It has recently come to my attention that fans the world over, meaning Kara, often check this blog to see what's what in the world of music. I thought I'd take a little time to update the music selection just a bit.
I will give it a little more attention in the next few days, but there are a few new ones to start you off.
In fact, you can scroll down to the very bottom of this page to see what I have on my list. Click on what you want to hear, and it will play for you. Then, you can scrub your bathroom with good music. Like Kara does.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A brief complaint
It's stormy outside; windy, mostly. I think California has sent their weather our way.
The day has felt hectic, though that's not really the case. Every thing was more difficult than I wanted it to be.
It was one of those days when the kids repeatedly asked "why" when told to do something.
The ice maker in the fridge gave out.
I think the problem was me...well, not the ice maker. I am hearing annoyances louder than they are. Perhaps I am grumpy.
Every time I sat down to take a deep breath today, a child magically appeared with a need.
There's something that tells me I should go back to bed. I'm restless and irritable, and ice-less.
My marathon training program had me running 3 miles today, but the very suggestion pulled a sob from my throat. I decided to go easy on myself, and so I walked it instead. That counts, right? I walked fast.
I couldn't walk fast enought to escape that mood, though. It's still here.
Perhaps I'll be faster asleep, eh?
The day has felt hectic, though that's not really the case. Every thing was more difficult than I wanted it to be.
It was one of those days when the kids repeatedly asked "why" when told to do something.
The ice maker in the fridge gave out.
I think the problem was me...well, not the ice maker. I am hearing annoyances louder than they are. Perhaps I am grumpy.
Every time I sat down to take a deep breath today, a child magically appeared with a need.
There's something that tells me I should go back to bed. I'm restless and irritable, and ice-less.
My marathon training program had me running 3 miles today, but the very suggestion pulled a sob from my throat. I decided to go easy on myself, and so I walked it instead. That counts, right? I walked fast.
I couldn't walk fast enought to escape that mood, though. It's still here.
Perhaps I'll be faster asleep, eh?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Oh, look at the time!
I have not given the week ahead even the most frivolous overview, on account of my Mother-In-law and her visit. It is my custom, upon a Sunday evening, to diagram the week ahead, and post an artistic rendering upon the 'fridge. That way I know exactly what is expected of me and my schedule day-by-day. That way the children have an answer to the incessant "what are we doing tomorrow?"
Not so much this week.
Is it Sunday? Monday?
No idea.
The meeting this weekend with my husband's-late-wife's-mother went great. I like her rather a lot. She brought along her sister-who-is-not-really-biologically-related. They like wine, which adds considerably to general conviviality and conversation. Not to mention the raucous singing that we did while Tim was cooking dinner. We pulled out, first an old hymnal, then an interesting piano book full of various tunes. "Little Brown Jug," "My Country Tis of Thee," "Just like the girl that married dear old dad." Oh, we sang! They are my kind of people.
I faintly recall something about a half marathon. Am I supposed to be running now- and-again? I logged 2 miles on Saturday, so I have that going for me.
The thought of springing from my bed to energetically propel my aging flesh down the street, is enough to make me sob.
I think I hate exercise.
I recently heard from a gal I used to know who recently discovered my blog. (Hi Tracy! Welcome!) After reading for the first time, she helpfully offered me several pieces of advice on weight loss. It occurred to me that I must sound like rather a large woman in despair of losing weight. At first consideration, I found this somewhat shocking, but then I began to chuckle.
I do expend rather too much energy on the subject of dress size. I'm not sure why I do this. Perhaps it's that I find the topic such rich fodder for humor.
I'm not a very big person. I do tend to fluctuate in a typically female fashion. Currently I wear a very comfortable size 6, but I prefer those items of clothing that boast a "4." I'm quite vain in this way.
There are days...years even, when I am 8, or 10. My self esteem does suffer during those periods of time. It's just that I am not tall enough to carry double-digits. It isn't pretty on me.
Actually, I love to workout. It's just the running that I find tedious. It's very efficient, but I find it boring. I am in the market for an MP3 player, as I believe I've mentioned. I think that will help.
I also love food. This is why the running is such a helpful addition to my daily routine. It encourages my waistline not to store much excess. Otherwise the 4's aren't even an option in the vanity sizes.
Not so much this week.
Is it Sunday? Monday?
No idea.
The meeting this weekend with my husband's-late-wife's-mother went great. I like her rather a lot. She brought along her sister-who-is-not-really-biologically-related. They like wine, which adds considerably to general conviviality and conversation. Not to mention the raucous singing that we did while Tim was cooking dinner. We pulled out, first an old hymnal, then an interesting piano book full of various tunes. "Little Brown Jug," "My Country Tis of Thee," "Just like the girl that married dear old dad." Oh, we sang! They are my kind of people.
