Look Martha, MORE flowers...

The vacation is going rather nicely. On Monday our friends joined us for some fun. We've swam, chatted,stamped (shh..don't tell Hubby but yes, I brought up my craft crap and as of today I've made 5 cards!). The boys have played a bit of golf (miniature style), bungee bounced(strapped into a harness you bounce on a trampoline, higher and higher). As a group, we've taken a couple short hikes (but you have to call them walks or else MY things protest loudly). We've checked out several cool parks. And most importantly we've taken the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Notice, I didn't mention taking pictures. Yes, I've taken "just a few". I won't embarrass myself by admitting HOW many pictures I've taken. But the remarks from the boys might give you a little hint as to how bad I've been...

• Thing One asked me "how much coins do I get for smiling THIS time?
• Thing Two shakes his head and says "MORE? GEEZ"
• And Mr. T (my friends son)...well, he's my pal for life...he proudly announced on our hike, uh walk, back into Vail Village..."Look Ms. Martha, MORE Flowers" and stopped walking while I took pictures. He's a keeper I tell ya!

So, that I feel a little less guilty for all the time I've spent taking pictures, I will share just a couple with you. Or would you prefer to see all 3,459 of them? (just kidding...it hasn't been THAT bad)

River Run Report

Well, for starters, we can pretty much strike "boatsman" off Thing One's career options profile. Despite the gentle nature of the Colorado River (at least the stretch we were floating on), he was determined NOT to have a good time. Something spooked him at the beginning and he spent the first 10 minutes sort of quivering with fear. He did end up smiling a couple times and even tried his hand at paddling. Well, that is until he got distracted and dropped the paddle, but the guide caught it.

Thing Two on the other hand, reminded us yet again that his teen years will be tough. We can just see the thrill seeker in him trying to break through the desire to please Mommy and Daddy. He was grinning from ear to ear, begging for more rapids (we'd picked the easy family float as a way to see who liked what). At one point, the guide mentioned you could swim in the river. Next thing we knew: Thing Two had JUMPED OFF THE boat and into the river and was pretty surprised to see how cold it was. Fear not, we did get him back into the raft and this only added to his confidence and thrill seeking attitude.

We took a few pictures with a good old fashioned disposable water proof camera. Most of them will be with Thing One scowling and Thing Two grinning. A pretty expensive way to see Colorado but one that neither boy will soon forget!

Our room with a view...

I took this photo yesterday evening, standing on the patio of our condo. Ok, so that is indeed I-70 running through but hey, we're still enjoying the view!

This exchange is by far the best one we're traded for. There is marble in the bath and kitchen, a jacuzzi tub in each of the two bathrooms. Nobody should complain about having to watch some show they don't want to: we've got four tvs throughout the unit. And best of all (at least according to hubby), is the high speed internet access, available in the room! The only thing missing is central air...and really, with the windows open and once the sun shifted, you don't really need it.


We've spent the first day just hanging out. We did make it to the local park and we all made it one loop around the lake. Spent a bit of time poolside and we even each got a chance to catch a nap. Tomorrow is the BIG adventure...a raft trip down the river. Shhh...Don't tell Thing Two but we picked the easy "family friendly" one rather than anything with serious rapids. We know him well enough to realize anything more than a gentle float will be too frightening for him...even if claims to be the bravest boy in the boat! Pictures for that will have to wait: I don't dare take my digital camera with me...but we did pick up a couple disposable water proof cameras and the Things have PROMISED to take real pictures...not photos of chairs, chips or cheeks (at least they were covered with underwear but still...Note to self..don't let them use the digital camera anytime soon).

So until I feel so inclined to blog while on vacation...enjoy these photos of Colorful Colorado!~

Heading for the Hills

We're loading up the family van and heading up to the mountains for a week. I can't believe it has been almost a year since we've gone on vacation. That is SO not us!
Needless to say, we're all MORE THAN ready for a break from the routine of life.
And, although we'll take a laptop with us, I don't anticipate updating the blog while I"m there. Once you go high speed, having to deal with dial up is just so not worth it, if you know what I mean.

So until I blog again...Happy Trails to you all!

Movie Madness

Both Hubby and I enjoy watching an assortment of mindless tv shows. So much so, that during the regular tv season, we rarely find time or have a desire to rent movies. But, once all our favorite shows go into rerun mode, we switch gears and start to catch up on movies we missed throughout the year. Since we rarely catch movies when they are playing in the theatres, there is always a long list of movies we're curious to watch.

For the summer, I signed up for Hollywood Video's version of Netflix. You pay a monthly rate of $10 (well, that's the introductory rate, after the first month it goes to $14.95/month) and you can pick three movies at a time (as long as it isn't a first run movie), as often as you want. It works out perfectly: each Thing gets to pick a movie and I select one for Hubby and I.

Thing One usually picks something related to his passion du jour. He's been in Pokemon mode for the past several months now so he checks out whatever Pokemon movie he can find. It doesn't not seem to matter that we may already have that movie at home: he really likes picking out his own movie.

Thing Two is all about the Simpsons and so his choices are usually something Simpson related. Oh joy sighs mom! But again, it is his choice and as long he just WATCHES Bart's antics and doesn't start to imitate Bart, I"m ok with it all.

As for us, I try to find something that Hubby and I will both like. So far this summer I've not done so well in picking out flicks. First I picked up some war movie for hubby (as I was going out with the gal pals that night). His comment was "no wonder THAT movie went straight to video". A real thumbs down.

Next, I picked Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yeah, I knew the movie was torn to shreds by the critics. But, since I consider myself somewhat talented at "reading" people, I was curious to see the movie that sparked the break up of Brad and Jen and started this whole Brangelina craze. Yikes: bad doesn't even come close to describing this movie. Senseless violence doesn't really bother me (I admit, I am a Kill Bill fan) but this movie had no humor to it, no plot, just chaos with a very weak attempt at telling a lame story.

Ok, Hubby tells me that I'm just about to have my Movie Picking License revoked for the season. I'm treading on thin ice. Luckily, I catch a break with The Wedding Crashers. Granted, not the film for everyone, but since it had topless women in it, Hubby said I had a stay of execution and could resume movie picking duty. It is a different twist on your standard romantic comedy: a bit more raunchy than some people care for, but we enjoyed it.

So this week, I said forget about what he wants to watch, I'm getting a bonafide CHICK Flick and came home with In Her Shoes. Oh my goodness, how did I miss seeing this one in the theatres? It would have made a great "get together with the girls" movie. I laughed, I cried and I was reminded again how happy I feel after I see a really good movie!

Now that I"ve had my fix on a good flick, I'm in search of another feel good movie...what movie have you seen lately that just made you happy you took the time to watch it? Come on...share your favorites please...

Did I bring my friends he asked...

For several years I've belonged to a neighborhood playgroup (Hi Dodi!). And luckily, we've not been your average playgroup. We've fed the kids all assortments of unhealthy snacks, we've drank "Mommy juice" from our coffee cups (not even wondering or concerned if it is 5 o'clock somewhere!). And through it all we've become good friends. Oh sure, the occasional competitive parenting moment has occured (mostly during the toilet training stages and preschool selection era) but for the most part, we all like each other and have become good friends. We've lost a few moms to job transfers and relocations (we miss you Allison and Christine!) and we've gained a few new members (although we've yet to get them to ALL drink from those spiked coffee mugs!) Although my kids are often in school when the group gathers, I still enjoy stopping in for some chick chatter. So, some of the newer kids know me but don't know my kids that well.

Yesterday I was at the pool with my boys, when the son of one of our newer members showed up. I said hello and mentioned that most of the gang was here today...listing off the names of several other neighborhood families I'd seen poolside. This adorable little guy looks at me and asks "And did YOU bring your friends from China with you?"...

I thought: what is he talking about? I couldn't remember any visiting relatives...Oh wait, do you mean MY children? Yeah, those boys...
And then I smiled...yes, I did bring my friends from China with me...

and yes, it is a compliment that the Things look more like their dad than me...

Garden Shots

I'm not that interested in the work associated with gardening. Yes, I will get out there and pull the occasional weed, water the flowers, even toss a little plant food on them. But the passion has just not been there. Yet, as I watch the beauty of my inherited garden blossom, I might just be inclined to change my tune. The previous owner was very into her flowers and I'm catching a bit of the bug as I look outside my kitchen window and routinely catch glimpses of new bursts of color.

Just maybe there is a bit more Martha Stewart in me than I care to admit? A garden can be a very good thing indeed....

Well, at least he's honest...

Last night, Thing Two had his fifth t-ball game in three weeks. It's been hot and he's just not that into the whole organized sports concept. Sure he loves some parts of it, but I doubt we're raising the next Cal Ripkin Jr. Despite this, he's a trooper and went without complaining (we've already had THE talk about seeing things through so I'm guessing he knew better than to throw a tantrum and refuse to go).

