Maymester

Today was an eye opener.  Today was summer school orientation.  This means that Maymester is over.  Maymester was the time when I was going to catch up on old project and start new projects.  So far, one sort of large project has been crossed off, one medium project is crossed off, and I have added one additional project.  I am a bit sad to see Maymester ending, but I am excited to see my new students tomorrow.  It is always nice to start a new semester with new tools, new relationships, and new fresh outlooks.

On the home front, LM is once again suffering (?) from a massive double ear infection that has moved into both of his eyes.  I write the ? because this kid has to have a crazy high tolerance for pain.  He had no fever, no tugging or pulling on ears and didn't show any discomfort at all.  The only sign we saw at home was some sneezing and coughing... you know, like a COLD!!!  Since we didn't catch it in time, we totally feel like horrible parents.  LM goes for his 15 month check up next week and at that point, we are going to push to see and ENT.  I am concerned because he is beginning to try and talk now (hilarious to see those wheels turning as he tries to form the words) and I don't want this critical developmental step to be hindered.  Big teacher thing here I know :)

On another note, I leave you with my favorite picture of my Mom and LM.

Birthday Boy

I think this picture says it all.  It describes the pure joy of childhood!

Happy First Birthday my sweet, sweet baby boy!

I take offense for Stevie Nicks

I take offense for Stevie Nicks.  There are two reasons.
1) I can't believe that she sang back up for Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards!  I actually am a fan of Taylor Swift, but Stevie is such an icon that she really shouldn't be singing backup for a pop star!
2) Taylor Swift sounded like I do when I sing Karaoke- flat and out of tune- basically horrible!  Poor Stevie having to put up with this new generation of pop who can't hold a match to her singing!

My Heart Hurts

My heart hurts today.  You see, I live in the south and we have had horrible temperatures this past few weeks.  People down here just don't know how to handle it.  Pipes are bursting, cars are sliding on ice, and people are getting hurt.  This Saturday, three of my neighbors thought the ice on our neighborhood pond was frozen enough that they could play on it.  They were wrong.  One child survived, two did not.  I watched part of the rescue from my car since I could not get to my house, leaning into the back seat touching my baby to reassure myself that he was safe.  I saw a friend frantically looking for her two boys my heart stopping until they found each other.  I talked to other mothers and we instinctively reached out to touch each other- needing the human contact and reassurance.

Later that evening, the cars started.  One of the boys lives a few houses away from me and people came to show their respect.  Cars are parked all over the place- some nicely in line, some hodgepodge.  On Sunday the cars were still there and more people were visiting the lake area.  There are people who go to talk, sing, leave items and some just sit.  It is a steady stream of people visiting.

There are messages on facebook about loving your family and treating each day as if it is the last.  Messages about showing your love and support for the boys and for their families that are eloquent and that are awkward or simple.

This is my simple message.... My heart hurts.

twenty ten or two thousand and ten?

I just learned this morning in the shower while listening to the radio that the correct way to pronounce this year is not two thousand and ten, but instead is twenty ten.  I know this is not a new topic for those of you who actually pay attention to what is happening outside of their world, but I have been on Christmas Break from work.

Each year for this break, I make a habit of disappearing from the world by becoming blissfully ignorant of what is happening around me.  How do I do this.... easy!  I don't listen to the radio (Christmas Carol station  or ipod only for me), I don't watch any local, national or international news, and I don't read the newspaper.  My husband becomes increasingly frustrated at my inability to communicate with him on these levels during this time. To be honest with you, it kind of feels like a drug to be so stupid/numb in the brain about the world around you.  I find that in many ways I am a nicer person because I am not stressed!

A bonus is that when I do surface, I am totally charmed by news stories that others are tired and bored of when I hear them.... thus my opening line to this entry!

On a side note, I am back to work after a hectic morning of dragging my ass out of bed, packing lunch, packing daycare bags, dropping off to daycare, and making that long ass drive to work without falling asleep in the car.  I almost made it to work on time!

Who am I in 2010

Who am I or is it whom am I? Whatever... I can tell you who I am now.
I am....

• A mother who's son has just learned how to crawl (God help me I can't keep up)
• A professional in the higher education world (BIG U)
• A professional who loves her job
• A wife of 13 years who deeply loves her husband
• An avid knitter
• A competitive tennis player
• A reader (miss my books with the little one)
• A lover of all technology (gimme gadgets)
• A first time blog owner
• A person who is fascinated with other who seek self help in the world of reality TV (it never works out)
• A TV junkie
• A procrastinator
• Someone who laughs when others fall (I love dumb humor and morbid humor)
• A road rager (use your blinkers people)
• Someone who needs more patience for incompetent people (If only I and a select few could run the world...)
• An educated person (3 degrees... I still can't believe it)
• A mess- emotionally and physically
• I have no filter and need to think about things prior to expressing
• Crafty

Who do I want to be in 2010? Well in a nut shell, I want to be the type of person who works to minimize their weaknesses and builds their strengths. I want to be a better mama, wife and friend to those around me. I want to finally take the time to be self-aware enough to change into a better person and set examples for those around me.