Month: September 2007

  • Profile of a Week

    It’s Friday again! How did that happen?  I suppose when one is gone all the time with this and that, the days just zoom by.  The school week was a good one. I’m ahead on read-alouds, mostly everything got accomplished, and I only cooked one meal at home all week. (We’ll see if I can weasel out of dinner tonight, too.)

    Actually, the one dinner I did make is a funny story. We now have Soup Mondays, which, not surprisingly, involves eating soup. I–or some other family member–make a batch of soup, and we eat it Monday and Tuesday. This week’s little charmer of a recipe was Vegetable Beef Barley.  I used a cup of uncooked barley, a bag of frozen veggies, beef broth, and seasoning.  After a day in the crock pot, it was Tasteless Barley Slime with Veggies.  We bravely ate it, and TGD and I thought it wasn’t so bad.  Tuesday night, it was leftovers.

    “Ew, Mom! If I have to eat this, I’m going to throw up!”
    “Eat it anyhow, or you’ll have it for your snack and for breakfast.”
    “Can I have something else for lunch, then?”
    “No”

    The kids shoveled it down with many grimaces and occasional references to starving third world children by those who didn’t find the brown gloop so disgusting. Gockle decided to hold out and try his luck on seeing how many days he could go without eating rather than finish his slime soup. (This is the kid who held out without food for almost 24 hours one time because I wanted him to each one peach slice and three blueberries.)

    After the bowls were hastily loaded in the dishwasher and the cheerleading and football car-full were on their way out the door, Little Miss said, “I’m going to throw up.”
    “Well, do it in the bathroom, then!”
    And indeed, she did. 

    Gockle was thrilled. No one would make him eat that soup now!

    (Side note–stomach flu is now circulating through Little Miss’s cheerleading squad. It wasn’t the soup. I’m sure of it. Positive! Well, sort of..)

    This weekend is Bulldog’s Day (two Days this year). That means four games of cheerleading to watch and one football game for Gockle.  It is supposed to be excellent fall weather, so it sounds like the best of times.

    I want to change my profile picture as I’ve had the present one for a while. But, I’m currently suffering from Bad Haircutitis.  If I raise my eyebrows as high as they will possibly go, my bangs just touch them. Since I don’t want a look of perpetual astonishment to grace my Xanga, I shouldn’t take any new pictures now.

    I thought about having a thing instead of my smiling visage as the new profile pic, but a picture of what? If I choose a cool picture I’ve taken of something, does it mean that it somehow represents my personality?













    What should I choose?  What picture–not of me–is me? What picture is you? (It doesn’t have to be one of these, by the way!)

  • Quizzie Fun  

    Just for the fun of it, I made up a quiz about my blog. It’s not about me per say, but about this blog. So, even if you don’t know me in person, you’ll have a shot at a 100%.  Care to take it? 

    How Well Do You Know Teacherperson’s Blog?

    I think they’ll ask you for info. Feel free to turn yourself into a 96 year old with a fake email.  But, if you leave a  name, make it your Xanga name so I know who you are.  I’m not sure how the results post, so if you are so inclined, come back here and tell me what a genius you are.

    (No fair opening two windows and hopping back and forth looking for the right answers!)

    HA!     I just took it, and it said, “You scored a 100%.. Thanks for taking this quiz! I hope it was a b”  I think it was supposed to say, “I hope it was a bit of fun for you.” But, now I’m not sure.

    PS–If you want to see which ones you missed, you need to click on “See the Answers” under the result box. It’s a blue link.

  • Sunburnt and Sluggish

    Today was an unseasonably warm day for September in PA, and we were at the football field all afternoon. Despite the fact I put on sunscreen, I got burnt in places I didn’t expect to be burnt (the undersides of my upper arms, for one–weird).  We had all the energy drained from us despite the number of sodas we were chugging down as we sat cheering on our Bulldogs. Now, we are a family of slugs, flopped around on couches and chairs, mindlessly eating ice cream and popcorn.  Bliss.

