Maya's World

Current Maya Favorites

2010-08-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Since I'm planning to end this blog soon, I decided to post a short list of Maya's current favorites.

Restaurant: Granite City

Color: Red, with blue and green following close behind. (Yeah--we're past the pink phase!!)

Books: Fancy Nancy, anything with Scooby-Doo, and she has an assortment of books at home--something to fit every mood (and Geminis have lots of moods with rapid changes between them!!)

T.V. Shows: iCarly, anything with Scooby-Doo, and Spongebob (gross!)

Musicians: Miranda Cosgrove (she plays Carly on iCarly), Big Time Rush (another kids' t.v. show), Katy Perry (who doesn't love a girl with blue hair?)

Songs: Airplanes (B.O.B. with Hayley Williams--I prefer the version that includes Eminem), Teenage Dream (Katy Perry), California Gurls (Katy Perry with Snoop Dogg), Carry Out (Timbaland with Justin Timberlake)

Activities: Swimming, taking care of Allie and her other "babies" (stuffed animals), reading, writing and drawing letters and stories, going out to eat, singing and dancing, shopping (which I make certain we do as little as possible--dangerous!)

Michele & Garrett's Visit in Photos

2010-07-26T09:11:00.001-07:00

Michele & Maya posing at Grandma's house on July 18.

Garrett & Maya at Valentino's on July 16.

Maya & Michele feeding the fish at Granite City on July 18.

When you don't have someone to take the photo. . . . Michele, Maya, & Maria on July 18.

Garrett melting while paintballing in 112 degree F heat index on July 17.

Maya and Garrett lounging at Grandma's house on July 18.

Summer Highlights

2010-07-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Since I've been so bad about posting this summer. . . .

--Maya having the chance to meet her first grade teacher and next year's classmates for a brief time on the day before the last day of kindergarten. She said she liked Mrs. C., so here's hoping that holds once school starts again next month. I'm looking forward to meeting her at the open house!

--Maya enjoyed watching Keli and Shon's dogs (May and Penny) and cats (Zoey and Ella) one weekend so much that we get another chance later this month. Now, if I could just convince Penny that I don't need constant kissing!

--Fourth of July neighborhood blast, where we had a potluck and shared fireworks in the driveway two doors' down from our house. We all had a fabulous time, and I'm hoping this is something we do again next year. I'm still itching to ask one neighbor how much he spends on fireworks every year, but I don't have quite enough (gall? courage?) to ask him!

--Maya's own birthday party, which I already blogged about, and last Saturday's birthday party for one of her friends from kindergarten. This is the girl Maya picked as her best friend, so I'm sad they aren't in first grade together. She had a pool party, renting one of the local public swimming pools for 90 minutes on Saturday night. Now Maya thinks she wants the same kind of party for her next birthday! Guess that fits with my little fish.

--Swimming lessons, Maria getting used to rejection (and sometimes total silence) as she hunts a new job, spending time at Herb's shop, swimming time with Grandma, eating out at Granite City, Maria finding two soldiers in need of a pen pal while they're deployed (check out AdoptAPlatoon), going to movies, Maya bowling for the first time, dealing with water in our basement (twice so far with no end in sight due to the unusually rainy summer we're having), and lots of time spent reading round out the summer for us.

What have you been doing this summer?

Maya's Birthday Party--6/19/2010

2010-07-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

Having a sno-cone at the local Juneteenth celebration after her party.

Maya and a friend from school.

Maya and a friend from school.

All of the girls with Chuck E. Cheese.

Maya declared this "the best party ever," and I have to agree this is her best birthday party to date.

Kindergarten

2010-06-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

I had a great photo of Maya to put in this blog posting until she deleted both of the photos from her graduation party from my phone. She didn't like the photos, so they're history now. Sniff. One was a really cute photo, too.

Anyway, Mom and I had a great time at the party yesterday. We started in the school auditorium, where all five of the kindergarten classes sang a few quick, cute songs together. Lucky us--Maya was sitting at the very front, about three feet from the seats we happened to choose. (Yes, Grandma had to sit in the front row of the auditorium seating!!) Hence, the great photo that exists only in my memory now.

Then we moved to Maya's classroom, where we had treats and the chance to watch a DVD Mrs. S. created from photos taken throughout the year. Mrs. S. had so many presents for us--a booklet of classroom memories personalized for Maya, an August 2010-July 2011 wall calendar personalized with Maya's artwork, a cup of goodies, and a copy of the DVD. I can't even imagine the time and effort she put into making all of that for each student!

We're going to miss Mrs. S.

The only disappointments? Herb couldn't attend, and so many of Maya's classmates didn't have anyone able to attend the party. I felt really bad for those children.

Now Maya's officially in first grade--just ask her!

Three Days Left

2010-06-01T10:12:00.001-07:00

Three days left of kindergarten, counting today, for Miss Maya. She spends part of tomorrow afternoon with her first grade teacher and new classmates. (Being an "I don't like change" girl, she isn't exactly looking forward to being in a new classroom in the fall. I'm hoping tomorrow helps with her dread.) Then there's some kind of "graduation" ceremony for all of the kindergarten classes on Thursday afternoon that Mom and I plan to attend. I'm excited about that!!

We had a pretty productive weekend. Herb and I are almost done with a deep-clean of the house in preparation for his sister's arrival from Philadelphia on Thursday. So far, I also have four fairly large boxes and eight garbage bags full of items for donating. I bet I have at least three or four more bags by Thursday, too.

Very motivational to have company! Or, as Herb says, "Maybe I should get Wanda to visit once a month." LOL

I also managed to squeeze in two movies (SATC 2 and Letters to Juliet), dinner with Maya yesterday at the Olive Garden, and a late lunch with Herb on Sunday at The Outback. Can't be all work, especially not on a three-day weekend from work, right?

I'm still waiting to hear what Herb plans for our fourteenth anniversary tomorrow since he insists our late lunch doesn't count. I thought we were celebrating our anniversary at the time, so I guess I'm celebrating twice. Works for me.

The only down part of recent days is that Allie had a stroke on Thursday. The vet said on Friday that she has a heart murmur, which we didn't know about before, that likely caused the stroke. She's on two medications, twice a day, for now, and she seems so much better already. Almost back to her regular self, except that she isn't very interested in food. Not normal for our Allie. Hopefully, her appetite returns soon.

And, yes, I suspect that missing Rufus contributed to the stroke, too. Being ten months younger, she spent her entire life with Rufus there, telling her what to do and how to act, and now she has to make all of her own decisions, plus spend weekdays completely alone. That's a big change.

New Mexico Dreaming

2010-05-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

I think it's probably wise not to visit New Mexico too often because I always want to stay when I go there. I know my sister Michele is always saying that living there isn't the same as visiting, but I'm willing to take the risk of trying to live there!!

If I only had a job there to justify moving. . . .

We had a really nice, too quick visit.

Most of the trip revolved around Amanda's high school graduation, of course. Family friends were kind enough to extend the invitation to their son's graduation party to all of us (my brother-in-law Todd's parents and sister, my mom, Maya, and me) visiting from out of state. We also had the chance for a nice family lunch at Olive Garden while Todd's aunt and her husband were visiting from another part of New Mexico.

Graduation on Monday ran a little long with 754 graduates. Maya did amazingly well at sitting quietly with Garrett for the three hours we were there. And we all survived the school board president's speech, which should have been reserved for a Christian school's graduation ceremony instead of a public school function. Guess that's one way around not having a prayer at a graduation for those set on inflicting their religious beliefs on a captive audience.

Tuesday was our "tourist day" with the ladies. While Todd went to work and Garrett attended school, the ladies visited the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanical Gardens, where Maya touched a bamboo shark and a stingray, and shopped Old Town and the UNM Bookstore. Definitely a fun day.

I'd love to own a little shop in Old Town.

Maya went through about a dozen tissues on Wednesday morning because she didn't want to leave. Probably a good thing that Garrett had school that day and left the house before we did. I can easily imagine Maya trying to stuff him into her purse!

On the other hand, nice to be home with Herb and Allie again, too.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2010-05-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

We're heading off to New Mexico for my niece Amanda's high school graduation. (Only in NM do they have a graduation ceremony at noon on a Monday, leaving my sister and brother-in-law using a vacation day from work and my nephew missing his own classes.)

Maya's quite excited to see where cousins Amanda and Garrett live. I'm pretty excited, too, because I don't think I've been there since 2000. I love New Mexico, too, in addition to loving my family, so that's a lo-o-o-ong time between visits.

I'm also excited to see the addition they did to their house. My sister Michele now has a craft room that sounds really phenomenal. (She's uber-talented at pretty much anything she does, and she's heavy into scrapbooking, journaling, photography, and beading. Not to mention that she has almost as many stationary products as I do. Almost.)

Maya's thrilled to be going on a plane for the first time. We're doing the Omaha-Phoenix-Albuquerque routes tomorrow, and then we'll come back on Albuquerque-Denver-Omaha on Wednesday.

I'm so not-thrilled about the flying. Yes, I've done my share of flying. Getting from Lincoln to Amman, Jordan, and back is pretty much marathon-flying. And I've been in the teeny-tiny plane that looks like it should be a cropduster. And I've flown in major turbulence, including a thunderstorm where at least a few of us passengers were convinced we saw a strike on the plane.

Even so, I still have to worry and stress and get all geared up for the flying. I even went so far as to say that I was thinking of how I could drive to somewhere to catch a ship to get to Italy rather than ever have to fly again after the last trip to Philadelphia.

Thanks to Mom and her rapid decision to book flights, I'm going, however unwillingly and filled with nerves, on this trip by plane. Ugh.

Feel sorry for me? Just a little?

If I get the chance to use a computer while at their house, I'll give a mid-trip posting. If not, look to hear from me again on Thursday.

Did I mention how much I HATE FLYING????? And, no, phobias don't make sense!!!

Maya's First Lost Tooth

2010-05-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Can you see the full level of excitement on Maya's face in this photo?? Can you feel it??

She was feeling left behind because so many of her classmates have lost more than one tooth already. What a relief after work yesterday to find her clutching a little chest to hold her tooth that fell out during school.

Almost as exciting as finally losing a tooth--finding $1.01 under the pillow this morning. (Why a penny? Herb and I have no idea, but Maya wanted either $20 or a dollar and a penny. That's a no-brainer on which to choose, right?)

For those of you who know we don't do the Santa bit at our house, no, we don't do the Tooth Fairy bit, either. Maya knows who put the money under her pillow--and she's just as thrilled.

Rufus "Pretty Boy" Ford, 3/12/2002-5/8/2010

2010-05-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Always loved, and, now, forever missed.

Indigo Bridge Books--5/5/2010

2010-05-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

Fun evening with Maya at Vincenzo's, my favorite Italian restaurant in Lincoln, and Indigo Bridge for shopping, hot chocolate (Maya), and a mocha (me). (Check out the bookstore online here.)

Guess we celebrated Grandma Ford's birthday without her!

Maya's School Drop-off

2010-04-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

For most of the year, Herb has handled dropping Maya off at school in the morning, and my mom gets her at the end of the day. Spoiled, aren't I?

Herb's back to working a temp job at a university bookstore warehouse. He started on Monday, and the job ends in July sometime, I think. If I'm remembering correctly.

Since he has to be at work long before Maya has to be at school, I now get to work later and handle dropping Maya off in the morning.

Should be simple, right?

As if anything is ever simple for me. . . .

Monday went fine. Yesterday, we arrived two minutes before the earliest time you're allowed to leave your child. The kids wait outside, and there isn't any teacher/principal supervision until that earliest time. I drove around the (long) block, despite the fact that Maya protested because one of her friends already stood in the line.

Call me paranoid, but I want an adult around.

So, we left five minutes later this morning. And arrived just in time to hear the first bell ring as Maya hopped out of the car. Her goal is to always be there before the first of the two bells. I don't blame her. That means I started my morning with a dirty look as she raced to join her friends before the line headed into the building.

Sigh. I need a nanny.

Grandma's Bridge Party

2010-04-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

My mom made enough points (300) for her Life Master's in Bridge in January. This was a big goal to her because, at 75 (now 76) and having had heart surgery in March 2009, she worried about making the goal before either dying or becoming physically or mentally unable to play bridge. (Competitive bridge; these are not ladies who lunch being social. These are sharks!!!)

Once anyone in her regular club hits a milestone like getting a Life Master's, there's a party on a Sunday evening of the person's choice. Family members come for the eating/social part, and then bridge gets played after the family leaves. Mom picked April 25, and Herb, Maya, and I represented her family for the evening.

And Maya was the co-star of the evening. Of course, everyone at bridge has heard numerous stories about Maya over the years. Add to that my daughter's sparkling personality (seriously) and most of the bridge players being in her strongest fan base (grandparent types), and she didn't want to leave.

