Went to A&L's Halloween party last night. We didn't stay for long, as usual. J likes to get to bed pretty early these days. Besides, chasing him up and down the stairs was getting tiresome.
J dressed as a frog. L&P were already there with the girls when we arrived. L and her girls were all dressed as princesses. Andrew managed to get a picture of the princesses with the frog, which we will post if we receive a copy. Priceless!
The height of cuteness was when 4-year old Izzy, in her beautiful Cinderella princess costume, came into the living room carrying J, the frog. She had him under his armpits, and he was just hanging there kind of limply, his feet not quite reaching the floor. She deposited him on the couch and told us that he was too close to the stairs.
She did this twice, by the way.
It was adorable!
J stuffed his face with junk; mostly chips and chocolate cookies. I didn't wish to argue. At least he was eating something, for a change. He seemed to have a nice time, eating junkfood, chasing A&L's cats about, and socializing with his friends. We had fun too. It was good to have a break from school work.
But I must continue to hit the books. I'm almost through 7.4 now. Still have a lot of catching up to do, and a fair bit of Module 7 left to complete.
How many more years of school do I have ahead of me again? Five? Six? How will I possibly get through this?
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Still to do
5.7, 6.6, 6.7, 8.9.
My midterm is nearly 60% complete now. It's due in a week and a half. The next part is on Module 7, and there's a small component on Module 8. Quiz due in a week and a half is on Module 8. Once these things are done, I'll have to go back and complete the unfinished modules while simultaneously trying to prepare myself for the last quiz, on Modules 9 and 10. I ran out of time on Modules 3, 5, and 6, so have left stuff undone. So far, these unread sections are roughly a full module.
Accordingly, I am now one module behind. Crumb!
Update: Module 3 is now complete; modules 5, 6, and 8 have pieces undone. I am getting caught up, and am now only half a module behind.
Exam December 8. Will start the freaking out soon.
My midterm is nearly 60% complete now. It's due in a week and a half. The next part is on Module 7, and there's a small component on Module 8. Quiz due in a week and a half is on Module 8. Once these things are done, I'll have to go back and complete the unfinished modules while simultaneously trying to prepare myself for the last quiz, on Modules 9 and 10. I ran out of time on Modules 3, 5, and 6, so have left stuff undone. So far, these unread sections are roughly a full module.
Accordingly, I am now one module behind. Crumb!
Update: Module 3 is now complete; modules 5, 6, and 8 have pieces undone. I am getting caught up, and am now only half a module behind.
Exam December 8. Will start the freaking out soon.
Friday, October 27, 2006
J likes black olives
In particular, J likes black olives on his pizza. He is picky about them, though. He only likes the olive slices if they form a complete circle, so that they fit neatly around his chubby little fingers and he can play with them before he eats them. If the perfect circle of the olive piece is broken, it is no good and must be fed to the cats.
The cats do not like olives.
The cats do not like olives.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Exhausted
J awoke screaming this morning, after having bitten his bottom lip and drawn blood. It was a bad start to an otherwise good day.
Free breakfast, due to having had to endure unbearably poor service about a month ago. Food and service were both wonderful today. Nice tip left.
Went shopping. For J. Of course. J needed some new pants. And he also needed some toys more appropriate for his age and interests. A violin with bow that converts into an electric guitar and plays music appropriate for each instrument (the bow is particularly cool). A Mega Blocks remote controlled racecar that converts into a plane, snowplow, or boat. And the Mr. Potato-Head farm (a barn with all the pieces for Mr. Potato-Head, Mrs. Potato-Head, Mr./Mrs. Carrot-Head, Potato/Carrot-Cow, and Potato/Carrot-Pig). J enjoys his new toys. H and I enjoy them almost as much. Or maybe more. I don't know. But I do know that I love "Once Upon A Child". I spent far less than I had anticipated. Yes!