    Urm…my mind seems as torpid as the rest of me.  Must. Be. Interesting. Oh, I know! Pictures! 

    Bugs, the only decent one I’ve taken lately is of this tree on Mount Nittany.




    Hey, I just said “Bugs.” I also say, “Golly,” “Crud Monkeys,” and other strange expressions.  What’s your personal exclamation of drat-ness?  (And, if it happens to be a real, live swear word, recall that this site is definitely G-rated!)

  • Maudlin Mommy

    Today, Gockle and I were winging our way to his eye doctor appointment, when his pencil slid to the floor. In his rummaging to retrieve it, he came up with a cassette tape.

    “Can we listen to State Songs, Mom?” he asked.
    “Sure!” I said, and we popped it in.

    Soon, Audio Memory’s State Capitals song flooded the car. “Sacramento, California; Sacramento, California; Phoenix, Arizona…”  It took a bit for us to remember the songs, but soon, we were squalling along at the top of our lungs.

    Just as we were on the second verse of Olympia, Washington, a strange thing happened.  My throat got all tight and my eyes filled with tears. Was I really crying over the state capitals? Yes, indeed I was.  (I also weep during the Awana song, so I suppose it is to be expected.)  I was reminded of an era which will never return–the time when my children were perfectly content to listen to Wee Sing and educational tapes in the car. Those wonderful, idyllic years…

    The day went on, and soon Hunter and Wit were in the van, too, arguing over who called their cell phone.  “Maybe it was a wrong number,” I said. “Stranger things have happened.”  This comment prompted Gockle to ask, “What is the strangest thing that you know?” 

    “Hmm…” I pondered, reaching for the van’s stereo power button, “I think it must be . . . people who don’t like to listen to State Songs!”  On cue, the dulcet tones (HA!) of “Augusta is in Maine” blasted from the speakers.  You’ve never seen two teens make a faster grab for their iPods. The looks of dumbfounded horror on their faces! Oh, it was so much fun, even more fun than having them like the music. Teens are a delightful amusement!

    What song brings you to tears?


    Confidential for MamaGlop–Gockle got his name because when he was a wee one, he couldn’t say “Michael” and christened himself “Gockle” for a while.

  • Another Day the Same

    My life seems to be a monotonous blur of sameness. Things did perk up a bit with the head cold I got Sunday, and I baked two layers of yellow cake today (un-iced) and have reserved one layer totally for me. I had planned to eat the entire thing today, but I think I shall gnaw on it for at least 24 hours instead of five.  The kids have looked at me quizzically, but they understand comfort cake.

    Hmm…let’s see. What can I tell you that will be of the least bit of interest?  I’ve been enjoying our study of the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.  (Yeah, that’s an interest-zinger alright.)  Our new piano teacher gave LibbyK and Gockle a total of 16 books for the two of them. This seems a tad zealous to me.  The kids shot me looks of helpless horror when they left lessons. 

    It’s Blessed Rainy Day in Bhutan today. This holiday marks the end of the monsoon season.  Citizens are encouraged to bathe outside to be cleansed of their bad deeds and bad karma.  If you were truly celebrating this day, you and yours would more than likely eat a bowl of thup for breakfast.  Drat. I had a bagel.  How many of you are saying, “What’s thup?”  And I reply, “Whath are you, Bugths Bunny or thumthing?”

  • Long Entry, So I’ll Be Bold for Easy Skimming

    Before I get started with my thrilling activities of the past few days, I have a question for the electronically-saavy.  I turned on my stereo yesterday, and the speakers buzzed like steriod-enhanced hornets. Are my speakers bad? Is my stereo shot? Is there some way to fix these buzzing speakers? I appeal to you, oh gurus with more knowledge than I.