And Herb was equally thrilled because everyone fussed appropriately over his ribs and brisket he made for the event.

I'm proud of Mom for making her goal, and I'm glad we could share in the celebration. (Yes, large groups make me want to vomit, but I survived!!)

Happy 19th Birthday, Shon!!!!!!!

2010-04-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

I still don't see how the tiny, tiny little baby I first met in the delivery room on April 23, 1991, can now be entering her last year as a teenager. Where does the time go?

Maya and I had a fabulous time celebrating with Shon and Keli last night, and now Shon's off for a fun weekend in Kansas City to continue celebrating.

Enjoy your celebrations, Shon, and thanks for being my goddaughter. You're a very special, important part of my life--and, now, Maya's life, too.

Love you forever!

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Irony? The banner for AOL, at least the way I access my e-mail, today is from Wal-Mart. A lovely, green farm field ruined by having the Wal-Mart name and symbol in the corner. Yes, because Wally's World has gone out of their way to promote the creation and distribution of junk items made in factories where people are paid pennies a day to work. Between the "carbon footprint" of the factories and the shipping to get the products to the U.S., not to mention the impact on the lives of the workers here and abroad, how exactly can that not be ironic to have them as the sponsor on Earth Day?

Bitterness aside, Maya, on her own initiative, wrote a lovely letter yesterday.

Dear Earth Day,

Thank you for the trees and flowers. Something I love best is the earth.

Love,
Maya

How are you celebrating Earth Day today?

Little Pockets of Happiness for Today

2010-04-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Little List of Reasons to be Happy Today

Coconut M&Ms~~yum! Plus being lucky enough to have a friend thoughtful enough to mail some to me.

We had a tulip bloom in our yard for the first time in years. I thought they were all dead.

Maya's school's annual Art Show/Music Show/Book Fair tonight, and my best friend and goddaughter are coming with Maya and me.

I'm working on expanding Claimed, and I think adding the guy's perspective to my story is actually going to make the story better. I think!

Fun new summer cups from Tupperware.

I get to go to my niece's high school graduation in a month. Whoot! (I'm just not thinking about the flying part. Ugh.)

My friend Sharon and her husband have their son home from Siberia/Russia just ahead of the Russian government temporarily halting all adoptions to the U.S. [Update--Apparently, adoptions from Russia haven't been suspended, as reported yesterday. Still has to be a tenuous situation, though.]

We actually saw a wild turkey in our neighbor's yard this morning. [Run away, little fellow; it's turkey hunting season in Nebraska. Oh, wait; maybe inside the city limits--with gun control laws--is the safest place for you.]

My friend who was laid off at the end of February has a new job.

I have Simone Elkeles' Perfect Attraction up next in my TBR pile. YEAH!

We have a refund coming our way instead of owing money. (Sorry to everyone who has to pay more in for taxes!)

What does your little list look like today?

Blog Change Announcement

2010-04-14T08:50:00.001-07:00

This is posting 482 for Maya's World, and I'm taking this opportunity to announce that posting 500 will be my last.

After reaching the 500-posting mark, I plan to incorporate more of my personal life into my book blog, A Passion for Books. I hope you take the leap with me if you're a Maya's World only reader at this point.

I've been thinking about making the change for a while. The two points that pushed me to finally go ahead: 1) I've been struggling to post what I consider often enough on my blogs, and moving to one should double the posting. Makes sense in theory, right? 2) My favorite book blogs to read actually incorporate quite a bit of the personal life of the blogger. Makes more of chance to get to know the person behind the opinions/thoughts on books, I think.

Thanks for reading Maya's World!

When the Chips are Down

2010-04-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I confess; the drama between Bethenny and Jill on The Real Housewives of New York City is the trigger for today's thoughts. Basic version--Jill isn't happy with the lack of support shown by Bethenny when Jill's husband went through surgery for thyroid cancer. Bethenny's response is that she sent flowers and texts that weren't answered, and she didn't know what else to do.

That reminded me of a friend who went through five unexpected months of medical leave after an injury. What hurt her almost more than the injury? The lack of response from a lot of others, including someone she considered one of her closest friends.

Here's the exchange between my friend (J) and her friend (T) when J finally confronted her about the hurt. (Yes, I'm paraphrasing here, but you get the idea.)

J: Where have you been for the past five months?

T: What do you mean?

J: I mean, I haven't seen you since the day after I came home from the hospital, when you only stayed long enough to drop off the casserole you made. No phones calls, no cards, nothing since then.

T: And my mother-in-law made the casserole, or I wouldn't have had that to bring.

OUCH! Seriously??

Then there was my own conversation with one of my mom's neighbors while she was recovering from her bypass last year.

Neighbor: I know your mom's not home yet, but you have a lot of family visiting. I'm just heading to [grocery store] and wondered if I could pick up any food for you.

Me: No, we're fine, but thanks for asking.

Seriously?? I couldn't have found an item or two for the gracious lady to bring to us?

Which brings me to what I've decided today. I think we all need to learn how to ask for, and to accept, help.

I don't know about you, but I'm horrible at anything beyond cards and the basic expression of sympathy (death), get well wishes (illness/injury headed for recovery), and thinking of you (medical situation that looks likely to end with death). I literally never know what else to do for the person and/or their caregivers.

And that's where asking for help becomes the key. Forget about being raised as an independent person, which most American women are, and learn to give concrete requests to people with the understanding that they may not be able to do whatever's requested. But they just may, or they may offer to do something else instead if the request doesn't fit their schedule/what they can provide.

The next time I hit an overwhelming situation, I'm prepared, and I think I'm going to put myself out there and make specific suggestions to others who may be in need beyond the generic "let me know if there's anything I can do to help," which I rarely find is actually met with a request.

This and That

2010-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Kind of behind on my blogging right now, so here's a quick catch-up posting.

Happy (belated) 18th Birthday to Amanda! My niece in New Mexico turned eighteen on Saturday. We had a chance to chat for a bit on her actual birthday. Not the best of birthdays since she started meds for tonsillitis, a sinus infection, and an ear infection in one ear the day before. Yuk! Not that she didn't still have plenty of plans to celebrate, but her big friends' party is postponed for a few weeks.

Hope the rest of the year, including our visit in May, is better for Amanda than her actual birthday.

Easter wasn't the best day ever for me. I spent the nine hours Maya and Herb were at his brother's place on the sofa, dozing on and off, while The Real Housewives droned on t.v. Some sort of bug, I guess, since I was exhausted and had a miserable headache.

We did manage brunch at Granite City, and I hid plenty of candy-filled eggs for Maya to find.

Maya's having a fabulous post-Easter week. Some of her cousins were in town from Michigan. Besides having plenty of fun playing with them, Herb's brother and sister-in-law also have indoor and outdoor pools at their apartment complex. My little fish had a blast.

And Maya's quite intrigued that she's also cousins with her cousins' mom. Meaning, Maya's first cousin has children Maya's age that she enjoyed playing with. Maya's ready to move to Flint now to be closer to her cousins!

I just hit the 40,000-word goal for my London Wishes first draft. Anyone want a copy to read??

Hope you're all having a fantastic April.

Yum

2010-04-05T12:06:00.001-07:00

Salad Caprese with Crostini from The Green Gateau, 10th & L Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Maya Singing

2010-03-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Maya and my mom started going to a new church three weeks ago. Maya sang with the children at the church service yesterday, which Mom apparently didn't know was going to happen.

They asked Maya to sing a solo during one of the services this summer!!! My first reaction--extremely flattered. My second reaction--do they realize she's only five??? Yes, they do, and they still thought it would be even better if she wrote her own song to perform. I don't see that happening. Maybe, if either Herb or I had an ounce of musical talent. . . .

No, this musical talent didn't come from us.

I'm so excited for her, though, because Maya's excited. She does have a very nice voice, and she loves music. Even as a baby, she used to freeze and just listen whenever a John Legend song came on the radio or BET. She now literally breaks into song for no reason around the house. I tell Herb that I feel like I live in The Sound of Music sometimes.

I'm so proud of her!!!!

Maya's Favorites

2010-03-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

I hadn't talked to Maya about her favorites lately, so I "interviewed" her over dinner last night. The results:

Favorite Colors: Red and Blue
Me: "I thought you would pick pink because you wear a lot of clothes that are pink." Wrong on both counts, apparently.
Favorite Color for Clothes: Black

Favorite t.v. Show: iCarly

Favorite Food: "I don't know. There are so many. Maybe strawberries."

Favorite Restaurants: Granite City and Olive Garden

Favorite Stores: Target and Barnes & Noble

Favorite Shoes: "My click-clack shoes." (White Sunday school shoes.)

Favorite Part of School: "Being Mrs. S's helper."

Then she was tired of talking favorites, so I'll have to ask for more later. :)

Health Care Reform?

2010-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I'm not feeling the health care reform. Without a plan in place for universal coverage, I don't see much reform happening.

Maybe I'm disappointed because I want a health care "revolution," not a mere "reform." I think basic health care is a human right, and I don't see how the country that takes such pride in thinking of itself as the Best of the Best (self-delusion? likely) doesn't provide taxpayer-funded health care just like we have schools, libraries, road systems, etc.

No, instead, we pay what the latest issue of Harvard Business Review calls "premium price [for] poor performance." According to their sources (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the CIA World Factbook), Americans pay $7290 per person for a 78-year life expectancy. Japan comes in at $2581/82 years and Turkey at $618/72 years.

The Best of the Best? Sure, at misusing our funds and at lacking a clear focus on true priorities.

And nothing's going to change with this "reform."

I'm disappointed that Obama is meeting the very low expectations I had for him going into this presidency. I really wanted him to prove me wrong, to justify all of those die-hard fans he found during the race for the Democratic candidacy. Really. I truly wanted to be wrong this time.

What do you think? Do you see any positive changes coming for you and/or this country with the new plan? Or are you as disappointed--make that annoyed and frustrated--as I am?

This and That

2010-03-19T09:23:00.001-07:00

Mother Nature can be cruel. We went from 65 degrees, sunny, and very spring-like yesterday to gray skies and expecting anywhere from one to six inches of snow to fall between 3 p.m. today and tomorrow. Sigh.

Some first day of spring expected around here tomorrow.

On the good news front, my friend Sharon, her husband, and their son are back in the States after adopting D from Siberia. He did well on his check with the American pediatrician, aside from being way too tiny at 18 pounds. At almost fifteen months old, he's the weight of a seven-month-old. Knowing Sharon, she'll have him on the weight charts in no time, though.

I'm looking forward to meeting D Easter weekend at a "baby" shower. Yeah!

Herb's shaking his head at me. I'm planning to host a few people (okay, probably just Keli, Shon, and my mom) for Easter lunch, assuming anyone can actually come. I tend to go a little, ahem, psycho when trying to host a gathering, and my goal is to do enough for everyone to have a good time without going way overboard. Meaning, I don't want to be too tired and crabby from the prep work to enjoy my own party! Sounds good, right?

And (shh, don't tell Herb) I'm thinking about having a garage sale next month. Seriously. Even though they always make me cranky, cranky, cranky.

What's new with you? Are you feeling spring-like?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T07:52:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Kind of "ehh" about the day because, although I have plenty of Irish DNA inside of me, I'm not Catholic. I do, however, have on my black t-shirt with a sparkly green shamrock--under a business appropriate black jacket, of course. I forgot my orange for my Viking background grandfather, so I'm counting my orangish-red hair. LOL

Any plans to celebrate on your end today?

Maya did a sort of celebrating yesterday. She spent two hours at Chuck E. Cheese's at the fundraiser for her school. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting a Chuck E. Cheese's, they're all the rage for the younger set. They get tokens to use to play games, and they win coupons as they play. The coupons get turned in at the end of the experience, and then the kids can buy cheap prizes based on the number of coupons earned. The kids really do love going there at Maya's age, and the pizza is even tolerable.

Judging by the swarms of kids there, I'm hoping the school gets plenty of money.

School Plans

2010-03-16T08:31:00.001-07:00

I'm excited after having an admissions counseling session before work this morning with a representative from the local university offering classes through the hospital where I work, beginning in June.

After attending 39 credit hours worth of courses between June 22, 2010, and January 12, 2011, I'd have an MHA or Master of Healthcare Administration. There are only six (six!) in-person sessions scattered throughout the program, and those run for four hours on Tuesday evenings at the hospital. Otherwise, everything else is done online. Most of the work involves writing papers, reading, and contributing in the online discussion forum. There's also a capstone project and a practicum.

In response to my question about group work (yes, I need that t-shirt that says "Does Not Play Well with Others"), the counselor said she isn't aware of any.

If I can get the numbers, meaning money, in order, I'm doing this. Wish me luck!

