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The true story of Michael Oher. See it.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston
Elizabeth Aston's books are Jane Austen drivatives, lighter in topic, and shorter in scope. In other words, mostly a romance with a slight Austen flavor. I've enjoyed all her previous books, but I felt this one was lacking. It went along just fine, then wrapped everything up in about 10 pages. The book wasn't that long in the first place - it deserved a better ending.If her next book does it again, I'm done, and moving on to someone else.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A new look!
Thanks to Audrey for putting together my new blog design, and the design for Crazy Ladies as well. Great job!
She's still working on some new elements for me, and I can't wait!
I love school!
Travelin'Oma's writing seminar, School Days, is coming to an end this week. It has been twelve weeks of writing assignments and suggestions, and I have really enjoyed it. Oma has put in hours and hours and hours of work to put our schoolwork together, providing thought provoking ideas.
Some of the topics have been easy to write about, some have made me squirm. It has often been difficult to find some peace and quiet for writing, but then I noticed that even when it is peaceful and/or quiet, I have still had a hard time putting into words my thoughts and feelings. I think it has gotten a little easier for me over the last few months.
Twelve weeks! This whole thing started August 31, and it is nearly Thanksgiving. I didn't know I had it in me. Even when I went out of town I did all the assignments when I got home. I feel a terrific sense of accomplishment.
I have always loved school. I love almost all aspects of learning. My very first post I wrote on my blog was about learning. You can read it here. I never ditched school - I couldn't think of anything better to do. Ray makes fun of me and adds the comment "and she lived less than a mile from the beach!" I loved going to college and expanding my knowledge there. I have often dreamed of going back to school. One time when we brought one of our kids to BYU for the school year we were in the BYU Bookstore buying textbooks for the upcoming semester. I was wandering the aisles, pulling books off the shelves and perusing them. I don't know how long I was doing that, but Ray came up to me, put his arm around me, and said, "Someday you'll be able to come back here and take some classes." (We lived in Kirkland, WA at the time). I clung to that thought for a long, long time.
Well, here we are in Utah. Fairly close to BYU and several other colleges, but somehow I stay busy, and the prospect of taking a class or two has not seriously entered my mind. I occasionally entertain the idea, but I haven't followed through on it yet.
All this is to explain why I have pushed myself to complete this writing seminar, even when it hasn't been convenient, and we only have to do the work if we want. It has helped my writing, and I am feeling better about my self-discipline also.
I know this has been a very intense endeavor for Travelin'Oma. She was ill one day, her husband had a heart attack, she went out of town twice, yet she persevered and kept up on her end of the seminar. Is that amazing, or what? If she does another writing seminar, I would do it again. One of our homework options for today was to offer a suggestion for the next writing seminar. I have a couple of suggestions:
1. To ease the burden on our lovely course instructor, perhaps have the assignments given once a week, maybe on Monday, with assignments due in by Friday.
2. Perhaps do a few seminars by single topic - a few weeks on books/reading, a few weeks on travel, or whatever topic she would like to choose.
Whatever she chooses, I know it will be well done, and a good challenge for those of us who decide to participate.
Friday, November 13, 2009
ER
To the untrained eye, this would appear simply to be a tunnel piece from a Brio train set:
However, a discerning eye would note its possible use in a sword fight as a laser that should be projected (thrown) at the enemy.
This afternoon there were lots of giggles and laughter as Austin and Matthew were playing sword fight with Brio train pieces. Their mother insisted they stop, and as most two- and four-year-old boys would do, they went in the other room and continued to do it anyway. Within just a few minutes great screams of anguish erupted. Austin was wounded and came running out with blood seeming to be everywhere. Once he was washed up we found all the blood to be coming from a cut just above his lip, about one half inch in length. Ray examined it all carefully and determined that because the cut went all the way through to the inside of Austin's mouth we should take him to the ER. Ray patched him up with a spiderman moustache (bandaid) and Audrey, Austin and I went to the hospital. The reason I went along was that Audrey passes out just thinking of the sight of blood - so I was the backup maternal figure.
While we were getting ready to go, I asked Matthew what had happened. He said, "We play swords. I shot the laser at Austin." This is when he showed me the laser (see above picture).
All the way to the hospital Austin tried to reassure Audrey that he felt much better, and it would be just fine if we went back home. To no avail. We went to the hospital anyway.
Audrey holding Austin - she does great with no blood in sight.
Austin waiting patiently for the doctor to come. Because his pajamas are red you can't see all the blood spatters.
He has no idea what is in store!