During his turn at bat, he ran to first base like he had lead in his shoes. While out in the field, I spotted him yawning more than watching the ball.

After the game, I asked him what happened. I even gave him a lead "you were pretty tired out there tonight, weren't you?". His reply was one of those remarks that make you realize just maybe they do pay attention to all the nagging I do.. "No, Mom, I just didn't try my best".

Like his folks, he can call it like he sees it. I reminded him to hang in there as the season is short and we're more than half way through. That put the smile back on his face!

The first day of summer vacation...

Ah, can you see the smile on my face? Do you hear the echo of silence as I go about my morning routine, cheerful in the knowledge that we don't have to rush out the door at any particular time? We can do what we want when we want...for today is the first official day of summer break!

Yeah right, I expect in a matter of minutes the Things will hunt me down, begging to go somewhere, do something or their most repeated request: have someone over! And much as I am inclined to fulfill their every wish (yes, I'm soon to be inducted into the indulging parent hall of fame) I'm also reminded that this too is MY summer vacation. So, no, at least for today we are not having anyone over. We are not doing something out of the ordinary. After lunch, we have been invited to a friend's house...but I've not told them that little treat for the day.

For right now, we're just going to enjoy this morning.....knowing that soon enough we'll be back to the chaos of family life! And even worse, when vacation does end on August 1st, school will be starting ten minutes earlier then before (tardy bell will now ring at 0801)! Yikes...that reality alone is enough to remind me to savor the slow pace of summer break!

Goodnight Nobody

Each summer, People Magazine puts together a list of books they consider to be "good summer reading". I think for awhile they were calling their list something like "beach reads". The list included light hearted fun stuff. I'm not sure: don't flame me for getting the details wrong. Anyways, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to have learned that this book, Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner, made such a list.

Here's how one reviewer summarized the book (it is early and my thoughts are jumbled, so yes, I"m cutting and pasting this morning!) "In Goodnight Nobody, Jennifer Weiner brings together two compelling tales---an engrossing murder mystery and a poignant story about one woman's quest to save her sanity and sense of self amidst the challenges of motherhood, marriage, and suburbia."

I give this book a double thumbs up rating for fun. Her characters are real. Unlike some chick lit stuff, where you find yourself rolling your eyes thinking "yeah right", this book has a certain element of authenticity to it. If you've lived in the suburbs for any length of time and interacted with other mommies, you've surely met characters like some of the ones she introduces in this book. And everyone needs a best friend like Kate had.

Oh no...the clock tells me I better get off the computer. I'll wrap this up by saying if you want to read something fun, then check this book out. I doubt you'll be too disapointed!

Digging to America

TV reruns sure do help with my reading efforts. I've finished two books this week and feeling mighty proud of myself for accomplishing such a goal. The first book I read was Digging to America by Anne Tyler.

The basic premise of the story is that two families, whose paths would probably never have intersected, meet each other at the airport while they are awaiting the arrival of their newly adopted daughters being escorted in from Korea. As the one year anniversary of their arrival approaches, one of the families looks up the other family to invite them to a party they are having to celebrate this important anniversary. From here, the story continues to follow the lives of these two very different families as their friendship builds.

If you've read much of Anne Tyler's work, you are aware of her unique style of storytelling. She is known more for her character development than her plot. And, this book was really no different. The plot moved along while she created very real and vivid characters. I found some of her insights interesting as she examined certain cultural issues such as what does it really mean to be an American? If you are an immigrant, can you ever fully fit into the American culture? Do you even want to fit in? Since hubby is an immigrant, and my Things are first generation Americans (at least on the paternal side!), I found this aspect of the novel very interesting. I found myself nodding, and I even chuckled over a scene involving rice as I realized how right on target she was in describing certain cultural elements of one of the two families.

My only real concern was the slow pace in which she tells her story. I like a bit more plot. I'd also have liked to hear a bit more from the young girls themselves. Granted, initially they were babies, but as the story progressed, it would have been interesting to hear more of their characters voice.

I found the book to be a timely story...especially given the recent hot topic subject of immigration reform. And although she doesn't specifically address this issue, just reading about the immigrant experience had me mulling over my own opinions when it comes to the idea of Coming to America. I'd say look for this book in the library. It is a rather quick read and not something you would necessarily want for your home collection but it is a book you'll be glad that you read.

Graduating Thing

Another major milestone was passed yesterday here in the House of Chang. Thing Two graduated from kindergarten! And man, it was a LONG TIME coming. We decided a couple years ago to hold him back a year. Give him that gift of time. Year round school means he'd be starting each school year not having had his birthday that most kids have that previous school year. And although I have NO regrets in that decision, it sure has been a long couple of years. First there was the added year of preschool. He was so ready to be DONE with preschool but NOT ready for kindergarten. I thought, just get to kindergarten. Then, I realized that he was MORE THAN READY for kindergarten when the time to go finally arrived.

But the decision to hold any child back a grade (Thing One benefited greatly from "take two" on second grade this year), isn't one made because of an immediate concern. (at least it wasn't for us). It is a long range concern that prompts most of us parents to do the right thing for our children. And as I have learned from this experience, the decision to hold the student back may be right for the child but can be very hard on the parent. Yet in the end: it is ALL ABOUT our kids right? Choosing to do right by our children should be our first concern, even when it is harder for us.




So, here's to you, my happy thing! You did great! We are so proud of you!
And watch out first grade, here he comes!

Deadlines and Challenges

As a SAHM, there aren't too many deadlines in our day to day world. For many of us, myself included, this is a challenge we struggle with routinely. I know when I was working, I was most productive when I had a full schedule and somewhere I had to be after work. I had a reason to stay on task and get everything done in a timely manner. Occasionally, I'll create deadlines for myself. I'm guessing that's why I enjoy having friends over: it gives me a deadline to get the bathrooms cleaned, the kitchen floor mopped and laundry put away (all some of my least favorite tasks). Hubby has caught on to my style of home management. Now when he comes home and see a clean kitchen floor and the smell of pine sol, he says rather snarky "Must be your turn to have playgroup, eh?" He's not really complaining, more like commenting. He, just like me figures, whatever it takes to get the job done is fine by him.

This is the last week of school for the Things. Thing Two graduates from kindergarten tomorrow morning and Thing One finishes up later in the week. That has created a craft deadline for me. And it worked! Wrapped and ready to distribute are cards for the teachers and even a little "brag book" style album for one of the teachers.

As for challenge, they really aren't my thing.I think I am just not that much into competition in general. I tend not to set goals that involve me sticking to a plan in order to accomplish the goal. I've never set a page goal for my scrapbooking nor have I set a reading goal for my reading passion. And, if you've seen me in real life, you would know it has been a long time since I've had any sort of bets involving the scale! I do much better just plugging along. So, it was unusual when I peaked in on ScrapShare over the weekend and spotted a Becky Higgin Sketch Challenge. Oh, I recognize that sketch I thought to myself. That is one of MY favorite ones to use. And, so I finished my last Christmas 2005 layout using this challenge. I've never done the SS challenges, but I think I'm not supposed to post my layout until Wednesday. BUT, I will give you all a preview here on my blog. I added a few extra pictures than what the original sketch used. But, I had just a few more pictures than what the sketch called for and I knew that this would be the END of the 2005 pictures so I made them fit. Ah, how I absolutely love those sketch books! Where would I be without them? Probably still struggling with what to do with those last few pictures.

Uh oh, a quick glance at the clock suggests if I don't sign off, I might miss my one major deadline of the morning: getting the Things to school on time! Gotta Go! Happy Monday to you all...

Brothers who bicker...

Like any set of siblings, the Things are known to occasionally bicker. It is considered a good day when the bickering doesn't escalate into a shout out for help from Mom to mediate the dispute.

Here's a recap of yesterday morning's dispute...

• Thing Two: YOU took the last pair
• Thing One: SO I got there first
• Thing Two: BUT those are the ones I wanted
• Thing One: You can wear these, I'm finished with them
• Thing Two: But they are stinky. YOu wore them yesterday! Oh well, at least they are comfie.

And thus the matter was settled without calling for Mom. In this case, I wish they had called out for my help. Because they were arguing over who got to wear the last pair of CLEAN Haines comfie waitband underwear! So comfie that Thing Two would rather wear a dirty pair than risk something not so comfie.

I guess there is truth in advertising...they are more comfortable than regular pairs and more importantly, I best go buy some more pairs as three pairs for two boys just isn't go to work out: even if they found a solution to their problem!