Quit reading now unless you're interested in a list of the courses in the program:

Information Technology in Healthcare

Leadership and Team Development in Healthcare

Legal, Ethical and Compliance Issues in Healthcare

Organizational Design and Delivery Systems in Healthcare

Evaluation Research for Healthcare

Applied Data Management in Healthcare

Quality Management in Healthcare Operations

Healthcare Finance and Economics

Human Resource Management in Healthcare Administration

Decision Support Systems in Healthcare Administration

Strategic Visioning for Healthcare Organizations

Omaha Trip

2010-03-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

Keli and I had kind of a weird day during our trip to Omaha yesterday. Everything seemed just a little bit "off" all day.

We actually spent the day at Village Pointe, an outdoor mall on the edge, edge, edge of the Omaha area. Since we had gray skies, some rain, and cooler temps, not the ideal weather for an outdoor shopping venture.

We started with lunch at Mimi's Cafe. The instant we parked, I realized I had forgotten to grab my camera. No blog photos for the day! Lunch was nice, the decor was fun, and the only real complaint was that Keli's sausage was disgusting. It's definitely a place I would take my mom.

Then we shopped a little, and we were restrained. Keli bought a $1 sample at Bath & Body Works. I did the Buy 3, Get 2 Free on soap and 5 small hand sanitizers, which Maya loves, for $5 at Bath & Body Works and a few cards at Periwinkles for Her.

The shops just weren't the best for our taste. Saved us money, though, right?

Then we had a snack at Paradise Bakery & Cafe since we had PLENTY of time to fill before the 2:30 showing of Remember Me.

I can't say enough how much I enjoyed Remember Me. I blogged about the movie on my book blog. Loved it, loved it, loved it, though Keli and I agree the two women who brought little girls--crazy. Maya would have had a ton of "fun" questions with some of the content in that movie.

Then we went to dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. I'd go again in a heartbeat, but Keli wasn't too impressed with her dinner. Overall, it wasn't her food day.

Surprisingly, our day in Lincoln that lasted eight hours was more fun. Go figure! Still, nice to get away and do something different.

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

2010-03-13T10:02:00.001-08:00

Happy birthday to my mom today! She's off to celebrate by attending a special day of exhibits and talks at the International Quilt Museum today.

Your trivia for the day: Lincoln is home to the world's largest collection of quilts. They built a state-of-the-art facility to house the donation, and I've heard it's pretty fantastic. I haven't been yet, though Maya has gone twice with my mom. The highlight for Maya? The spiral staircase.

Maya actually went to work at the hospital with me for 2 1/2 hours today. She did a fantastic job, keeping busy with writing letters, coloring, making a birthday card for Grandma, and reading.

Okay, maybe the bribe of hot chocolate and a muffin from the hospital coffee cart if she did well helped, too! LOL

Looking forward to my special trip to Omaha with Keli tomorrow. The current plan is lunch at Mimi's Cafe, shopping, the movie Remember Me, possibly more shopping depending on how hungry we are, and dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. I can't wait!!!!

Happy Birthday, Rufus!

2010-03-12T08:29:00.001-08:00

Happy eighth birthday to the world's cutest Yorkie!

My friend Keli and I went to get Rufie on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend 2002 from a farm outside of Lincoln. Tiny, mostly black, and cute as a button. His one flaw? LICE! Yep, the first case of dog lice our vet had ever seen--not contagious to humans and cured with two medicated shampoos a day.

Somehow, Herb and I turned Rufus from a tiny, shy dog, one who literally screamed at the merest of touches while asleep, to an in-charge, demanding monster dog who hogs the whole bed. Just try to move the 9 1/2 pound terror off of the pile of blankets he makes into a nest every night after we fall asleep!

No one believes us when we say that Allie, our Rottweiler, is my dog, and Rufus is Herb's dog. That's the case, though, probably because Rufus blames me for adding other "critters" to our household. Only dog syndrome.

Rufus actually knew I was pregnant with Maya before I did. He did this really weird thing where he sniffed across my stomach, and he continued to do that every so often throughout the pregnancy. He made one last check the day Maya came home from the hospital, and I swear the glare said, "That baby came from your stomach. Traitor!"

For all his jealousy, he tolerates Maya and Allie pretty well, including letting Maya put barrettes in his hair. She gets a few minutes at a time to carry him around like a baby, and then he demands rescue. I still wouldn't trust him completely alone with Maya just because, if anyone, he's the dog to bite from jealousy or fear.

Allie is his canoodling partner, so I think they're more platonic (both fixed) boyfriend/girlfriend than brother/sister. As long as she follows his rules, they're good. If she gets too much love (petting and snuggling) from the humans, Rufus is right there to lick her teeth, forcing her to move from annoyance. He may be tiny, but he's smart.

I also like the fact that he doesn't really appreciate outsiders, other than my mom. I think it's because everyone wants to pick him up. "I know, I know; I'm cute and fluffy. Don't you have your own dog at home to torture?"

Herb's mom loves the fact that Rufus talks. I swear, he truly makes barks that sound like "no" and "yes" and uses them appropriately. And you can totally tell when he's fussing at you to get him a treat, let him outside, put him on the bed, or whatever his demands of the moment might be.

Good servants are hard to train, even for a Yorkie!

Maya's Future Career Goals?

2010-03-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Not that I expect a five-year-old to formulate a lasting career path, but interesting conversation with my daughter last night.

I let her do my hair, which involved a lot of water, brushing, and some scary gel conditioner that wouldn't dry in my hair. Oh, well; that's why we have shampoo, right?

Our conversation during hair therapy session:

Me: "Do you think you want to have a chair in Daddy's shop when you grow up? Maybe do hair?"

Maya: "No, I don't think so."

Me: "What do you think you want to do for work?"

Maya: "I want to be a writer. I'm a good writer. [Pause.] But I need to make money, too, so maybe I'll work in the shop and write."

There's my little Gemini. Pursuing two career paths at once, and never losing sight of the practical.

Another Birthday Celebration

2010-03-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Another birthday celebration yesterday, this time in combination with one for my mom, who has a birthday coming on Saturday. We met my sister Laura, niece Liz, and Liz's grandma and one of her aunts on her dad's side for lunch in Omaha yesterday.

I hate to say this, but yesterday was definitely one of those days that I should have stayed in bed.

Mom was in a mood from Hades, so I already didn't want to go before we even left Lincoln.

Then Maya had a strong case of the "gimmes." I told her that she could have two items from our trip to the store attached to the restaurant, and she picked a cute stuffed purple rabbit (spring is coming!) and a coloring book. Then she morphed into wanting at least a dozen other items, and I refused to budge on her limits. She managed to not talk to me for almost two hours, which is a long time when you're five.

Having to wait an hour for a table didn't help, and, frankly, the food at The Farmhouse wasn't worth the wait. Combine that with some of the worst service I've had in a restaurant ever, and I won't be going back.

Then Maya had a nightmare about attacking ladybugs last night, leaving the entire house awake at 2:30 a.m., going through the bed. I could use a nap, and I'm jealous that Rufus and Allie were in the chair, giving us the "go away so that we can sleep" look this morning as we headed off to work and school.

Hoping for a better day when Keli and I take my last birthday celebration by heading to Omaha next Sunday. . . .

This and That

2010-03-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

Lots of random, unrelated thoughts running through my mind today.

Maya came home with an epiphany thought yesterday: Black plus White makes Asian. Imagine the surprise of, especially, many Asians to this news flash. When I asked her way she thinks that, she raised her arm to point at the color of her skin with the complete "duh" look on her face.

My nephew Andrew and his girlfriend made a quick visit to Lincoln for Andrew to help my mom with a couple of things around the house. I don't think they stayed a full 24hours, so I'm serious about the quick part. At least Maya and I had dinner with them on Wednesday night, and then the girlfriend, Maya, and I went shopping.

Sounds like Maya may be taking a trip to San Antonio this summer with my mom, my two sisters, my brother-in-law, and at least two of Maya's cousins. While I'm sure she'll have fun, I'm a little nervous. Too easy to lose track of one little girl with that many people around. Since she's not exactly shy and quiet, though, I'm sure I'm worrying for no reason, as is often the case.

What would I have without worry and guilt? Would there even be a "Maria" left?

Doesn't a trip anywhere sound fun? Heading to New Mexico for my niece Amanda's high school graduation in just over two months. Maybe I need to start a countdown calendar for that trip!!

Still dreaming about Florence--the one in Italy. . . .

Maya's First Grocery List

2010-03-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

Maya created her very own first grocery list one afternoon in February. Aside from helping with the spelling, Maya didn't ask for anyone else's input for her shopping list.

What did she find important enough to put on her list?

Milk

Cupcakes

Hot chocolate

After all, if we needed to visit the grocery store, we might as well bring home what we need to host a tea party, right? Makes sense to me!

Yes, I brought the right baby home from the hospital!

Possible School Plans

2010-03-01T09:48:00.000-08:00

The hospital where I work is partnering with a local university to bring a group of three combination of on-site/online coursework college programs to the hospital. The program triggering my interest is a Master of Health Administration program.

With the online coursework, the classtime is reduced to one night a week--Tuesdays for this particular program. All classes are held at the hospital, meaning I could just work late one day a week, head to class, and then go home after class.

How much more convenient could going back for a second master's degree be?

Depending on program costs, and how much the hospital plans to cover through tuition remission, I'm seriously considering doing this. I'll know more after attending an informational session with a representative from the partner university next week.

I think I'm kind of excited for now, though!

Domesti-PUPS

2010-03-01T06:58:00.000-08:00

Maya and I attended the Domesti-PUPS benefit, the I Love My Dog Expo, on Saturday.

According to their site:

Domesti-PUPS is a 501(c)3 volunteer based organization. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with special needs through the assistance of animals and to promote awareness through education. Domesti-PUPS provides service dogs for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and educational programs.

We have a variety of programs designed to help in many areas.

Although 2010 marked the third year for the expo, this was our first visit--and definitely not our last. Besides enjoying all of the dogs, we bought collars and treats for Rufus and Allie and a Yorkie pen for Maya. We watched Flying Fiesta, the frisbee-catching dog. Talk about fast and pretty!

My "dog crush," Nico, the world's best-looking male Rottweiler also attended the event. I managed to restrain myself from going over to pet him, but I did drool from afar as he walked through the other dogs and crowd of humans like the king of the event. I so want to dognap Nico!!!

Only problem of the expo--I wanted to bring home all of the dogs available for adoption through organizations like Midwest Rottweiler Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, etc. Hope the groups found lots of new homes for the available animals (there were also some cats there) and additional sources of volunteers and money through the expo.

Birthday

2010-02-26T07:25:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone for the happy birthday thoughts and greetings.

I actually had a really great birthday. Kind of amazing since recent birthdays have seemed almost jinxed. I love birthdays, mine and everyone else's, which contributed to the problem. I think I did a better job of keeping my expectations reasonable this year.

Maya, Herb, and I enjoyed our dinner at Vincenzo's, my favorite Italian restaurant. This was Maya's first visit, and she was thrilled to be in an "adult restaurant" (no kids' menu). She wants to go back in June for her birthday.

There were fantastic surprises from my friends, including bookmarks, a homemade carrot cake, a gorgeous bouquet, gift card from Amazon, and cards. Maya made a special family drawing where I'm actually in the middle, instead of Maya being in the middle. Not a reality-based drawing, but lovely!

Maya's parent-teacher conference went well. The best part? Maya made a point of telling her teacher and all of her classmates that Tuesday was my birthday--my 40th birthday. Joys!

Thinking about Amanda Knox

2010-02-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

In the state where I live (Nebraska), we learned from DNA evidence last year that a group of people convicted of the brutal rape and murder of a sixty-eight-year-old woman in her own home in 1985 weren't at the scene of the crime. The only DNA evidence matched a man never charged with the crime, someone who died from AIDS in 1992.

In the interim, what kind of life do you think the people convicted have been able to have? How many employers are going to hire a convicted felon, especially with the details of this particular crime? How many people are going to date a convicted felon, especially with the details of this particular crime?

The one man who never made a deal and always maintained his innocence was still in jail when his conviction was overturned. His children are grown and gone, leaving him without experiencing dance recitals, Little League, fairs and aumusement parks, selling Girl Scout cookies, tickle games, first dates, prom, teaching them to drive. . . .

Another woman never had children after serving her prison term because she didn't want them labeled as a murderer's children.

NOTE: The victim's family still question whether the six people convicted of the crime could have been there and involved in some way with their loved one's death.

Why do I share this with you? Because I was thinking about them while watching the interview on Oprah with Amanda Knox's parents and sisters. If you haven't heard about her, Amanda's the American exchange student serving a prison sentence in Italy for the death of her roommate, a British exchange student named Meredith Kercher.

I mention Meredith's name because the victim, a lovely-looking young woman gone from her family and friends too soon and in a horrific way, seems to be lost in the media sensation surrounding Amanda Knox.