    Last night, we went to Quaker Steak and Lube for a late supper while the older boys stood in the rain with their friends at the State High game.  It was so cold in the restaurant that even with a sweater and my spring jacket zipped all the way up, I was literally shaking, even when Little Miss consented to warm me by sitting on my lap. 

    We had an interesting encounter while there.  The waitress brought our check, and we noticed that she had charged us for Little Miss’ soda, even though it should have been free with her meal.  TGD politely drew her attention to this fact.

    TGD–I see that you charged us for a Dr. Pepper.  It should have been free with the children’s meal.
    Waitress–That’s because you didn’t get it in a children’s cup.
    Me–But, you were the one who decided to bring us a soda in the adult cup.
    Waitress–Did you want it in a children’s cup?
    TGD–We ordered a children’s meal for our child. We had to request a children’s cup?

    (A few long minutes later, the not-very-attentive waitress returned)

    Waitress–I spoke to my manager about this misunderstanding, and he said we could remove the soda from  your bill.

    Misunderstanding?  I see other M words here–Mistake. Moron.  Besides, what did the cup size matter anyhow? We all had free refills for free! And, she didn’t even bring us our free licorice and warm hand wipes. Harumph.

    After our meal (which was delicious as always), TGD took the younger three home while I headed to pick up the soggy teens while listening to the game on the radio.  When I was about 3/4 a mile from the stadium, I saw a huge flash of rose and blue light. Then I saw lightning. “Hmm, what could that have been?” I thought.   Just then the football commentator said, “Hey, all the lights but one just blew in the stadium, and we’ve seen lightning.” With only 1:20 left in the 4th quarter and the other team with the ball and a first down, they called the game.  Bummer. We lost.

    This morning, I met Julia S. for a delightful breakfast at The Waffle Shop.  I had the most delicious waffle of my life, a Belgian waffle with fresh blueberries baked into it and topped with fresh blueberries and loads of whipped cream. It was funny how tickled the waitress was with the amount of whipped cream she gave us.  We oohed and squealed and ate every bite!

    After my luxurious meal and wonderful conversation, I met TGD at Wolf Furniture.  It was time to furniture shop. We stopped at the store for a half an hour last night and by 4:00 this afternoon, we had finally decided on a couch, two chairs, and a coffee table.  We chose a brown microsuede for the fabric which looks an awful lot like a leather bomber jacket.  The couch looks like a couch, the chairs are rocker/recliners, and the coffee table is a cool oval thing with two circle tables that slide underneath it. 

    In case you are wondering, furniture is expensive. 

    Tonight, TGD made tortillas for supper, a specialty of his (and of the Ulmers)–melt butter in a frying pan. Add a tortilla spread with refried beans and cheese. Grill until crispy and delicious.  Mmmm. And, he cleaned the kitchen while I napped after my “stressful” day.

    What made you want to nap this weekend?

  • Scandalous!

    Today, I was on the edge of proper. I took a long, hot bath at 12:30 in the afternoon, leaving my children’s schooling unsupervised for (gasp) a half an hour!  And, I had cheese twists, a diet cherry Pepsi, and (gasp) a donut for lunch!  Right now, I’m sitting on my bed, laptop fulfilling its name, while Little Miss writes a letter at my desk. Life is calm and happy.

    The room lady came yesterday, and although she was a lovely person, she wasn’t much help. It turns out she is an organizer person, not a decorator person.  I don’t really need any help in that area.  But, I gleaned as much from it as I could (microsuede is a durable covering for furniture), and I will hopefully proceed wisely. 

    EDIT–I got my kids’ passports today. I sent them in non-expedited processing on August 27th. I think this is pretty speedy service!

    Since I didn’t post these sooner, I shall do now.

    Wit and Hunter on the very first day of public school.  I couldn’t get them to wear Garanimals and carry Bob the Builder backpacks. They did grudgingly pose for me. Can’t you just hear them saying, “Oh, mother. Thank you so much for commemorating this event in our lives. Please, please take another picture.” I thought not.


    Happy birthday to The Good Doctor!