Studied a bit, but didn't get a heck of a lot done. Still not over this blasted cough. And my head hurts. Tired. Very tired. And I can't focus at all. I'd hoped to get through to the end of Module 6.5 today, and then I'd only have two more sections to finish. My quiz is due by Wednesday at noon. I need to complete most of the module to write the quiz. But I've just fizzled out partway through Module 6.4, and both 6.4 and 6.5 are long.
The quiz is complete in draft. I have tomorrow night and Tuesday night left to finish it. I'll submit it Tuesday. No point in rushing these things.
Very tired. Have drifted off a couple of times already. Must rest. Must be in good shape for tomorrow. And must somehow get rid of this stupid cold that keeps me coughing, coughing, coughing. My voice still isn't entirely back. I'd hate to lose it completely again. I'm not out of the woods yet.
And to that end, I am now going to bed. Good night, all!
Free breakfast, due to having had to endure unbearably poor service about a month ago. Food and service were both wonderful today. Nice tip left.
Went shopping. For J. Of course. J needed some new pants. And he also needed some toys more appropriate for his age and interests. A violin with bow that converts into an electric guitar and plays music appropriate for each instrument (the bow is particularly cool). A Mega Blocks remote controlled racecar that converts into a plane, snowplow, or boat. And the Mr. Potato-Head farm (a barn with all the pieces for Mr. Potato-Head, Mrs. Potato-Head, Mr./Mrs. Carrot-Head, Potato/Carrot-Cow, and Potato/Carrot-Pig). J enjoys his new toys. H and I enjoy them almost as much. Or maybe more. I don't know. But I do know that I love "Once Upon A Child". I spent far less than I had anticipated. Yes!
Studied a bit, but didn't get a heck of a lot done. Still not over this blasted cough. And my head hurts. Tired. Very tired. And I can't focus at all. I'd hoped to get through to the end of Module 6.5 today, and then I'd only have two more sections to finish. My quiz is due by Wednesday at noon. I need to complete most of the module to write the quiz. But I've just fizzled out partway through Module 6.4, and both 6.4 and 6.5 are long.
The quiz is complete in draft. I have tomorrow night and Tuesday night left to finish it. I'll submit it Tuesday. No point in rushing these things.
Very tired. Have drifted off a couple of times already. Must rest. Must be in good shape for tomorrow. And must somehow get rid of this stupid cold that keeps me coughing, coughing, coughing. My voice still isn't entirely back. I'd hate to lose it completely again. I'm not out of the woods yet.
And to that end, I am now going to bed. Good night, all!
Overheard in Caucus
Peter MacKay: And I think we should enact a statute prohibiting women from owning shoes.
Stephen Harper: No. They need shoes.
MacKay: Why? Women should be barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. Shoe ownership only encourages dissent.
Harper: They need shoes. What if they walk through a puddle of water or something? If they have no shoes, their feet will get wet.
MacKay: But why should they walk through a puddle of water in the kitchen?
Harper: They can't stay in the kitchen all the time. Sometimes, they have to go grocery shopping.
Note: Statements were not published in Hansard and are therefore unofficial. So I guess it never really happened.
Stephen Harper: No. They need shoes.
MacKay: Why? Women should be barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. Shoe ownership only encourages dissent.
Harper: They need shoes. What if they walk through a puddle of water or something? If they have no shoes, their feet will get wet.
MacKay: But why should they walk through a puddle of water in the kitchen?
Harper: They can't stay in the kitchen all the time. Sometimes, they have to go grocery shopping.
Note: Statements were not published in Hansard and are therefore unofficial. So I guess it never really happened.
Steel Magnolias
This is a sad post. Just saying.
**********
Tonight, H and I went out without J. We went to see "Steel Magnolias". I'd never seen either the play or the movie, and I didn't know the plot. H had seen the movie, but he didn't enjoy it all that much. But my sister-in-law was in the play, so we went. And it was very well done. (As an aside, it's always nice to have an evening out!)
I am glad that I went. And I am glad that I didn't know the plot ahead of time. If I had known, I probably would have elected not to go. And that's not right; it's family, after all. And it's a really good show, besides.
