Outside my window... It is 7:46 a.m. and the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the snow is melting. We got a total of 16 inches of snow between Mon-Thur. All up and down the Front Range we got a thick blanket of heavy, wet and dirty snow. The dirt came from the SW region of Colorado, where a large amount of dust is blowing in the atmosphere, due to extreme drought conditions. The snow clouds came from that direction and picked up all of that dirt and dust, and then dumped it here, along with inches of fresh powder. It has happened before, but it is still disconcerting to see dirty snow, as far as the eye can see. Anyway, I think the remainder of it will melt off today. Which is good, because it is supposed to snow again tomorrow.
I am thinking... About a lot of stuff. I said a lot of what was on my mind last night on my feather picking post, but it wasn't very nice, so I ended up deleting six paragraphs and left just a couple of sentences. They seemed to sum it up well, but I am still deeply troubled. Why? Because multiple friends on Facebook keep posting links to articles from a "news source" called Natural News. Here is the most inflammatory example: *caution - read with a garbage can on hand. You'll need it for vomiting purposes. This was posted the DAY after the bombing. ONE DAY, and Mr. Health Ranger thinks he's got it all figured out. This is fear-mongering. This is why we have a mental-health crisis in our nation. This guy needs his mega-phone taken away and to be sent to the corner to think about what he said. Here is a nice piece that sums up my thoughts on this matter pretty well. I am pretty sure that the Facebook friends that post the occasional links to Natural News don't read my blog...but if they did, I would ask them to dig deep down and think about whether spreading around conspiracy BS is a productive and helpful pastime.
I am thankful... That things have calmed down in Boston, that the remaining suspect has been caught, and that healing can begin. I am thankful that my cousin Jeff and his wife Chris are safe. Chris crossed the finish line several seconds before the first bomb blast. Jeff was keeping pace with her on an adjacent street when he saw/heard/felt the bomb. He had no idea if she was okay, but for the next hour he was afraid of the worst, as he searched and searched for her. He finally received a text message from her that she sent from a stranger's borrowed cell phone that she was okay and they reunited shortly after. What a story. Our local TV station interviewed them, along with several other Colorado runners. It was surreal to see them on TV. It was painful to hear their story - anyone's story for that matter, about how frightening it all was. You just want to reach out and hug them..protect them.
From the Learning Rooms... We had a blue-banner week, thanks to the snow. There is something about being holed up in the house due to a never-ending snowstorm that feeds the urge to read, write, and multiply fractions. It also helped that we didn't go anywhere for three days.
In the kitchen... Shredded BBQ pork sandwiches are on the menu tonight. Yum.
I am wearing... robe and pj's.
I am creating... nothing at the moment..
I am going... the grocery store, eventually.
I am wondering... WHY? I think the entire nation is wondering the same thing.
I am reading... Married to Distraction: Restoring Intimacy and Strengthening Your Marriage in an Age of Interruption by Edward Hallowell and Sue Hallowell. Dr. Hallowell is also the author of Driven to Distraction, an awesome guide for parents of children with ADHD. My husband has ADHD too. Now first, let me preface this by saying that our marriage is very happy and healthy, thankyouverymuch. I am just intent on keeping it that way. I picked this book up at the library because the title intrigued me. Sometimes my husband's ADHDness drives me batty, so I thought maybe there would be some helpful words of encouragement for me, his partner. Sorta yeah, but the book is more about how to maintain a daily, almost ritualized focused connection, without interruption or distraction. I think every couple could use that in their relationship, so that is why I am mentioning this book. At the end of the book is a small section devoted to a "30-Day Reconnection Plan". Here are a couple of sample sessions:
The idea is to 'meet' on a daily basis, for a 30 minute uninterrupted session to talk and share.
Day 4
"Before you meet for your present time today, think of the five smartest decisions you've made in your life. They can relate to anything, from business, to dating, to school, to friends, to hairdos! Just let yourself reflect on these five smartest decisions. Write them down on a piece of paper. Bring that paper with you to your present time.
When you meet, begin by guessing what is on your partner's list. Don't be surprised if you're way off the mark. It is simply useful for each of you to see from the other's perspective."
Day 14
"Before you meet for this session, pick some piece of art that matters deeply to you. I define art broadly to include literature (prose, poetry, anything written), music, sculpture, painting, dance, film, video, origami, anything that is the product of artistic imagination.
Bring this piece of art with you to the session. If it is a piece of music, bring your iPod or some other means of playing all or a bit of the piece of music. If it is a painting or sculpture, bring a photo of it. If it is literature, bring it with you so you can read some of it aloud.
During the session, share some or all of what you brought, as time allows. You should save time to discuss the other person's selection, so each "presentation" should last no more than ten minutes."
See? These sessions are a gold mine for good discussion fodder. Every couple could benefit from this. These are early-days dating discussions that are probably long-forgotten. It will be interesting to revisit them. Tastes change over the years, and you may find out all sorts of new things about your partner you never knew! I can't wait to start.