Flakey Mom syndrome

Call it summer fever. Call it school needs to be done, I want to play way more than my kids do!
But, this weekend, I promised Thing One I would help him get started on the visual aide for his presentation that is due tomorrow. Did I even think of the project once? NOPE! We worked on the written portion last week and I said at the time "we can decide what you want to do this weekend!". UH OH... I can tell we're gonna be a busy family this evening as it is due tomorrow! And, if that isn't enough, Thing Two has a baseball game tonight as well!

Grumble Grumble Grumble....

The F word

Thing Two comes up to me this morning and says he needs to ask me a VERY IMPORTANT question. I replied "What is it son?". He pauses and said "Ok, this will take awhile, AND I have to use the F word".

Hmmm... I immediately panic and wonder what is so important he has to make sure he gets it right AND it involves the F word? Now I admit to using some grown up words that perhaps my boys shouldn't hear, but none of my colorful words of choice start with the letter F, HONEST! I'm more of a D word or S word kind of gal. Rarely the F word and NEVER any C words.

Well, he goes on to explain how he's been really good about playing with his brother (I nod in agreement) and yet how he's been a little lonely (ok, lonely is better than saying bored) and could he PLEASE invite over...some FRIENDS!!

I give the huge sigh of relief and agree that yes, I think we can invite over some friends!

And then it all became quite clear: between track off and a long weekend, we'd really overdosed on the whole playmates/company/friends over and earlier in the week, I had gone on a rant to the boys how they needed to get back to playing together and that I absolutely DID not want to hear about them asking for friends over. We were taking a break. Case closed end of discussion. I"d forgotten my little speech but apparently Thing Two had not and wanted to re-open the matter for discussion but was afraid he'd have to use THAT word I told him I didn't want to hear him ask for: friends!

I then gave a silent word of thanks. Realizing that not only had I not exposed my son to some awful F word, but that he had heard what I was saying about the constant flow of traffic through the house, done as I had asked and was now hoping that the ban had been lifted.

Back "blogged" Book Reports

It's been awhile since I"ve shared what I've been reading. In the past couple of weeks, I've read an assortment of books. I guess none of them moved me to the point of blogging about each book separately, so instead, I'll share my collective remarks.

Whenever I"m in the need for a "quick" fix, I know I can't go too wrong with the works of James Patterson. I am a huge fan of the various TV shows that feature crime and punishment, whether that be the CSI variety or the Law and Order/Medium/Criminal Minds type. James Patterson's books satisfy this interest in the literary format. Recently, I've enjoyed The Honeymoon. I thought Mary Mary was ok. And just this week, I finished The 5th Horseman. I could share all my petty problems I had with the last two but mostly I can summarize it with: you get what you pay for. This man is a very prolific writer. Some he writes on his own, some he attaches his name to other lesser known authors. But, this man is a book-writing machine and many (if not most) of his stories reflect this assembly line approach to cranking out bestsellers. But, like I said, he gives me a quick fix. I don't have to think too hard when I read his stuff and I know that it will be mildly entertaining (that always seems so wrong to admit that you find deranged killers and victims to be entertaining but hey, that is the way it is for me).

The other book I read recently was The Alibi by Joseph Kanon. Set in post-war Venice, it too deals with the subject of murder and the subsequent investigation. But instead of the "who dunnit" he looks at was it right and what price does it exact. He spends a great part of the book examining the moral compass that drives us all. I found it interesting although at times a bit sluggish.


I much preferred a book I read a couple summers ago also by Joseph Kanon. That one was called The Good German and was also set in the post-WW II era, but instead of Venice, he wrote about Berlin. I heard The Good German is going to be made into a movie...and I highly recommend folks read the book BEFORE seeing the movie when it comes out later this Fall. The lead will be George Clooney. Although George is very easy on the eyes (wink wink) he is not quite the man I pictured when I read the book. Regardless, I would suggest you read The Good German first and if you like this man's style of story telling, check out The Alibi. Here's what one critic had to say about The Good German (his review actually gives a nice summary of the book in general)

Kanon spins an ever-more-riveting thriller that is bolstered by vivid period detail, genuine characters, and a thoughtful exploration of the many layers of postwar German guilt. --Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly

But, now it is time that I sign off. I put several books on hold at the
libary and is often the case, they were all ready for pick up the same
week. Murphy's Law of reading: Either you've got nothing you want to
read or way too many choices, you don't know where to start

Embarrassing Moments, Mom Style...

This week a couple of my other scrapbooking blog pals shared moments of embarrassment. The general theme centered on embarrassing moments involving mistaken identity. I read them, laughed and thought "oh thank goodness that hasn't happened to me!"...

But yesterday when I took the Things to the pool, I remembered MY embarssing moment from LAST summer.

As a mom to two young, not so modest, boys with no waists, I'm always on plumber patrol. Checking up to make sure that their trunks are not falling down to their knees and showing the pool community their dairy airs! (yes, grammar police, I know it is really derrieres, but I'm making a punny tribute to their WI heritage) Last summer, I did a bunch of hitching of shorts as they swam by. So, I see this black haired, very tan boy go by, with half his hiney exposed. He had that Jamacian Pool boy look that both Things get as the summer progresses and I just figured it was either Thing One or Thing Two. So, I just reached over and gave those trunks a quick tug to get them back in their proper place.

The swimmer called out with a much deeper voice than my own boys and said "Thanks Miss Martha!". I looked up to realize it wasn't MY boys' bottom I'd covered but the bottom belonging to my friend's 10 year old son!

He thought it was hilarious as did his mom and she said "well, you know what they say, all Asians look alike!". J's husband is Japanese, and in my defense, our kids all look like they could be cousins. My embarrassment was short lived when I said "hey, it is my job as a mom to protect all the pool from wardrobe malfunctions"...but I must say, THIS year, I am looking before I hitch up trunks...

In a Field all his own...

It has been a frustrating week here in the House of Chang. Although the week started out great, by Tuesday afternoon I realized that an ongoing issue we've had with Thing One's special ed. team was flaring up yet again. And yes, perhaps this time I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. But, if you know (or knew) the details, I"m sure you could agree that given all the second chances we've given them, my frustration is justified. And, hey, even if I am overreacting, you all are my friends and would side with me, right?

In the midst of all my adult worries, Thing One had field Day. Now, for a kid on the autism spectrum, field day is right up there in terms of being possibly your least favorite day of the school year. All the things that make you anxious are coming together to create that perfect storm. You've got the unpredictable nature of the day (you never know which station you'll get to next or what task you'll have to complete at that station), you've got sensory issues (it gets pretty loud as your enthusiastic classmates try really hard to win the class spirit award). Toss in the added social pressure of having to work together as a team and interact with your peers in a social setting and well, it could be a recipe for total disaster. But not this year!

Nope, this year, Thing One did great. Sure, he asked that Moosey be there for moral support (when he gets anxious, he asks for Moosey). And a couple of the events he asked to sit out completely. But all in all, he was totally connected with the group. Having fun and enjoying himself.

And during all of this excitement and success for Thing One, where was that special ed team? You know, the ones that take all the credit for his success and yet do little of the acutal hard work? As usual, off to the side visiting amongst themselves. Never once coming over to cheer on one of their own. *Hmm...you don't think I"m bitter do you? Nah, not me, never as she grins her evil snarky grin!

But, despite my disappointment in the adult behavior (or lack thereof), I was ever so proud of Thing One! He showed me yet again, that no matter what, he's going to do just fine...in that field all of his own!

Just wait till he learns about shrinkage...

The Things got to soak in the tub last night. This is a special treat since they both have such dry skin that we prefer they take showers rather than deal with the itchies that come from a soak in the tub. But, they love it and so we caved. Sort of a treat for having to go back to school in the morning.

Afterwards, Thing Two announced to his dad that his tentacles were all wrinkled! He found this very amusing. As parents we found it pretty funny too. But ya know, we weren't laughing at his wrinkles, but rather his attempt to call his body part by the correct name and falling just a tad short in using the right word!

Ah yes, it is only a matter of time until they discover other features of their equipment...

The Most Wonderful time of the year...

As of 0800 this morning, the Things are back in school! YAHOO! I've already made my Sams Club run, finished up a couple chores left over from the weekend and am now sitting down to blog for a bit before I head out and do some more chores that got put off while they were under foot. Much as I love the lazy days that come with being off track, I do enjoy the alone time that I get once they go back to school.



Another thing that makes it so wonderful is that Saturday was "opening day" at the pool. They insisted we go, even though the wind made it a chilly experience. Didn't bother me all that much as I'm officially a "chair mom". You know the ones: they come to the pool and yet never have to get IN the water because their kids are good enough swimmers. I guess I'm more of a Jr. Chair Mom: the Things are good enough to be in the water alone but I'm not relaxed enough to pull out my book and leave their safety completely in the hands of the lifeguards. Maybe by the end of the summer.



