Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Feng shui and other annoying 2000-isms
I've never been big on the feng shui revolution. A few years back, people made such a big deal out of the placement of furniture for proper chi flow (or somesuch nonsense). Thing is, I don't know why I didn't get into it. Maybe it was too new age-y for me. Whatever the case, I've always really enjoyed placing furniture and moving it around every so often even for the fun of it. And when we moved into this place, I just really didn't like how we placed the furniture. We only have cable wired in on one side of the living room, the room is shaped like a rectangle (which never seems to work right for me, and the fireplace is at an angle which on its own is visually pleasing, is a nightmare for placing anything else in the room. But now I just view it as a challenge. I'm going to break out the super long cable cord and I'm going to put the TV wherever I want it. I'm going to try something new. I'm going to prepare a place for our Christmas tree (only a couple of months now!). And if the flow of chi improves, well then that's just icing on the cake!
Why do I always say no?
Being a step mom is hard. There are a lot of reasons that it is hard. At this particular time, it is hard not because of the interesting dynamic between step mom and biological mom or because of the small amount of time you get to spend with the kid. No, it's hard because of all the times you have to say "no."
I'm not really one of those parents who gets a kick out of saying no. And I admit that I probably say no at times when really, it would be just as easy to say yes. I'm still trying to work out that ever-elusive balance that I'm quite sure my parents struggled with as well.
Yesterday the D man called and asked for his Dad. Since Adam was unable to come to the phone, I guess I was an okay second choice. He asked if he could bring his GameCube to his Mom's house because he's "there more." Here's the thing. Last Christmas, there was nothing he wanted more than a Nintendo GameCube. And yes, the irony is not lost on me that of everything, all he wanted was an obsolete video game system that you can't even buy new anymore. So I hunted around for a used system and some games. I bought extra controllers so he could play with his friends. I got him the whole dang set up (because when you're buying used, you can really go all out!). And I got to experience one of those moments that happens less and less often the older he gets - the utter, sheer enjoyment and excitement when he opened the box and realized he got EXACTLY what he wanted!!! Fast forward to present day. He still loves the GameCube...in fact, when allowed, it's all he does when he's at our house. But I just couldn't let him take it to his Mom's. Little by little he tries to move everything he likes from our house to hers and soon, he won't have anything to do at our house. Yes, I'm flattered that all of his "good stuff" is at our house but it's expensive enough trying to outfit one home for him...I can't afford to outfit two.
So alas, I had to say no. However, I reminded him that he's always welcome to come over more often so he can play it. Clearly I'm not opposed to bribery and other trickery just to get him a little more often. I was not his favorite person last night. Neither was his father when he talked to him later and backed me up (for the record, I'm pretty sure Adam would have let him take it had Dante gotten to him first).
Maybe I'm being selfish. They are HIS toys after all. They were gifts. Part of me totally gets it that maybe he should get to decide where they reside. But I also have the ability to see into the future and it's quite obvious that before too long, there would be nary a stuffed animal on his bed.
I'm not really one of those parents who gets a kick out of saying no. And I admit that I probably say no at times when really, it would be just as easy to say yes. I'm still trying to work out that ever-elusive balance that I'm quite sure my parents struggled with as well.
Yesterday the D man called and asked for his Dad. Since Adam was unable to come to the phone, I guess I was an okay second choice. He asked if he could bring his GameCube to his Mom's house because he's "there more." Here's the thing. Last Christmas, there was nothing he wanted more than a Nintendo GameCube. And yes, the irony is not lost on me that of everything, all he wanted was an obsolete video game system that you can't even buy new anymore. So I hunted around for a used system and some games. I bought extra controllers so he could play with his friends. I got him the whole dang set up (because when you're buying used, you can really go all out!). And I got to experience one of those moments that happens less and less often the older he gets - the utter, sheer enjoyment and excitement when he opened the box and realized he got EXACTLY what he wanted!!! Fast forward to present day. He still loves the GameCube...in fact, when allowed, it's all he does when he's at our house. But I just couldn't let him take it to his Mom's. Little by little he tries to move everything he likes from our house to hers and soon, he won't have anything to do at our house. Yes, I'm flattered that all of his "good stuff" is at our house but it's expensive enough trying to outfit one home for him...I can't afford to outfit two.
So alas, I had to say no. However, I reminded him that he's always welcome to come over more often so he can play it. Clearly I'm not opposed to bribery and other trickery just to get him a little more often. I was not his favorite person last night. Neither was his father when he talked to him later and backed me up (for the record, I'm pretty sure Adam would have let him take it had Dante gotten to him first).
Maybe I'm being selfish. They are HIS toys after all. They were gifts. Part of me totally gets it that maybe he should get to decide where they reside. But I also have the ability to see into the future and it's quite obvious that before too long, there would be nary a stuffed animal on his bed.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
I am f*cking awesome!
A short but sweet blog this morning to start the weekend out right. I just got back from my weekly Weight Watchers weigh in and I am f*cking awesome!!! I have hit a major milestone today. I have lost 41.2 lbs! I've had a few weeks of big losses (like this week, with 3.4 lbs) and I've had some gains too. It's been a slow process but one full of successes! Even my underwear is too big for me now! *dances a jig*
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Me want to bring the funny
Jenny Lane. Jenny, Jenny, Jenny to the Phil Lane.
