I've been into hanging out in the living room in the evenings lately, and one of my pre-bedtime (hers, not mine) activities is to close the blinds as it begins to get dark outside. Recently Adelaide has been coming in and opening them after dinner, because she likes to look out at the action on the street while she enjoys her last few minutes of free time. Sometimes it seems like I close them and two minutes later they are open again.
The other night I got a little irritated because in between bedtime tasks Adelaide came out and opened the blinds. It wouldn't have mattered, but next on the list was putting on her pj's, which I prefer she not do in the front window, on display for the PCC shoppers heading back to their cars. I closed them again, and vowed to just leave them open until she is in bed in the future to avoid the annoyance.
Later that night as I got under the covers I saw that the curtain on the window at the foot of my bed was not all the way drawn. This one has to be closed or else a particular streetlight shines directly on my face. I sat up, reached way down to pull in shut, and settled back in. Within 5 seconds, the cat leaped up on the bed and pawed open the curtain. Not once, but 3 times I had to close the stupid thing, until her final attempt when I yelled sharply and pulled back my arm as if I were going to hurl something at her.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Puppy Love
In the car, Adelaide said to me, "Mom, D___ is so in love with me."
"Oh really?" I replied. "How do you know?"
"He clings to me. Everywhere I go, there he is."
Unable to help myself, I proceeded to repeat a lecture I have given in the past about doing one's own work and allowing others to do their work (D___ is one of the students Adelaide "helps" aka bosses around while neglecting to get busy on her own work). So I will leave that part of the conversation out, as it is boring to me, even more boring to you, and apparently inaudible to my child.
The point of this post is this: a day or two after this little conversation, I spotted D___ rushing to meet Adelaide at the classroom door. He gave her an enormous smile, moved in as close as possible, puckered up his lips and leaned for a kiss . . . only to be thwarted by the fact that Adelaide is more than a full head taller than him. The poor little guy couldn't get anywhere near her face.
So, the solution to parental worries about boys going after their girls? Only let 'em date the really short ones.
"Oh really?" I replied. "How do you know?"
"He clings to me. Everywhere I go, there he is."
Unable to help myself, I proceeded to repeat a lecture I have given in the past about doing one's own work and allowing others to do their work (D___ is one of the students Adelaide "helps" aka bosses around while neglecting to get busy on her own work). So I will leave that part of the conversation out, as it is boring to me, even more boring to you, and apparently inaudible to my child.
The point of this post is this: a day or two after this little conversation, I spotted D___ rushing to meet Adelaide at the classroom door. He gave her an enormous smile, moved in as close as possible, puckered up his lips and leaned for a kiss . . . only to be thwarted by the fact that Adelaide is more than a full head taller than him. The poor little guy couldn't get anywhere near her face.
So, the solution to parental worries about boys going after their girls? Only let 'em date the really short ones.
Dear Drivers
Dear Drivers,
I regret to inform you that when I stopped in the right lane this afternoon to let a fire truck with sirens blaring and lights flashing merge onto the freeway, I did not do so in order that you might pass me on the right at great speed. I am also fairly certain that continuing to accelerate in order to make use of the path other drivers have cleared for the emergency vehicle is not the appropriate course of action in this case.
Please be advised that in the future, when I am pulling over to allow the emergency vehicles to proceed to the scene of your impending traffic collision, I may be forced to remind you that you had been given fair warning.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Driver
I regret to inform you that when I stopped in the right lane this afternoon to let a fire truck with sirens blaring and lights flashing merge onto the freeway, I did not do so in order that you might pass me on the right at great speed. I am also fairly certain that continuing to accelerate in order to make use of the path other drivers have cleared for the emergency vehicle is not the appropriate course of action in this case.
Please be advised that in the future, when I am pulling over to allow the emergency vehicles to proceed to the scene of your impending traffic collision, I may be forced to remind you that you had been given fair warning.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Driver
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
How to Survive the Dentist
Step One: Take good care of your teeth so all you're doing when you get there is having your teeth cleaned. Flossing is really worth it, despite its lack of glamor.
Step Two: Schedule your appointment wisely. While missing work may be appealing to some, don't underestimate the power of 3 days off prior to your check-up.
Step Three: Attend this fabulous teacher's class prior to your dental visit. You will be ready to lie in that chair after many repetitions of chair pose. And you will be seriously blissed out from an awesome session on the mat.
Step Four: Go to James of the Gentle Hands (aka James Swanson, DDS). His soft puppy-dog nature in greeting you, handling your teeth and gums, and overall demeanor make the experience so much more manageable than your average dentist.