And the final thing that makes life look so bright this morning is that my crafty Mojo has returned! With the move, and the challenges that come with settling into a new house, my creativity went on hiatus. I felt it sneaking back last weekend when I finished my unfinishied pages and realized this weekend it is back 100%! On Sunday, I edited, organized, renamed and ordered a bunch of digital prints. I'd tell you the exact number but Hubby might read my blog and shoot me. :) Suffice to say, once they arrive, I'll have my work cut out for me for months! Yesterday, my friend Fran and her boys joined us for an afternoon of play. Us mommies played with trimmers, stamps and adhesives while the boys played with legos, swords and paper airplanes. I'm sure it is a tie as to who had more fun! We all agreed we must do it again real soon! I managed to complete 4 double page spreads: finally working on Christmas pictures.

Ah...it does feel like the most wonderful time of the year!

A perk to kids learning to read...

Hubby is now able to send Thing Two to the basement to make a beer run. "Bring me up a Heineken". Up comes Thing Two, with the correct beer in hand "here's your hiney can Dad!"

*yep, life is slow around these parts, which explains the very blah blogging

Slugger takes another hit...

Oh poor Thing Two...he so wants to learn how to play baseball. And he gives it his all. He listens to his coaches. He practices with his dad the drills he's learned at practice. And then, suddenly he decided he didn't want to go. Initially I thought he was just too happy playing with his brother and the neighbor boy and didn't want to leave the comforts of home (we admit that's a genetic trait both boys have inherited from their home body parents). Then I remembered what had happened at the LAST practice. Well...first I'll show you

Poor fella! Last Wednesday they were working on catching using empty milk jugs when he misjudged the ball and took a direct hit to the lower lip. The bloody nose was a secondary injury...or at least that was what my assessment was. I wasn't there...having left early to start dinner. Hubby and another dad provided the initial first aide and then came home for Nurse Mommy to check it out.

So, yesterday morning we had the big post-trauma meltdown. How he wants to play baseball. How he loves baseball but he's just afraid. And somehow once he acknowledged his fear of being hit, his anxiety subsided and he was ready to go. Last night's practice was a success: he had fun with his friends, he caught a few grounders, hit a couple pitches (and yet, in classic kindie little league fashion, just stood there after making contact, completely forgetting to run to first base!) and most importantly: didn't take any hits to the face. On the way home he said "well, MOM, that's because I used my glove not a milk jug!!"

YOu just got to love the logic of the six year old mind and admire the courage that they have to get out there and try again....

Roundtuit Sunday

Everyone has that pile of stuff and projects that they set aside, hoping to get around to tackling some day/some time. I call mine my roundtuit (get it: around to it?) pile. Since moving, (and in all honesty even before that, but the move provided me with a little reprieve from my guilt) I'd had a couple pages of scrapbooking that just needed a little bit here and a little bit there until they were completely ready for the page protectors. As I was itching to start some new projects, I told myself FIRST you have to finish up the other stuff.

My first order of business was finishing Thing Two's preschool album. Since late Fall, I've had just one last page to do and a couple pages to journal and finish up and it would not just be a finished layout but a completed album! I have had plenty of opportunities but never had time and desire been in total sync. Yesterday, the stars must have all been in alignment with the planets and the Gods of Creative Energy smiled down on me! I am proud to report his "Grins and Giggles" album is COMPLETED. All pages journaled. All pages protected and it is a complete wrap! I started this album once I'd finished his baby album, easily a good 5 years ago. I take pictures that are extras from our family album and make pages that just feature him. (Yes, Thing One has a similar album. Trust me, I try to keep things pretty fair when it comes to their albums). I wanted to finish it up now that he's in kindergarten I"ll start a similar album of his school days stuff. Ah, it feels so good to be done.




But, wait, while I'm on a bragging kick let me continue to disgust you with my boasting....




I went ahead and pulled out some pages that have been bugging me since January. Last Fall I started a Travel Album. I had tired of doing the chronological scrapbooking and decided I'd start an album that features some of our trips (but not major enough to warrant a seperate album). I was struggling with some layouts from a trip we took last May to see the inlaws. These visits are always a challenge for me (complicated family dynamics) and so scrapbooking the photos that we take is never easy. But guess what? I managed to finish up this trip as well! I decided that minimal journaling was perfectly acceptable. Sort of that "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing" approach to scrapbooking.



So now I have at least a smaller pile of stuff in the roundtuit stack. I'm thinking as crafters and as women, we'll always have something sitting around that needs a little attention whenver we find time but it always feels good to have that pile made just a bit smaller if only for a day or so. And now I can start on some new stuff with not quite as much guilt about never quite finishing one project before moving on to something new!

Rant on Roses...

I'm wondering if I can still be a card carrying "Martha" and NOT like having my own rose bushes? I thought I'd be excited to have inherited rose bushes with the purchase of our new house. I'm descended from garden loving women. My grandmother's house was known as the place with all those rose bushes on the side yard. My mother loved roses so much we had inscribed on her marker a quote about roses and memories. So, what's my problem?

THEY HURT and I"M A WIMP...
Maybe I'll change my tune once they start to bloom.
But for today, I'm still crying over my pruning injuries!

The Samurai's Garden

Lonelines ** Solutiude ** Isolation

These are three of the primary themes that Gail Tsukyama visits in her novel titled The Samurai's Garden. She sets her story on the eve of the Second World War with a young Chinese man as the narrator. He's been sent to his family's seaside home in Japan to recover from TB. While recovering, he meets some interesting residents of this small coastal town.

I finished the book earlier in the week, and I'm still trying to decide if I liked it. I know that I didn't love it. Nor did I hate it. It was just sort of ok. It made for a very good "waiting" book. As a mom, I spend a fair amount of each day waiting. Those 5 or 10 minutes before it is time to pick up the boys from school or practice. Or, watching the boys while they play out in the front yard. Since the story unfolds gradually and all the main characters have a real sense of quiet to them, it was an easy book to pick up only to quickly put back down again.

I did like how the author wove in cultural elements (from both Chinese and Japanese culture) and historical details that I found interesting. I admit to knowing very little about this time in history so I was interested to learn moe.

I'm not sure what it is that has left me going "ah, it was ok". Perhaps that these themes she visits, are rarely experienced in my life. So I found myself with little connection to the characeters in the story. I thought she did a better job of creating the older characters than she did creating the narrator.

I"m glad that I read it but I don't think I"ll be rushing out to check out her other works. It is almost summer and I think I'm in the mood for more lively tales...

The Morning stall..

So, my new job is just around the corner. Well, actually, I have to go up the street two blocks and then it is around the corner. I can't complain about rush hour traffic or getting stuck in traffic. But I am finding that already, just two weeks into the job, I"m doing the morning stall.

• Hmmm....let me just check my email real quick
• Oh wait, looks like there is a message from Sis. Better answer that real quick before I forget
• Oh gee, I need to get this deposit ready for the bank so I can drop it off after work without having to come home in between work and my appointment
• Oh, man, if I don't send off this Quicken payment, it won't get there in time.
• Gotta go Gotta Go Gotta go (the coffee kicks in)
• Oh my, look how full the laundry basket is getting..
• Let me just toss in a quick load before
• Come on boys, time to brush your teeth
• What do you mean you didn't eat your breakfast yet? What have you been doing for the past hour and a half?
• Oh man...BOYS! Come on, we're gonna be late. Let's hustle...

Yep, regardless of distance to be traveled, there is always the potential for a rush hour!

The Big Squeeze

Tomorrow I"m off for the "girls' annual photo shoot", or the "big squeeze". Or for those of you who prefer the more technical, but less fun term, my annual mammogram. Ok, I admit, to call it an ANNUAL mammogram would have meant I went 6 months ago. But, I let minor details like insurance coverage and life get in the way. ENOUGH I said and I made an appointment (no easy feat if you belong to an HMO that covers every woman with breasts in the Rocky Mountain region...or so it seems).

I admit, I don't like these tests. It isn't the comfort factor. I really see that part as no big deal. It is the anxiety of the procedure that gets to me. Each year, I look in the mirror and see more of my mom staring back at me. I've got her chins. I prefer her shade of lipstick (that is when I bother to wear lipstick, just like her, I'm not big on beauty products). I hear words come out of my mouth and think "OMG! I sound like my MOM!". And now tomorrow, I hope and pray that these are the ONLY ways I've become like my mom.

But you know what THIS year I've decided that , if it turns out that there is another trait I've inherited from her, that's ok. Because like my mom, I"ve got a source of faith and a circle of friends and family that will get me through whatever challenges get thown my way. I am indeed blessed and ever so grateful for those blessing that have been bestowed on me!