I faintly recall something about a half marathon. Am I supposed to be running now- and-again? I logged 2 miles on Saturday, so I have that going for me.
The thought of springing from my bed to energetically propel my aging flesh down the street, is enough to make me sob.
I think I hate exercise.
I recently heard from a gal I used to know who recently discovered my blog. (Hi Tracy! Welcome!) After reading for the first time, she helpfully offered me several pieces of advice on weight loss. It occurred to me that I must sound like rather a large woman in despair of losing weight. At first consideration, I found this somewhat shocking, but then I began to chuckle.
I do expend rather too much energy on the subject of dress size. I'm not sure why I do this. Perhaps it's that I find the topic such rich fodder for humor.
I'm not a very big person. I do tend to fluctuate in a typically female fashion. Currently I wear a very comfortable size 6, but I prefer those items of clothing that boast a "4." I'm quite vain in this way.
There are days...years even, when I am 8, or 10. My self esteem does suffer during those periods of time. It's just that I am not tall enough to carry double-digits. It isn't pretty on me.
Actually, I love to workout. It's just the running that I find tedious. It's very efficient, but I find it boring. I am in the market for an MP3 player, as I believe I've mentioned. I think that will help.
I also love food. This is why the running is such a helpful addition to my daily routine. It encourages my waistline not to store much excess. Otherwise the 4's aren't even an option in the vanity sizes.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Parenting the masses
I was reading back through blog posts I wrote long ago, back when I used to be funny. I found one that made me laugh, because it is about the man I ended up marrying.
We went out to dinner last night, to a very nice restaurant, and we took the children. For some reason, we allowed the kids to sit at the opposite end of a rather long table, and I was exhausted as a result.
Tim and I sat huddled with his mother-in-law and her sister at the grown up end of the table, with a bottle of wine. My attention was unfortunately divided between the conversation around me, and the antics by the children.
Aaron, who is eight, and energetic, was squirming in an effort to escape his manners. My glares in his direction fortunately kept him in his seat, if barely. Don was encouraging any bad behavior, so I shot him numerous evil eyes, also. He just flashed smiles at me in return.
The other three adults at the table were blithely ignorant of the crimes being committed by the two youngest boys, though how they managed such an indulgent state is beyond me.
I find that the penetrating glare is an effective parenting tool. In fact, I particularly enjoy subtle weapons in my war against childish misbehavior.
When I was a little girl, my mother kept a wooden spoon in her purse. It was an ever-present threat to the possibility of a spanking. Spankings weren't thought of as abuse back then, and you could pretty much smack your kid in public whenever they needed it, (a practice that might bear resurgence, in my opinion.)
So, Mother had this wooden spoon in her purse, and all she needed to do was to look me in the eye, and then look to her purse, and back to my eye. It produced in me a fear of the Lord which immediately altered my errant behavior. Such is the effect I am trying to produce.
It works on some of the children better than the others. Which is to say, that Aaron is the only one I have a prayer of influencing in this fashion. The other three are either bigger than me, or very close to it. The only hope I have of inspiring in them a come-to-Jesus moment, is if He will condescend to Appear Personally.
In truth, they are all very obedient, and I am thankful for that. I'd love to have teenagers intimidated enough by their wise and powerful parents, that a look of disapproval would be adequate incentive to stay on the straight-and-narrow. Alas, I do not think that my evil eye has quite that much effect.
The older children are of an age now where they are inclined to think for themselves, and that is most inconvenient. Gone are the days when I am privileged to chose their hairstyles, their clothing, and their interests. I find myself the proud parent of
one girl who will not wear dresses,
one boys who loves video games,
and one young man who loves the outdoors.
Thinking for themselves, indeed.
And so I am become a student of their individual selves as well as a teacher to them. It's an honor, and wonder. It's a learning experience. It is a process that teaches me every bit as much as it teaches them, and certianly sometimes more. I love, love, love being a mom. Even an inept one.
We went out to dinner last night, to a very nice restaurant, and we took the children. For some reason, we allowed the kids to sit at the opposite end of a rather long table, and I was exhausted as a result.
Tim and I sat huddled with his mother-in-law and her sister at the grown up end of the table, with a bottle of wine. My attention was unfortunately divided between the conversation around me, and the antics by the children.