Now don't get me wrong here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the plot. There is just a problem with me watching that particular plot. It's a very sad show that made me think about things on which I prefer not to focus.
The problem with me and Steel Magnolias, you see, is that it's a little too real and a little too close. In fact, it's far too real. Far too close. I cried. I cried too much, really. And then I tried to think about mundane, everyday occurrences to try to block it. But that doesn't really work. I can't block this. Not really.
It was her story. It was the same in virtually all material respects. It contains phrases of explanation. Phrases that I have heard myself say a hundred times over. She was my friend. I miss her. I still miss her. I will always miss her.
She left on October 20, 1993. She was survived by her new husband, her two beautiful children, her parents, her siblings, and her friends. Really, she was survived by almost everyone she ever knew. Because she was only 22 years old. And maybe it should have been expected because she'd been sick for so long ... because she'd known of her condition for nearly her entire life. But it wasn't expected. Not by me. Not by her. Not by any of us.
She was a beautiful, caring, giving person. A mother. A new wife. A young woman, full of promise and with a lot more living to do.
And then, she was gone.
I miss you, 'Chelle. You, and the kids. I don't even know where they are any longer. I have no way to find out. But I think of them often. Anytime I think of you, they are right there with you. In my thoughts. In my prayers. I hope that they have heard all about what a wonderful and amazing woman you were. I hope they have at least that much.
I miss you, 'Chelle.
**********
Tonight, H and I went out without J. We went to see "Steel Magnolias". I'd never seen either the play or the movie, and I didn't know the plot. H had seen the movie, but he didn't enjoy it all that much. But my sister-in-law was in the play, so we went. And it was very well done. (As an aside, it's always nice to have an evening out!)
I am glad that I went. And I am glad that I didn't know the plot ahead of time. If I had known, I probably would have elected not to go. And that's not right; it's family, after all. And it's a really good show, besides.
Now don't get me wrong here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the plot. There is just a problem with me watching that particular plot. It's a very sad show that made me think about things on which I prefer not to focus.
The problem with me and Steel Magnolias, you see, is that it's a little too real and a little too close. In fact, it's far too real. Far too close. I cried. I cried too much, really. And then I tried to think about mundane, everyday occurrences to try to block it. But that doesn't really work. I can't block this. Not really.
It was her story. It was the same in virtually all material respects. It contains phrases of explanation. Phrases that I have heard myself say a hundred times over. She was my friend. I miss her. I still miss her. I will always miss her.
She left on October 20, 1993. She was survived by her new husband, her two beautiful children, her parents, her siblings, and her friends. Really, she was survived by almost everyone she ever knew. Because she was only 22 years old. And maybe it should have been expected because she'd been sick for so long ... because she'd known of her condition for nearly her entire life. But it wasn't expected. Not by me. Not by her. Not by any of us.
She was a beautiful, caring, giving person. A mother. A new wife. A young woman, full of promise and with a lot more living to do.
And then, she was gone.
I miss you, 'Chelle. You, and the kids. I don't even know where they are any longer. I have no way to find out. But I think of them often. Anytime I think of you, they are right there with you. In my thoughts. In my prayers. I hope that they have heard all about what a wonderful and amazing woman you were. I hope they have at least that much.
I miss you, 'Chelle.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
School stuff
Just for my own basis of measurement:
I have completed 39% of my midterm assignment. It is due in 2.5 weeks.
I have begun work on Module 6, but have not gotten very far yet. The Module 6 quiz is due in approximately 4 days. I must get cracking. I will get back to my midterm after I complete the Module 6 quiz.
I have to go back and finish reading Modules 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, and 5.7.
I still have 4 modules and 2 quizzes to complete after I finish Module 6. And then, I have two weeks of exam prep time.
I must run the self-tests for each of the 10 modules. I would like to listen to all of the audio lectures, if I have time; however, if I run short on time, this will be the area that I neglect. Sometimes, you just can't do it all. I must at least run the exam review audio lectures, as these are most helpful. And I must do as many practice exams as possible in preparation for the final exam.