Here's the cut, pre-stitches. Luckily it was a very clean cut with nice straight edges. What an accurate laser!
Back at home! Three stitches with a steri-strip covering.
However, a discerning eye would note its possible use in a sword fight as a laser that should be projected (thrown) at the enemy.This afternoon there were lots of giggles and laughter as Austin and Matthew were playing sword fight with Brio train pieces. Their mother insisted they stop, and as most two- and four-year-old boys would do, they went in the other room and continued to do it anyway. Within just a few minutes great screams of anguish erupted. Austin was wounded and came running out with blood seeming to be everywhere. Once he was washed up we found all the blood to be coming from a cut just above his lip, about one half inch in length. Ray examined it all carefully and determined that because the cut went all the way through to the inside of Austin's mouth we should take him to the ER. Ray patched him up with a spiderman moustache (bandaid) and Audrey, Austin and I went to the hospital. The reason I went along was that Audrey passes out just thinking of the sight of blood - so I was the backup maternal figure.
While we were getting ready to go, I asked Matthew what had happened. He said, "We play swords. I shot the laser at Austin." This is when he showed me the laser (see above picture).
All the way to the hospital Austin tried to reassure Audrey that he felt much better, and it would be just fine if we went back home. To no avail. We went to the hospital anyway.
Audrey holding Austin - she does great with no blood in sight.
Austin waiting patiently for the doctor to come. Because his pajamas are red you can't see all the blood spatters.
He has no idea what is in store!
Here's the cut, pre-stitches. Luckily it was a very clean cut with nice straight edges. What an accurate laser!Austin did so well! He did scream pretty loudly as they injected straight into the cut several times to numb the area. They had put a numbing cream on first, but it didn't seem to be very effective. Once it was numb they put in three stitches. He laid there very calmly, a few tears rolling down his cheeks. Audrey sat next to the chair, held his hand, and put her head down below her knees. I stayed right there the whole time. I was much better than I would have been with my own children.
Back at home! Three stitches with a steri-strip covering.The nurse asked Austin what his favorite color is. He said orange. She went out and got an orange sucker, two stickers, and this orange teddy bear. On the way home he said to me, "Next time I will sword fight with Matthew and go back and get a brown bear!" Isn't it amazing what a little anesthetic will do for the pain? I wonder if he'll still be so enthusiastic about doing it all over again when he is no longer numb.
Ex Libris - Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
If you are a reader, if you are driven to examine the written word, you must read this book. You will find yourself in the essays written here.
Anne Fadiman is no common writer, and I suspect, not truly a common reader. She is extraordinary in capturing the essence of the reader and his'er quirks, foibles, and delights.
I love this book. It speaks to my reader soul. If you love to read, if you love books, if you love words, you need to read this book.
The book is a collection of essays that Fadiman wrote for a magazine, and I enjoyed every one of them. There is something about glimpsing the soul of another reader that is refreshing and validating. There is a commonality among readers that is binding, yet we are all different at the same time. I guess that is what keeps the publishing business alive and well.
School of Thought
This is the last of the final exams. (Friday is School of Thought) Next week is class reviews, then the writing seminar by Travelin’Oma is done. It has been very time consuming, but I’ve enjoyed having to think about different things for writing. Some have been easy, and some have been hard, making me think about things I’ve tried to hide from for awhile. I will miss doing this on a regular basis.
Here is the quiz. My answers are in blue.
Are You A Fascinating Person?
1. Are you updated on current affairs? Do you follow the latest news? I feel pretty on top of things. I read the newspaper almost daily, and discuss current events with my husband.
2. In a one-one conversation, do you talk more or do you listen more? I would like to say that I listen more, but I’m afraid maybe I talk more.
3. Do you like trying out new things like visiting a new restaurant, trying out a new sport, etc? New restaurant, yes, without hesitation. New sport? Hmm, depends on the sport. I’m not so brave there.
4. Do you devote time to your dress and appearance before you go out? More now than I used to, thank heavens!
5. Are there any secrets about you that you haven't shared with even close friends? Yes, definitely. And I don’t plan on sharing them here.
6. Are you game for adventurous stuff? Sometimes, but not as much as I’d like. I’m a low adventure girl who married a high adventure man. It’s helped me be a little braver.
7. Do you manage to get introduced to new people in parties and indulge in long conversations? I’m a talker. That is why it is unusual that I feel very uncomfortable meeting new people – I can never think of what to say. If they are friendly and help me out, I like it. I’m getting better at this.
8. Are you a well-read person? I like to think so.
9. Are you a well-traveled person? More traveled than many, not as well-traveled as a lot of people I know.
10. Can you make people laugh? I hope so.
Are you a confident person?