The real point of my thoughts today is that, although I have absolutely no idea whether Amanda was involved in Meredith's death, I can say that there isn't the kind of evidence that would normally lead to a conviction in the United States. I don't think she would have even been tried in the States.

And also because I fear her conviction in Italy rests almost entirely with (a) her portrayal as a slutty American girl (her alibi was spending the night with her then-boyfriend, who is also serving a prison term for the crime) and (b) the general perception that Americans are saying "this conviction never would have happened under our legal system."

I think (a) shouldn't even be considered because having a relationship outside of marriage has zero to do with being a murderer and (b) shouldn't be considered because we have plenty of our own mistakes to account for under our legal system. Not just what I mentioned above, but also different sentences being given based on gender and/or race, unlimited financial resources generally leading to a much better outcome, etc.

And this one girl shouldn't be paying for the world-renowned arrogance of Americans, anyway, with a twenty-six-year prison term.

I want to end by saying that I don't think justice appears to have been done for Meredith. What do you think?

The Winner Is

2010-02-23T10:27:00.000-08:00

Stitchin Time

Drop me a message at Choco223@aol.com, and we'll make arrangements regarding the gift card of your choice.

Thanks to everyone who commented.

Off to enjoy my birthday. . . .

1 Day

2010-02-22T11:07:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow's the Big Day. Whoot!

Last chance to make a comment to enter the drawing for the $40 bookstore gift certificate. You have until 5 p.m. CST today to make your comments. Check back tomorrow to see the winner announced!

Lots of questions about how I feel about turning forty tomorrow. Honestly, while aging doesn't bother me, I do think the slide from twenty to forty has been incredibly quick. As my friend Keli noted on Saturday, our next quick slide will be from forty to sixty. Gulp.

That does produce some anxiety--along the same lines as I mentioned before about what have I done, where do I want to go from this point on, and so on. More a matter of noting how limited everyone's time actually is, though I doubt we can consciously live our lives with that thought firmly in mind 24/7/365/entire life.

Anyone have any thoughts about getting older?

2 Days

2010-02-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

Keli and I had a great time celebrating my birthday yesterday. We postponed the Omaha trip because of the weather. Just postponed; not canceled.

For now, we had a fantastic day in Lincoln instead. We started with the movie "The Wolfman" (don't bother, even if you like Benicio Del Toro as much as I do) before heading to Barnes & Noble (dangerous for me for cards), followed by dinner at the Olive Garden and coffee at the other Barnes & Noble location. I don't think we've spent eight straight hours together, just the two of us, in years. We had a great time.

Now I can't wait to go have our Omaha trip, hopefully in March!!

3 Days

2010-02-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

This lovely harbor seal is Toney, and Maya and I went to a bittersweet farewell party for her at the Lincoln children's zoo today.

Toney has eye problems, and the experts think moving her to a zoo in Kentucky with a special saltwater tank can help her. Plus, Maya and I think she has been lonely since the zoo's only other harbor seal died last summer from complications after emergency surgery to remove a rock lodged inside her body. The posted signs make it clear that the seals will eat anything thrown into the pool, and someone had to have thrown the rock into the pool. Upsetting.

No more harbor seals planned for our zoo. We're a little sad about that, but we want Toney somewhere that is best for her health and happiness.

Good-bye, Toney; we'll miss you. Good luck at your new home in Kentucky.

4 Days

2010-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Tick-tock. Getting close to my birthday now.

What are my plans for the big day? Work, parent/teacher conference with Mrs. S. at 5:45 p.m., and dinner at Vincenzo's with Herb and Maya. Or, as Herb grumpily noted this morning, we'll be spending all of the money he doesn't have on dinner. Bah, birthday humbug!

Rant for the day: We still have plenty of snow (joy and thrills), and the hospital gift shop already had spring/St. Patrick's Day/Easter items available for purchase the first bloody week in February. Seriously?? Do I look like I'm in the mood to see all that spring gunk while facing cold and snow?

So, of course, all of the spring catalogs are crowding my mailbox now, too, and I have to confess that I don't feel the same way about the catalogs. I actually found several cute outfits that Miss Maya, aka the Fashionista, also thinks are cute in one of the catalogs. And I kept blinking at the prices because they're reasonable!

I'll have to make Maya do a fashion show later and post some photos to this blog. I may wait a bit to place an order, though, because she's not going to want to wait for warmer weather to wear her new clothes.

I'm working on the final polish for my book, Desert Interlude, before submitting a query letter to Harlequin. I'm about 2,000 words short of their 50,000-word requirement, so I need to add a few words here and there during this final check. Otherwise, I actually think it's a pretty decent book, with the sex scenes as my weakest point.

Wish me luck with Harlequin, please! I'm hoping they request a partial, though I know the odds are against me. Who doesn't want to be a published author?

Please Vote in My Poll

2010-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Running a poll over on my book blog.

Who do you think is more likely to cheat--husbands, wives, or both husbands and wives equally?

If you vote and leave a comment saying you voted on either this posting or the one about the poll on my book blog, that counts as an entry in the $40 bookstore gift certificate giveaway.

5 Days

2010-02-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Lots of good news to share in today's posting.

My best friend, Keli, is an official employee of the State of Nebraska now. Whoot! She has been temping on a full-time basis there for a while, and now she has a regular, full-time position there with all of the related benefits and relative job security. No more putting in four ten-hour days during holiday weeks for her.

My friend Sharon and her husband have been keeping in touch with newsy e-mails during their time in Siberia. They're officially parents, all finalized at Tuesday's court hearing!!!!! There's still a waiting period until they can actually remove their son from the orphanage, but at least they can relax a little now that everything is signed and legal.

With their long wait and everything they've gone through to be parents, which is a lot, I can't even imagine how excited and, frankly, filled with shock and disbelief they must be at this point. I'm so thrilled for them.

Your trivia (and mine) for the day, courtesy of Sharon and her husband: My birthday is Army Day in Russia! Somehow, that didn't make any of my calendars.

6 Days

2010-02-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

Now I'm wondering about where I'll be when I'm 50, and I imagine I won't be anywhere near to close on this one, either.

Here's my thoughts about age 50 while sitting six days shy of turning 40:

Still Married (Jinx. Just like with getting a tattoo of your significant other's name, I don't want to place too much emphasis on the idea of still being together in case I put a curse on the situation.)

One Child (Jinx. I don't want more than just Maya.)

No Dogs (We're not planning to get other dogs whenever Rufus and Allie pass. Since they're almost eight and seven, respectively, I don't think we'll have them in ten more years. The only bad part about dogs is the relatively short lifespan.)

Not at the Same Job (Wishful thinking? Possibly.)

Not in Lincoln (Ditto above.)

And I really hope to get to Italy for a visit at some point in the next ten years. Sigh. I told Herb that I was tempted to hop on a plane on Sunday, disappearing for ten days, and Maya jumped right in with, "Not without me!"

How about you? What do you think you'll be doing ten years from now in very broad terms?

7 Days

2010-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

One week until my birthday--and one more week to post comments to enter the $40 bookstore gift card giveaway.

I've been thinking a lot about where I am, where I'm heading, and where I thought I'd be at 40--when I bothered to think along those lines.

I don't actually remember anything from my twentieth birthday. I can pretty much guarantee the accuracy of this answer as to where I thought I'd be at 40 when I was 20, though--Working (hadn't picked a career at that point), Married to somebody (hadn't met Herb at that point), and No kids (never an interest in having kids) and No dogs (Herb brought me to the love of dogs).

I know exactly where and what I was doing when I turned 30. Sigh. I wakened in Jerusalem, and I watched the sun rise from the hotel room with my mom thinking "I wonder where I'll be and what I'll be doing when I turn 40. I wish I could be here again." Double sigh. Then we headed to Jordan, touring the city carved in rock, Petra, before ending the night in Amman. Best Birthday Ever.

At 30, I'd have guessed for 40--Married to Herb (already married by 30), No kids (very wrong), Definitely dogs, and Not living in Lincoln (wrong) and Working at the Same Job as at 30 (which I am). Two for five--sounds about right in terms of life planning.

Life--always interesting, never quite as planned.

8 Days

2010-02-15T09:50:00.001-08:00

Spent some time going through my digital photos over the weekend, and I decided to post a few of my favorites. Had to show all the kids--Maya, Allie (aka the world's prettiest, sweetest Rottweiler), and Rufus (aka the world's cutest, most spoiled dog).

And don't forget to post a comment on their cuteness in order to get an entry in the $40 gift card giveaway.

9 Days

2010-02-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

How are you celebrating this particular Hallmark holiday this year? Maya picked IHOP for brunch, so that's our big plan for the day. Not sure what else we'll find to do as a family, but I'm sure we'll think of something.

Herb and I celebrated alone with lunch at Olive Garden one day last week. Kind of a nice break for me to get away from the hospital--and we actually had a chance for adult conversation without Little Person interruptions and distractions!

Maya's looking forward to her Valentine's Day party at school on Tuesday. She handwrote a little valentine note to each of her classmates on some of my special heart letter paper, and she chose Dove chocolate hearts to attach to the envelopes.

I hope she isn't too heartbroken on Tuesday, though, because I don't think she'll be getting the special valentine from a certain boy in her class that she's hoping to get. Sigh.

Hope you have a fantastic Valentine's Day.

10 Days

2010-02-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

[Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing for the $40 bookstore gift certificate.]

One of the questions making the rounds on blogs in recent months is: Which is harder--marriage or parenthood?

My personal opinion is that parenting is a lot harder, at least until the child(ren) is(are) launched into the world, because it's so 24/7. You can take a vacation from your spouse; you can't really get away from your kids mentally and rarely physically. I worry about Maya all of the time; not so much about Herb on a daily basis.

And, frankly, I know I could leave Herb. Honestly, I've been tempted to divorce him, and I'm sure he could say the same about me. Abandoning Maya--not even an option.

I loved a comment I read on one blog, though, to the effect that having a child makes the marriage harder. Bing-bing-bing--excellent comment. I don't know any couples with a child who wouldn't agree with that comment. Stress goes through the ceiling, parenting styles are usually different, kids work the system to get at least one parent to agree to whatever, and money and time are definitely stretched tighter.

There's my take on the situation; whatever your situation in life (married without kids, married with kids, single with kids, single without kids, divorced with kids, etc.) what's your view? (See--now you have a question you can answer for your blog comment entry for the gift certificate!!)

11 Days

2010-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

I received an invitation yesterday to take the family to Kenya for a visit.

Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Okay, the person extending the invitation might have back-pedaled if I actually expressed a sincere interest in accepting, but the thought is nice.

J, one of the hospital coffee cart employees until yesterday, is heading to Kenya for a volunteer internship. He's staying with one of his former college classmates, who left school to head home to Kenya when his mom died last year.

I'm telling you, this young man looks exactly like the "hero" on the cover of a romance novel I own. And he appears to be charming, nice, intelligent--the whole package. I'm sure he has his flaws (who doesn't?), but I meant it when I told him there's an opening in Hollywood for a good-looking actor under 30 that he could easily fill.

He had the grace to blush when I said that, too. What a nice kid. I wish him well in his future adventures.

And this is how small Lincoln actually is--Herb used to play basketball at the university with J's former classmate from Kenya. There's a lot less than six degrees of separation around here.

Off to daydream about taking a Kenyan photo safari with Herb and Maya. . . .

12 Days

2010-02-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

[And don't forget to comment on this post for your entry into the drawing for the $40 bookstore gift certificate. Winner announced here on February 23.]

Rant for the Day: Why do parents send party invitations to school for select classmates when the rules are clearly stated? If the invitations come to school, the entire class has to be invited to the party. If the entire class isn't invited, you need to find another way to invite the selected students. Besides being a rule in the younger grades for as long as I can remember, the information was also included in the school handbook and sent home in a class newsletter at the beginning of the year.

Yes, you guessed it. Maya wasn't invited to her classmate O's sixth birthday party. She's actually taking the situation pretty well since she already knew that O "hates" her. (The child is as lovely as that implies from what I've seen. And, yes, I'm still holding against O the fact that she has a "girls' club" that doesn't include Maya, even though I repeatedly tell Maya that she doesn't want to be friends with someone who treats other people the way O seems to.)

I'm the one who wants to go have a serious chat with O's mother on behalf of Maya and whatever other children in the class had their feelings hurt by not receiving an invitation. The woman even works at the school, and also has older children in the same school, so I seriously doubt she doesn't know the rule. And she's older than I am, so she can't even claim to be young and oblivious.

At least Maya is taking this well, even if I'm not. Sniff.

13 Days

2010-02-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Fantastic news--my friend Sharon and her husband headed to Siberia yesterday to get their son. Between the court date and other requirements, they won't return home until early next month.

In the meantime, Sharon promised to send e-mail updates about what's happening. She said they have so much "down time" without their son during their visit that they're going to need something to do.