My final exam is on December 8.
I am officially at the start of crunch-time. It would be later, but the blasted midterm assignment and quiz 4 are due on the same day! I wish they would stagger the two as due in alternating weeks. It would be far more practical.
**********
Yes, it is the start of crunch-time. Yes, I missed swimming with J this morning. Yes, I feel sad that I missed swimming with J this morning. Yes, I spent the time with my textbooks instead of with my son.
But today, I took some time before the boys left for swimming to snuggle and play with J. I sat him on my lap on the living room floor and fed him toast with peanut butter and milk. We played "Block the Baby" (where I attempt to use minimal effort to keep J from going places where he oughtn't; "Block the Baby" is one of J's favorite games, when he is happy). We cuddled, and watched cartoons, and ate, and played, and laughed. And then I got him into his little coat and hat, and he left for swimming with H. And I worked on my midterm for the next two hours.
So yes, it is shaping up to be a very good day. And I really hope the rest of the day proves to be both fun and productive.
I have completed 39% of my midterm assignment. It is due in 2.5 weeks.
I have begun work on Module 6, but have not gotten very far yet. The Module 6 quiz is due in approximately 4 days. I must get cracking. I will get back to my midterm after I complete the Module 6 quiz.
I have to go back and finish reading Modules 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, and 5.7.
I still have 4 modules and 2 quizzes to complete after I finish Module 6. And then, I have two weeks of exam prep time.
I must run the self-tests for each of the 10 modules. I would like to listen to all of the audio lectures, if I have time; however, if I run short on time, this will be the area that I neglect. Sometimes, you just can't do it all. I must at least run the exam review audio lectures, as these are most helpful. And I must do as many practice exams as possible in preparation for the final exam.
My final exam is on December 8.
I am officially at the start of crunch-time. It would be later, but the blasted midterm assignment and quiz 4 are due on the same day! I wish they would stagger the two as due in alternating weeks. It would be far more practical.
**********
Yes, it is the start of crunch-time. Yes, I missed swimming with J this morning. Yes, I feel sad that I missed swimming with J this morning. Yes, I spent the time with my textbooks instead of with my son.
But today, I took some time before the boys left for swimming to snuggle and play with J. I sat him on my lap on the living room floor and fed him toast with peanut butter and milk. We played "Block the Baby" (where I attempt to use minimal effort to keep J from going places where he oughtn't; "Block the Baby" is one of J's favorite games, when he is happy). We cuddled, and watched cartoons, and ate, and played, and laughed. And then I got him into his little coat and hat, and he left for swimming with H. And I worked on my midterm for the next two hours.
So yes, it is shaping up to be a very good day. And I really hope the rest of the day proves to be both fun and productive.
Things you never thought you'd hear yourself say
"Don't run over the cat with your car!"
"Can I see what you have in your mouth?"
"Can I see what you have in your mouth?"