We had a 'date' yesterday. We needed to replace the battery in the van, so we left Jordan in charge of the kids for a bit, and drove over to Sears at the mall to get it replaced. We walked the mall during our wait. Then we picked up the van and drove to a small cafe to have some coffee and pastry. It was nice. I am so glad that we have reached the point where we can slip out for an hour here and there to have some time to ourselves.
In the garden... Well, before the snow came, the peas were just starting to poke up through the soil, along with a couple of spinach leaves here and there. The snow is just about melted, so I will go out in a bit and inspect them. In the mailbox should be a package from Burpee - carrots, turnips, parsnips and lettuce. I've never planted turnips and parsnips before, so we'll see how that goes...
I am hoping... For a good week. We have no 'extras' this week, so the schedule looks pretty good. Rylan's dance class was cancelled last week due to the snow, so I expect a make-up session will be scheduled soon. I am also making an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to look at my shoulder, so I hope I get an appointment this week.
I am looking forward to... A package from Rainbow Resource. A curriculum order is always fun! A workbook for Owen (ETC Book A), a student workbook for Jordan (History of US book 4), and something else... forgot what it was.
I am learning... not to Google images of bombings. You can't get that stuff out of your head once you see it. Don't do it. Seriously.
I am hearing... 'Sweet Disposition' by the Temper Trap. Love this song.
Around the house... It is now 8:51. (The more I type, the more my shoulder hurts, so I am slowing waaay down) Jordan is watching Sponge Bob, and everybody else is sleeping... I think. I'm not really sure, actually. I have my headphones on. Go me! :)
We have nothing planned for today. Dean and I are doing the receipts later, to see where we are in the budget. We are a week away from payday, but our state refund just arrived (enough to ease the pinch you feel before payday, but not enough to dance around and throw dollar bills up in the air), but we might be able to buy another box or two of flooring and put it in today.
I am pondering... the likelihood of...
(HA! When I was proofing this, I noticed I never completed my thought. I have no idea what I was going to say, so I guess I am not pondering anything - other than what it was that I was going to say at that particular moment...)
One of my favorite things... the patriotic fervor that sweeps over a crowd when good things happen - when people work together. The Boston and surrounding municipal PD's, the ATF and the FBI did an incredible amount of work this week. They acted swiftly, they protected the community, and they responded heroically when things got dicey. I love our country. I love our laws that were designed to protect us. I appreciate those who work tirelessly to see that our citizens are protected, that our rights are protected and that laws are followed accordingly. I think that the way things went down in Boston is a reflection of the positive changes in law enforcement that have taken place since 9/11.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Nothing special to report here...
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
To read more entries and visit a variety of other blogs, go here...
I am thinking... About a lot of stuff. I said a lot of what was on my mind last night on my feather picking post, but it wasn't very nice, so I ended up deleting six paragraphs and left just a couple of sentences. They seemed to sum it up well, but I am still deeply troubled. Why? Because multiple friends on Facebook keep posting links to articles from a "news source" called Natural News. Here is the most inflammatory example: *caution - read with a garbage can on hand. You'll need it for vomiting purposes. This was posted the DAY after the bombing. ONE DAY, and Mr. Health Ranger thinks he's got it all figured out. This is fear-mongering. This is why we have a mental-health crisis in our nation. This guy needs his mega-phone taken away and to be sent to the corner to think about what he said. Here is a nice piece that sums up my thoughts on this matter pretty well. I am pretty sure that the Facebook friends that post the occasional links to Natural News don't read my blog...but if they did, I would ask them to dig deep down and think about whether spreading around conspiracy BS is a productive and helpful pastime.
I am thankful... That things have calmed down in Boston, that the remaining suspect has been caught, and that healing can begin. I am thankful that my cousin Jeff and his wife Chris are safe. Chris crossed the finish line several seconds before the first bomb blast. Jeff was keeping pace with her on an adjacent street when he saw/heard/felt the bomb. He had no idea if she was okay, but for the next hour he was afraid of the worst, as he searched and searched for her. He finally received a text message from her that she sent from a stranger's borrowed cell phone that she was okay and they reunited shortly after. What a story. Our local TV station interviewed them, along with several other Colorado runners. It was surreal to see them on TV. It was painful to hear their story - anyone's story for that matter, about how frightening it all was. You just want to reach out and hug them..protect them.
From the Learning Rooms... We had a blue-banner week, thanks to the snow. There is something about being holed up in the house due to a never-ending snowstorm that feeds the urge to read, write, and multiply fractions. It also helped that we didn't go anywhere for three days.
In the kitchen... Shredded BBQ pork sandwiches are on the menu tonight. Yum.
I am wearing... robe and pj's.
I am creating... nothing at the moment..
I am going... the grocery store, eventually.
I am wondering... WHY? I think the entire nation is wondering the same thing.