They have waited years and gone through so much to have a child. I hope every happiness is theirs as they bring him home and start their life together.

And, as fortunate as they feel to have their son, he's just as lucky because they're going to be excellent, committed parents for him.

I'll be the first to say that I don't really understand the drive that some people, usually women, have to be a parent because I don't have that burning desire. I didn't ever have a maternal clock ticking in my ear, and, since Maya wasn't born until I was 34, I'm pretty sure the clock would have already been in overdrive before then if I had one.

Still, I'm a sucker for a happy ending, and how can anyone not appreciate the joy of seeing someone they care about become a parent after years of trying, hoping, and praying? And to think of this little boy finally being in his forever home with his forver parents. . . . Wow!

Birthday Giveaway

2010-02-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

In honor of my birthday, I'm planning a giveaway to blog readers.

The prize: $40 gift certificate to the bookstore of the winner's choice

How to enter: Leave comments on this blog and my book blog (http://lifelongbookpassion.blogspot.com) between now and Monday, February 22, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Each comment counts as one entry, with the only limit being one comment per person per blog posting, please.

How the prize will be awarded: I'll have my daughter draw the winner!

Check back to see the announcement of the prize winner on my birthday, February 23rd.

14 Days

2010-02-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

Just a slight weather-related vent today.

We had more snow over the weekend, and I managed to slip on the ice in our driveway this morning. I caught myself on my car, yet still managed to wrench my knee. No serious damage, just enough to remind me how fragile the human body is and how easy feeling "fine" is to take for granted.

My other rant is why, why, why did the city transportation department decide that left double-turn lanes at our busiest intersections were a grand idea? They're usually okay when weather isn't a problem, but ice and snow equals major problems. Not only do you have to eyeball the person across the way who wants to make a right turn in front of you, despite that person having a red light and you having a green turn arrow, you have to worry about the cars next to you skidding on ice. There's nowhere to even really try to go to get out of the way if that happens.

And my second complaint related to the double-turn lanes is that I swear fewer cars get through now. Since the only time you can turn left is with a green turn arrow, you miss the opportunity of turning when the cars next to you have a green and there aren't any cars across the way on their green light because you're sitting there on a red arrow. I'm sure that's to help prevent accidents, but I'm not convinced the end result is the anticipated result.

And I never realized how awkward talking about traffic patterns and driving happens to be before writing this post!

Two weeks until my birthday. So far, the plan besides dinner with Maya and Herb on my birthday is a day in Omaha with Keli on the Saturday before my birthday. Borders, lunch and dinner out, and lots of mall shopping. Whoot!

15 Days

2010-02-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

Missed making a posting yesterday, but I'm back today. . . .

I don't know what I did to my computer at work, but I managed to completely cripple the hard drive. To the point that giving me a new one made more sense, in terms of labor time and related costs, than fixing the old one.

Whoo-hoo! The new machine is a dream. Like I said, I don't know what exactly happened to my old computer; I just wish it had happened earlier!

Happy birthday work present to me!

Everything is all as organized and survey-ready at the library as it's going to be be. I really should have taken before-and-after pictures because everything looks so nice now. The goal now is to keep everything in this wonderful shape, which isn't necessarily easy when so many people seem unable to clean up after themselves. Banning food helped a bit with some of the mess, though.

17 Days

2010-02-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

Herb finally takes a look at Maya's report card on Wednesday and calls me at work to say, "I thought you said Maya had all 3s and 4s? There's a 2 on here under Writing."

Writing?? But she writes all of the time at home. How can that be?

Sure enough--I get home and there's a 2 on the Writing subsection on sounding words out to spell them.

Never saw that 2. Skated right over the 2, turning it into a 3 in my mind, obviously.

And I gave my daughter the 2. How? Because I'm not a big fan on teaching kids to write cat as "kat" because that's the way it sounds, and we'll teach them how to spell later. That doesn't work.

At home, I spell everything Maya asks me to spell as she writes. I'm an "enabler," and proud to be so in this particular case.

So, yes, I'm expecting another 2 for Maya in quarters three and four on that particular item. And I'm completely okay with that.

18 Days

2010-02-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

I really need a vacation. Somewhere nice and relaxing. Somewhere without work, a five-year-old, dogs, housework, etc. The husband could come along if he keeps in mind that the trip is about *me* and minds his manners. LOL

Seriously, though, there are days that I truly believe I'm in the Rodney Dangerfield of careers--librarianship. Somehow, the image stays in people's minds of a little older lady with a pencil in her bun, glasses, and support hose who stamps books in and out and tells people to "shh!" Not me, and not my job.

In my specific, small segment of the library world (solo hospital librarianship) I spend my time on running literature searches, sending and receiving articles and books for ILL (interlibrary loan), teaching people to use the databases to do their own searching, creating and maintaining the budget, ordering and processing books and journals, troubleshooting computer and printer/copier/fax issues, and dealing with physicians/nurses/administrators/other staff/patients/patient family members.

Bottom line: My role is provision of information to assist the medical professionals and patients in making decisions. I'm here to help promote patient safety, first and foremost.

And there are people who appreciate my work/me a great deal, and I thank them for that.

Then there's the chippy I ran into in the parking garage elevator on Wednesday evening.

Chippy: "You work in the library, don't you?"
Me: [smile] "Uh-huh."
Chippy: "Are you full-time?"
Me: "Yes, and I'm the only person who works in the library."
Chippy: "Are you a volunteer?"

Um, yeah, sure; why not? After all, I'm married to Bill Gates' twin brother, so I can afford to frickin' volunteer at a full-time job that requires a master's degree.

I swear she's still alive and well, but I'm probably headed for eternal damnation if thoughts alone send you that direction. . . .

19 Days

2010-02-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

Nineteen days until my birthday. . . .

Maya's campaigning for cupcakes for my birthday. I told her that I like the idea of a cake better, so she decided we could have both. Then she can eat all of the cupcakes and some of the cake. There's my girl!

I'm hoping for dinner at Vincenzo's on my birthday. Kind of tricky scheduling since my birthday falls on a Tuesday this year, and Herb usually keeps the shop open until at least 7. An earlier dinner is better, especially with Maya having school the next day, so we'll see if I can convince him to close a little early.

Oh, gag--I just realized that's his "Lost" night. Guess he'll be motivated to be home by 8. And I'll be finding something to do besides watching that show on my birthday; trust me on that one!!

Any "Lost" fans out there? I find that to be one of the most annoying shows ever made, and Herb loves it.

20 Days

2010-02-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

Maya received her second quarter report card last week. She did a great job; all 3s and four 4s on the 1 to 4 scale. Her 4s all have to do with reading--vocabulary, comprehension, etc. Yes, we have a reader on our hands.

She brings her backpack with her Friday Folder home every weekend filled with stories she has written, crafts she has done, and so on. She's learning and growing and loving her teacher and new friends.

With the three-week drama at the beginning of kindergarten, the rest of the year has been relatively painless so far.

Maya just needs to work on not socializing when she's supposed to be listening! There's Herb's personality showing through in our little social butterfly.

Twenty days until my birthday. . . .

21 Days

2010-02-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Exactly twenty-one days until I turn the Big 4-0! I'm planning a post a day for the next three weeks as a countdown.

I've had a few different people ask if turning forty is bothering me. Here's a nice, wishy-washy answer--yes and no. No, in the sense that I think middle age starts at 35, so I don't see 40 as the start of middle age. And no in the sense that getting older hasn't ever been an issue for me. Yes, in the sense that I'm going through a rough phase right now--one of feeling not-quite-right about where I am in the world and what's happening with my life. Kind of a discontent, but not really with obvious reasons and easy solutions. And being forty makes me think that half of my life is probably gone, and what changes can I make to appreciate the next forty years, if I'm so fortunate, more?

On a lighter note, Allie, our Rottweiler, almost never sleeps with us in our bed. She's too busy guarding in the hallway or lounging on a chair or sofa somewhere to bother. Last night, Herb didn't feel well, so he stayed on the sofa with Rufus, our Yorkie, who usually hogs the bed. Allie decided to sleep in the big bed since Rufus wasn't already there.

Flash to 2:37 a.m. I'm in bed with Maya and Allie, and Rufus comes to whine to join us. He can jump on the bed when he has to, but he prefers to be lifted onto the bed in princely fashion by one of his human servants. Soon enough, Allie starts squirming around and panting. The evil little dog licked her teeth until Allie left the bed!!

There's nothing quite as jealous as a Yorkie male.

The Era of Kinder, Gentler Rejections?

2010-02-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

What's the deal with the nice job rejection e-mail messages these days?

I received one a few months ago that I'm going to paraphrase as saying someone about being "one of the finalists" for the position. How interesting since I didn't even have an actual interview for the position.

Then I received a rejection e-mail yesterday that included the line: "Your background is of interest, however, and since our organization is growing rapidly, your application materials will be retained for one year so that we can keep you in mind for future opportunities."

I'm a little doubtful about the, um, veracity of said comment since (1) I didn't even rate an interview for this position, either, and (2) the e-mail was a generic one, obviously sent to every rejected applicant, and not even personalized with my first name anywhere.

Not exactly "feeling the love" these days in the world of the job search. . . .

Working on the Weekend

2010-01-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

I think I'm almost, almost, almost done with revamping the library where I work. I'm afraid I'm going to think of something else to change as soon as I decide I'm officially done, though, so we'll keep this as a "maybe" almost done. Everything is looking nice, too; I'm happy.

Now, if I could just get rid of the headache and the sneezing from my allergies to the dust!

Friday ranked as one of my worst work days ever. Long story short, and with all of the boring details removed, they hired someone to do the "other duties as assigned" work I mentioned no longer having to do as of January 1. Now Herb thinks I shouldn't be upset because, after all, I didn't want the job, anyway, someone has to do it, etc.

Oh, yeah; I'm upset, annoyed, feeling completely used.

If only I could find another job, Herb could win the PowerBall, something.

Moving along, though, Keli, Maya, and I went to see the movie "When in Rome" yesterday. Our local paper gave the movie one star, which Keli agrees is accurate; Maya and I thought the movie was cute. I'd give the movie 2 1/2 stars out of a possible 4 stars. If you've seen it, what did you think?

I'm hoping to convince Herb to see "The Wolfman" over Valentine's Day weekend. I told Maya it looks too violent for her, though she also wants to go. As for my real reason for going--Benicio Del Toro--Yum, yum, yum!

Any movies you're anxious to see?

Senior Moments

2010-01-28T08:57:00.001-08:00

I received one of those joke e-mail messages today. This one's called Senior Moments, and here's my favorite from the message--funny, yet so true:

A senior citizen said to his eighty-year old buddy:
'So I hear you're getting married?'
'Yep!'
'Do I know her?'
'Nope!'
'This woman, is she good looking?'
'Not really.'
'Is she a good cook?'
'Naw, she can't cook too well..'
'Does she have lots of money?'
'Nope! Poor as a church mouse.'
'Well, then, is she good in bed?'
'I don't know.'
'Why in the world do you want to marry her then?'
'Because she can still drive!'

Happy Birthday, Allie!

2010-01-26T10:11:00.000-08:00

Happy seventh birthday to the beautiful, intelligent, calm Rottweiler princess named Allie!!

I remember back to when we first met a pregnant Elka, Allie's mom, and I said, "Oh, if we get a puppy that looks like her, we'll have the perfect-looking Rottweiler." Sure enough, with a little extra chubbiness, Allie's the exact image of her mom.

When we first went to visit Allie and her littermates, five boys and two girls, they were gathered around a bowl of food. Well, six of them were. Our Allie was smack in the middle of the bowl, chowing down, as though to say, "This is my food!" We can't say we weren't warned that she would always take her food very seriously.

Rufus, our Yorkie who is ten months older than Allie, had a bit of an adjustment when we brought her cute fluffiness home. He weighed exactly an ounce more than Allie that day, and now he's about 9 1/2 pounds to Allie's 90 pounds. Not to worry, though, because Allie lets Rufus think he's in charge of everything except food, and Rufus is way too smart to ever challenge her over food, anyway.

And Rufus does rely on Allie to protect the family--under his guiding leadership. One day last winter, whoever let the dogs in last must not have gotten the French door leading from our family room to our back yard completely latched. We had a bad wind, and the door suddenly popped open. Rufus jumped off of my lap and raced to about four feet away from the back door, yapping away. Then he stopped, looked behind him at Allie, still resting peacefully on her chair, and gave her the look--"Are you coming or what?" I could almost see Allie sigh as she jumped off the chair, gave one woof (because what Rottweiler needs more than one bark to state the case), and raced past Rufus to check the yard. Sure enough, Rufus waited patiently (and safely) inside for her return. Once she "reported" no danger present to him, everyone could return to lounging.

