For some reason, I spent a portion of my day today thinking about some material things and opportunities I don't have (I can promise, "materialistic" is not a word anyone who knows me would associate with me). But as I end this day, my mindset has shifted. I'm not sure what to attribute this to, except perhaps it was a God thing. Apart from the hour and a half I spent in line waiting to vote (and most of that time, my focus was on keeping YS from bothering others with his impatience, not really talking to others), I didn't really do anything besides taking care of my family.
Still, tonight as I read updates from several families that I pray for (Coleman Larson, who is not feeling great, but is still headed to NY to begin another round of treatment; Nicholas Delefice -sp? - who did a fantastic job swallowing his chemo pills despite often having difficulty with this; Janae, who is still at the beginning stages of her cancer battle [new address for her updates at www.caringbridge.org/visit/janae]; my precious niece, Amelia, who looked so sweet in her costume), I have been thinking along the same lines as another blogger I read recently (sometimes I read so many of them that I can't remember where I read something or which location I made what reply to).
I'm realizing that even though my life is not perfect, my family is not perfect, my attitudes are not always perfect, my abilities as mother and wife are not always perfect, even still "the lines have fallen to me in fine places." Some blogger mentioned this verse of Scripture on their blog (perhaps it was MckMama, when I was reviewing older posts last night).
Here is the actual verse:
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6
I believe it. God has given me so much to be grateful for. So, I am counting my blessings tonight. I'll also be kissing some of them in a few moments, when I head off to bed (although I may skip kissing ES, since he is all the way up in a loft bed, and besides, he might swat me away and say "Get off me freakin' kitty!").
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Learning the Laws of Physics and the Strength of Branches
My ES is learning lots these days (ohh, I'm hearing a former principal in my mind even as I type - she would always end the morning's announcements with a lilting "Learn Lots!"). Most of these are not lessons he is hearing from us. Oh, the words may be going into the ear canal, but the brain is stuck in that adolescent mode, like a scratch on an old LP, convinced that his own wisdom is sufficient.
A glimmer of daylight penetrated his closed mind today. For a nanosecond of his life now, he is appreciating the full truth that parents don't just speak to hear their own voices and they don't give advice (or should I say, forbid actions) merely because we "never want to let them have any fun at all." I don't know how long this nanosecond will last, but I'm aching for him to benefit from some aches and pains.
My husband is not a handy-man. He is an intellectual. A book-man. A thought-man. Apart from a few hammers, some screwdrivers, lug nuts (whatever those are) and wrenches, he is tool-free. However, for the time being we are living in his deceased grandmother's home, where my father-in-law has stocked a whole assortment of tools along the walls of the garage. This is like a dream come true to a 12 year old boy, though possibly a nightmare for his parents.
ES and a friend went for a walk in our woods this afternoon. Prior to leaving, my husband took the time to call Robert (a man who often hunts in our woods on weekends) to ensure the boys' safety. Robert was not hunting, so they were free to explore.
While exploring, they came upon a lengthy vine hanging from a tree. Somehow, they managed to pull the vine down and bring it back to the house. If I had to guess, I'd say it was 20 or 30 feet long. I had to ask them to move it off the driveway because I was heading off on a brief shopping trip with MS.
While I was gone, my husband informed me, they got out a ladder and nailed the vine to a branch on a tree. They cut off the bottom with a saw and were swinging from it. Unfortunately, contentment with anything new doesn't last long for my son, so they were hatching another plan. I'm guessing my husband stifled these shenanigans, because when I arrived home, the friend was gone and ES was inside. Hubby just wanted me to be aware of what ES had been plotting, because he was going downstairs to exercise for a while. ES had actually wanted to climb a bigger tree and hang the vine from a distance higher up. Moreover, he was upset because my husband wouldn't let him try it. I shook my head, commiserating on the inherent risk of raising adolescent boys.
Hoping to run off some little boy energy and delay the task of making dinner, I took the boys outside to play. Before I knew it, ES was up in a tree, bemoaning his overly strict, safety-conscious father. He attempted to show me what he had wanted to do. He even asked me to get the nails, hammer and leftover vine for him.
Of course, there was no way I was cancelling the other parent's "NO," but I did listen to him voice his plan. I began explaining my own support of the "grouch's decision." My primary concern was that the branch didn't look to be strong enough to hold ES's weight.