A glimpse into my future?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcA4Ry65FU

Furniture shopping: Can this marriage be saved?

Ah, shopping with a husband who doesn't like crowds nor does he like parting with his money has never been an easy task here in the House of Chang. But, trying to make a major purchase...well, I just hope it doesn't do us both in!

Actually, we agree on the usual sticky point of budget. And, we agree on what needs to go where and what we want the final look to feel like. So, we should be all set?

Oh no, not so fast. Sure, we can decide to move in a matter of weeks. We can decide and sell a rarely used vehicle in a matter of days. But, buying a couch for the family room? This might just take forever!

Hubby sits in a very comfie chair at the local coffee shop when he and the other geeks make their daily trek over for an afternoon espresso. He loves THE chair. Says it is the perfect fit. So, I figured the first order of business would be "find THE chair". We hit three furniture stores with little luck. He was like Goldilocks, racing through each place, first looking then shaking his head and giving the signal to move on troops, they don't have it here. One kindly saleswoman was trying her hardest but I just shook my head, knowing better than to try and sell him on anything other than what he had his mind set on finding.


Monday he calls the owner of the coffee shop to say "where did you buy THE chair?". The kind owner not only tells him but offers to retrieve the serial number once the morning rush subsides (can you tell this is a locally owned and operated business NOT one of the more popular and prevalent coffee shop chains?).

So, last night we went to THE store where they sell THE chair. Sadly, this store although known for their competitive pricing, stinks when it comes to hiring intellingent sales staff. We asked for help but about all they did was wander the showroom floor WITH us, in search of THE chair.

In the end, Hubby is realizing that perhaps it isn't just about THE chair. It is more about how he feels when he sits in it. And just maybe there is something else out there that fits the bill of being the perfect fit. So, after 4 stores, he actually starts to sit on furniture and on a couple pieces let out the sigh of "oh yeah, this is what I want to crash on after a day of dealing with change management and Big Blue Pain in the tookus protocol for network changes".

So, today the Things and I head back to the very first furniture store, now in search of THE look and FEEL of something so comfie you just get stuck in and don't want to move out of until the next morning...

That's what we should have been doing in the first place but hey I've figured out after over ten years of marriage to my very lovable hubby, you just have to go with the flow and realize that in the end it will all be ok.

aufWiedersehen Elsa!

It is with a tinge of sadness that I report the departure of our beloved Elsa. She joined our family some three years ago, as a Mother's Day gift for me. As both hubby and I are fans of the Sound of Music, we named her after the Baroness Elsa Schraeder because face it, Elsa did have a commanding presence.

Unfortunately, we had found over time that she was becoming a neglected member of our family. There just isn't enough driving going on to warrant her upkeep. Oh she was still very much loved and recognized in the community. But, she was spending most of her time under cover. And, with a girl who is aging as well as she is (she's a MB 420SEL, born in Germany in 1987), she deserves to be out there on the scene. So, hubby listed her for sale on Monday and a kindly man purchased her yesterday.

Thing Two was the sadder of the Two Things to see her go. At first we thought it was his more sensitive side being nostalgic over the road trips we'd taken in her (she really did handle 90mph nicely on the long trek from this Rocky Mountain scene to the Land of Cheese). Or perhaps his logical brain was moving too fast: if we got rid of the third vehicle, what would he be allowed to drive in some 9.5 years when he is allowed to drive?

But, then when Thing Two started to release bodily fluids yesterday morning I realized his emotional reaction was more than likely just a prodromal response to the incoming flu that has struck him down.

So, much as I would love to sit here and share more lovely Elsa stories, I've got some disinfecting to tend to...

You're too old Mom!

Yep, that's what Thing Two announced yesterday when we saw a cute little toddler at the store. Thing One asked "why don't we have a baby in our family?" I chuckled and started to point out all the things we can do these days now that both boys are a bit older. I even offered up the reality that if we had to buy diapers we wouldn't have had the extra money for the toy we'd just bought at Target. Thing One was immediately swayed in realizing that yep, life is just fine WITHOUT a cute baby in our family.

Then, Thing Two (who up until this point had been totally silent on the matter) piped up with "well, it doesn't really matter anyways, because Mom, you are TOO OLD to have a baby".

Ok I thought, he does have a point but HOW does he know that? So, I asked...not quite sure what I would get as his response. "What makes you say that?"

His response brought a smile and a sigh of relief to me "well, Mom, you aren't twenty anymore." Whew, dodged that bullet. But wait, he had one more pearl of Thing Wisdom "you have to be 20 to have a baby!".

Silently, I let the subject fade off to talk of transformers and baseball. But, we will definetly be re-visiting this matter of age at some point in the future. Because, this Momma doesn't not want to become a grandma in about 11-14 years. I can easily wait 21 years, thank you very much!

Ah, the places I've been...

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Yep, I've been a travelin' gal most of my life. The red reflects states that I've visited. I know that I've been through a couple of the remaining continental states but didn't include them if I only passed through the state en route to somewhere else.

It isn't that I purposely set out to see a vast majority of the United States. Nope, I need to give proper credit to the fact that my dad was a wanderlust. Growing up, we lived in the Land of Cheese (Wisconsin for those of you not familiar with various state knicknames) for most of my childhood with detours to Arizona, Georgia and Wyoming. Trust me, don't even try to figure out how or why we ended up in these very geographical and culturally different locales. If you knew my dad, you'd totally understand.

And when we weren't moving, we were visiting. Some of my fondest childhood memories include the road trips that we'd take. Dad worked for the school system which meant a long summer break. We'd hook up the trailer and off we'd go...Often being gone for two weeks at a time. As an adult looking back, I have a lot more respect for the planning my parents put forth to make these family vacations possible.

The rest of the visited red is courtesy of Uncle Sam. When I joined the Army, I thought I'd get to see the world. Instead, I got sent to the sandy (not!) shores of Monterey peninsula (while my former co-workers were pounding Saudi sand back in 1990). I tasted yummy TEX-Mex food in San Antonio. While in NC, I found that working night shift is a bit more bearable when you and your girlfriends decide that the next day we should all road trip to Myrtle Beach for the day. And, when I got sent to KY for what would be my final duty assignment, I realized Nashville was only a quick trip down the road and I managed to re-ignite my love of Country Music (although I didn't manage to spot any country stars!) And while serving my country, I met people from all over the country. This of course gave me another reason to travel: to go see where my friends came from.

Now that the Things are getting a little older, I hope to be able to create some similar road trips. We've already taken them to a fair amount of states but there is so much more to be seen in this great land of ours. It is always such a shame when I meet people that think or act as if the world ends at their state border. If you don't get out and see other parts of our country, you can't begin to appreciate the complexity of running it as one nation under God...

Ok, so I'll step off my soap box and go back to my quiet little world. But before I do, try to get out this summer and see something different than what you've always done on summer vacation. You'll be happy that you did...

Twas the Night before Track Off...

And all through the house..
Mom was quite certain she had it all wrong..
Those Things...
They just had Spring Break...
What do you mean,
Starting tomorrow I'll have them for
THREE WEEKS?

Ok, so my ability to rhyme is right up there with my dancing and singing skills.
But, at least you'll understand why I've not been updating my blog this week: I was a busy lady enjoying my last week of alone time.

Oh but wait, I also worked three days this week.

Yep, times are changing here at the House of Chang. For the first time in almost 7 years, I am working outside of the home. But, I think it is "time" and I'm excited about the possibilities this new job offers. And, the hours are a perfect fit to the Things very wacky school schedule.
I'd forgotten about some of the initial hiccups that go with starting a new job.
But all in all, it looks like it will be a good fit.

A Year of Wonders

Last summer (right around the time I started my blog), I read a great book by Geraldine Brooks called March. Last month, I learned Ms. Brooks had won the Pulitzer prize for fiction for this book. In talking to some other folks about this author and her award, we all agreed it was a well deserved win. But, I was one of the few who had read March. Most of the other women were commenting on the skills she demonstrated in her first fictional work, A Year of Wonders. They had concluded that based on how great that book was, March had to be equally well written and worthy of such prestigious award as the Pulitzer Prize. Well, somehow I'd missed the fact that she'd written a book before March and knew immediately what book I wanted to start reading.

The book tells the story of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire England and what its citizens did back in 1665 to prevent the spread of the Plague when it struck their village. The narration is provided by Anna, a young maid who works for the village minister and his wife.

Truly it is a fascinating story. Tragic in the numbers of citizens lost to this horrific infection. Yet, amazing in reading how the villagers made a very difficult decision to isolate themselves so as to prevent the infection from spreading to nearby communities. The faith it takes to make such a selfless decision. Well, I'm not sure I'm that strong of a person.