When I was pregnant with Maya, we heard a lot of comments from people concerned about how Allie would react to a baby. Just as Herb and I knew, Rufus was the only one with resentment issues, just as he's the one who knew I was pregnant before I did. Allie has been like a second mom to Maya since day one, and she still continues to suffer all of the indignities of living with a little girl--wearing assorted jewelry, getting hugged to the point of being completely squished, and sporting pink nail polish--with absolutely no complaints.

Allie is love and patience personified (dogified?). We're so lucky to be part of her pack.

Cleaning, Cleaning, Cleaning

2010-01-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

Those who know me won't be too surprised to hear that I'll expect to devote a significant portion of my time to cleaning if I'm required to spend the afterlife in purgatory or hell. And poor Herb's a "neat freak," though he's the sort of neat freak who wants someone else to do the actual work part. Well, he has some duties he doesn't mind doing, but I keep telling him that he really needs to win the PowerBall to get us a full-time maid.

Anyway, I'm busy working on reorganizing the library where I work in preparation for a survey visit in February. I can't even believe the amount of stuff I've accumulated in the almost (March 1) eleven years I've worked at the hospital. I probably have enough give-away bookmarks to plaster every inch of the city of Lincoln.

So, purging and organizing is a good thing. That's my mantra right now.

The actual results, as I'm moving along section by section, are looking pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself. Once the survey is over, I'm hoping to keep everything so neat and organized.

My biggest challenge? I learned that we're allowed to have absolutely no food and only drinks with covers in public areas of the hospital. Of course, the library is a public area, and food and drink have been allowed in here since well before I started working there. Years and years and years of breaks and lunchtimes spent in the library for some employees.

I sent an e-mail message hospital-wide and posted three flyers in the library about the change in the eating policy yesterday. Arrived at work today--yup, food remains in the wastebaskets. Not only violating the policy, but too lazy to "hide" the evidence afterwards?? AAK!

Wish me luck on this one. . . .

Postponing Disney

2010-01-21T11:32:00.000-08:00

With the cost (beyond ridiculous) of going to Disney World and Herb trying to get his business going, we decided Florida's a bit out of our reach right now. I knew my trip in 1992 with my mom, sister, and nephew cost a lot, but I think it's much, much worse now.

We're looking at going when Maya's eight or nine instead, allowing more time to plan and save. I think she'll remember the trip better if she's a little older, too.

Thinking Maya might be more than a little disappointed, imagine my surprise when mentioning a trip to Kansas City the weekend in June before her sixth birthday in place of Disney elicited the reaction, "Kansas City? Whoo-hoo!" Really, if we had a video of her reaction, we could make some money from the visitors' bureau there!

After talking about Worlds of Fun, the Rainforest Cafe, and the Nelson-Atkins, she said Kansas City sounds better than Disney. Wow. I'm thrilled! Talk about a much cheaper trip. . . .

So, now I'm planning a weekend in Kansas City with Herb and Maya if anyone has any tips or suggestions for going there.

Now to break the news about the Disney postponement to Shon. . . .

Lost in Fun

2010-01-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

A week since I last posted to this blog? Really?? No good excuse, either.

Maya's having a fantastic week, including Bedtime Stories at school, Lost in Fun, and a visit from her cousin, Andrew.

Maya and I went to Bedtime Stories at her school on Friday evening. Each story was read by an adult in English (not sure why they didn't use children) and then in another language by a student, reading in English and then the other language on a page-by-page basis. A fifth-grade boy read The Wheels on the Bus in Arabic, a fourth-grade girl read The Rainbow Fish in Vietnamese, and a fourth-grade girl read Click, Clack, Moo in Spanish. They shared some of the diversity of Maya's school, which includes native speakers of sixteen different languages.

Maya felt quite excited to wear her pajamas to school, though I nixed the slippers with the slushy/icy/disgusting walk to the school from the parking lot. I wore yoga pants and a t-shirt because I sometimes sleep in those (whew!). The cookies were great, and everyone there seemed to enjoy the thirty-minute session. I suspect they were a bit disappointed with the turnout, probably due to the weather.

Maya and Herb went to Lost in Fun on Sunday, and I didn't think to send a camera. I haven't been there before, but Maya's ready to go again whenever I want to see the place! My understanding is that a man put his entire retirement into building an indoor play area for kids. Big and little kids since Herb also had a good time.

Andrew's visiting from Iowa for the week while my mom's in New Mexico with one of her friends for a bridge tournament. With the four-day weekend at Maya's school this week, Andrew watched Maya yesterday, and Shon, my goddaughter, watched her on Monday.

Planning for Disney

2010-01-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

First, let me share today's quote from my Getting in Touch with Your Inner Bitch calendar. Yes, I love this calendar!

"A Niceness Detox Tip: If you find yourself living at the wrong end of that one-way street called 'Giving,' your Inner Bitch wants you to fill out a change of address form."

So, I obviously waited too long to plan our Disney vacation to Florida because there isn't a single breakfast or lunch opening at Cinderella's Castle during the week we originally wanted to be there in June, over Maya's sixth birthday. I didn't know the 180-day advance reservation rule. Sigh.

The more I read and talk with people, the more October and Maya's fall break from school seems like a better time to go, anyway. Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and a bit cheaper prices for the hotel.

And we've picked the resort we want and a few other dining options (character breakfast at our resort, the Italian restaurant in Epcot, and the Hawaiian dinner at the Polynesian Resort). We're planning five nights, four days of park passes, and two days of travel for the trip. I think we're sort of set now.

If anyone has any suggestions, though, please let me know. I'm open to tips/advice. I want this to be a dream vacation for Maya. After all, she never goes anywhere--just ask her!

Working for Women

2010-01-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

I say this very grudgingly, but I find reporting to men at work to be so much easier than reporting to women. I've done both, and the women I've reported to have been more controlling, less willing to accept blame, and more caught up in trivia. The men have been more open to "allowing" me to do my work, staying out of my way, and just being appreciative when everything is done and done well.

And I really hate saying that because I'm a feminist. I'd love to be able to say that my female bosses managed to incorporate caring and empathy along with a business-like approach. Nope. I've had much more "caring" from male bosses, and I haven't felt watched while working.

I've also noticed much more favoritism on the part of women bosses, and I'm not just saying that because I've never been one of the favorites. It's real. Most of the male bosses I've had did a better job at being consistent and fair in dealing with employees. No excuses for always slacking on the part of some people while others are expected to carry their load.

Here's what I want in a job--decent pay for reasonable work with clear-cut, consistent expectations. No backstabbing, no silly politics, etc.

That's my perspective; what about yours? Do you, overall, prefer male or female bosses? And do you think the gender of the employee makes a difference in the equation?

Leap Year Movie

2010-01-11T10:47:00.001-08:00

A commercial for the movie Leap Year came on t.v. one evening last week. I asked Maya if she wanted to see the movie with me. "That's an adult movie. . . . [Heavy sigh] Oh, okay, I guess I can go with you, but I'm not going to like it."

So Herb agreed to keep Maya yesterday afternoon while I went to the movie. Of course, come time to leave, and Maya negotiated her heart out to go along with me. I agreed, telling her that if she didn't like the movie and we had to leave, I was taking the price of admission from her change jar, currently planned to go for our Disney World trip.

We went, and she didn't really care for the movie. I thought the movie was cute, though a couple of things struck me as "wrong" about the movie. One I can't share because it's a spoiler, and the other is that the casting for the boyfriend isn't right. Nothing against the actor, who did fine, but he doesn't have the vibe/carriage of a cardiologist. Trust me, they have one.

The other point I find interesting, though I won't go so far as to say "wrong," is that I wonder why American women traveling abroad are generally portrayed as perky and not very bright in the basics of negotiating daily life. Are we really viewed that way? Shudder. I'm hoping not!

Anyway, as for the movie itself, I can see why the American girl likes the Irish guy, though I can't really see why he likes her. Part of the perky and not so bright issue? Could be.

I did enjoy the Irish scenery very much, being a complete sucker for anything and everything Irish.

As my friend asked on Facebook, I'd recommend saving this one for a rental. And, as the previews probably show, most guys aren't going to be too crazy about watching this one.

Have you seen Leap Year? What did you think?

Birthday Lunch Photos, 1/2/2010

2010-01-08T09:01:00.001-08:00

Some photos from the birthday lunch for my sister in Omaha on Saturday. That's a spider on Maya's face.

Inner Bitch

2010-01-06T07:27:00.001-08:00

I bought a page-a-day 2010 calendar for work called Getting in Touch with Your Inner Bitch. (I have an addiction to calendars, bookmarks, pens, stationery, and postcards.)

I absolutely love the calendar entry for January 1st:

"Happy New Year! If you're still thinking about a resolution, your Inner Bitch wants you to consider breaking the habit of Toxic Niceness so you can have the life you've always really wanted."

Ka-ching--and amen!

I think that's how I managed to get rid of the part of my job I've hated since having it fall to me under "and other duties as assigned." A big "other duties" on the weeks that I spent 25% of my time on physician stalking (only in a professional way), saying "Those are the national rules, what you and I think about how ridiculous/cumbersome/annoying that rule is, doesn't matter if we want to have the talk accredited," drowning in forms, and so on. Yep, hated, hated, hated, hated that stuff, and I think we're at the point where someone needs to be doing the job, if not full-time, at least half-time.

So, I pushed/whined/asserted myself, and, as of January 1, I no longer deal with that program. Can we say "beyond thrilled" together now?

I'm hoping my Inner Bitch pulls me through 2010 to where I really want to be, and I hope you end 2010 healthier, more content, and in a better place than at the start of 2010, too.

Birthday Celebration

2010-01-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Had a nice time in Omaha yesterday. Mom, Maya, and I met my sister Laura, niece Liz, and Jamie, Liz's aunt on her dad's side, at Valentino's for a birthday lunch for Laura and the exchange of vehicles. Maya kissed Laura's Town & Country good-bye quite a few times, though we were all glad to see Mom's car all repaired and looking as though nothing ever happened to it.

I can't tell you how old Laura turns on Tuesday because that's a State Secret, so I'll just say that she marks a Big Birthday this year. I do, too, actually, in February. So 2010 will be a good year for us, right?? Sigh--hoping so.

Then Maya and I went to Borders after lunch while Mom went to Nebraska Furniture Mart to browse and price carpet. I so-o-o-o wish Lincoln had a Borders. Even Maya said, totally unsolicited, "I like this store way better than Barnes & Noble. They have more kids' stuff." Her version of "kids' stuff" is the pens, bookmarks, journals, make-up, etc. at the front of the store. I still can't believe how much we spent without buying a single book!

And don't even get me started on how much better the cafe at Borders is than at Barnes & Noble. I can still taste my blended peppermint mocha trio with whipped cream, white chocolate, peppermint, and a semi-sweet chocolate piece for a topping. Yum!!!

Already facing a hard truth in 2010--In all honesty, Omaha probably, most likely, is a better place to live than Lincoln. More jobs that come with better pay and tons more in terms of shopping, dining, and entertainment. I'm only admitting that truth once, though, because I love Lincoln, and I don't have to be objective on this subject!!

I know I'm not blogging about snow again, so file this under "be careful what you wish for" instead. I said something a few times on Friday about not appreciating the gray, dirty snow everywhere, and--wham!--three new, lovely, white inches of snow dropped yesterday on top of the snow from the two blizzards that hasn't had a chance to melt. Oh-kay, guess everything is looking pretty again, though that isn't quite what I had in mind!!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

May it be so for you and your loved ones in 2010, a new year and the start of a new decade!

What Winter Break Means to My Kindergartener

2009-12-31T06:41:00.001-08:00

(A pre-Holiday Bowl photo from my cousin's house in Omaha. Even in snow, you have to find a way to represent, right?)

What Winter Break Means to My Kindergartener

--Wearing the same shirt three days in a row--seriously. Of course, since Maya layers four or five shirts every day, what's the problem with keeping the top shirt the same?

--Plenty of time for playing King of the Mountain, especially when you find a nine-foot snow pile at the mall parking lot.

--Asking questions like, "When it's January, will there still be snow?"

--Placing all of her favorite Christmas presents in her Caboodle case (purple beaded purse, miniature body sprays, initial (an M and an F) mini-notebooks, tons of "lipstick," her ring from Grandma).

--Painting, painting, and more painting and drawing and coloring.

--Reading, reading, and more reading.

--Making a snowman with Grandma.

--Decorating a shipping box to serve as an indoor doghouse for Rufus, who actually uses the box. Every king needs a loyal subject.

--Painting Allie's toenails because, of course, nothing says tough, fearless Rottweiler like having glossy white nails on her front paws.

--Helping Daddy shovel, shovel, and shovel some more. And then asking, "Isn't there more we can shovel?"

--Putting off writing thank-you notes as long as possible. Still haven't gotten those done!