How, indeed, can you prove that a branch is strong enough to hold your weight, without swinging out onto the branch. I believe he was mid-sentence saying, "See, it CAN support my ... (oh, say, a yard away from the trunk of the tree and probably 15 feet off the ground)." He didn't get to the word "weight." If he did, it was drowned out by my wail. Because his hands were still around the branch (you know, don't you, that these things don't REALLY happen in slow-motion, even though they appear that way to the brain and the eye), he took the blunt of the fall on his tail-bone. He did hop up quickly in an attempt to convince me that he was fine.
Of course, I felt it necessary to regale him with stories of how lucky he was. He wasn't holding a hammer and nails during the fall. He landed on soft grassy ground. He didn't get impaled by either the branch or anything else lying on the ground. He is still alive. He can still walk. Etc., probably ad nauseam.
At first, he didn't want to tell his dad. He took the huge broken limb down to the draw. I was going to honor that, but did intend to blog about it (thinking, we'll see if hubby is one of my readers or not - ha!). He ended up telling on himself (probably because his rear end is hurting).
Wait a minute - didn't I recently blog about how a boy is not likely to tell on himself??? However, this time, he had the added element of his entire family watching, apart from his dad, so I'm guessing he figured it was better to come from his own mouth than MS's.
Not sure what he'll feel like tomorrow morning, but I doubt it will be a stomach-ache he'll be complaining of this time. Still, I'm sure I'll be understanding and empathetic. After all, I've experienced my own streaks of "I know better than my Father." Indeed, many of those scratches on my brain's LP were playing long after I had passed adolescence. I'll be understanding and empathetic because I know what a bruised tail-bone feels like, even if I'm not a tree-climber or a boy!
A glimmer of daylight penetrated his closed mind today. For a nanosecond of his life now, he is appreciating the full truth that parents don't just speak to hear their own voices and they don't give advice (or should I say, forbid actions) merely because we "never want to let them have any fun at all." I don't know how long this nanosecond will last, but I'm aching for him to benefit from some aches and pains.
My husband is not a handy-man. He is an intellectual. A book-man. A thought-man. Apart from a few hammers, some screwdrivers, lug nuts (whatever those are) and wrenches, he is tool-free. However, for the time being we are living in his deceased grandmother's home, where my father-in-law has stocked a whole assortment of tools along the walls of the garage. This is like a dream come true to a 12 year old boy, though possibly a nightmare for his parents.
ES and a friend went for a walk in our woods this afternoon. Prior to leaving, my husband took the time to call Robert (a man who often hunts in our woods on weekends) to ensure the boys' safety. Robert was not hunting, so they were free to explore.
While exploring, they came upon a lengthy vine hanging from a tree. Somehow, they managed to pull the vine down and bring it back to the house. If I had to guess, I'd say it was 20 or 30 feet long. I had to ask them to move it off the driveway because I was heading off on a brief shopping trip with MS.
While I was gone, my husband informed me, they got out a ladder and nailed the vine to a branch on a tree. They cut off the bottom with a saw and were swinging from it. Unfortunately, contentment with anything new doesn't last long for my son, so they were hatching another plan. I'm guessing my husband stifled these shenanigans, because when I arrived home, the friend was gone and ES was inside. Hubby just wanted me to be aware of what ES had been plotting, because he was going downstairs to exercise for a while. ES had actually wanted to climb a bigger tree and hang the vine from a distance higher up. Moreover, he was upset because my husband wouldn't let him try it. I shook my head, commiserating on the inherent risk of raising adolescent boys.
Hoping to run off some little boy energy and delay the task of making dinner, I took the boys outside to play. Before I knew it, ES was up in a tree, bemoaning his overly strict, safety-conscious father. He attempted to show me what he had wanted to do. He even asked me to get the nails, hammer and leftover vine for him.
Of course, there was no way I was cancelling the other parent's "NO," but I did listen to him voice his plan. I began explaining my own support of the "grouch's decision." My primary concern was that the branch didn't look to be strong enough to hold ES's weight.
How, indeed, can you prove that a branch is strong enough to hold your weight, without swinging out onto the branch. I believe he was mid-sentence saying, "See, it CAN support my ... (oh, say, a yard away from the trunk of the tree and probably 15 feet off the ground)." He didn't get to the word "weight." If he did, it was drowned out by my wail. Because his hands were still around the branch (you know, don't you, that these things don't REALLY happen in slow-motion, even though they appear that way to the brain and the eye), he took the blunt of the fall on his tail-bone. He did hop up quickly in an attempt to convince me that he was fine.