1. Can you choose a new outfit alone? Yes. But I like shopping/choosing with other people. I like the feedback.
2. You walk into a room full of people. Suddenly you find everybody watching you. Do you become terribly self-conscious? Probably.
3. You reach the airport to find that your flight got canceled in the last minute. What would you do? I would want to cry, but then I would go to the counter and begin figuring out how to fix the problem.
4. You enter a posh restaurant to find everybody else in formal clothes. You are wearing casuals. Would it ruin your evening? I don’t think so. If they let me in the restaurant in the clothes I was wearing, I think I would just enjoy the meal (if it were good).
5. You are at a job interview in a big corporation. Suddenly you find out that the CEO himself is conducting the interview. Do you panic? I would like to say no, but as I’ve never been in that situation, nor can imagine being in that situation, I don’t really know.
6. You are attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker wants you to come on the stage to give your views. Will you get jittery? Probably not.
7. You are enjoying a party with your new date. Suddenly your ex walks in. What do you do? This is a situation I have never encountered. I would like to think I would be mature and calm. I sure have ideas of how I think I should act. But, who knows how I would really act?
8. Are you afraid of visiting families that have suffered a death? Not at all
9. Would you go and visit a dying person? Yes, and I have done so.
10. If someone embarrassed you in public, you would you react? I would likely be embarrassed and turn quite red (I can’t seem to help that reaction). I hope I could almost pretend it didn’t happen. But I don’t know if I could really do that.
Are you a crafty person?
1. What do you call the art of folding paper? origami
2. What is the name of the fabric commonly used for cross stitch? Okay, this is embarrassing. I’ve done so much cross stitch, and my mind is blank right this second. I am taking the high road and not cheating and looking it up. I do know that I prefer working in the 14 count weave.
3. What is papier-mâché? It is making sculptures by using paper that has been moistened and dipped into a hardening substance. (Commonly used things used in elementary school are newspaper, and a flour based hardener, or starch based hardener.)
4. Is acrylic yarn natural or man-made? Man-made
5. Where does mohair come from? From a goat??
6. With which piece of crafting equipment would you use a shuttle? Weaving
7. How many threads are twisted together in a typical skein of embroidery floss? Six
8. What do pinking shears do? They cut in a zig-zag design. It is useful when cutting fabric where you want to minimize fraying.
9. Old sewing machines were powered by using your feet. What was the foot pedal called? The treadle.
10. Is a Spinning Jenny used for making pots or making yarn? Making yarn.
11. What is Kumihimo? I have no idea.
12. Which craft would you be doing if you were making a plant hanger by knotting long lengths of rope? Macramé.
13. In which craft would you use the stippling technique? Quilting!
14. What are lazy daisy, french knot, stem and blanket? Embroidery stitches.
15. Which craft tool cuts out a shape from paper or card when you press on it? Die-cut.
16. What is a highly scented purple/blue flower often used in scented sachets? Lavender.
17. What is gutta used for? No idea.
18. What is repoussage? No idea.
19. Is whittling a wood craft or a wool craft? Wood craft.
20. What do you call the hole in a needle where you push the thread through? The eye.
By the way, the answers to the crafty questions can be found here. I guessed my best, and was surprised at how well I did. I can't believe how many different crafts I have done over the years.
Here is the quiz. My answers are in blue.
Are You A Fascinating Person?
1. Are you updated on current affairs? Do you follow the latest news? I feel pretty on top of things. I read the newspaper almost daily, and discuss current events with my husband.
2. In a one-one conversation, do you talk more or do you listen more? I would like to say that I listen more, but I’m afraid maybe I talk more.
3. Do you like trying out new things like visiting a new restaurant, trying out a new sport, etc? New restaurant, yes, without hesitation. New sport? Hmm, depends on the sport. I’m not so brave there.
4. Do you devote time to your dress and appearance before you go out? More now than I used to, thank heavens!
5. Are there any secrets about you that you haven't shared with even close friends? Yes, definitely. And I don’t plan on sharing them here.
6. Are you game for adventurous stuff? Sometimes, but not as much as I’d like. I’m a low adventure girl who married a high adventure man. It’s helped me be a little braver.
7. Do you manage to get introduced to new people in parties and indulge in long conversations? I’m a talker. That is why it is unusual that I feel very uncomfortable meeting new people – I can never think of what to say. If they are friendly and help me out, I like it. I’m getting better at this.
