presto chango, I have an Illinois driver’s license that is good until 2008! It took me 10 minutes.
Words cannot express….I mean 10 minutes…damn French!
Upon my arrival I was greeted by NO line and a very friendly young man named Mario. I told Mario I needed a replacement driver’s license because mine had been lost. (Yes, lost…that is what you call it when the French confiscate your license and refuse to give you one of theirs in trade for 2 or 4 months!) I began to hand over all of my identifying paperwork and after looking at the first two, he held up a hand to stop me and said “This is all I need.”
I mentioned to Mario that my license was due to expire in December and could I go ahead and extended it. I expected to hear that I would have to take a test, but Mario just said “Ok.”
A little keyboard clicking, a 2 second pretend eye exam and a quick photo and presto chango, I have an Illinois driver’s license that is good until 2008! It took me 10 minutes.
Words cannot express….I mean 10 minutes…damn French!
Storm
It’s storming outside this morning. The sounds of heavy rain mix with the thunder to shake the house. I can’t help myself, I feel an irresistible urge to go out and drive in it. I’ve opened all the windows in the house to let in the sounds but it’s not enough. Gotta go for a drive.
More later.
More later.
Saturday, July 17, 2004
The word for the day is...
The state of Illinois seems to have a soporific effect on me. I seem to be incapable of getting enough sleep. At 9 I’m still in bed and could sleep for a few more hours and then at noonish I need a nap. Of course this could be because I don’t get to sleep until after 1 a.m., but in SD I did the same thing and managed to get through the day without a nap. I hate napping too, it makes me groggy in the afternoon. But here in IL I feel like I could go right to sleep at any point of the day. I blame the corn pollen. Yep, that’s what it is.
……………………………………….
Went to ‘Dulce Vita’ to get my hair done today. My friend Anne owns this great new salon and I have been made an official gold card member; that means big discounts for me on all of their salon and spa services. It’s good to have the right friends. Well, it pays to be supportive of your friends when they first start out on a new career. Will be going in for a massage soon.
After the hair appointment, J and I spent the rest of the day together. First we went to the hardware store for softener salt, a dehumidifier for the basement and some replacement light switches for several that have stopped working in the house. (I need a course in electrical, and I need it soon!) (Will attempt replacing switches myself tomorrow.) Then we went to CPK for lunch, it was very yummy. Then we wandered around Geneva Commons and tried stuff on at Banana Republic and Anthropology. Browsing and trying didn’t actually lead to buying but it was fun. Then we went and got pedicures to pamper our tired dogs and make them pretty and soft. Then we went to a movie. Well we tried to go to a movie but the projector was broken. They refunded our money and kicked us out. Overall though we had fun and we had some good mom/daughter talk.
Sorry to all of you who have phoned me and not gotten a response. I have a habit of setting my phone to vibrate when I go to movies and then forgetting to turn the ringer back on.
Dinner and a movie with the Ya-ya’s was great fun last night. We went to Vick’s afterward and had some fabulous pie and coffee.
That’s all for today. Nothing funny or spectacular happened today but it was a good day.
Off to bed…at 7:00 p.m.!?
……………………………………….
Went to ‘Dulce Vita’ to get my hair done today. My friend Anne owns this great new salon and I have been made an official gold card member; that means big discounts for me on all of their salon and spa services. It’s good to have the right friends. Well, it pays to be supportive of your friends when they first start out on a new career. Will be going in for a massage soon.
After the hair appointment, J and I spent the rest of the day together. First we went to the hardware store for softener salt, a dehumidifier for the basement and some replacement light switches for several that have stopped working in the house. (I need a course in electrical, and I need it soon!) (Will attempt replacing switches myself tomorrow.) Then we went to CPK for lunch, it was very yummy. Then we wandered around Geneva Commons and tried stuff on at Banana Republic and Anthropology. Browsing and trying didn’t actually lead to buying but it was fun. Then we went and got pedicures to pamper our tired dogs and make them pretty and soft. Then we went to a movie. Well we tried to go to a movie but the projector was broken. They refunded our money and kicked us out. Overall though we had fun and we had some good mom/daughter talk.
Sorry to all of you who have phoned me and not gotten a response. I have a habit of setting my phone to vibrate when I go to movies and then forgetting to turn the ringer back on.
Dinner and a movie with the Ya-ya’s was great fun last night. We went to Vick’s afterward and had some fabulous pie and coffee.
That’s all for today. Nothing funny or spectacular happened today but it was a good day.
Off to bed…at 7:00 p.m.!?
Friday, July 16, 2004
Nap Time
The young vampire at the endocrinologist's took enough blood to make herself a nice cocktail, I hope she enjoyed it. I, for one choose to look on the bright side and consider it a weight loss plan.
The mammography tech was much nicer, though no amount of solicitude could detract from the discomfort of what her chattiness was trying to mask.
The only dark spot in my otherwise ‘cheery’ week is having to deal with insurance issues. Every time health insurance issues come up I hate MCo. more and more, but let’s not get into it I already hate them with the intensity of several white hot burning suns and this latest screw up, though adding fuel to the fire, cannot make any noticeable difference in my feelings for them.
So on to happy news… I spent last evening with J and her friends. We went to see ‘The Stepford Wives’. We spent the pre-movie time talking about old times and reminiscing about injuries they inflicted on each other in jr. high. As a mom it's funny to hear stuff now, years down the road, which they hid from me then.
The movie itself was not as entertaining but it was funny, also 'different' and a bit odd. When the movie was over though we had many questions that had to go unanswered. Perhaps I’ll write to Mr. Broderick or Ms. Kidman and see if they can shed light on some of the many holes in the plot. Oh…what…it was only meant to be entertaining you say….not meant to be feasible? Well, of course I know that, but there were still a few holes in the plot anyway.
No I’m not in a crabby mood…Ok, yes, I’m a little cranky, but how would you be feeling if parts of your body had recently been pressed in a vice?
Going to have dinner with the Ya-ya’s tonight and then we’ll go to a movie, I’ll try to cheer up by then.
Maybe I need a nap.
Yes, that’s it…a nap will be just the thing.
Ooh, wait, thunder and lighting outside! Now that will cheer me up! Ta for now.
The mammography tech was much nicer, though no amount of solicitude could detract from the discomfort of what her chattiness was trying to mask.
The only dark spot in my otherwise ‘cheery’ week is having to deal with insurance issues. Every time health insurance issues come up I hate MCo. more and more, but let’s not get into it I already hate them with the intensity of several white hot burning suns and this latest screw up, though adding fuel to the fire, cannot make any noticeable difference in my feelings for them.
So on to happy news… I spent last evening with J and her friends. We went to see ‘The Stepford Wives’. We spent the pre-movie time talking about old times and reminiscing about injuries they inflicted on each other in jr. high. As a mom it's funny to hear stuff now, years down the road, which they hid from me then.
The movie itself was not as entertaining but it was funny, also 'different' and a bit odd. When the movie was over though we had many questions that had to go unanswered. Perhaps I’ll write to Mr. Broderick or Ms. Kidman and see if they can shed light on some of the many holes in the plot. Oh…what…it was only meant to be entertaining you say….not meant to be feasible? Well, of course I know that, but there were still a few holes in the plot anyway.
No I’m not in a crabby mood…Ok, yes, I’m a little cranky, but how would you be feeling if parts of your body had recently been pressed in a vice?
Going to have dinner with the Ya-ya’s tonight and then we’ll go to a movie, I’ll try to cheer up by then.
Maybe I need a nap.
Yes, that’s it…a nap will be just the thing.
Ooh, wait, thunder and lighting outside! Now that will cheer me up! Ta for now.
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