Of course, I felt it necessary to regale him with stories of how lucky he was. He wasn't holding a hammer and nails during the fall. He landed on soft grassy ground. He didn't get impaled by either the branch or anything else lying on the ground. He is still alive. He can still walk. Etc., probably ad nauseam.
At first, he didn't want to tell his dad. He took the huge broken limb down to the draw. I was going to honor that, but did intend to blog about it (thinking, we'll see if hubby is one of my readers or not - ha!). He ended up telling on himself (probably because his rear end is hurting).
Wait a minute - didn't I recently blog about how a boy is not likely to tell on himself??? However, this time, he had the added element of his entire family watching, apart from his dad, so I'm guessing he figured it was better to come from his own mouth than MS's.
Not sure what he'll feel like tomorrow morning, but I doubt it will be a stomach-ache he'll be complaining of this time. Still, I'm sure I'll be understanding and empathetic. After all, I've experienced my own streaks of "I know better than my Father." Indeed, many of those scratches on my brain's LP were playing long after I had passed adolescence. I'll be understanding and empathetic because I know what a bruised tail-bone feels like, even if I'm not a tree-climber or a boy!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Craving a Camera
There have been many times over the last month, when I have wished for a camera to catch something to share on my blog. The huge sign on the walking trail in our park (probably something to do with the haunted hayride, but didn't make much sense - said something about suits - but I'm thinking they meant suites). MS's craft projects and multitudinous pictures and collages (so many, that hubby has insisted that he take them all down the day after Halloween - really, at least four doors are plastered with them and a few walls as well).
But, you know it is really bad when I find myself wanting to take a picture of the pathetic, old, $20 digital camera I bought from iConcepts with a rebate from Office Depot, or Office Max. Today, I actually pulled it out of the computer cabinet, hoping to see if I could get it to work. My ES saw it on the computer desk, picked it up and said, "this is the biggest joke of a camera I've ever seen." It weighs about as much as a pencil.
For Parent's Day Out/preschool today, they had their Harvest Costume Party. MS decided to wear his Batman costume. Here's an old photo. This was a $1 steal at a garage sale. He paired it with a $3 mask from Walmart and black stretch gloves (he was pining for a black version of the elbow length women's gloves he likes to wear with the Power Ranger costume).
A few days ago, I was sweating it a bit, because he declared he was going to be a snake for Halloween, and not just any snake - a Black Mamba. I thought I could swing it by putting together a black top and black sweatpants with black makeup on his face and red around his eyes. Alas, he insisted on checking the computer to see what a black mamba looks like. A black mamba isn't even black. Go figure!
We picked out a Mickey Mouse fireman costume for YS. This was a beautiful hand-me-down (a Disney store purchase, I think) from Aunt Bernie. YS happily wore it last night and said "be Mickey." But, today, he wouldn't wear it for the party. MS was actually jealous because YS was wearing an Old Navy Halloween shirt with a werewolf, which no longer fits MS.
Of course, it would have been splendid if I had used my two hours away from them to head to a store and purchase a new digital. Alas, instead, I headed to K-mart and wasted a whole hour. I only intended to buy a particular pair of shoes from the sale ad, but they only had one in the size and color I wanted, and it had a huge scuff mark on the toe of the shoe. I ended up buying a clearanced pair of summer slip-ons for MS - covered with spiders and spider-webs. Perfect!
At least I was able to help another shopper. She asked my assistance (no, I wasn't dressed like a K-mart worker for Halloween) when I was in the infant section checking diaper prices. She wanted to buy newborn diapers for a woman in her church. I was able to help her find them and even supplied a coupon, since I never buy Pampers, but always clip the Pampers coupon, just in case the sale is overwhelmingly good. By the time, I returned home, I had just enough time to eat a late breakfast and whip up a small batch of worms and dirt to take to the school's party.
If worse comes to worse tomorrow, I will attempt to take a picture with ES's cell phone and figure out how to get it from there to the computer (that, or just ask ES to do that - kids seem to know how to figure out anything technological). Maybe, I'll have him take a picture of the worthless digital I foolishly hung on to. For what, sentimental reasons?? Actually, I think I remember hanging on to it, "in case my newer, more expensive camera ever fails."