8. Are you a well-read person? I like to think so.
9. Are you a well-traveled person? More traveled than many, not as well-traveled as a lot of people I know.
10. Can you make people laugh? I hope so.
Are you a confident person?
1. Can you choose a new outfit alone? Yes. But I like shopping/choosing with other people. I like the feedback.
2. You walk into a room full of people. Suddenly you find everybody watching you. Do you become terribly self-conscious? Probably.
3. You reach the airport to find that your flight got canceled in the last minute. What would you do? I would want to cry, but then I would go to the counter and begin figuring out how to fix the problem.
4. You enter a posh restaurant to find everybody else in formal clothes. You are wearing casuals. Would it ruin your evening? I don’t think so. If they let me in the restaurant in the clothes I was wearing, I think I would just enjoy the meal (if it were good).
5. You are at a job interview in a big corporation. Suddenly you find out that the CEO himself is conducting the interview. Do you panic? I would like to say no, but as I’ve never been in that situation, nor can imagine being in that situation, I don’t really know.
6. You are attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker wants you to come on the stage to give your views. Will you get jittery? Probably not.
7. You are enjoying a party with your new date. Suddenly your ex walks in. What do you do? This is a situation I have never encountered. I would like to think I would be mature and calm. I sure have ideas of how I think I should act. But, who knows how I would really act?
8. Are you afraid of visiting families that have suffered a death? Not at all
9. Would you go and visit a dying person? Yes, and I have done so.
10. If someone embarrassed you in public, you would you react? I would likely be embarrassed and turn quite red (I can’t seem to help that reaction). I hope I could almost pretend it didn’t happen. But I don’t know if I could really do that.
Are you a crafty person?
1. What do you call the art of folding paper? origami
2. What is the name of the fabric commonly used for cross stitch? Okay, this is embarrassing. I’ve done so much cross stitch, and my mind is blank right this second. I am taking the high road and not cheating and looking it up. I do know that I prefer working in the 14 count weave.
3. What is papier-mâché? It is making sculptures by using paper that has been moistened and dipped into a hardening substance. (Commonly used things used in elementary school are newspaper, and a flour based hardener, or starch based hardener.)
4. Is acrylic yarn natural or man-made? Man-made
5. Where does mohair come from? From a goat??
6. With which piece of crafting equipment would you use a shuttle? Weaving
7. How many threads are twisted together in a typical skein of embroidery floss? Six
8. What do pinking shears do? They cut in a zig-zag design. It is useful when cutting fabric where you want to minimize fraying.
9. Old sewing machines were powered by using your feet. What was the foot pedal called? The treadle.
10. Is a Spinning Jenny used for making pots or making yarn? Making yarn.
11. What is Kumihimo? I have no idea.
12. Which craft would you be doing if you were making a plant hanger by knotting long lengths of rope? Macramé.
13. In which craft would you use the stippling technique? Quilting!
14. What are lazy daisy, french knot, stem and blanket? Embroidery stitches.
15. Which craft tool cuts out a shape from paper or card when you press on it? Die-cut.
16. What is a highly scented purple/blue flower often used in scented sachets? Lavender.
17. What is gutta used for? No idea.
18. What is repoussage? No idea.
19. Is whittling a wood craft or a wool craft? Wood craft.
20. What do you call the hole in a needle where you push the thread through? The eye.
By the way, the answers to the crafty questions can be found here. I guessed my best, and was surprised at how well I did. I can't believe how many different crafts I have done over the years.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Family Matters
Today is Thursday's Final Exam: Family Matters from Travelin'Oma.
What's your opinion on family matters? Answer these questions yes or no.
1. I usually celebrate my birthday with family. Yes
2. I try to participate in my extended family functions and gatherings. Yes
3. If my friend's birthday and my nephew's birthday fell on the same day, I would go to my nephew's birthday party. No
4. I would love to spend New Year's Eve with my family. Yes
5. Most of my movie outings and picnics are with family. Yes
6. I know all my cousins. Yes
7. In case of any great news, I inform my relatives (siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) first. Yes 8. If I have any problems, I share them and consult with my family. Yes
9. My family is a good support to me. Yes
10. I support family members in their times of need. Yes
11. I can name my children's best friends. Yes
12. I can name my partner's best friends. Yes
13. I know what stresses my partner is currently facing. Yes
14. I know the names of some of the people who have been irritating my partner lately. Yes
15. I can tell you some of my partner's life dreams. Yes
16. I can tell you about my partner's basic philosophy of life. Yes
17. I can list the relatives my partner likes the least. Yes
18. I feel that my partner knows me pretty well. Yes
19. When we are apart, I often think fondly of my partner. Yes
20. My partner really respects me. Yes
21. I respect my partner. Yes
22. I notice what my partner does for me and express appreciation. Yes
23. My partner generally likes my personality. Yes
24. I like my partner's personality. Yes
25. At the end of the day I am glad to see my partner. Yes
26. I listen respectfully to my dad, even when we disagree. Yes
27. I am beginning to understand my mom. Yes
28. I check up on my married siblings often. Yes
29. I have developed friendships with my brothers/sisters-in-law. Yes
30. I occasionally call my aunts and uncles just to say hi. No
31. I am trying to forgive family members who have treated me poorly in the past. Yes
32. I know my grandmother's maiden names. Yes
33. I know my great-grandparent's names. Yes
34. My kids know what my dad did for a living. Yes
35. I am consciously trying to strengthen my family. Yes
Think about the questions you answered "no." Do they matter to you?