Step Five: After your cleaning, proceed directly to your massage therapist for a long session on the table. If you are lucky enough to have a spot with James, then New Seattle Massage is just up the street.
Step Six: Go to this fabulous teacher's yoga class after your massage. Or before your massage. Or whenever you can. Unless you're still worn out from the first fabulous yoga session.
Step Seven: When you arrive home, celebrate your healthy mouth with something delicious. I recommend this creation I came up with due to odd cravings and a desire to clean out the frig:
(basically an apple cinnamon coffee cake with the substitutions of Greek yogurt and applesauce instead of eggs since I ate the last egg for breakfast, and sliced apple on top to use up the half apple getting old on the top shelf). Put lots of pecans, butter and brown sugar on top. And yes, you should definitely have coffee cake for dinner, you're on vacation, and you had to go to the dentist today! But don't forget to brush your teeth afterwards.
Step Two: Schedule your appointment wisely. While missing work may be appealing to some, don't underestimate the power of 3 days off prior to your check-up.
Step Three: Attend this fabulous teacher's class prior to your dental visit. You will be ready to lie in that chair after many repetitions of chair pose. And you will be seriously blissed out from an awesome session on the mat.
Step Four: Go to James of the Gentle Hands (aka James Swanson, DDS). His soft puppy-dog nature in greeting you, handling your teeth and gums, and overall demeanor make the experience so much more manageable than your average dentist.
Step Five: After your cleaning, proceed directly to your massage therapist for a long session on the table. If you are lucky enough to have a spot with James, then New Seattle Massage is just up the street.
Step Six: Go to this fabulous teacher's yoga class after your massage. Or before your massage. Or whenever you can. Unless you're still worn out from the first fabulous yoga session.
Step Seven: When you arrive home, celebrate your healthy mouth with something delicious. I recommend this creation I came up with due to odd cravings and a desire to clean out the frig:
(basically an apple cinnamon coffee cake with the substitutions of Greek yogurt and applesauce instead of eggs since I ate the last egg for breakfast, and sliced apple on top to use up the half apple getting old on the top shelf). Put lots of pecans, butter and brown sugar on top. And yes, you should definitely have coffee cake for dinner, you're on vacation, and you had to go to the dentist today! But don't forget to brush your teeth afterwards.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Huevos Rancheros, re-worked
Today during yoga when I was supposed to be focusing on my breathing, I was dreaming of brunch. My dreams involved a big plate of huevos rancheros, Sunlight style -- spicy enchilada sauce, chewy cheddar cheese, creamy black beans . . . delicious. But the sad, wilting red peppers in my vegetable drawer called out to me, telling me that if I were simply to give them a little massage with olive oil and put them in a nice warm oven, they would be happy to make me a delicious enchilada sauce that would serve me for this meal and many more.
During my walk home, the roasted yams and sweet potatoes I made yesterday spoke up. "We'd be such a sweet contrast to a spicy sauce, don't you think?" While reaching for the peppers I saw the hunk of red cabbage which had yet to be roasted, so I grabbed it too, thinking I'd just chop it up and roast it for a later meal. After the onions and peppers came out of the oven and joined the tomatoes, garlic and onions on the stovetop, the cabbage went for a turn on the cookie tray. But as it roasted, it filled the kitchen with a smell so sweet I really thought it could have been cookies in the oven. So, the can of black beans went back on the shelf to make room for the sweet cabbage on the plate.
All in all, a very satisfying meal, and one that will actually allow me to head out into the garden now instead of putting me in a food coma like the restaurant bruch would have. Though I might have to go have seconds first . . .
During my walk home, the roasted yams and sweet potatoes I made yesterday spoke up. "We'd be such a sweet contrast to a spicy sauce, don't you think?" While reaching for the peppers I saw the hunk of red cabbage which had yet to be roasted, so I grabbed it too, thinking I'd just chop it up and roast it for a later meal. After the onions and peppers came out of the oven and joined the tomatoes, garlic and onions on the stovetop, the cabbage went for a turn on the cookie tray. But as it roasted, it filled the kitchen with a smell so sweet I really thought it could have been cookies in the oven. So, the can of black beans went back on the shelf to make room for the sweet cabbage on the plate.
All in all, a very satisfying meal, and one that will actually allow me to head out into the garden now instead of putting me in a food coma like the restaurant bruch would have. Though I might have to go have seconds first . . .
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