The story is historically based but fiction: so the author has created characters based on what she thinks they might have done during this time. She created some very vivid characters and the story itself felt very real.

Now, who shouldn't read this book? Well, for starters, if you are a germaphobe, I suggest you skip this one. The first night after I started reading the story, I had some pretty vivid dreams. Having watched Colonial House on PBS a few summers ago, I had a pretty good idea of the harsh living conditions of the time. Toss in something as disgusting as the plague, and you've got an icky setting for a story. The author manages to describe the conditions in a simple style but the images your mind creates are very vivid.

Also, if you are not of the believing type, I don't think you'd find the book to be as interesting as I did. For the citizens to make such a decision, they relied very heavily on their belief in God and the teachings of the Bible. The author makes a fair amount of references to the worship practices of the time and if you are turned off by a religious tone to books you read, you might want to skip this book. But, to be true to that period of time in history, the author would have been wrong to not address the role that the Church played in society.

But as for the rest of you, you simply must read A Year of Wonders....You'll be wondering long after you finish the book what you would have done had you been faced with similar decision. Would you be able to continue to live when all around you is nothing but sorrow and sadness?
I'm still wondering myself....long after having finished the book

Everyone Needs a Book

I'm behind in my reading and thus don't have anything ready to review. But, this week Thing One brought home something he had written at school and I thought I would share it with you. It fits with my desire to blog about a book, even if I have nothing current to share.

A bit of background might help others appreciate the beauty of what he wrote. Thing One has always struggled with writing. I'm not sure exactly why that is. Probably a combination of factors: his quirks make him a real black and white kind of kid such that I don't think he's ever undertstood WHY he has to write things at school. His long standing struggle with fine motor strength has made it a not only a task he doesn't understand but also one that is physcially challenging for him. (On a side note, just like almost every been-there/done that parent and therapist had reassured us, his cursive is much better than his printing ever was or will be.) This year, we've seen some wonderful maturing and growth on so many levels. This essay is just another example of why we're so pleased with his progress and grateful for making that difficult decision to have him take another stab at second grade.

"Rules for why everyone needs a book"

Everyone Needs a Book

by Thing One C.

Rule 1. You could go anywhere in the world with a book

Rule 2. Like Tom Sawyer or Moby Dick

Rule 3. Also, not just a skinny book, get a chapter book

Rule 4. They can teach you important lessons

Rule 5. It can be about community helpers

Rule 6. It can teach you about a chef or a doctor

Rule 7. You can write your own book

Rule 8. You can read a book with a friend

Rule 9. Never ever ever rip a book

Rule 10. If you have a book, you have a friend

And, yes, I do have a book I'm reading...so I think I will head out and spend the quiet of the morning with just that friend!

Proof of experience

So, next week I'm supposed to start my new job with the school system. I'm going to be the over-educated, underpaid (but then again, any job in a school setting is underpaid) teaching assistant. I've thought it through and really feel like this is the right thing for me to do.

I just got a call from some administrator type, asking that I bring in my qualifications and proof of experience. Having never worked in a school before I said "does that mean my resume and other assorted documents supporting my education and work history?"

Her response took me back to all those little ladies working for the government (most wearing tennis shoes with their skirts): 'Oh no, I'll need letters from where you worked, proving you've worked with children".

Hmmm: lets create a paper trail when the proof is right in front of us all...my two Things have been my work, for the past 8.5years. Do I ask them to writet the letter? Was I not approached about this job by the staff because of all the volunteer hours I have put in working with the students.

At this point, I have neither the time nor the inclination to dedicate toward the making of a paper trail. Sure, I may not end up with that extra dime or nickel an hours that the paper trail is designed to support/validate. They can keep the change: I just want to start doing what I enjoy the most...working with kids.

Meet Slugger...

He's all about baseball these days. I've even got him signed up for a team this summer. We'll see, it will be our first attempt at any sort of organized sport. With Thing One's issues, it just never seemed appropriate. But, Thing Two really wants to try it so what the heck, all we can do is try.

Now, let me introduce you to today's portrait of Slugger...

Oh wait, I didn't have my camera with me today. But, I was working with the school nurse when my cell phone rings. It is the assistant principal and she needs to chat with me. Sure, I'm in the building, I'll be right up. Seems Thing Two slugged some kid in his morning class. You know with kindergartners, there is ALWAYS a story that goes with it. But, the bottom line is that he made a poor choice and needed to endure the consequences. So, there he sat on the chair outside of the principals office. Missing first recess. Poor guy...he did indeed look pitiful but I hope he learned his lesson and realizes that the class Eddie Haskel (you know every class has an Eddie Haskell: one minute he's a brown-nosing Mrs. Cleaver and the next minute he's getting the Beaver in trouble!) can't be trusted. It is also important that he learn now that you are known by the company you keep. Hang around the thugs, and you too will likely end up serving some time!

Thanks for tuning into WMRC

As a kid, I remember building forts using my mom's card table and blankets. We'd make it our little cave and hang out there for hours on end. These days, your generic fort just isn't enough. No,today's kid has to take it to the next level.

It started with our friend's son, T, who built a library in their front room. He used the same construction materials that I used in my kiddie forts, but called it a library



On Sunday, Thing Two announced he wanted to build himself something different than a library. But, he would need my radio and all the kids cds I could find. Why I asked? Oh, because I"m building a radio station. Sure enough: using his t-shaped bunk beds and some extra blankets, he's created quite the little cozy nest. He made a sign and we talked about how radio stations get their names. He started out using just his initials, but I think the last time I peeked at his sign, he's added the initials of just about any of his pals he thinks might visit his place. He's got music, he's got some books, he even snuck some snacks upstairs in case he gets hungry.

Oh how I love their sense of imagination and willingness to create stuff without worry about how perfect it is. We could all learn a thing or two from our kids when it comes remembering to take time for creative play. Our imagination can take us far, if only we let ourselves soar.
*photos of the DJ and his tune shack are still pending

Tempting the Goddess of Spring...

I can't remember how Spring behaves in other parts of the world. We've lived here in Front of the Rockies for 9 years now so I've sort of forgotten what she is like elsewhere. But, here she is quite the Seasonal DIVA! She calls the shots and likes to be in charge. She often pops up unannounced in mid-to-late February and teases us with her warmth and soft winds. Then she turns the show back over to Winter and we get cold, wet and even some white stuff.

For the past couple of weeks, she has graced us with some amazing weather. She's brought color to my backyard in the form of flowers and budding trees. Some days have been windier than others but by far, She is the most well liked of the Seasons at least in my opinion. Not too hot, not too cold. In the words of Goldilocks, She is "just right!".

But, I'm afraid I might be getting ready to annoy her as I've done two things that suggest I am taking her warmth and pleasant nature for granted. Not only did I rotate out the Things clothing (putting the long sleeved shirts in the back of the closet and pulled out tshirts and even the shorts), but we've also decided to have a Housewarming Party this Saturday.

I guess I should go on record for apologizing for the Spring Blizzard that we are sure to have between now and the weekend! I have taken the Diva for granted and she will now punish us all. Or maybe not, she is after all, a fickle girl. Perhaps that's the real reason I like her so much: She is a lot like Me!

A Heart Loving Family...

I am certain that we can all agree that each family has its own set of rules. Not every family out there agrees on discipline issues, bedtimes, restrictions on video/tv watching, those sorts of issues. Our family quirk is that we are a scooter-skate board free zone. Not really a hot button issue for me as much as it is for my hubby. And, since I"m neutral on the matter, it is pretty easy to say "yeah sure, whatever!" His reasons are valid and as a nurse, yes, I am well aware of the various injuries that can occur when you use such items without proper gear. So, the boys have never had scooters or skateboards, nor will they likely ever be allowed to get them. Quirky and odd to some folks, but every family has its own quirks and this one is ours.

But since we moved into the cul de sac, I guess you could say we've fallen victim to community peer pressure. Gradually, the Things have been seen "borrowing" their pals equipment and neither one of us parents took immediate and swift action. Well, today hubby spotted Thing Two on a scooter without any protective gear. When confronted, Thing Two decided to debate the necessity of wearing gear. UH OH: BUSTED BIG TIME! We're now back to enforcing the rule and banning such equipment. It's one thing to be caught, it is another thing to try and argue with the cop who busted you. Never a good thing...better he learn that at 6 then try to teach it to him later on.

So, now that Thing Two has calmed down (why yes, he does have a flair for drama, and I plead the fifth as to who he has inherited this trait from), we explained to him the problem and the need to go back to the original rules.