Question 3 – we don’t usually celebrate birthdays with our nieces and nephews on the exact day. If one of them called and specifically asked if I would attend, then I would choose that over my friend.
Question 30 – All of my aunts are dead, and only one uncle is still living.
Essay Questions:
1. Name five qualities of your mom or dad that you most respect and admire.
I’ll refer you to a post about each of them: my mom here, and my dad here.
2. Which of those qualities are also true about you?
Like my mom, I like to laugh – which to me means enjoying life. Recently an old high school friend, whom I haven’t seen since high school, connected with me on Facebook. She said, “I remember laughing together a lot in high school.” That made me feel good. I want people to think of me as a happy person.
I would like to be as patient and kind as my dad. I don’t think I’m all the way there yet, but I’m working on it.
My parents are all about people being the most important part of life. That’s how I feel, and I hope my actions match my ideal.
What's your opinion on family matters? Answer these questions yes or no.
1. I usually celebrate my birthday with family. Yes
2. I try to participate in my extended family functions and gatherings. Yes
3. If my friend's birthday and my nephew's birthday fell on the same day, I would go to my nephew's birthday party. No
4. I would love to spend New Year's Eve with my family. Yes
5. Most of my movie outings and picnics are with family. Yes
6. I know all my cousins. Yes
7. In case of any great news, I inform my relatives (siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) first. Yes 8. If I have any problems, I share them and consult with my family. Yes
9. My family is a good support to me. Yes
10. I support family members in their times of need. Yes
11. I can name my children's best friends. Yes
12. I can name my partner's best friends. Yes
13. I know what stresses my partner is currently facing. Yes
14. I know the names of some of the people who have been irritating my partner lately. Yes
15. I can tell you some of my partner's life dreams. Yes
16. I can tell you about my partner's basic philosophy of life. Yes
17. I can list the relatives my partner likes the least. Yes
18. I feel that my partner knows me pretty well. Yes
19. When we are apart, I often think fondly of my partner. Yes
20. My partner really respects me. Yes
21. I respect my partner. Yes
22. I notice what my partner does for me and express appreciation. Yes
23. My partner generally likes my personality. Yes
24. I like my partner's personality. Yes
25. At the end of the day I am glad to see my partner. Yes
26. I listen respectfully to my dad, even when we disagree. Yes
27. I am beginning to understand my mom. Yes
28. I check up on my married siblings often. Yes
29. I have developed friendships with my brothers/sisters-in-law. Yes
30. I occasionally call my aunts and uncles just to say hi. No
31. I am trying to forgive family members who have treated me poorly in the past. Yes
32. I know my grandmother's maiden names. Yes
33. I know my great-grandparent's names. Yes
34. My kids know what my dad did for a living. Yes
35. I am consciously trying to strengthen my family. Yes
Think about the questions you answered "no." Do they matter to you?
Question 3 – we don’t usually celebrate birthdays with our nieces and nephews on the exact day. If one of them called and specifically asked if I would attend, then I would choose that over my friend.
Question 30 – All of my aunts are dead, and only one uncle is still living.
Essay Questions:
1. Name five qualities of your mom or dad that you most respect and admire.
I’ll refer you to a post about each of them: my mom here, and my dad here.
2. Which of those qualities are also true about you?
Like my mom, I like to laugh – which to me means enjoying life. Recently an old high school friend, whom I haven’t seen since high school, connected with me on Facebook. She said, “I remember laughing together a lot in high school.” That made me feel good. I want people to think of me as a happy person.
I would like to be as patient and kind as my dad. I don’t think I’m all the way there yet, but I’m working on it.
My parents are all about people being the most important part of life. That’s how I feel, and I hope my actions match my ideal.
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