But, you know it is really bad when I find myself wanting to take a picture of the pathetic, old, $20 digital camera I bought from iConcepts with a rebate from Office Depot, or Office Max. Today, I actually pulled it out of the computer cabinet, hoping to see if I could get it to work. My ES saw it on the computer desk, picked it up and said, "this is the biggest joke of a camera I've ever seen." It weighs about as much as a pencil.
For Parent's Day Out/preschool today, they had their Harvest Costume Party. MS decided to wear his Batman costume. Here's an old photo. This was a $1 steal at a garage sale. He paired it with a $3 mask from Walmart and black stretch gloves (he was pining for a black version of the elbow length women's gloves he likes to wear with the Power Ranger costume).
A few days ago, I was sweating it a bit, because he declared he was going to be a snake for Halloween, and not just any snake - a Black Mamba. I thought I could swing it by putting together a black top and black sweatpants with black makeup on his face and red around his eyes. Alas, he insisted on checking the computer to see what a black mamba looks like. A black mamba isn't even black. Go figure!
We picked out a Mickey Mouse fireman costume for YS. This was a beautiful hand-me-down (a Disney store purchase, I think) from Aunt Bernie. YS happily wore it last night and said "be Mickey." But, today, he wouldn't wear it for the party. MS was actually jealous because YS was wearing an Old Navy Halloween shirt with a werewolf, which no longer fits MS.
Of course, it would have been splendid if I had used my two hours away from them to head to a store and purchase a new digital. Alas, instead, I headed to K-mart and wasted a whole hour. I only intended to buy a particular pair of shoes from the sale ad, but they only had one in the size and color I wanted, and it had a huge scuff mark on the toe of the shoe. I ended up buying a clearanced pair of summer slip-ons for MS - covered with spiders and spider-webs. Perfect!
At least I was able to help another shopper. She asked my assistance (no, I wasn't dressed like a K-mart worker for Halloween) when I was in the infant section checking diaper prices. She wanted to buy newborn diapers for a woman in her church. I was able to help her find them and even supplied a coupon, since I never buy Pampers, but always clip the Pampers coupon, just in case the sale is overwhelmingly good. By the time, I returned home, I had just enough time to eat a late breakfast and whip up a small batch of worms and dirt to take to the school's party.
If worse comes to worse tomorrow, I will attempt to take a picture with ES's cell phone and figure out how to get it from there to the computer (that, or just ask ES to do that - kids seem to know how to figure out anything technological). Maybe, I'll have him take a picture of the worthless digital I foolishly hung on to. For what, sentimental reasons?? Actually, I think I remember hanging on to it, "in case my newer, more expensive camera ever fails."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Need More Hours
I have been frantically trying to catch up on the blogs I follow. I don't know how I fell so far behind, except that my MS has been in a monumental crafting funk and we have been "making things" during nap time, instead of his usual quiet time and my usual nap time activities. So, I blame MS. I blame Halloween (his favorite holiday). I blame that darned Halloween craft book he picked out at the library, weeks ago. I blame my own dormant love of crafts (after all, we wouldn't have been able to make these crafts if I hadn't several boxes of craft supplies downstairs, now would we?).
I still haven't caught up. And, the problem seems to grow. Now, I have discovered another new blog that I wish to frequent. I was trying to catch up on Testosterhome's blog and noticed that she linked to a poignant post by a man, Tony Woodlief, who has four sons but lost his only daughter nine years ago, on October 19th. I sat here thinking, I cannot even imagine this man's grief. His words were beautiful and sad, all wrapped up in one. I had to go and read further about his daughter on his site.
Then, I sought his most recent post and stumbled upon this very eloquent prayer. This is a person whose heart and soul I want to know further. What a blessing - the blogosphere will allow me to do that! Anyone want to come craft with my son while I'm on the computer?
I still haven't caught up. And, the problem seems to grow. Now, I have discovered another new blog that I wish to frequent. I was trying to catch up on Testosterhome's blog and noticed that she linked to a poignant post by a man, Tony Woodlief, who has four sons but lost his only daughter nine years ago, on October 19th. I sat here thinking, I cannot even imagine this man's grief. His words were beautiful and sad, all wrapped up in one. I had to go and read further about his daughter on his site.