Friday, October 20, 2006
A sleeping baby
J sleeps. He fell asleep in the car while we were driving. We were going to a friend's housewarming party this evening. We decided that we should not wake the sleeping J for partying and then try to get him to go back to sleep later. Better to miss the festivities and let J have a good night's sleep.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
We got home. J awoke as we pulled up to the house. He cried briefly. I cuddled him close, and carried him upstairs. I kissed him goodnight, and then put him in his little crib with his bear, monkey, blankie, sippy, and sucky-thing.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I covered J with his blankie, so he would stay nice and warm. He curled up on his tummy, with his knees pulled up under him and his little bottom sticking way up in the air, just as he always does when he's really tired. He went to sleep right away. And I rubbed his back and told him how much I love him.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Then I retired to the office to work on my course. I intended to read through more of Module 6, but I opted instead to get busy with my midterm assignment. It is due in two and a half weeks, and I will run out of time pretty quickly if I don't get moving on it. I made a good start, and feel pleased with my accomplishment.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Soon, I will go to bed myself. I will go and check on J. I will find that he has moved to the opposite end of the crib, has kicked his blankie off, and has spat out his sucky-thing.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
J will awake briefly in the dead of night crying frantically because he can no longer find the sucky-thing. I will get up and find the sucky. Once he has his sucky back, he will likely fall asleep again and go straight through the night. But he'll probably wake up around 6:00 am and want to cuddle in the big bed for a bit. It's his routine. It's familiar.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Last week, I spent so much time at doctor's offices. I am behind in my studies again. I must work hard this weekend and get caught up.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Tomorrow, I have to skip out on swimming. It is unadvisable to spend time splashing around in a pool while recovering from a kidney infection. H will go swimming with J, while I continue with my studying. I must get through Module 6 this weekend so that I can write my quiz. It's due by Wednesday at noon.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I feel deprived. These days, I don't get to spend as much time with J as I would like. I spend a lot of time at work, and then I have to study. J usually gets tired and grumpy shortly after I get home, and then it's time for him to go to sleep. Typically, I get a brief period of play time, and then some cuddles. But it's never enough.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Never enough. ... I look forward to my weekends. Then, I will get to spend more time with J. Except that I don't get to spend more time with J at all. Instead, I have to hole up in the office and study. I miss all the playing. I miss all the cuddles. I miss my baby. Very much.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
And tomorrow, I will miss swimming too!
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I am tired of studying. It keeps me away from my child. And I just want to hold my baby.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I am his mother. I should get more time to be with him. I want quality time with my child. I just dearly want to hold him. And cuddle him. And play with him.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
But I want to hold him! Right now!!
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Oh, what do you know, anyway?
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
We got home. J awoke as we pulled up to the house. He cried briefly. I cuddled him close, and carried him upstairs. I kissed him goodnight, and then put him in his little crib with his bear, monkey, blankie, sippy, and sucky-thing.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I covered J with his blankie, so he would stay nice and warm. He curled up on his tummy, with his knees pulled up under him and his little bottom sticking way up in the air, just as he always does when he's really tired. He went to sleep right away. And I rubbed his back and told him how much I love him.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Then I retired to the office to work on my course. I intended to read through more of Module 6, but I opted instead to get busy with my midterm assignment. It is due in two and a half weeks, and I will run out of time pretty quickly if I don't get moving on it. I made a good start, and feel pleased with my accomplishment.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Soon, I will go to bed myself. I will go and check on J. I will find that he has moved to the opposite end of the crib, has kicked his blankie off, and has spat out his sucky-thing.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
J will awake briefly in the dead of night crying frantically because he can no longer find the sucky-thing. I will get up and find the sucky. Once he has his sucky back, he will likely fall asleep again and go straight through the night. But he'll probably wake up around 6:00 am and want to cuddle in the big bed for a bit. It's his routine. It's familiar.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Last week, I spent so much time at doctor's offices. I am behind in my studies again. I must work hard this weekend and get caught up.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Tomorrow, I have to skip out on swimming. It is unadvisable to spend time splashing around in a pool while recovering from a kidney infection. H will go swimming with J, while I continue with my studying. I must get through Module 6 this weekend so that I can write my quiz. It's due by Wednesday at noon.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I feel deprived. These days, I don't get to spend as much time with J as I would like. I spend a lot of time at work, and then I have to study. J usually gets tired and grumpy shortly after I get home, and then it's time for him to go to sleep. Typically, I get a brief period of play time, and then some cuddles. But it's never enough.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Never enough. ... I look forward to my weekends. Then, I will get to spend more time with J. Except that I don't get to spend more time with J at all. Instead, I have to hole up in the office and study. I miss all the playing. I miss all the cuddles. I miss my baby. Very much.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
And tomorrow, I will miss swimming too!
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I am tired of studying. It keeps me away from my child. And I just want to hold my baby.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
I am his mother. I should get more time to be with him. I want quality time with my child. I just dearly want to hold him. And cuddle him. And play with him.
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
But I want to hold him! Right now!!
Do not wake the sleeping baby.
Oh, what do you know, anyway?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)