frenemies or "pitiful talk"

Jen was excited by this week's newsletter at Goop so of course I had to pull it up.  And yes, Jen, I totally agree.  But you know you weren't gossiping when you shared info about the health department.  Even if the info was misinformation, you were just sharing misinformation.  Nothing you said could hurt someone's feelings.  Well, maybe it hurt the apples feelings because they won't be included in our snack menu if we have to go pre-packaged.  Okay, you know what I mean.  This reminded me that when Leslie was about 3 she overheard my mom talking on the phone and apparently Leslie felt she was gossiping because when my mom got off the phone Leslie said, "Grandma, that was pitiful talk."  Oh, my little precocious child.  From then on my family has used the term pitiful talk.  At school, I always try to remind the kids that if they say something nice it makes them feel nice inside.  I guess we need to remember this, too.  

Okay, sorry this wasn't much of a blog.  Really more of an e-mail to Jen.  Sorry I'm too lazy to retype it as an email.  That's a lot of sorry, huh?

happy easter

Okay, yes I know my playlist is empty.  My computer got a virus that has been driving us crazy and I am pretty sure it was from downloading the Killers song.  So . . . long story short - we have new Macbooks and I don't want anymore problems!  It will probably be a little time before I can actually post photos as I am really slow with any technology.  Sad, but true.  Right now I am struggling with trying to get my ipod to sync.  I have 1100 songs but only 200 will sync (only the ones I purchased at I-tunes).  Any ideas?  Next up is transferring all of my teaching files.  This should be fun.  My answer was to hire Geek Squad but Bret has other ideas.  Ideas I don't like much (which require lots of time and lots of yelling!).  Ah well.  

Hope everyone has a blessed Easter.  (Leslie already found her basket tonight!)  

some insane morning rambling

I saw Sunshine Cleaning with Jen last night. A really good movie. Not at all what I expected. On the surface it's the story of two sisters that start a business cleaning up crime scenes. But it's about family relationships, and love, and loss. At one point in the movie the main character goes to a baby shower with a bunch of old friends from high school instead of helping her sister with a job. She just wants to show these people (who really mean nothing to her) that she is more than a maid. That she has made something of her life. And while she is doing something that she ultimately realizes doesn't matter, her sister screws up. And so that leads me to - how much of the time am I chasing a compliment from someone that ultimately doesn't matter in the big picture instead of nurturing and caring for the relationships with people that are always with me no matter what?

Somehow this led to Jen and I discussing being or feeling "grown up" on the drive home. I said that I didn't really feel like a grown up until a few years ago. But do I honestly feel grown up now? I don't know. I do grown up things. I go to work. I pay bills. I try to be a responsible parent. But ee cummings said: It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. Am I true to my authentic self? Or do I sell out in order to get a compliment or look good in the eyes of people that don't matter in my big picture? Hmmm. . .

a day in the life . . .

Another lazy day off . . . I got Leslie's deposit and paperwork for camp mailed off. And Jen called to tell me about an amazing book score from her neighbor. So I whined a little so she'd let me come over and look too. And I got a trunk full of books! Yeah!!! Can never have too many books. Thanks, Jen:)

Other highlights of the day: Leslie's new do. She looks so cute with short hair. But it makes her look so grown up. Well, even more grown up. Another stomach ache (had to test my dairy theory and I am pretty sure it is the cause) so I pulled out boo boo bear and heated him up. Worked wonders. Some tea helped, too. And I sat on my porch and read my new favorite book. Very inspiring. It's funny because whenever I read this book, I think of someone else that I should tell about it. So, to all of my friends, please read this book. It is truly life changing.

what's been going on with the littles

Here's a quick update on the littles. These last few weeks before break we: made a collaborative rainbow for the hallway, drew blackline leprechauns and watercolored them, made tissue paper rainbows, colored eggs, had fun making our names with letter beads, made wind batons and tested them out, blew bubbles, filled the sidewalk with chalk, played some new board games, had an Easter egg hunt, made carrot prints, and had a Peter Rabbit puppet show.

I'm busy planning for the rest of the year. When we return from break we'll learn about the farm and do an alphabet review. I finally found these cool Fisher Price Peek a Boo Blocks that I've been searching for. They'll be great for some alphabet games. I paid way too much for them (totally going against my new plan for using only what I already have) but I couldn't resist. I've been bidding on them on e-bay for way too long. When I saw them at Target I couldn't believe it! I really need to get a life. What other 45 year old gets that excited by alphabet blocks?!

some sites i'm loving

Okay, so I am totally hooked on this blogging thing. I'm addicted. Can't get enough. Am frantically trying to figure out a way to access a computer this summer so I don't have to go for almost 4 entire weeks without a blog fix. Hmmm. . . this isn't good. Anyway, here are a few of the blogs I am following:

www.florsecentadolescent.blogspot.com (the coolest kid on the block)
www.humunguslyquiet.blogspot.com (the coolest kid's latest artistic endeavors)
www.thescribbleproject.blogspot.com (fun for curing writer's block)
www.tangarangblog.blogspot.com
www.myplumpudding.blogspot.com
www.storytime-storytime.blogspot.com
www.flipflopsandapplesauce.blogspot.com
www.snippetygibbet.blogspot.com
http://www.soulemama.com/

So many blogs . . . so little time . . . This has been a very relaxing weekend. I got to spend lots of time with my beloved blogs. I cleaned my house. I read many, many chapters in Life is a Verb (love this book!). I almost got caught up on my laundry. We ate yummy but strange little meals at odd times (brie drizzled with vanilla jelly and wee little toasts - heaven). We discovered a new restaurant (AZN Grill). And now the entire week lies out ahead of me. Just waiting to be filled with relaxing and reading and lunching. Oh yeah, and Leslie's science project :(

best friends

I just read a blog from a cool German girl (okay, lady) (http://www.fraeuleinzucker.blogspot.com/) & she wrote: I don't need a lot of friends, just a few good ones. I totally agree with this. I am so happy to have a few really amazing girlfriends. They listen when I need an ear. They make me laugh. They make me feel valued. They lift me up when I need it. They help me come back to earth when I'm floating away . . . Thank you, friends!

I am also very blessed to have my very best girl friend living right here in my house. Yes, Leslie, I know that I still have to do all the mom stuff (taking you for your shot today, sorry) but I love that we connect. We have fun doing girlfriend stuff, too. And I think it's pretty cool that you call us "The Gilmore Girls". It is such an honor to guide you through this life and share all of the miracles that happen every day with such a smart, artistic, funny, happy girl. You were so worth the wait.