It is very hot today and I’m feeling grouchy. Today’s blog is going to be a bit whiny.
As many of you know, I proofread reports at work. I also write poetry from time to time. I like words. I like knowing their etymology. I like playing around with them.
Seeing a copy-editor or an editor using the wrong word in a title is a pet peeve of mine(and one of the many reasons we no longer get the Lowell Sun). The title that has been annoying me is on the cover of a People magazine.
A little background: My boss brings in old People magazines for the customer waiting area next to my desk. His mom gets them and gives them to him when she is done, however, she has been in Florida and then in Canada for a while now, so we haven’t received any new magazines.
I’ve been looking at the February 22 issue for way too long. Celine Dion is on the cover. The editor chose the title “My Private Heartbreak” to emblazon in large font on the front.
Private? On the cover of People? I don’t think so.
Celine is talking about her infertility struggle, which is a very private topic for most people. She has courageously decided to share her experiences. I do hope that others who are struggling with infertility can find comfort and encouragement in her story.
I’m sure it is a heartbreak. But it is not private. Not anymore.
I would have just called it “My Heartbreak”, but I am not an editor at People. Just an annoyed word lover.
Private (adjective) 1. Belonging to, concerning, or accessible only to an individual person or a specific group. 2. Not in governmental office or employment. 3. Not publicly known; not open; secret. 4. Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded. 5. Intended only for the use of an individual, group, or organization. 6. Not accessible by the public. 7. Secretive; reserved. 8. (US, of a room in a medical facility) Not shared with another patient.
(definition from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/private)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Life at 50 inches
Julie is now that wonderful height where she is tall enough for all the big kid rides and not yet too tall for the kiddie rides. We went to a carnival together on Mother’s day and had a blast. I have always loved going on the rides and now I have someone who is willing to go with me. We had a bit of a happy mix up at the ticket counter and ended up with wrist bands instead of tickets. The wrist bands gave us unlimited access to all the rides except for the bumper cars.
We both agreed that there was NO WAY we were going on the Zero Gravity ride. Julie wasn’t sure about the Sea Dragon, but she bravely tried, even though some kid had thrown up earlier in the day on it. Julie wanted to try the Zipper, but I chickened out. There were some rides that Julie went on by herself, because I am no longer in the magic height zone. I got to watch her face shine as she had a blast.
She is still sweetly innocent enough that the little trucks that go around and around appeal to her. She is grown up enough for the thrill of the Tilt-A-Whirl. She still believes the games are fair and she has a chance to win the prizes. We spent too much on those games; winning her a stuffed pug puppy (water spray game), a pink and yellow snake (fishing game), and a fluffy wolf (darts).
When I was child, my family went to the Altamont Fair every year. My mother never bought us Cotton Candy. As a mother myself, I can understand why. Colored spun sugar? No nutritive value at all, just a cavity creating waste of money. As an adult with the memory of being told “No”, I did get Julie some when she asked. She is good about brushing her teeth.
Besides, she is a growing kid. Next year, she’ll probably be too tall for the kiddie rides. And she’ll probably be feeling way too grown up to want to go on them. This age of the magic height is fleeting.
We’re going to be enjoying the rides all summer long.
We both agreed that there was NO WAY we were going on the Zero Gravity ride. Julie wasn’t sure about the Sea Dragon, but she bravely tried, even though some kid had thrown up earlier in the day on it. Julie wanted to try the Zipper, but I chickened out. There were some rides that Julie went on by herself, because I am no longer in the magic height zone. I got to watch her face shine as she had a blast.
She is still sweetly innocent enough that the little trucks that go around and around appeal to her. She is grown up enough for the thrill of the Tilt-A-Whirl. She still believes the games are fair and she has a chance to win the prizes. We spent too much on those games; winning her a stuffed pug puppy (water spray game), a pink and yellow snake (fishing game), and a fluffy wolf (darts).
When I was child, my family went to the Altamont Fair every year. My mother never bought us Cotton Candy. As a mother myself, I can understand why. Colored spun sugar? No nutritive value at all, just a cavity creating waste of money. As an adult with the memory of being told “No”, I did get Julie some when she asked. She is good about brushing her teeth.
Besides, she is a growing kid. Next year, she’ll probably be too tall for the kiddie rides. And she’ll probably be feeling way too grown up to want to go on them. This age of the magic height is fleeting.
We’re going to be enjoying the rides all summer long.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Saga Begins
Most of you know that my husband is a technical type of guy. He isn’t one of those who must have the brand new gadget right away, but, when something comes out that he wants, he usually ends up getting it. Usually after trying to convince me why we need it.
I remember arguing about getting the TIVO. I didn’t think we should get it. He ended up wearing me down. Now, I LOVE my TIVO.