This is my public apology for all of the times I've said I was disappointed. Or that your blogger blogs just aren't as funny as your myspace blogs once were. I want to apologize if I ever made you feel as though you were even a smidgen less funny than you actually are.
You see, I've come to realize something. I aspire to be Jenny Lane.
I want to be witty. I want to use my "clearly"ies and my unabashed witt to pen creative and engaging blogs. I want a name like Jenny Lane. I mean, that in and of itself is something for which you should be proud. Even what you had to go through to get it makes a good story! I just can't match up.
So this short but sweet public apology is only to say that I'm disappointed in ME. That my blogs - on blogger and on myspace - have never really been that funny. And that I bow down to you, oh queen of blogdom.
This is my public apology for all of the times I've said I was disappointed. Or that your blogger blogs just aren't as funny as your myspace blogs once were. I want to apologize if I ever made you feel as though you were even a smidgen less funny than you actually are.
You see, I've come to realize something. I aspire to be Jenny Lane.
I want to be witty. I want to use my "clearly"ies and my unabashed witt to pen creative and engaging blogs. I want a name like Jenny Lane. I mean, that in and of itself is something for which you should be proud. Even what you had to go through to get it makes a good story! I just can't match up.
So this short but sweet public apology is only to say that I'm disappointed in ME. That my blogs - on blogger and on myspace - have never really been that funny. And that I bow down to you, oh queen of blogdom.
Home-based treasures you've moved 4 times!
There are small moments in our lives where we experience utter surprise and joy. They come at us when we least expect it and instantly put a smile on our faces. I had one such moment on Friday.
I had 3 disposable cameras that I never had developed. I knew where they came from. One was from a weekend trip last fall, another was a miscellaneous set of pictures from times when I forgot the digital, and the third was from my cousin's wedding....in 2004. Oi. So on Friday I had those pictures developed. As a looked through the packages, I saw things I had forgotten about. But my biggest surprise was in that third camera. It was not from my cousin's wedding as I originally thought. They were pictures of Dante (now 9) from 2002. Yes, 6 years ago. Yes, he was 3. Imagine my excitement and the flood of memories that happened as a result of finding these pictures!
So obviously I need to find a better, color, scanner. However, this will have to do for now. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Kris
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Ode to Duluth
Dear Duluth,
Oh how I love you. I love your steep hills that allow some geographical interest. I love your fancy shmancy neighborhoods as well as your questionable ghettos. I love the way you view yourself as supreme in comparison to your lacking neighbor, Superior. And this weekend I was able to, yet again, introduce you to some of my closest friends.
Oh how I love you. I love your steep hills that allow some geographical interest. I love your fancy shmancy neighborhoods as well as your questionable ghettos. I love the way you view yourself as supreme in comparison to your lacking neighbor, Superior. And this weekend I was able to, yet again, introduce you to some of my closest friends.
I want to thank you for the chilly Lake Superior breezes, the pot-holed lined streets, and your new waterpark. Here are some pictures that illustrate my love for you.
Special K
Look how excited we are to see you!
It may be breezy, but it's like air kisses!
We got a little tired and grumpy, but the good eats you provided made us happy to play once more!
We enjoyed the shore of Lake Superior, even if the waves startled and sprayed us as we took our pictures.
A Hannah Montana break was just what we needed to rejuvinate for another day!
Canal Park was a blast! We wish we could have seen a ship come into port.
We were sorry to leave you but boy, we're so tired!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Edumacation
I never much liked school. I never much hated it either. It was just a place I knew I had to go and so I went diligently. Once I got to high school, I enjoyed it a bit more. Not for the sake of learning, or the opportunity to mesh with society, but rather, for the extra-curricular activities. Man, I loved all that stuff that started after school.
I went to college because it never occurred to me not to. Seriously. For 18 years my parents had been talking to me as if college was a given and therefore I thought it was. But that's cool. I got it done in 4 years and slipped out with a job waiting for me.
Well, that job was in higher education.
And I can't pass up a bargain.
And so, I enrolled in a masters program because the price was juuuuust right. And that's cool. I did that too in record time. I was focused, I was smart (4.0 average baby!), and I figured that I had a ticket to more $$$.
But when that was finished I didn't know what to do with myself.
So I started a PhD program.
And that brings us to where I am today. I have one more course to take and then start the comprehensive exam and finally, the dissertation. I am aggressively working towards finishing the PhD in mid-2009. Wish me luck.
And when my "friends" and "family" tease me for having been in school...solidly...since I wobbled to the bus stop on my first day of kindergarten, I remind them that I may just get a law degree when I'm done with this.
Why not?
I went to college because it never occurred to me not to. Seriously. For 18 years my parents had been talking to me as if college was a given and therefore I thought it was. But that's cool. I got it done in 4 years and slipped out with a job waiting for me.
Well, that job was in higher education.
And I can't pass up a bargain.
And so, I enrolled in a masters program because the price was juuuuust right. And that's cool. I did that too in record time. I was focused, I was smart (4.0 average baby!), and I figured that I had a ticket to more $$$.
But when that was finished I didn't know what to do with myself.
So I started a PhD program.
And that brings us to where I am today. I have one more course to take and then start the comprehensive exam and finally, the dissertation. I am aggressively working towards finishing the PhD in mid-2009. Wish me luck.
And when my "friends" and "family" tease me for having been in school...solidly...since I wobbled to the bus stop on my first day of kindergarten, I remind them that I may just get a law degree when I'm done with this.
Why not?
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