I am reading... Married to Distraction: Restoring Intimacy and Strengthening Your Marriage in an Age of Interruption by Edward Hallowell and Sue Hallowell. Dr. Hallowell is also the author of Driven to Distraction, an awesome guide for parents of children with ADHD. My husband has ADHD too. Now first, let me preface this by saying that our marriage is very happy and healthy, thankyouverymuch. I am just intent on keeping it that way. I picked this book up at the library because the title intrigued me. Sometimes my husband's ADHDness drives me batty, so I thought maybe there would be some helpful words of encouragement for me, his partner. Sorta yeah, but the book is more about how to maintain a daily, almost ritualized focused connection, without interruption or distraction. I think every couple could use that in their relationship, so that is why I am mentioning this book. At the end of the book is a small section devoted to a "30-Day Reconnection Plan". Here are a couple of sample sessions:
The idea is to 'meet' on a daily basis, for a 30 minute uninterrupted session to talk and share.
Day 4
"Before you meet for your present time today, think of the five smartest decisions you've made in your life. They can relate to anything, from business, to dating, to school, to friends, to hairdos! Just let yourself reflect on these five smartest decisions. Write them down on a piece of paper. Bring that paper with you to your present time.
When you meet, begin by guessing what is on your partner's list. Don't be surprised if you're way off the mark. It is simply useful for each of you to see from the other's perspective."
Day 14
"Before you meet for this session, pick some piece of art that matters deeply to you. I define art broadly to include literature (prose, poetry, anything written), music, sculpture, painting, dance, film, video, origami, anything that is the product of artistic imagination.
Bring this piece of art with you to the session. If it is a piece of music, bring your iPod or some other means of playing all or a bit of the piece of music. If it is a painting or sculpture, bring a photo of it. If it is literature, bring it with you so you can read some of it aloud.
During the session, share some or all of what you brought, as time allows. You should save time to discuss the other person's selection, so each "presentation" should last no more than ten minutes."
See? These sessions are a gold mine for good discussion fodder. Every couple could benefit from this. These are early-days dating discussions that are probably long-forgotten. It will be interesting to revisit them. Tastes change over the years, and you may find out all sorts of new things about your partner you never knew! I can't wait to start.
We had a 'date' yesterday. We needed to replace the battery in the van, so we left Jordan in charge of the kids for a bit, and drove over to Sears at the mall to get it replaced. We walked the mall during our wait. Then we picked up the van and drove to a small cafe to have some coffee and pastry. It was nice. I am so glad that we have reached the point where we can slip out for an hour here and there to have some time to ourselves.
In the garden... Well, before the snow came, the peas were just starting to poke up through the soil, along with a couple of spinach leaves here and there. The snow is just about melted, so I will go out in a bit and inspect them. In the mailbox should be a package from Burpee - carrots, turnips, parsnips and lettuce. I've never planted turnips and parsnips before, so we'll see how that goes...
I am hoping... For a good week. We have no 'extras' this week, so the schedule looks pretty good. Rylan's dance class was cancelled last week due to the snow, so I expect a make-up session will be scheduled soon. I am also making an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to look at my shoulder, so I hope I get an appointment this week.
I am looking forward to... A package from Rainbow Resource. A curriculum order is always fun! A workbook for Owen (ETC Book A), a student workbook for Jordan (History of US book 4), and something else... forgot what it was.
I am learning... not to Google images of bombings. You can't get that stuff out of your head once you see it. Don't do it. Seriously.
I am hearing... 'Sweet Disposition' by the Temper Trap. Love this song.
Around the house... It is now 8:51. (The more I type, the more my shoulder hurts, so I am slowing waaay down) Jordan is watching Sponge Bob, and everybody else is sleeping... I think. I'm not really sure, actually. I have my headphones on. Go me! :)
We have nothing planned for today. Dean and I are doing the receipts later, to see where we are in the budget. We are a week away from payday, but our state refund just arrived (enough to ease the pinch you feel before payday, but not enough to dance around and throw dollar bills up in the air), but we might be able to buy another box or two of flooring and put it in today.
I am pondering... the likelihood of...
(HA! When I was proofing this, I noticed I never completed my thought. I have no idea what I was going to say, so I guess I am not pondering anything - other than what it was that I was going to say at that particular moment...)
One of my favorite things... the patriotic fervor that sweeps over a crowd when good things happen - when people work together. The Boston and surrounding municipal PD's, the ATF and the FBI did an incredible amount of work this week. They acted swiftly, they protected the community, and they responded heroically when things got dicey. I love our country. I love our laws that were designed to protect us. I appreciate those who work tirelessly to see that our citizens are protected, that our rights are protected and that laws are followed accordingly. I think that the way things went down in Boston is a reflection of the positive changes in law enforcement that have taken place since 9/11.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Nothing special to report here...
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
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| Colin, Owen and Rylan, 4/13/13, Fossil Creek Reservoir |
To read more entries and visit a variety of other blogs, go here...