Then, I sought his most recent post and stumbled upon this very eloquent prayer. This is a person whose heart and soul I want to know further. What a blessing - the blogosphere will allow me to do that! Anyone want to come craft with my son while I'm on the computer?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Pray for Janae and Stellan
Two more quick prayer requests to throw out there. I have sort of stumbled upon these, since I don't really know these families personally (although one family, I have heard of often through a mutual friend).
Janae is a five year old girl who lives in DeKalb, Illinois, where we used to live. My friend, Beth, mentioned an urgent prayer request for her a few days ago. Janae's parents took her to the ER believing she might have appendicitis. After a ct scan, they were informed that a six inch tumor was attached to the area of her kidney (a Wilms tumor). At first, doctors believed they would have to begin chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor. However, when the doctor went in to access, he decided to remove it. Unbelievably, she went home from the hospital tonight. Of course, the battle is not over, but the Lord has been gracious and present.
To visit Janae's site and encourage Janae and her family (dad and mom, Frank and Suzanne, and four sisters) go here.
As I was visiting Catherine's blog tonight, I happened upon a link to Stellan's mother's blog. Even as I type, he is apparently making his entrance into this world. However, he has had a tough road so far (with heart difficulties within the womb) and they are not sure what will happen. Thankfully, they are confident that God knows what will happen. Say a prayer for Stellan and his family and visit her blog - her kids are adorable beyond words!
UPDATE: I logged on this morning and checked to see if my links were working. Spent a good long time at Stellan's mom's site. What a creative blogger! You have to visit her gallery of Stellan names. She asked people to send in photos of Stellan's name to signify that others are praying for Stellan. She will be putting these up on his walls to encourage him. When I read back further, I discovered that he was scheduled for a c-section this morning at 9:30 a.m. CST - and that was exactly when I was on checking out the site more fully. Adding more prayers!
Janae is a five year old girl who lives in DeKalb, Illinois, where we used to live. My friend, Beth, mentioned an urgent prayer request for her a few days ago. Janae's parents took her to the ER believing she might have appendicitis. After a ct scan, they were informed that a six inch tumor was attached to the area of her kidney (a Wilms tumor). At first, doctors believed they would have to begin chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor. However, when the doctor went in to access, he decided to remove it. Unbelievably, she went home from the hospital tonight. Of course, the battle is not over, but the Lord has been gracious and present.
To visit Janae's site and encourage Janae and her family (dad and mom, Frank and Suzanne, and four sisters) go here.
As I was visiting Catherine's blog tonight, I happened upon a link to Stellan's mother's blog. Even as I type, he is apparently making his entrance into this world. However, he has had a tough road so far (with heart difficulties within the womb) and they are not sure what will happen. Thankfully, they are confident that God knows what will happen. Say a prayer for Stellan and his family and visit her blog - her kids are adorable beyond words!
UPDATE: I logged on this morning and checked to see if my links were working. Spent a good long time at Stellan's mom's site. What a creative blogger! You have to visit her gallery of Stellan names. She asked people to send in photos of Stellan's name to signify that others are praying for Stellan. She will be putting these up on his walls to encourage him. When I read back further, I discovered that he was scheduled for a c-section this morning at 9:30 a.m. CST - and that was exactly when I was on checking out the site more fully. Adding more prayers!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Seeking Suggestions
Procrastination seems to be my middle name (actually, those who really know me won't be surprised by that).
Case in point: When I lived in DeKalb, our church had a library. One of the ladies in our writer's group happened to serve as the librarian. How embarrassing to have to note that I had failed to return a book to the library which had been due for many months. The title of the book was something like "Cure Your Procrastination in One Month" - sadly, I put off reading the book, until I finally just returned it, unread. For some of us, there may be no hope.
After dashing off a note to the Olympus camera help site, asking if there is any way to retrieve my son's birthday photos and videos from off the camera (which will not open due to the sand), I heard absolutely nothing. Yes, Olympus, you TOO have a problem with procrastination and I'm willing to tell the world! Instead of calling Olympus, which I contemplated many times, I have sat here doing nothing. I have thought of calling Walmart, just to ask if they could at least print the photos, if I bring in the memory card. Alas, I have merely sat here pining the loss of my camera.
This week, of course, I'm going to want a camera to take pictures of my boys in their costumes (although, I do have plenty of costume photos of MS - who is, actually, getting out of that phase now). At this point, I don't even know what they will be. I figure, with two boxes full of costumes, they could pick anything at the last minute. I would love to see MS wear the red Teletubby costume which my mother-in-law made for ES back when he was 3, but MS has never shown the slightest interest in the rotund costume complete with circular head gear. I don't really blame him. Hmm - Teletubby or Spiderman? Teletubby or Batman? Teletubby or Superman? Who'd want to be a teletubby, I ask?