--Coming home with sparkling eyes and a big smile while saying, "Grandma let me do her dishes today!"

--"Is Nebraska winning? Go Nebraska!" for every clip of a football game seen, regardless if it's NCAA or NFL. (My work here is done; she's officially a permanent Nebraska fan.)

--Helping Mommy go through her clothes for items to donate. Maya on donating items to others: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to give her stuff away."

--Spending 3 1/2 hours at the car dealership with Grandma watching kids' shows and sipping hot chocolate while Mommy's car gets an oil change and tire rotation. (Doesn't that sound fun? Ugh.)

--Wondering why Mommy and Daddy still have to work most of the time. Everyone should have two full weeks off at this time of the year, right??

Back to the real world, aka school, on Monday.

Christmas 2009 Photos

2009-12-29T06:02:00.001-08:00

Sleeping on December 24th and waiting for the Big Day.

Christmas Eve, all ready for opening gifts in the morning.

Opening presents.

"Are you sure ginger ale is okay for kids to drink, Mommy?"

Allie, Maya, and Rufus--all of the kids on Christmas morning.

Herb and Maya.

Maya as our photographer! LOL

Snow Zone

2009-12-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Not quite the long Christmas weekend at our house that we imagined with the blizzard. Still, there is something festive about being "stuck" at home for the holiday since we had electricity (not everyone did) and plenty of food. I just wish Mom could have been stuck with us instead of at her home alone.

As of Friday night at 10 p.m., we had twelve inches of snow on top of a quarter-inch layer of ice that rested on the snow from the last storm (then two weeks ago and now almost three weeks ago). I think we had another inch or two fall on Saturday, though I didn't hear an official tally and, with the blowing and drifting, I could be wrong. It's not Nebraska without a wind to add to the enjoyment of whatever weather we happen to be experiencing.

Here are some snow photos from the weekend, and then I promise to quit talking about the weather, though I'll note this snow isn't leaving any time soon with the temps predicted for this week.

Allie in our driveway. She actually loves the snow and comes in the house soaking wet every time!

This is my neighborhood as of the afternoon of Sunday, December 27th. The snow plow went through once (and we only ever get once) at about 3 a.m. on Sunday.

This is O Street, the main street in Lincoln, which runs north-south through and out of town, as of Sunday. Since this is our best/most important street, you can imagine this one receives the most in terms of salt/gravel/plowing.

Here's our driveway with one of our cars as viewed from our front windows. Notice the "snow dunes" in front of our house.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

"Blessed are those who give without remembering. And blessed are those who take without forgetting." ~~Bernard Meltzer

Four-Day Weekend

2009-12-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to a four-day Christmas weekend with Herb and Maya.

I'll be interested to see if all of my "free, expedited" shipping packages actually arrive tomorrow. I'm planning to eat lots of salted nut roll, my one holiday baking item for this year since Herb's diabetic and doesn't need the temptation of tons of baked goods sitting around the house. I'm hoping to get Maya's presents wrapped while she's sleeping, and I'm really hoping she isn't disappointed when there isn't a puppy under the tree on Friday morning. Sorry, but we don't need three dogs!!

We'll be having a white Christmas, complete with ice and then more snow on top of the piles of snow we still have from the storm two weeks. Can you tell from that sentence I find white Christmases over-rated? They just mess with people's travel plans and cause accidents.

Plus, um, I can't imagine there was much snow in the neighborhood of the manger on the day Jesus was born. . . .

Anyway, if you celebrate Christmas, have a wonderful time with your family and friends. If you don't, have a fantastic weekend.

More next week!!

Why I Shouldn't Visit Maya's School

2009-12-21T11:02:00.001-08:00

Maya's class holiday party was on Friday afternoon, the last day of school until January 4, 2010. Yes, a ridiculously long winter break for the kids at two full weeks.

Anyway, I enjoyed the party--the kids singing songs, watching a DVD with photos from the first semester of kindergarten, snacks, and a present (cocoa, marshmallows, and a lovely tile with a snowflake made by Maya). I don't get to the school very often, and I enjoyed seeing the kids and how they interact with the teacher.

So, why shouldn't I visit her school? Because I'm an INFJ, emphasis on J for Judging, in the Myers-Briggs inventory, and I kept thinking, "Oh, please don't teach my child this" during the singing of songs.

Why? Because the kids went on a "world tour" recently, and we heard songs related to Hanukkuh for Israel, Kwanzaa for Africa, and Christmas for Germany, Holland, and America.

Where do I start with what bothered me?

1--Africa isn't a country; it's a continent. 2--And they certainly didn't visit any country in Africa to learn about Kwanzaa, which is an African-AMERICAN holiday created to preserve and share cultural traditions here. They're not celebrating Kwanzaa in Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, etc. this year or any other year.

3--So, we're America? What does that make Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and every other country in North America, Central America, and South America? How about we just go with the United States or, if they insist, the United States of America?

4--The Islamic New Year, Eid-Al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, started at sundown on Thursday evening. There wasn't a single song or mention of Islam at the party, and there are Muslim children in that school.

5--And I saved my biggest complaint for last. Why does Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Christmas epitomize "America" in the teacher's mind? I have my issues/areas for improvement with my country, but one of the biggest points of pride for me is that the United States is for everyone--white, black, brown, red, yellow, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, etc. This isn't a Christian country; this is a country of proud diversity, somewhere that we should all be free to share our own traditions and learn about those of others openly because we are all equal and we are all worthy.

Guess this was, if nothing else, a good reminder that I need to share my thoughts and opinions with Maya on subjects like this if I hope to have a chance at her seeing the world in a similar way.

This and That

2009-12-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report that the people at the hospital where I work came through with tons of gifts for the women and children at the shelter. Here's a photo of just some of the toys. Whoot!

I had a rejection e-mail from the agent yesterday. I'm focusing on the positive--(a) the first agent I submitted to requested the full manuscript, (b) the rejection e-mail was very kind, and (c) he confirmed what I already suspected, the book is too short, which is good to know and which can be corrected.

Once I finish the third book, which I'm on a roll writing at the moment, I'll go back to revise Claimed, my second book. I'm toying with adding a second half of the book, told from the man's perspective; I'm just not sure whether I'm up to writing that in the first person. Anyway, once I revise, then I'll submit to Agent Plan B.

Normally, I try to avoid commenting on other people's marriages. I just don't think you can know what's happening from the outside, and I think all marriages involve compromise and negotiating for what both parties can accept. In other words, marriage is hard as Hades, just like any other worthwhile relationship.

That being said, I have to note--if thirteen women have come forward to say that they've been with your husband during your five-year marriage, sign a non-disclosure form (since he's famous, and your kids don't need to read the details decades from now), and walk away with x millions of dollars. Don't look back, don't follow the story in the media, and put your kids first. Remind him that you still expect him to be a good father; you just know he can't be a faithful husband.

We still have a winter wonderland, though turning gray from dirt and grime, and we're expecting more sleet and snow tonight and tomorrow. I'm really hoping they're wrong because I still need to finish shopping, send a package to my sister and her family in New Mexico, etc.

Are you ready for Christmas if you celebrate Christmas?

Gratitude vs Entitlement

2009-12-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Yep, more on the God on Football theme because I really do struggle with the whole concept of having gratitude versus sounding like a smug idiot suffering from entitlement mentality. The whole praying for x award, sports win, etc. is revolting to me, and thinking that you're being granted said item because of your religious beliefs or a special grace from God is equally unappealing.

I can accept something like, "I'm so grateful to be able to earn a living doing something I love [playing football, singing, acting, whatever], and I appreciate this recognition of my efforts."

Doesn't that sound grateful and appreciative? And so much better than the nonstop "I want to thank God, I want to thank Jesus, I owe it all to God" during award ceremonies?

This quote from Mary J. Blige, whose music I love, makes me want to vomit:

"My God is a God who wants me to have things. He wants me to bling. He wants me to be the hottest thing on the block. I don't know what kind of God the rest of y'all are serving, but the God I serve says, 'Mary, you need to be the hottest thing this year, and I'm gonna make sure you're doing that.'"

On the other hand, I found Kathy Griffin's quote from her Emmy acceptance hilarious:

"Now, a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. He didn't help me a bit. If it was up to him, Cesar Millan would be up here with that damn dog. So all I can say is suck it, Jesus, this award is my god now!"

And, here's a thought: if you truly have a strong faith and want to show your appreciation to God and have extra money and/or extra time, I suggest showing your faith through your actions. Something that you do for others to improve their lives. Something that you do without courting media attention for your actions if you happen to be someone famous.

Let the way you spread your wealth and spend your time show your priorities and your appreciation for God, whether that be funding a program for teen mothers, providing books for children, establishing a school in India, volunteering to teach someone to read, providing funding to train an assistance dog, volunteering to be someone's mentor, and the list runs endlessly in every financial and time category. Enough needs at enough financial and time commitment levels that we can all do something for someone else, whether we're famous or not.

Kwanzaa

2009-12-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

Maya: "We talked about Kwanzaa at school today. Do you know what Kwanzaa is?"

Me: "Yes, I do."

Maya: "What is it then?"

[Yes, five-year-olds love to test their parents just as much as teenagers.]

Me: "It's an African-American celebration that begins the day after Christmas. Each day is--."

Maya: [Heavy sigh to interrupt.] "Do you know everything, Mommy?"

Me: "I wish, Maya, but I can say it's my job as a librarian to find information about what I don't know every day."

Maya: "I guess I'm smart because you're so smart."

[Compliment happily accepted.]

Love, Allie-Style

2009-12-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

"Mom, Maya's begging for kisses again. [Sigh.] A dog's work is never done."

"Okay, here's a ton of kisses for Maya!!"

"She's so easy to please sometimes!"

More on Football

2009-12-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Many congratulations to Mark Ingram and the Crimson Tide for Ingram winning the Heisman Trophy on Saturday evening.

I'm not a huge fan of giving the award to a sophomore, as a rule, but. . . .

Okay, yes, I admit to being very relieved that neither Colt McCoy nor Tim Tebow, who already has one, didn't win the Heisman this year.

The evil side of me hopes they're experiencing a little "Does God still love me" angst after not winning. I can't help myself; proselytizers and smug people bring out the worst in me. And, from not knowing either of them personally, I can certainly say they project being both.

On a kinder note, though, I sincerely hope all of the candidates for the award, all fantastic football players, have a coach (or two or three) who feels the way that Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini feels about Ndamukong Suh, my personal choice for best player in college football for 2009.

Here's a quote from Coach Pelini about Suh that ran in our local paper on Friday, before the awarding of the Heisman:

"I think he is the Heisman Trophy winner, but I don't have a vote. I think it goes to the best player in the country, and I wouldn't trade him for anybody."

Even in real life, we all need at least one person who wouldn't trade us for anyone or anything, so that's what I wish for you, my readers, in 2010 and always.

Photos, December 9 & 10, 2009

2009-12-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

Letter to My Younger Self

2009-12-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Covered Daydreams (is that a great blog name, or what?) is hosting a fantastic contest, ending on Monday, full details on her blog here. Enter for your chance to win a Wii Fit Plus with the balance board by writing a letter to your younger self.

Both a cool idea in terms of the letter and a fun giveaway in terms of the prize!

Dear Maria:

Really talk to Dad while you have the chance. He won't be here for very much of your life, and you'll always regret that you didn't have the chance to tell him what you really thought about him and to give him the opportunity to really know you. Maybe that wouldn't have made a difference to him, but it would have made a difference to you/us.

Don't make decisions out of fear. There's always a chance for a change in direction later if you decide that you don't like a certain path, after all, and you don't have to regret missing opportunities if you take them.

You're prettier, smarter, and stronger than you know. Go with your instincts, and you'll rarely have reason for regret.

Enjoy the journey, and don't worry so much about the destination.

I love you!

Your older & wiser self

On Giving

2009-12-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Every year, the hospital where I work enters into a gift-giving program with a local shelter for women and their children leaving an abusive domestic situation. (I realize men can also be on the receiving end of domestic abuse; the shelter is strictly for women and children.)

In years past, departments volunteered to take on a family. Then a woman here at the hospital did a match based on the size of the family and the size of the department. When I, as a one-person department, volunteered, I was always matched with a single woman. Then the department received a wish list for that woman/family without any identifying details. (Something like: Girl, age 5, wants dolls, anything Dora the Explorer, warm clothes in size 6.)

I was really excited to read about the change this year. The match system is gone. Now, anyone interested in contributing can take new, unwrapped items to Human Resources. Then the shelter is planning to have a "shopping day" for the women, and anything left afterwards will be kept by them for future shelter residents to use as needed throughout the year.

They provided a generic list of suggestions--everything from bath/body/makeup supplies and gift cards to places like Target to clothing, books, Dora and Diego items, etc. Something in every price range.