Aaron, who is eight, and energetic, was squirming in an effort to escape his manners. My glares in his direction fortunately kept him in his seat, if barely. Don was encouraging any bad behavior, so I shot him numerous evil eyes, also. He just flashed smiles at me in return.
The other three adults at the table were blithely ignorant of the crimes being committed by the two youngest boys, though how they managed such an indulgent state is beyond me.
I find that the penetrating glare is an effective parenting tool. In fact, I particularly enjoy subtle weapons in my war against childish misbehavior.
When I was a little girl, my mother kept a wooden spoon in her purse. It was an ever-present threat to the possibility of a spanking. Spankings weren't thought of as abuse back then, and you could pretty much smack your kid in public whenever they needed it, (a practice that might bear resurgence, in my opinion.)
So, Mother had this wooden spoon in her purse, and all she needed to do was to look me in the eye, and then look to her purse, and back to my eye. It produced in me a fear of the Lord which immediately altered my errant behavior. Such is the effect I am trying to produce.
It works on some of the children better than the others. Which is to say, that Aaron is the only one I have a prayer of influencing in this fashion. The other three are either bigger than me, or very close to it. The only hope I have of inspiring in them a come-to-Jesus moment, is if He will condescend to Appear Personally.
In truth, they are all very obedient, and I am thankful for that. I'd love to have teenagers intimidated enough by their wise and powerful parents, that a look of disapproval would be adequate incentive to stay on the straight-and-narrow. Alas, I do not think that my evil eye has quite that much effect.
The older children are of an age now where they are inclined to think for themselves, and that is most inconvenient. Gone are the days when I am privileged to chose their hairstyles, their clothing, and their interests. I find myself the proud parent of
one girl who will not wear dresses,
one boys who loves video games,
and one young man who loves the outdoors.
Thinking for themselves, indeed.
And so I am become a student of their individual selves as well as a teacher to them. It's an honor, and wonder. It's a learning experience. It is a process that teaches me every bit as much as it teaches them, and certianly sometimes more. I love, love, love being a mom. Even an inept one.
Friday, January 15, 2010
An exercise in futility
Tim's mother-in-law is coming to town tomorrow, which is not to say that my mother is coming over. Tim was married previously, and widowed, so this Mother-In-Law is his late wife's mom. I've not met her before.
Perhaps you can imagine how intimidating this meeting is for me. I am married to her late daughter's husband, and raising her grandchildren. I don't stand a chance of being remotely good enough.
I'd like the house to look like a show home, and I'd like to lose 15 pounds. I freshened up the color on my hair first thing this morning. I painted my nails, all 20 of them. And now I am cleaning the house. The thing is, that as I clean, there are several children, two dogs and a cat, who are working as vigourously as I at opposite purpose. It's making me crazy. Why are they such messy creatures, children?
So, I'm nervous about meeting this woman. Tim says that I have no need to be nervous, because she's a great lady. But, really, how would you feel?
So, now I'm blogging rather than cleaning, which is not designed to improve the state of my house, but works wonders for the state of my mind.
Wish me luck....
Perhaps you can imagine how intimidating this meeting is for me. I am married to her late daughter's husband, and raising her grandchildren. I don't stand a chance of being remotely good enough.
I'd like the house to look like a show home, and I'd like to lose 15 pounds. I freshened up the color on my hair first thing this morning. I painted my nails, all 20 of them. And now I am cleaning the house. The thing is, that as I clean, there are several children, two dogs and a cat, who are working as vigourously as I at opposite purpose. It's making me crazy. Why are they such messy creatures, children?
So, I'm nervous about meeting this woman. Tim says that I have no need to be nervous, because she's a great lady. But, really, how would you feel?
So, now I'm blogging rather than cleaning, which is not designed to improve the state of my house, but works wonders for the state of my mind.
Wish me luck....
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
No Title springs to mind
I have absolutely nothing to say this evening, which is unfortunate. I feel certain that if I had anything to say at all, it would be vastly amusing.
Alas.
I have been in a funk for some reason. I suspect it has something to do with the persistant cloud-cover, and also the fact that I'm not sleeping enough. It never fails, you know, No matter how tired I am in the afternoon, by 10pm I'm perky and talkative. Could be the coffee I drink in the afternoon. Or perhaps the fact that the children are off to their beds and I can Finally Think. Maybe.
I actually fell asleep on the couch this afternoon while Tim was making dinner. (Giant stuffed pasta shells, if you must know. With salad and a sultry red wine.) I could not keep my eyes open. But now? Vivacious.