He had to get a Sirius radio when Howard Stern moved over to satellite. I thought he was being silly, but again, now I love my Sirius.
I love the wide selection of stations. As a parent, I love the Kids Place Live station: fun music, funny disc jockeys, and never worrying about commercials for erectile dysfunction.
There is a wide variety of music on the Kids Place Live. There are artists that just do kid’s music, ones that hit the charts when us parents were young, songs from movies, and, of course, Weird Al.
I happen to really like Weird Al Yankovic. Mark and I have seen him in concert and stood in line to meet him and get his autograph. Weird Al is a very talented musician and lyricist.
And thanks to Kids Place Live, there are kids out there that will probably never know the words to American Pie. Weird Al uses this tune for his song “The Saga Begins.” If you’ve never heard this song, then go quickly and buy “The Essential “Weird Al” Yankovic” album.
I found myself singing a lovely mash-up the other day, “Bye, Bye Miss American Pie, maybe Vader someday later, now he’s just a small fry. Those good old boys are drinking whiskey and rye saying soon I’m going to be a Jedi.”
And so the saga of the next generation begins.
Julie thinks TV should always be able to be paused. She thinks radio stations should cater to her, commercial free, and she thinks her mom is nuts to be messing up the words to a favorite song.
I remember arguing about getting the TIVO. I didn’t think we should get it. He ended up wearing me down. Now, I LOVE my TIVO.
He had to get a Sirius radio when Howard Stern moved over to satellite. I thought he was being silly, but again, now I love my Sirius.
I love the wide selection of stations. As a parent, I love the Kids Place Live station: fun music, funny disc jockeys, and never worrying about commercials for erectile dysfunction.
There is a wide variety of music on the Kids Place Live. There are artists that just do kid’s music, ones that hit the charts when us parents were young, songs from movies, and, of course, Weird Al.
I happen to really like Weird Al Yankovic. Mark and I have seen him in concert and stood in line to meet him and get his autograph. Weird Al is a very talented musician and lyricist.
And thanks to Kids Place Live, there are kids out there that will probably never know the words to American Pie. Weird Al uses this tune for his song “The Saga Begins.” If you’ve never heard this song, then go quickly and buy “The Essential “Weird Al” Yankovic” album.
I found myself singing a lovely mash-up the other day, “Bye, Bye Miss American Pie, maybe Vader someday later, now he’s just a small fry. Those good old boys are drinking whiskey and rye saying soon I’m going to be a Jedi.”
And so the saga of the next generation begins.
Julie thinks TV should always be able to be paused. She thinks radio stations should cater to her, commercial free, and she thinks her mom is nuts to be messing up the words to a favorite song.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
My Forgotten Brilliance
I don’t know about you, but I tend to have brilliant ideas as I am falling asleep. I put a pen and a pad of paper by my bed to record these thoughts, however, they usually happen after Mark has fallen asleep and I don’t want to turn on the light and wake him up. So I lay there and convince myself that I will remember in the morning. Of course I don’t. I am left with the vague feeling of something lost. Try as I might, it is gone forever.
Trust me. The blog I had thought of in my head last night was brilliant.
Trust me. The blog I had thought of in my head last night was brilliant.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Menu Night
In an effort to make my life easier, I have begun meal-planning. And not just for a week. Once a month, I plan it out. I use a free excel template. http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/meal-planner.html
I am able to look at what we have going on for the month and plan accordingly. I have also been able to start tweaking our diet. We’re moving away from so much red meat and toward more fish. I love that I can always answer the question “What’s for dinner?”
The fun of this, besides saving my sanity and money, has become what used to be leftover night. It is now Menu Night. I look in the refrigerator and then write out a menu with the choices. Julie gets a big kick out of eating out at home. I have so much fun playing waitress. Mark, well, I think he long ago realized that I am bit nuts.
Because of our schedule, Menu Night is usually Tuesdays. We clean out the fridge and no one has to cook. It is a fun night out, staying at home.
Menu Night is a simple thing that brings joy. I hope that you are able to find something simple to bring you joy today.
I am able to look at what we have going on for the month and plan accordingly. I have also been able to start tweaking our diet. We’re moving away from so much red meat and toward more fish. I love that I can always answer the question “What’s for dinner?”
The fun of this, besides saving my sanity and money, has become what used to be leftover night. It is now Menu Night. I look in the refrigerator and then write out a menu with the choices. Julie gets a big kick out of eating out at home. I have so much fun playing waitress. Mark, well, I think he long ago realized that I am bit nuts.
Because of our schedule, Menu Night is usually Tuesdays. We clean out the fridge and no one has to cook. It is a fun night out, staying at home.