My hubby would like me to purchase a new camcorder, since our other one is an older model (there's another blog post). I think he wants to combine the camera/camcorder purchase and he wants it to be something ES can use to upload videos to YouTube (because he is so eager to share his Rock Band and Guitar Hero prowess with the multitudes). I don't really know much about cameras or camcorders. My last camera, an Olympus FE-170 was only purchased two years ago, but didn't offer sound with the video option. I'm wondering if I should just get another Olympus (which offers the video option with sound now) or if any of you readers have a great camera you wish to recommend.
My son's friends have a Flip camcorder, which allows easy transfer of videos to You Tube. Perhaps, I should just get a separate camera and Flip. Obviously, money is a question (otherwise, I would throw caution to the wind and merely go out and buy the best camera with video capabilities that money can buy). For a great laugh, watch this SNL sketch promoting this novel idea, "Don't Buy What You Can't Afford."
I don't want to repeat my first digital camera experience. I bought a digital camera through a rebate offer for $20. That was $20 more than I should have spent. Our present camcorder still works, but is the old kind where you end up with tapes you have to play back on your television (perhaps hubby is realizing if the camcorder also gets trashed - not out of the question in a house full of boys - we will be unable to view any of those tapes).
Even from this discussion, I'm sure you can tell that I am in the dark ages when it comes to technology. Sorry, I'm just not a Gadget Girl. I don't have an MP-3 player. I even bought a cheap $5 cassette player recently because I miss listening to some of my old cassettes. I worry that our present computer will crash - not so much because I will lose everything on here (although, that could be a concern) - but mostly, because I would have to adapt to the change of learning how to get around on a new upgraded computer.
So, if you have a camera or camcorder that you love or swear by, let me know. If you know how to retrieve photos or videos from a memory card when the camera is no longer functioning, let me know. If you just want to comment to tell me what a loser I am - no comment necessary, duly noted without your input. You didn't really think a person whose middle name is Procrastinator, would have up-to-date photography skills, did you? Heck, I don't even have up-to-date stationery (go ahead and snort, Cardiogirl!).
Case in point: When I lived in DeKalb, our church had a library. One of the ladies in our writer's group happened to serve as the librarian. How embarrassing to have to note that I had failed to return a book to the library which had been due for many months. The title of the book was something like "Cure Your Procrastination in One Month" - sadly, I put off reading the book, until I finally just returned it, unread. For some of us, there may be no hope.
After dashing off a note to the Olympus camera help site, asking if there is any way to retrieve my son's birthday photos and videos from off the camera (which will not open due to the sand), I heard absolutely nothing. Yes, Olympus, you TOO have a problem with procrastination and I'm willing to tell the world! Instead of calling Olympus, which I contemplated many times, I have sat here doing nothing. I have thought of calling Walmart, just to ask if they could at least print the photos, if I bring in the memory card. Alas, I have merely sat here pining the loss of my camera.
This week, of course, I'm going to want a camera to take pictures of my boys in their costumes (although, I do have plenty of costume photos of MS - who is, actually, getting out of that phase now). At this point, I don't even know what they will be. I figure, with two boxes full of costumes, they could pick anything at the last minute. I would love to see MS wear the red Teletubby costume which my mother-in-law made for ES back when he was 3, but MS has never shown the slightest interest in the rotund costume complete with circular head gear. I don't really blame him. Hmm - Teletubby or Spiderman? Teletubby or Batman? Teletubby or Superman? Who'd want to be a teletubby, I ask?
My hubby would like me to purchase a new camcorder, since our other one is an older model (there's another blog post). I think he wants to combine the camera/camcorder purchase and he wants it to be something ES can use to upload videos to YouTube (because he is so eager to share his Rock Band and Guitar Hero prowess with the multitudes). I don't really know much about cameras or camcorders. My last camera, an Olympus FE-170 was only purchased two years ago, but didn't offer sound with the video option. I'm wondering if I should just get another Olympus (which offers the video option with sound now) or if any of you readers have a great camera you wish to recommend.