Also, too...I'm shopping for an Ipod. Or an Mp3 player. I don't know what I want, but I need music. I think I might like an mp3, because I prefer Windows Media to Itunes, but what do I know? I just think it's rediculous that people will pay so much money for the blasted things. I keep losing them on Ebay because I won't pay over 50$. I need advice.
Discuss:
Alas.
I have been in a funk for some reason. I suspect it has something to do with the persistant cloud-cover, and also the fact that I'm not sleeping enough. It never fails, you know, No matter how tired I am in the afternoon, by 10pm I'm perky and talkative. Could be the coffee I drink in the afternoon. Or perhaps the fact that the children are off to their beds and I can Finally Think. Maybe.
I actually fell asleep on the couch this afternoon while Tim was making dinner. (Giant stuffed pasta shells, if you must know. With salad and a sultry red wine.) I could not keep my eyes open. But now? Vivacious.
Also, too...I'm shopping for an Ipod. Or an Mp3 player. I don't know what I want, but I need music. I think I might like an mp3, because I prefer Windows Media to Itunes, but what do I know? I just think it's rediculous that people will pay so much money for the blasted things. I keep losing them on Ebay because I won't pay over 50$. I need advice.
Discuss:
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Running and Health care reform
My darling-very-young-sister-who-is-20-something invited me to run in a half marathon with her. Naturally, since the weight training, and the martial arts, have not reduced me to a size 2, I said "yes."
That's not quite what I said.
What I actually said was somewhat less committal. I told her that I really don't know if my body will go for thirteen consecutive miles, but that I'm game to train for it. So I turned what I do on the treadmill into an aggressive training regimen. I'm quite proud of myself, really. I've kept to the plan all week long.
And my sister? The young one? Her daughter, my beautiful niece, was hospitalized this week for croup. Did you know that croup could be life-threatening? I didn't know that before this little adventure. It was terrible. She's ok now. She got to go home this morning. She's 2, and adorable, and there she was in the hospital.
My poor sister! These things are always hardest on the mom.
Our family does spend a lot of time in hospitals. Why do we do that? In the past year, we've been there for my niece, my nephew's birth, my son's ruptured appendix, my cousin....who else? It's ridiculous. We need some kind of frequent flyer punch-card. We're beginning to know the staff on a first-name basis. I even have favorite menu items picked out from the cafeteria.
You don't think that a half marathon will land me in the hospital, do you?
That's not quite what I said.
What I actually said was somewhat less committal. I told her that I really don't know if my body will go for thirteen consecutive miles, but that I'm game to train for it. So I turned what I do on the treadmill into an aggressive training regimen. I'm quite proud of myself, really. I've kept to the plan all week long.
And my sister? The young one? Her daughter, my beautiful niece, was hospitalized this week for croup. Did you know that croup could be life-threatening? I didn't know that before this little adventure. It was terrible. She's ok now. She got to go home this morning. She's 2, and adorable, and there she was in the hospital.
My poor sister! These things are always hardest on the mom.
Our family does spend a lot of time in hospitals. Why do we do that? In the past year, we've been there for my niece, my nephew's birth, my son's ruptured appendix, my cousin....who else? It's ridiculous. We need some kind of frequent flyer punch-card. We're beginning to know the staff on a first-name basis. I even have favorite menu items picked out from the cafeteria.
You don't think that a half marathon will land me in the hospital, do you?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Fiesta, Siesta....whatever
The kids are back to school tomorrow, and that means that we will have to get up to an alarm clock in the morning. I've grown self-indulgent and lazy over the past 2 weeks. We slowly wake about 8, and sip coffee in bed until after 9. The kids don't get out of bed until way too late. We are going to go into shock as the schedule sets in at 6 am. Ugh.
Tomorrow is an important day in Boise, Idaho. The BSU Broncos are playing in the Fiesta Bowl, and the entire town will be dressed in blue and orange. We're having a party. I don't know why the town goes so crazy for the home team. I didn't attend Boise State, but I'll be screaming at the TV, for sure. I don't even really care much about football, but the hype and excitement is really too much fun. Also, there will be food. I love football food.
This weekend we went to the local Lacrosse Store and bought everyone new Lacrosse sticks. My daughter will be playing this year, and so I'm learning all about girl's lacrosse, which is entirely different than boy's. We had the whole family in the backyard tossing around a LAX ball this afternoon.
We are an athletic bunch.
It would be nice if I could consistently catch the blasted ball.
It would be nice if Michael could throw it without putting large holes through the fence. It's one of those expensive, special-order fences. And now it looks like swiss cheese.
The kids go back to school in the morning. My head is spinning with all I want to do with a quiet house. I want to clean like a whirling dervish. I want a killer work-out. I want to sit in stunned silence and gaze upon the empty house.
