Kelsey wants to wait for the bus herself. I'm proud of her for being so independent and confident. I feel silly for worrying. But I wish I had a special scope and super-reach, kick-ass limbs to keep an eye on her and protect her.
I'm hoping she decides it's too lonely down there by herself. All the other kids who were at her stop last year are at different schools now and not taking the bus. They loved playing in the neighbor's yard, dodging doggy-do all the while. It's kind of sad, Kelsey all by herself. She said if we really, really, super-want to go with her we could. Sounds like an invitation to me. But today she went alone. I hope she hated it as much as I did.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Time Passes
Monday we celebrated Kelsey's birthday. Her real birthday was Tuesday, but Eric had to work that night. It was also the first day of school. So much happening at once.
Kelsey's party was pretty quiet. I was glad. In true Amy fashion, I invited the family with hardly a moment's notice. On a holiday weekend, people have other plans anyway.
She was pleased with her presents.
Here she is hugging her sister, who gave her Pokemon Pearl for Nintendo DS. She got a lot of Star Wars stuff (three action figures and a light saber), a build-your-own skateboard kit, some Hannah Montana stuff, a recorder (she played it all night), and, oh, ah, a black iPod Nano. The Nano was a near-freebie when I bought my laptop.
We polished off all the cake and all the ice cream. Wow. What piggies.
On her real birthday, she had to get up and go to school. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
On the first day of school, we always take the kids' pictures by their birth trees.
Here is Kayleigh on her way to 8th grade, and Kelsey on her way to 2nd.
Kayleigh HATES getting her picture taken. And her hair is wet, not greasy.
Tuesday morning also greeted me with the news that my advisor's mom had passed away. She went from thinking she was a perfectly healthy woman looking forward to a long and happy retirement to being told she had lung cancer and had six months to live. She lived only two months after diagnosis. I'm sure it's a terrible shock for the family. Doug (the advisor--former advisor, really), who does his best to keep his personal life to himself, seemed pretty upset when he told me she was ill. He said his dad was a wreck. I can only imagine. I'd really rather not.
Be good to yourselves and those you love. You just never know what the next day will bring.
Oh--my mom lost another tooth. I told her she could just sit outside on Halloween and scare the kids away. She was not amused.
Kelsey's party was pretty quiet. I was glad. In true Amy fashion, I invited the family with hardly a moment's notice. On a holiday weekend, people have other plans anyway.
She was pleased with her presents.
Here she is hugging her sister, who gave her Pokemon Pearl for Nintendo DS. She got a lot of Star Wars stuff (three action figures and a light saber), a build-your-own skateboard kit, some Hannah Montana stuff, a recorder (she played it all night), and, oh, ah, a black iPod Nano. The Nano was a near-freebie when I bought my laptop.We polished off all the cake and all the ice cream. Wow. What piggies.
On her real birthday, she had to get up and go to school. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
On the first day of school, we always take the kids' pictures by their birth trees.
Here is Kayleigh on her way to 8th grade, and Kelsey on her way to 2nd.
Kayleigh HATES getting her picture taken. And her hair is wet, not greasy.Tuesday morning also greeted me with the news that my advisor's mom had passed away. She went from thinking she was a perfectly healthy woman looking forward to a long and happy retirement to being told she had lung cancer and had six months to live. She lived only two months after diagnosis. I'm sure it's a terrible shock for the family. Doug (the advisor--former advisor, really), who does his best to keep his personal life to himself, seemed pretty upset when he told me she was ill. He said his dad was a wreck. I can only imagine. I'd really rather not.
Be good to yourselves and those you love. You just never know what the next day will bring.
Oh--my mom lost another tooth. I told her she could just sit outside on Halloween and scare the kids away. She was not amused.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
A survey
This came in my email, but I thought I'd post it here for the halibut....
Now, Here Is What You Are Supposed To Do...
And Please Do Not Spoil The Fun!
Hit Forward, Delete My Answers And Type In Your Answers.
Then Send This To A Whole Bunch Of People You Know...And Send It Back To
Me So I Can See Your Answers,
The Theory Is That You Will Learn A Lot Of Little Known Facts About
Those You Know. Please Remember To Send It Back!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name is my mom's first name.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I don't remember.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not especially
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Wham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 little lovelies
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? If I were another person, I might be a total hag, so I don't know.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Unfortunately.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I really don't think so. But I might under the right circumstances--can't imagine what they'd be.
10.WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Reese's Puffs
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Sometimes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Just about anything
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their mood
15. RED OR PINK? Depends
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm such a chicken.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My dad
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yeah.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans, no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A Tootsie Roll & a cup of tea
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? A squirrel chattering outside and the house fan blowing
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? I really have no idea. Dandelion. Peach. Black. Grey. Tan. Depends on my mood, I guess.
23. FAVOURITE SMELLS? I have almost no sense of smell. I'm usually happy to smell anything, even nasty stuff.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My man
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yup, and I can't wait to see her in two months!
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Oh, ugh.
27. HAIR COLOUR? Mousy brown
28. EYE COLOUR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Sometimes
30. FAVOURITE FOOD? Anything I haven't cooked myself
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black, but it's faded a bit
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Yes
36. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Too many to name
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not a clue
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Ditto
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Some text book on writing. Can't think of the name of it.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? All together now: optical mouse
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, but it was on DVD. If DVDs don't count, I didn't watch TV last night.