And this is where he broke my heart: he says "Its ok because you know what, I may not have scooters but I do have a heart lovin' family and not many people have that, right Mom?"
I replied with "are you trying to sweet talk you way out of trouble?" and he looked at me ever so curious "no, Mom, it is true, we are a heart loving family and that's more important, right?"

Man, just when you think this job is too hard, your staff cuts you a break....

Ape Loving Thing

Most of you are aware that Thing One has his own set of challenges. Lots of women out there devote their entire blogs to their children's issues. That's not why I blog, but every so often I need to release certain feelings that I have with regards to his challenges. If you hadn't noticed yet, I'm definetly a "glass half full" kind of girl. And so ranting or lamenting on the challenges of raising a child with autism just really wouldn't be my style.

But, Spring is in the air, and he's got a bad case of Spring Fever. Today his teacher met me outside after school for one of THOSE chats. It has been so long since I've had such an encounter, I'd forgotten how protective I can get when it comes to my kids. Yes, I want both boys to be responsible and accountable for their actions. But, sometimes the expectations that they have for him, fail to take into consideration his quirks and it is those quirks that led to the diagnosis of autism.

While I"m huffing and puffing, trying to figure out how I want to tackle this newest bump in the roller coaster, he's happily doing the last piece of his homework. He's supposed to write three sentences in cursive. Problem is, he doesn't know all the letters yet. So, he goes with what he does know and comes up with this sentiment:

The Ape ate Table Two.

Thing One laughed.

Thing One loves apes.

Now, of course he used his own name. But you know what: in reading that, I am reminded again: I love those Things (and that hubby of mine!) more than anything out there! And, it is my job as his mom, to help him navigate his way through this process called school, while taking time along the way to educate a few educators about quirky kids!

Last night I dreamt about....

Scrapbooking! How lame is that?
Since we moved, I've only made time once to scrapbook and the pages I created were not some of best efforts. If one were to believe in dreams having meaning, I'm pretty sure this one meant I need to get back to the hobby I so enjoy...scrapbooking!

Ok, blog readers (especially if you are also a not so deligent scrapbooker or crafter of some sort), help me stay accountable. I promise to treat myself to at least 3 hours of scrapbooking in the next couple of days. Can you promise yourself a similar treat? (whatever your hobby or craft might be). Share your successes in the comment section (you need not be a blog member to comment)

Kindergarten Wisdom...

Thing Two just announced that "you can't High Five yourself without looking stupid"

I asked him where he heard that, and he said Ms. J (his morning kindie teacher) told him that.

Man, I"m liking Ms. J. more and more all the time!

Feverishly Bored?

No, not me, I'm a mom, boredom is not something I find myself encountering (although a friend who has been struggling with insomnia was asked by a not so smooth sleep study technician:" Oh, you're a SAHM? Perhaps you are bored and that's why you aren't sleeping so good?" Me thinks that technician has some issues with those of us who stay home? But, I"ll save that rant for another day)

No, Thing One is the one with a current case of boredom. (And actually, I don't think he's bored so much as he is annoyed by my recent decision to scale back on the after school social club that we've had going on the past couple of weeks) This afternoon, not only did he announce he was bored but that he had a Boredom Fever of 500 degrees! Wow: that must be bad sighs the very sarcastic mom.

So, in all my years as a nurse, I wasn't sure how one treats a boredom fever. Aspirin is out: don't want to run the risk of Reyes Syndrome. Thinking Tylenol and Advil also wouldn't help. But, as a seasoned Mom, I knew the exact cure...

"Well, if you are indeed burning up with boredom, perhaps I should take this transformer and give it to someone out there who isn't so overheated with boredom? Certainely, you are too ill to enjoy the plethora (oh how I love that word!) of toys that surround you?"

Yep...as is often the case, no more complaints of bordeom were heard from him (at least for today).

Just pictures

Lately, I've been posting but not sharing pictures. And yes, I know sometimes you just check my blog for the photos. So here's a couple pictures.


Yes, here at the House of Chang, we hunt for eggs using nothing but the finest baskets. That is indeed a Longaberger that Thing Two is clutching! Ah, I remember when I treated those baskets with such care. Now you are very likely to hear me say: "sure kid, take it outside". Perhaps this is a sign that I have TOO many baskets? I'll take the 5th on that one...


Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Not me cried Thing Two. Well guess what buddy, you've not only been caught but Mommy had her camera handy too!

Other kids are funny too...

I'm reminded it isn't just my Things that say goofy things. My friend Tracey is in Washington, DC this weekend, helping celebrate her brother's recent marriage. It was an impromptu decision (he is being deployed "over there" in a couple of weeks) and so she went without her family.

Her younger son comes up to me on Thursday, proud as can be "Miss Martha, we took my Mommy to Walmart today and she won't be back until Sunday!".

Yeah, makes sense, Walmart/Washington DC...sounds the same. I wonder if Tracey will see Mr. President while she's there? And if so, what will they chat about?

The Usual Rules

Not too long ago, I was watching a show on Fine Living (why yes, I was eating bon bons while lounging about in my jammies, exciting life of a the housewife that I lead). They were talking about ways to improve the quality of your life and one particular segment I liked was when they talked about starting a Mother-Daughter Book club. It was one of those few moments that I sighed, a little sad that I'm not raising a girl, because it would have been something fun to do once she got to be a teen. And if I had a daughter, I know one book for sure that we'd all have to read when the girls got to be around 13: The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard.

As the author notes in her acknowledgments, the novel came out of a desire to tell the story of how it is that a young person can survive great and terrible heartache, with a certain sense of hopefulness about the future intact. Ms. Maynard selected September 11th as the starting point of her story and continues to follow the experiences of Wendy as she works through those initial months after she learns her mother won't be coming home from work ever again.

I admit, I was a bit worried about the starting point of the story. You are reading it, and you know exactly what is coming next. I found that my own memories of that sad day in September come flooding back to me. Yet even before you got to this point in the book, the author had already created a cast of very vivid and real characters that made you want to keep reading....you wanted to know how Wendy, her step dad Josh and her five yr old brother Louie handled those days immediately following the tragic events of Sept. 11th. And yes, you will find yourself a bit tearful here and there. But that's because the author does such a good job of using the language of a teen to convey what is in the hearts and minds of many folks when they suffer such a loss.

And althought it has been 27 years since I was 13, I found it interesting and intriguing to read a book told through the eyes of a 13 year old. I'd forgotten what that limbo was like: not completely done being a kid, yet also capable of thoughts more mature than I realized at the time. My only real complaint would be that I doubt a young girl would have had as much curiosity and be given as much freedom to explore on her own as the author had Wendy doing. Some of the wanderings were crucial to the telling of the story (so I get why she had the character do the things she did), but I doubt she'd have been given that much freedom. But, then again, it has been 27 years since I was 13, so maybe times have changed a bit?

In closing, I leave these words with you...they are not the authors word, but instead words written by another well known teen who suffered through tragic times and yet remained optimistic and hopeful, Anne Frank, 1944

• It's difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise
  within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It's a wonder I haven't abandoned
  all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them, because
  I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart

It has indeed been a GOOD FRIDAY...

I am certain that my conservative Lutheran relatives would be shaking their head in disappointment had they been hanging around today. Thinking, surely now that she is back to attending church routinely, she'll observe Good Friday in the way she was raised up. Sorry folks...

Although we violated numerous Good Friday traditions, I have to say, today has indeed been a very good Friday. I gathered up my usual posse of pals, and had the kids over for an Easter Egg Hunt after school. While the kids opened their little plastic eggs, us mommies started up on the Margaritas. We feasted on tacos and when the designated drivers arrived (also known as spouses), we decided we weren't ready to call it a night...so out came the poker chips and more adult beverages. The kids played so nice together, while the dads tried to fund their children's college tuition savings plans ( note to Things: I hope your dream is to attend the trade school up the streeet, because Daddy isn't so good at Texas Hold Em!).

And yet, when I reflect back on today, I don't feel any sort of the Lutheran/Catholic guilt that I should considering all the faux pas committed. I instead see a life blessed by God: He's given me a loving family and a circle of friends that fills me with more joy and happiness than I think I deserve!

Blogging Blahs...

I've not feeling particularly witty this week. I'm not sure why.

Let see, what could it be? Maybe I'm still dealing with the news that the accountant delivered last week. We don't owe as much as last year but we still owe some. But then again, that can't be it: because we pay pretty much every year and had the money set aside, just waiting to be sent in.