...But then I remembered that I homeschool. Which kind of puts a damper on things. Only one of them is currently home educated, though, so that cuts down on the daily drama.
I'm so bipolar. I love peace and solitude, and also I love having the kids at home. Love them, love my space. I'm torn.
Tim and I have already started planning the remodel for when the kids move out. Michael is the first to go, so we'll make his room a smoking room; humidor, wing back chairs, special ventilation, a fireplace.
Don's next, so that's my library; floor to ceiling shelves and a library ladder. Faline leaves, and we get a home office.
Aaron's room is my project room; sewing machine, scrapbooking stuff, you know the type.
Empty nesting will be a busy time for us.
It's a good thing I'm so cohesive in my writing this evening, no? Very smooth and well-thought-out.
Random. That's what I am.
I need to go to bed. The morning's going to come early.
BSU
Go Big Blue!
Tomorrow is an important day in Boise, Idaho. The BSU Broncos are playing in the Fiesta Bowl, and the entire town will be dressed in blue and orange. We're having a party. I don't know why the town goes so crazy for the home team. I didn't attend Boise State, but I'll be screaming at the TV, for sure. I don't even really care much about football, but the hype and excitement is really too much fun. Also, there will be food. I love football food.
This weekend we went to the local Lacrosse Store and bought everyone new Lacrosse sticks. My daughter will be playing this year, and so I'm learning all about girl's lacrosse, which is entirely different than boy's. We had the whole family in the backyard tossing around a LAX ball this afternoon.
We are an athletic bunch.
It would be nice if I could consistently catch the blasted ball.
It would be nice if Michael could throw it without putting large holes through the fence. It's one of those expensive, special-order fences. And now it looks like swiss cheese.
The kids go back to school in the morning. My head is spinning with all I want to do with a quiet house. I want to clean like a whirling dervish. I want a killer work-out. I want to sit in stunned silence and gaze upon the empty house.
...But then I remembered that I homeschool. Which kind of puts a damper on things. Only one of them is currently home educated, though, so that cuts down on the daily drama.
I'm so bipolar. I love peace and solitude, and also I love having the kids at home. Love them, love my space. I'm torn.
Tim and I have already started planning the remodel for when the kids move out. Michael is the first to go, so we'll make his room a smoking room; humidor, wing back chairs, special ventilation, a fireplace.
Don's next, so that's my library; floor to ceiling shelves and a library ladder. Faline leaves, and we get a home office.
Aaron's room is my project room; sewing machine, scrapbooking stuff, you know the type.
Empty nesting will be a busy time for us.
It's a good thing I'm so cohesive in my writing this evening, no? Very smooth and well-thought-out.
Random. That's what I am.
I need to go to bed. The morning's going to come early.
BSU
Go Big Blue!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Children are a blessing
I was momentarily inspired to write, but it seems to have passed. Our computers are located in the same room as the TV. All of the children gather 'round the TV in the evenings and argue over who gets to play next. Arguing over gaming systems is the favorite pastime of the youth in the house. It's very irritating. This is why I lose any inkling of inspiration once I enter the room.
I used to really like silence, as I recall.
This morning, as Tim and I were working out, (We have this fantastic home gym out in a bay of the garage) Three of the 4 children came out and began to help themselves to the equiptment. I couldn't get to any of the things I was wanting to use because of the children. On the one hand, I want to encourage them to excercise. On the other hand, I want to pursue my own fitness in peace. And quiet. But, NO. I gave up and chose to do push-ups in the living room.
I'm growing very fond of public schooling. When will they take the kids back? Monday?
Just right now I need to take a minute and pray for Jenine, who has 8 children. I'll bet she hasn't had a moment to herself in 18 years.
To think, I have always wanted lots of children, too.
Oh, dear. I have to go put these little miracles in bed, so I can think.
I used to really like silence, as I recall.
This morning, as Tim and I were working out, (We have this fantastic home gym out in a bay of the garage) Three of the 4 children came out and began to help themselves to the equiptment. I couldn't get to any of the things I was wanting to use because of the children. On the one hand, I want to encourage them to excercise. On the other hand, I want to pursue my own fitness in peace. And quiet. But, NO. I gave up and chose to do push-ups in the living room.
I'm growing very fond of public schooling. When will they take the kids back? Monday?
Just right now I need to take a minute and pray for Jenine, who has 8 children. I'll bet she hasn't had a moment to herself in 18 years.
To think, I have always wanted lots of children, too.
Oh, dear. I have to go put these little miracles in bed, so I can think.
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