My son's friends have a Flip camcorder, which allows easy transfer of videos to You Tube. Perhaps, I should just get a separate camera and Flip. Obviously, money is a question (otherwise, I would throw caution to the wind and merely go out and buy the best camera with video capabilities that money can buy). For a great laugh, watch this SNL sketch promoting this novel idea, "Don't Buy What You Can't Afford."
I don't want to repeat my first digital camera experience. I bought a digital camera through a rebate offer for $20. That was $20 more than I should have spent. Our present camcorder still works, but is the old kind where you end up with tapes you have to play back on your television (perhaps hubby is realizing if the camcorder also gets trashed - not out of the question in a house full of boys - we will be unable to view any of those tapes).
Even from this discussion, I'm sure you can tell that I am in the dark ages when it comes to technology. Sorry, I'm just not a Gadget Girl. I don't have an MP-3 player. I even bought a cheap $5 cassette player recently because I miss listening to some of my old cassettes. I worry that our present computer will crash - not so much because I will lose everything on here (although, that could be a concern) - but mostly, because I would have to adapt to the change of learning how to get around on a new upgraded computer.
So, if you have a camera or camcorder that you love or swear by, let me know. If you know how to retrieve photos or videos from a memory card when the camera is no longer functioning, let me know. If you just want to comment to tell me what a loser I am - no comment necessary, duly noted without your input. You didn't really think a person whose middle name is Procrastinator, would have up-to-date photography skills, did you? Heck, I don't even have up-to-date stationery (go ahead and snort, Cardiogirl!).
Sunday, October 26, 2008
No Winner for my Puzzle Giveaway
At the beginning of October, I posted about a rebus puzzle or frame puzzle ES had brought home from school for an extra credit assignment. This puzzle stumped me and my readers:
NEA$R
N$EAR
NE$AR
Then, a bit later I posted three easier puzzles, but nobody even nibbled.
O_ER_T_O_
HIJKLMNO
SICK BIRD
This past Wednesday, it was time for parent-teacher conferences. Thankfully, I had no concerns for ES's progress, but did want to mention his health issues to give his teachers (especially the morning ones) a heads-up. As I waited outside the math teacher's room, I noticed the puzzle answers hanging on the wall. Of course, the particularly perplexing one was on the side facing the board. Urgh!
So, after introducing myself, I asked if I could check the answers, since one puzzle had stumped us so much I had posted it on my blog. He chuckled, but graciously allowed me to turn the page over.
The answer was: Buccaneers! (buck in nears)
The answers for the other puzzles I offered were:
Painless operation
H2O
Illegal (Ill Eagle)
Unfortunately, this means I have NO WINNER for my giveaway. Thankfully, ES did win the 100 point bonus for getting the highest number of frame puzzles correct. Moreover, a few teachers informed me that ES had earned the highest score in the 7th grade (beaming as I write). However, it was a bit distressing to hear so many parents in the hall berating their kids for underachievement. I tell ES that I merely want him to give his best effort. He has given far more effort in middle school than he ever did in grade school, so I am guessing he is, by nature, a kid who is inwardly motivated by letter grades (and some schools want to do away with grades).
NEA$R
N$EAR
NE$AR
Then, a bit later I posted three easier puzzles, but nobody even nibbled.
O_ER_T_O_
HIJKLMNO
SICK BIRD
This past Wednesday, it was time for parent-teacher conferences. Thankfully, I had no concerns for ES's progress, but did want to mention his health issues to give his teachers (especially the morning ones) a heads-up. As I waited outside the math teacher's room, I noticed the puzzle answers hanging on the wall. Of course, the particularly perplexing one was on the side facing the board. Urgh!
So, after introducing myself, I asked if I could check the answers, since one puzzle had stumped us so much I had posted it on my blog. He chuckled, but graciously allowed me to turn the page over.
The answer was: Buccaneers! (buck in nears)
The answers for the other puzzles I offered were:
Painless operation
H2O
Illegal (Ill Eagle)
Unfortunately, this means I have NO WINNER for my giveaway. Thankfully, ES did win the 100 point bonus for getting the highest number of frame puzzles correct. Moreover, a few teachers informed me that ES had earned the highest score in the 7th grade (beaming as I write). However, it was a bit distressing to hear so many parents in the hall berating their kids for underachievement. I tell ES that I merely want him to give his best effort. He has given far more effort in middle school than he ever did in grade school, so I am guessing he is, by nature, a kid who is inwardly motivated by letter grades (and some schools want to do away with grades).
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