Cool concept, right? That way, you don't have to worry that a particular family won't like/appreciate your particular choices. And everyone can contribute, somewhat anonymously, as s/he sees fit.

The problem? This is a tough year. I think almost all of us feel that way. I'm embarrassed at how little has been in the designated boxes during my two visits to leave items. I'm feeling the pressure to shop this weekend with the drive ending next Wednesday.

My contributions so far: Diego sound book, set of Vampire Academy books, floral stationery, book bag, Charlie & Lola stationery, Candy Land board game, and Chutes and Ladders board game.

Funny Story

2009-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

I have a weird sense of humor, I think; sometimes, actually pretty often, I'll be the only person laughing in a crowd at a movie. I don't know what that means, exactly, but I'm just noting my sense of humor before I share the following story.

Maya and I were at home one evening last week, just having a regular sort of evening. Suddenly, Maya whispers, "Grandma said a bad word after the accident."

Now, I immediately morph into thinking "Really? Finally?" because Mom never swears. At all. I don't remember ever hearing her use damn or shit, let alone something in terms of major. If anything could make her swear, though, a car accident that could have caused her to go off a bridge with her five-year-old granddaughter as a passenger and leaves her three-month-old car damaged, would seem likely.

Me, trying to sound casual, "Grandma was pretty upset about the accident and the fact that you could have been hurt. What did she say?"

Maya, still whispering, "I can't say it. It's a really bad word."

Me, really eager to know at this point, "No, it's okay. You won't get in trouble because I'm asking you to repeat what Grandma said. What did she say?"

Maya, "She said STRESS. . . . What does that word mean, Mommy?"

Okay, yes, I had to laugh as I tried to explain what the word stress means.

Yeah, that word fits, but so much for thinking Mom actually, finally, said a bad word.

On God and Football

2009-12-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

First, let me note that I had an e-mail message from the agent on Friday requesting my full manuscript after reading the first thirty pages. Whoot! Still just a tiny step in a long process, but one more step in which my book has avoided rejection. I'm so beyond excited, even while feeling nervous and dreading rejection.

Then there's football. Let me just say how much I enjoyed watching my team (Nebraska) play Texas in the Big XII Championship game on t.v. last night. I only wish I could have been there--well, and that the score had been reversed.

Still, I'm very excited about the 12-13 loss. Our defense looked like one for a Top 5 team, and, if our offense had played one-tenth as well as our defense, we would have annihilated Texas. (Not having an offense worth mentioning has been our problem all year.)

Regardless, though, we looked like we deserved to be there. We almost beat Texas, who should be heading to play against Alabama in the National Championship game in January. We didn't look like a high school team, which is sort of what Alabama did to Florida yesterday afternoon. (Said with empathy, trust me, because we've had games like that in the past. And Florida fans still have to be in shock.)

So, I was really being pretty Zen about the loss last night. Taking everything pretty well until I made the mistake of not turning off the television.

Colt McCoy actually said "Thank you, God" in his little post-game, on-the-field interview. Seriously? Seriously?? Because God so favors the Great State of Texas (in its own mind) over the (what) Hick and Heathens in Nebraska?

I even let it slide when Colt was shown praying on the sidelines while waiting for the field goal that won the game for his team. I find it revolting that people pray to win sporting events, but I let that slide until the whole "Thank you, God."

God really has nothing more important to think about than sports? And God really takes sides??????

Maya's Preschool & Kindergarten Photos

2009-12-04T12:34:00.001-08:00

Preschool, Fall 2008

Kindergarten, October 2009

Just providing the two to show how much my "baby" has changed in approximately a year. Sniff.

Winter Weekend at the Zoo--11/28/2009

2009-12-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

This and That

2009-12-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Maya and Mom really are fine after the accident. Mom's still shaken about what might have happened; as in, if they had gone off the bridge. . . . Maya doesn't want to talk about the accident or hear anyone else talking about the accident because it's so over, done, in the past.

Yes, my daughter is a teenager in a five-year-old's body.

We're still waiting to hear about Mom's car--whether the insurance company will total the vehicle or pay for repairs. Since the entire back end fell off when the tow truck driver moved the car, I'm really hoping the car's declared a total loss, which means they'll probably decide to fix the car.

Our first Christmas card arrived in yesterday's mail--my sister and her family in New Mexico, almost always one of the first to arrive every year. I wonder if other people reading the form letter think my sister sounds lonely??

I put most of my holiday cards in Saturday's mail. A chance to actually work on my cards without a "helper" was one of the advantages to having Maya go to Iowa.

I heard back from the agent yesterday. Instead of the rejection e-mail I mentally (and emotionally) prepared myself to receive, he asked to see the first thirty pages of my manuscript.

I'm so excited to get through the first step. Even if he rejects the book after reading the partial, I'll have an easier time submitting to another agent after knowing this first agent thought my overview and first page showed enough promise to see more.

And, of course, I'll let you know what happens later!

Car Accident

2009-11-27T10:45:00.000-08:00

My mom and Maya had an accident while driving to Iowa on Wednesday morning to visit my sister and her family. Fortunately, all that really matters applies here--they are fine, though I imagine Mom was pretty shaken by the experience.

Although I don't know the exact details, there was some sort of skid on mud, and the car ended up spinning (or flipping, in Maya-ese, which sounds so much worse!) before the car hit a bridge somewhere on the back end or side. Mom's airbag didn't even deploy. Like I said, the specifics are vague--and maybe I don't really want to know any more than that.

My sister's expecting the insurance company to call the car totaled. Or, as she put it, "I hope they total it because I wouldn't want my same car back after being that badly damaged." And this is the car Mom's had for three months. Sigh. Poor Mom!!

Maya's treating the whole accident like an adventure--"flipping" the car, being up close and personal with an Iowa State Patrol officer, riding in a tow truck, etc. Oh, the joys of being five and able to turn most new experiences into a fun time. :)

Since then, Maya's been having a great time being spoiled by her cousins and aunt. She's campaigning to stay there until Sunday, though Mom plans to head back in a vehicle borrowed from my sister today. Hope the return journey is much safer and completely uneventful.

On a lighter note, here's a kindergarten story from November 20 that is vintage Maya.

Every Friday, they have show-and-tell with kids bringing something that begins with whatever the letter of the week is, and they get graded on presenting the item to the class. Last week's letter was N, and Maya wanted to take noodles. Okay, well, last Friday was also the end of a drive for the local food bank, so how perfect to take a package of noodles to then leave in the food barrel.

As I left Maya and her noodles at Mom's house on Friday morning, Maya asked me to open the package because she only wanted to show one noodle. I explained that we couldn't open the package because the noodles couldn't be donated if we did that. Okay, she seemed fine with not opening the noodles under those circumstances.

I learned that evening that she went to school, gave the package directly to Mrs. S. for the food barrel, and went to show-and-tell to display her finger as a talking Mr. Noodle.

Maya--if her way doesn't work, your way isn't going to work, either, because she'll just find a work-around. I love this kid!!

Third Book

2009-11-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just finished the first chapter of my third book. I don't really like the working title for this one, Romancing the Chaperone, but I'm waiting for something better to come to me later. I have to say that I think this is the best start I've had to a book yet.

Basic idea for the book--Anna James is in a fictional Middle Eastern country wih her niece, Tori, because Tori's fiance, Rashad, won't marry her without his uncle Omar's approval--or so Anna thinks. Omar thinks his job is convicing Anna to accept Rashad as part of her family. Just a little matchmaking happening, of course, on the part of the younger people.

However, as I'm writing the first chapter I start describing another man in the story, and I start thinking, "Hey, this guy is way more interesting than Omar." Have you ever read a book where one of the side characters seems like a better choice for the heroine?

Oh, yeah; I think Anna has a choice to make before the end of this book.

And what woman doesn't love having choices in her life??

Agent Query

2009-11-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have a first finalized copy of my YA novel, Claimed, and decided that I'm ready for the next step. I've been reading (and enjoying) a particular agent's blog for a while, and he seems like the sort who won't send a nasty rejection letter if he isn't interested in reviewing the full manuscript after reading the first five pages in the query letter.

Best of all--he usually responds to query letter e-mails within 24 hours. How great is that?

So, I decided to be really brave and send my query e-mail yesterday. After all, 24 hours to wait to hear that he either has zero interest, which is what I'm expecting, or wants to see the full manuscript isn't bad, right??

This is the story of my life--I received an automated message in return saying that he's away until November 30. Of course, that makes sense with Thanksgiving this week, but so much for my grand theory about only having to suffer with nerves for 24 hours!

I'll keep you posted on what I hear back next month. And I'll try not to vomit while I wait; this is almost as bad as Maya's first day of kindergarten!

Another Good Weekend

2009-11-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Why are the weekends always so quick??

Shon and I went to see the New Moon movie on Saturday afternoon. That was so much better than the Twilight movie. I still have casting issues, but at least this second one was much less cheesy, not as slow, and had an overall look of more money being spent on the production. The change in director between the two movies obviously had an impact.

If you saw the movie, did you like the ending? I think everyone across Lincoln heard the gasps from the teenagers at the movie with us!

Herb and I had a short date night on Saturday evening while Maya worked on beading at Grandma's house. Herb offered to go to my favorite restaurant, Vincenzo's, but there wouldn't have been any parking with Nebraska having an evening home football game. Sigh. We went to our usual, the Olive Garden, instead. Fun to just be alone and chatting--able to concentrate on an adult conversation.

I'm trying to talk Maya into making beaded bookmarks for Christmas gifts, but I'm not getting very far. She wants to keep whatever she beads for herself--not exactly the spirit of the season, huh?

Herb and Maya went to the Nebraska women's basketball game yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure which was more fun for Maya--the snack food or watching the women play and win. Maybe it was a tie in excitement level!

Yep, Maya's firmly a Nebraska fan now.

I managed to do a little cleaning, the laundry, and run to the grocery store while they went to the basketball. Wasn't I good??

Teenagers

2009-11-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about my all-time favorite videos the other day, and one that came to mind was Lou Gramm's "Midnight Blue," which I haven't seen in years. Probably not since high school, even.

So, I went online and found a site that had a rather poor quality copy of the video--but still a copy.

Imagine my surprise to find that the video isn't at all the way I remembered. In my mind, a high school girl sneaks out of her house to meet her boyfriend. In reality, a girl who looks about fifteen sneaks out of her house, and gets into a convertible with a stranger who looks about twenty.

Um, okay; how did my mind make that turn? A video I remember finding very romantic is actually pretty creepy from my now-adult perspective. Weird. . . .

I still like the song, though.

Then there's the whole, random sex thing that seems to be so popular with a certain crowd of teenagers and college students. Something that all seems to be tied into the parties with lots of drugs and alcohol. And I wish I was just seeing this in books, but I'm not. I'm seeing it in some of the younger people around me that I care about.

And I don't get the appeal.

Plus, this new "open" attitude about hooking up with anyone remotely attractive doesn't seem to have done away with the double standard at all. The girls still get labeled, and the boys don't. And, as always, the boys share which girls are the easiest marks.

What happened to dating? And relationships?

I guess I'm getting old or something.

What do you think?

Photos by Maya--11/14/2009

2009-11-19T07:49:00.001-08:00

Yep, this is a self-portrait. Notice the "N" letters on her face for Nebraska. Have to start these Nebraska fans young--especially when one parent is a Miami and Florida State fan.

Yes, we know they spend most of their days snuggled together while their human servants are at school and work.

Sleeping peacefully.

On Growing Old

2009-11-17T11:25:00.001-08:00

I like Elie Wiesel just as well for how he writes as what he says. Here's an excerpt from the book by him that I'm reading right now, The Time of the Uprooted, that fits the blahs I've been in lately, maybe the past couple of years:

p.13

Is the bell about to toll for him?

For some time now, Gamaliel has felt himself growing old; never has become the key word: the many adventures he will never undertake, the girls he will never kiss, the children he will never have, the faraway places he will never discover, the cello he will never learn to play, the ecstasy he will never again feel next to a body that is vibrant with life--without fearing he will fail. The passing years grow heavy; their weight drags him down. Gamaliel tires more easily. He is often out of breath; his mind wanders. His need to sleep becomes urgent. He's lived a lot of years. How many does he have left? He's wasted an appalling number of them. Did he bungle his youth? Alexander the Great died at thirty-three, Spinoza at forty-four; the Baal Shem-Tov was sixty. Mozart, Pushkin, Rilke, Herzl: They enriched the world in the course of their short, frenzied lives. And how about Gamaliel himself? Who will carry on his name? What will he leave behind? Just words, and not even the ones he would want to have endure. Vanity of vanities: It's all absurd. Music is what he has always regretted: He wishes he had gone to the conservatory. Paritus the One-Eyed used to say, "When the words start singing, I start dancing." But not Gamaliel. Everyone else is dancing. He has never learned how.