Menu Night is a simple thing that brings joy. I hope that you are able to find something simple to bring you joy today.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sue's Birthday
One of my sisters birthday is today.
I admire her very much. She lives her life in a way that truly reflects her values and desires.
She has not been afraid to make mistakes.
Me? Well, I am stuck in safe mode. Most of us are. It is easier to stay in the rut than it is to forge our own paths. We are taught habits early on. Some are very good. I brush my teeth every morning and every night. It is ingrained. Some are not so good. I have struggled for years to stop biting my nails. Some habits are down-right bad. I have eaten my way to obesity and my health suffers for it. Some habits are deadly. People who smoke start out saying they can quit anytime. Unfortunately, it is not just a bad habit, but it is an addiction.
How do I obtain courage of my convictions? What motivates my sister to forge her own path instead of compromising herself and taking the easy way? Her desire to be true to herself shines through.
I let fear stand in my way. The world will not crash if I decide to forge my path. I know this. Yet, I know my rut better
Happy Birthday Sue! I hope to be more like you.
I admire her very much. She lives her life in a way that truly reflects her values and desires.
She has not been afraid to make mistakes.
Me? Well, I am stuck in safe mode. Most of us are. It is easier to stay in the rut than it is to forge our own paths. We are taught habits early on. Some are very good. I brush my teeth every morning and every night. It is ingrained. Some are not so good. I have struggled for years to stop biting my nails. Some habits are down-right bad. I have eaten my way to obesity and my health suffers for it. Some habits are deadly. People who smoke start out saying they can quit anytime. Unfortunately, it is not just a bad habit, but it is an addiction.
How do I obtain courage of my convictions? What motivates my sister to forge her own path instead of compromising herself and taking the easy way? Her desire to be true to herself shines through.
I let fear stand in my way. The world will not crash if I decide to forge my path. I know this. Yet, I know my rut better
Happy Birthday Sue! I hope to be more like you.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Gloves
Gloves are a good gift. Several years ago, my sister gave me a pair of warm and practical and beautiful gloves. I enjoyed them every winter. Until this past Saturday when events transpired that caused one to be lost forever. Today, the puppy destroyed the remaining glove.
Of course, it snowed yesterday and it was rather cold wiping off the car this morning with no gloves. How does being cold build character? Calvin’s dad (of Calvin and Hobbes fame) was fond of saying that being cold or wet or dealing with an unpleasant situation would build character. Calvin never quite believed him.
In my current gloveless state, I am inclined to agree with Calvin, not his dad. Being prepared is much better. Which is why I am buying 2 pairs of gloves. So I will have a back up. And I’ll never be in this situation again.
Being cold just makes me miserable. Being around someone miserable is not fun. I suppose if you can find a way to be pleasant in a miserable situation, then you would have shown yourself how to build character. Most people don’t do that.
I am watching the Winter Olympics. These athletes have character. How’d they get it? By having a dream, making a plan, and working hard. Not by be stuck outside in the cold with no gloves.
It has been more than a month since I made my New Year’s resolutions. My dream of making myself into a better person. My plans to be more organized and lose weight are in place and I am working toward those goals. I still need to work on my plans to yell less, watch less TV, spend less, save more, and stop procrastinating so much.
So I will build my character by not being miserable. I will keep you updated on how my resolutions are going. I will help my daughter and my husband build their characters by encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
And if you are miserable, try a pair of gloves. They may help. :)
Of course, it snowed yesterday and it was rather cold wiping off the car this morning with no gloves. How does being cold build character? Calvin’s dad (of Calvin and Hobbes fame) was fond of saying that being cold or wet or dealing with an unpleasant situation would build character. Calvin never quite believed him.
In my current gloveless state, I am inclined to agree with Calvin, not his dad. Being prepared is much better. Which is why I am buying 2 pairs of gloves. So I will have a back up. And I’ll never be in this situation again.
Being cold just makes me miserable. Being around someone miserable is not fun. I suppose if you can find a way to be pleasant in a miserable situation, then you would have shown yourself how to build character. Most people don’t do that.
I am watching the Winter Olympics. These athletes have character. How’d they get it? By having a dream, making a plan, and working hard. Not by be stuck outside in the cold with no gloves.
It has been more than a month since I made my New Year’s resolutions. My dream of making myself into a better person. My plans to be more organized and lose weight are in place and I am working toward those goals. I still need to work on my plans to yell less, watch less TV, spend less, save more, and stop procrastinating so much.
So I will build my character by not being miserable. I will keep you updated on how my resolutions are going. I will help my daughter and my husband build their characters by encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
And if you are miserable, try a pair of gloves. They may help. :)
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