42. FAVOURITE SOUND? My kids laughing
44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Brisbane and the surrounding area. Can't wait to go back.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think talent is the right word: I can stick my tongue up my nose.
46. WHAT IRRITATES YOU MOST? When I piss around instead of getting my work done.
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody's--I'm nosy.
Now, Here Is What You Are Supposed To Do...
And Please Do Not Spoil The Fun!
Hit Forward, Delete My Answers And Type In Your Answers.
Then Send This To A Whole Bunch Of People You Know...And Send It Back To
Me So I Can See Your Answers,
The Theory Is That You Will Learn A Lot Of Little Known Facts About
Those You Know. Please Remember To Send It Back!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name is my mom's first name.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I don't remember.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not especially
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Wham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 little lovelies
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? If I were another person, I might be a total hag, so I don't know.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Unfortunately.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I really don't think so. But I might under the right circumstances--can't imagine what they'd be.
10.WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Reese's Puffs
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Sometimes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Just about anything
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their mood
15. RED OR PINK? Depends
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm such a chicken.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My dad
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yeah.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans, no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A Tootsie Roll & a cup of tea
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? A squirrel chattering outside and the house fan blowing
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? I really have no idea. Dandelion. Peach. Black. Grey. Tan. Depends on my mood, I guess.
23. FAVOURITE SMELLS? I have almost no sense of smell. I'm usually happy to smell anything, even nasty stuff.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My man
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yup, and I can't wait to see her in two months!
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Oh, ugh.
27. HAIR COLOUR? Mousy brown
28. EYE COLOUR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Sometimes
30. FAVOURITE FOOD? Anything I haven't cooked myself
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black, but it's faded a bit
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Yes
36. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Too many to name
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not a clue
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Ditto
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Some text book on writing. Can't think of the name of it.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? All together now: optical mouse
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, but it was on DVD. If DVDs don't count, I didn't watch TV last night.
42. FAVOURITE SOUND? My kids laughing
44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Brisbane and the surrounding area. Can't wait to go back.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think talent is the right word: I can stick my tongue up my nose.
46. WHAT IRRITATES YOU MOST? When I piss around instead of getting my work done.
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody's--I'm nosy.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Street people
OK, so no one besides Laurie and me wants to talk about death. Not exactly cheery. No fun in funerals. Ah, well. I hope that when my day comes, I will have few regrets.
Today Kayleigh and I went birthday shopping for Kelsey, who turns 8 on Tuesday. We live close to a bike path that goes around Lake Monona, so there is often a lot of bike and rollerblade traffic and a few walkers. It's about 12 miles around the lake, so even though the walk is pretty flat--only two hills I can think of--it's still a long way to walk. So, we were driving to the store, and a woman was sitting on the curb, crying. She was dressed in sporty clothes and holding a water bottle. There was no bike in sight, so she was either walking or lived nearby. I thought, hmm. Maybe she's tired and can't make it the rest of the way. I thought I should stop and see if she needs help, but I just went on.
But it bugged me, her sitting there all red and full of tears. Maybe someone ditched her. Maybe she got hurt. Maybe she went on a walk because she's working out some inner turmoil and the turmoil overcame her. Maybe she's a total fruitcake. I finally turned around. People should help each other.
I drove up to her, and she looked up.
"Do you need some help?" I asked.
"No, I'm fine," she said, and wiped her eyes.
"Are you sure?" Because we all sit on curbs and bawl in broad daylight. I know I had my sympathetic mom face on, and it surprised me. When did I turn into the Helping Hand lady?
She nodded and smiled and heaved a great sob. "Thanks, though," she said, and turned away, wiping her face with the palm of her hand.
I smiled at her and said, "OK. Take care." Then I gave her a "last chance" look, but she looked at her feet. So I drove away.
She wasn't there when we got back. I hope she's OK.
More cheerful: We got Kelsey some dyno presents. Woo-ha!
Today Kayleigh and I went birthday shopping for Kelsey, who turns 8 on Tuesday. We live close to a bike path that goes around Lake Monona, so there is often a lot of bike and rollerblade traffic and a few walkers. It's about 12 miles around the lake, so even though the walk is pretty flat--only two hills I can think of--it's still a long way to walk. So, we were driving to the store, and a woman was sitting on the curb, crying. She was dressed in sporty clothes and holding a water bottle. There was no bike in sight, so she was either walking or lived nearby. I thought, hmm. Maybe she's tired and can't make it the rest of the way. I thought I should stop and see if she needs help, but I just went on.
But it bugged me, her sitting there all red and full of tears. Maybe someone ditched her. Maybe she got hurt. Maybe she went on a walk because she's working out some inner turmoil and the turmoil overcame her. Maybe she's a total fruitcake. I finally turned around. People should help each other.
I drove up to her, and she looked up.
"Do you need some help?" I asked.
"No, I'm fine," she said, and wiped her eyes.
"Are you sure?" Because we all sit on curbs and bawl in broad daylight. I know I had my sympathetic mom face on, and it surprised me. When did I turn into the Helping Hand lady?
She nodded and smiled and heaved a great sob. "Thanks, though," she said, and turned away, wiping her face with the palm of her hand.
I smiled at her and said, "OK. Take care." Then I gave her a "last chance" look, but she looked at her feet. So I drove away.
She wasn't there when we got back. I hope she's OK.
More cheerful: We got Kelsey some dyno presents. Woo-ha!
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