Well then,perhaps, I'm still bothered by the Great Flood of '06 that happened on Saturday? The basement toilet broke and was gushing water everywhere. Thing One happened to be in the basement at the time, walked through soggy carpet (soaked, drenched, toilet still actively gushing), and went outside to ride bikes, never pausing to tell either adult "hey, the basement is flooding." I discovered it probably after an hour into the incident. Oh but wait, we got over that...and thanks to Hubby's hard work, it looks like everything will dry without further incident. Being at the garden level helped air things out and the air out here is so dry, you don't fret too much about "damp basements". I was more perplexed by the action (or inaction) of Thing One. Oh well, just that friendly reminder that his diagnosis is correct. He's not always going to respond to life events in the ways we think he should. (for readers not all that familiar with the formal name for his quirks, he's on the Autism Spectrum)

Then, maybe it is the inspection that the prospective buyers completed and their laundry list of requests, demands, whatever you want to call it. Nope, we agreed, along with our realtor, that the house was priced to reflect these concerns so take it or leave it. Only two of the issues were valid (and thus we are willing to correct). The rest I think are an attempt to get us to fund their plans for a "fix and flip". Sorry, that's why the house is priced considerably lower than market value/appraised value. It is a "bring your paint brush and hammer" deal. Take it or leave it.

So, gee...I just don't know where my blogging enthusiasm has gone to? I'm thinking I'm using it all up trying to see the bright side of life's more recent challenges. Tune in later when I will try to be more humorous...and well, even if that fails, I'm half way through a REALLY good book, so I should have another review up by the end of the week!

The Glory Cloak

On errand day, I try to include a stop at our local library. I treat it as my reward for completing the chores of the week. The library is only a couple years old and is a wonderful place to just go and wander around. This latest book that I read, I found sitting out on a display unit. I don't even remember what the theme of the display was but, the cover and title caught my eye so I picked it up and checked it out. I'm so glad that I did...for this was a wonderful book I might not have ever discovered, had it not been for that display of books.

The Glory Cloak, by Patricia O'Brien, is a historical fiction story involving Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. The story itself is narrated by a fictional character, Susan Gray, who in this tale is a younger cousin to the famed author of Little Women. They travel together to Washington DC to work as nurses during the Civil War. It is here that they meet up with Ms. Barton, the "Angel of the Battlefield" and the story begins to take off. The timeline for the story is from the 1850s- to the late 1880s and the author weaves in elements of history while creating a fictional story involving the friendship between Ms. Alcott and her cousin, Susan.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit of time to adjust to the language and style of the book. I'm used to reading books set in the present so this is a common problem I encounter when I change gears and read a book set in a different era. I especially liked learning more about the works of Clara Barton. I'd heard about her: either in nursing school (yes, we had to take such exciting classes as the history of nursing!) or in the military (where again, we had to listen to seminars on the History of the Army nurse). She truly was a remarkable woman: tending to the needs of the injured while also pushing the government to improve the ways in which they notified the families of the status of the wounded soldiers. I also liked how the author added some insight into who Louisa May Alcott was and how the stories she wrote related to her own upbringing and life. My only complaint to the story would be the age difference between the narrator and Louisa May Alcott. She was 10 years younger than Miss Alcott. Yes, I have friends 10 years older and 10 years younger than me and we get along great. But, I doubt we would have been "childhood pals" given this age difference. I'm not sure why the author created such a wide age gap. She could have achieved a similar story while having the cousin be closer in age.

As with any good book, it left me wanting to learn more. Read more. And so off I go...to do just that (not to mention, Thing One is begging for his chance at the computer and I've got other things to do beside read and blog!)

Happy Birthday Audrey!

I've struggled with what to post to mark what would have been Mom's 69th birthday today. (she's the little one sitting next to her big sis, Phyllis). I've typed and deleted several times over. What I write is either too sappy or too sassy. Mom would not have approved of either approach. So, instead, I looked to my good pal Google for some help. When in doubt, Google! Certainely someone else has already come up with just the right thing to say on a day when you want to remember the past but celebrate the present. And sure enough, someone else had managed to come up with just the right words to express my feelings.

So, I share with you these words, written by someone else. I hope that anyone who reads this, will take a moment to think some nice thoughts about your own mom. For as Maya Angelous once said in an Oprah interview, regardless of your relationship with your parent, you will miss them when they are gone from your life. I know I still miss my mom, some 18 years after she lost her battle with breast cancer.

I still Miss my Mom very much

If possible, now even more than ever

As I finally begin to understand

What it means to have lost her so young.

And suddenly, I"m not so afraid anymore

to let myself think and talk about her,

To take that look in the mirror

and see her face smiling back at me,

to connect with her, talk to her,

be reminded of her love for me, her daughter.

I'm not so afraid anymore

to ask questions about my mom,

her life, her goals, her dreams,

what she wanted for her kids,

If she would have been proud of me.

I'm not so afriad anymore

to share my thoughts with you,

And to admit that in my heart I'll always be

the little girl who desperately wants her mommy back!

Thing One in living color

Thing One is a bit like his mother, his maternal grandmother and heck, even his maternal great-grandmother. We have (or had, sadly the grandmothers are no longer living)issues with having our photo taken. He didn't use to be so camera reluctant. But, I am finding as he gets older he sighs whenever I bring out the camera. And, well I can sort of see why. Of the many photos I take of him, most end up getting deleted. His eyes are half closed, or they have that wide open stare in a very forced attempt NOT to close them. If there is a smile, it is often one that looks so forced it reflects pain not joy. Unfortunately, I fear he comes by these photo-sensitive issues genetically. But, thanks to my perpetual photo taking nature and with help from digital technology, every so often I manage to snap a blog worthy photo.

Such was the case on Saturday. He was truly happy. Playing outside with his pals. Riding bikes and just being a kid. I ran to grab my camera and before he even spotted me, I started snapping away. And voila, I present to you...
a smiling, eyes open, content with the world Thing one!

If he hears it, chances are he'll repeat it...

I need to remind myself of this fact just about every day! With Thing One, we got a bit spoiled. He never was much of an eavesdropper. Might have been his nature, might be partly due to his issues, but whatever the reason, I admit, we were spoiled and are sometimes careless in what we say around the kids. They couldn't POSSIBLY be paying attention, right?

WRONG: Thing Two is the master eavesdropper. Yeah Yeah Yeah, I hear you, that apple fell right from THIS tree. I know. But, now I must deal with the consequences.

At least today's event was a funny one. I lucked out. A couple weeks ago, we'd gone to BK for lunch. We'd requested his usual "Plain Cheeseburger". There seemed to be some sort of language barrier between hubby and the person taking the order (suffice to say INS probably doesn't frequent this BK lounge). Anyways, the cheeseburger arrived FULLY loaded. In the grumbling interchange between us adults, we mentioned the woman's limited command of English. Didn't think Thing Two was listening, why would he? He had his food. Why would he be bothered by our ranting about how you can't even order a cheeseburger from Consuela and expect to get it right.

Today, we return to the SAME BK establishment and again request the plain cheeseburger. It arrives: PLAIN, just as we ordered. Thing Two says loudly "Wow Mom, someone was speaking English today!". I just about died of embarrassment...but what happened next saved the day...

Thing One said "Oh, EVERYONE speaks English here."
Thing Two: "Nope, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they speak British!"

Heavy Sigh....and there you have it: next time Consuela messes up your order at BK, remember to blame it on being British!

Spring Forward!

It is Spring Break here at the House of Chang. Long anticipated and anxiously awaited by at least 3 out of the 4 members in our family. We've got nothing special planned and hope to take all week to enjoy this fact. Too often our schedules get filled with so many places to go and things to do, that it will be a welcome change to look at the boys and say "what would you like to do today?"



And not only is it Spring Break on the calendar, but looking out my new kitchen window, each day I am greeted by yet another garden surprise. You have to realize that although I am a Martha, I have the brownest thumb out there when it comes to cultivating and nuturing plant life. My hope is that I can just sustain the plants and flowers that our previous owners so lovingly put together. I've enlisted the help of a good friend who although works as a stay at home mom these days, has a bachelor's degree in botany. She assures me I can manage the level of gardening involved. And just in case, she's promised to stop by every so often and make sure I'm doing things right.



But, I'm not making any promises. Instead, I'm trying to take lots of pictures. Who knows, this might be the only Spring where I get to enjoy these flowers because I'll mistake them for weeds and pull them out after they have finished blooming! So, sit back...and enjoy the beauty of Spring. I know I am sure will this week....

Under Contract!

Wahoo! Our realtor called last night and said he'd be bringing a contract by for us to take a look at. It is a fair contract and so we signed off on it. We just made a few minor counters: nothing related to price but rather just tweaking the language and moving up the closing date by a couple weeks. It should go through without any major problems.

If you would be so kind as to cross your fingers and say a little prayer that the inspector doesn't find anything that is too costly or a total deal breaker and we'll be all set.

I'm just thrilled at the thought of having that house unloaded so that I won't be mowing for two this Spring!