    Hiking Mount Nittany. LibbyK takes a break.

    What scandalous activities have you been up to lately?

     

  • Home? It’s Evening and I’m at Home?

    Who could have imagined that I’d actually get to spend an evening at home?  I’m so used to dashing out the door after supper that I hardly know what to do with myself.  A chemistry lecture with the boys? Done! Reading with Little Miss? Done!  Washing the pots and pans after dinner? Do…er, I’ll get to that after this entry.

    School is going better this week.  I think we have our minds wrapped around the idea that school is here to stay for another 174 days. It’s been fun to go back through Egyptian history with the younger three. One thing that’s been nifty is the number of times that I’ve said, “Oh, you’ll see that at the British Museum when we go.”  I’m so excited and blessed and fortunate!  We still don’t have a place to live for our Cambridge sojourn, so much prayer is needed there.

    Tomorrow morning an interesting thing will happen. I have a room designer coming to the house. Now, before you get the wrong idea and think this is some sort of fashion house, I’ve hired this woman for an hour or so to give me ideas about our living room (the one with the computers and piano and book cases).  I would like to change it around while still keeping a lot of empty floor space. Yet, we need to have a place for at least three computers, a couch, a few chairs, the piano, five bookshelves (not counting the built-in ones), etc. Actually, I may have figured out exactly what I want in that room, but we shall see what she has to say. It will just be like something from HGTV or TLC!  At least, I hope it will be.

    What room in your house would you love for a room designer to tackle?

  • Free Hug Day

    According to a Facebook invitation I got, today is Free Hug Day.  Consider yourself hugged. 

    Where did this word originate? It’s probably of Scandinavian origin from the Old Norse word “hugga” which meant “to comfort.” 

    Consider yourself Viking hugged.

    P.S.  Faith CD posted the funniest link. If’ you’ve ever seen a TLC makeover show, check out this spoof one.  If you are a mom who drives a minivan, you should also enjoy it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFE3B0Rje0

  • Fri-DAAAAAY!

    Usually, one day of the week isn’t that much different than another for me in terms of excitement.  I tend to like Thursdays the best for some reason, but I must confess. I am fantastically pleased that it is Friday.  Don’t get me wrong. Our first week of school went well enough. We did our Sonlight 6 and 200. Wit and Hunter went to State High for their bits of the day.  Little Miss read to me and wrote in her journal. But, I was not used to the fact that homeschooling sucks up every available minute of my day which is not already consumed by football and cheerleading.  Phew!  I am very much looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

    Lest any of you feel deprived, I’ll let you know what we are doing in school this year. We’re doing the obvious math and things, although spelling falls through the craks–er, cracks.  Right now, Egyptian history dominates the scene with Hunter and Wit studying church history.  We have also started Latin this year using Latina Christiana’s DVDs. They are handy, and the curriculum itself doesn’t seem so stressful.  Amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant…(I don’t know how to add the accent which is needed in the “we” and “formal you” conjugations.) Pretty soon I’ll be reading Ptolemy in the orignal! (But only if, “I love, you love, we love” feature heavily in his writing.)

    Tonight is the first State High home game. Hunter, Wit, and LibbyK are going. I’ll be decorating the church with MaineLady for the after-game Youth Group party. It’s a “Wooo!” even thought it’s yet another thing to do.

    One thing I have been doing to fill in the splinters of free time I have is answering Princess Bride Trivia questions on Facebook. (Mary Sellers, in case you want to friend me.)  I am fine with the quote ones. “After Buttercup tells the Man in Black that Prince Humperdink can track a falcon on a cloudy day, what is her next line?”  No problem.  But, when they say things like, “How many colored rings are on the grandfather’s coffee mug?” or “What TV show did the brother of the actor who played the boy star in?” do me in. (They are multiple choice, thankfully!) 

    Are you a Princess Bride fan?  What’s your favorite quote or scene?  Ask me a trivia question!