At the middle school:
At least three people u-turned across the double yellow line in front of the school. Two u-turns across the openeing of a court, blocking traffic. One u-turn across the double yellow line and in the cross walk - the car fits into the crosswalk, and was driving in the crosswalk to do this illegal, and horribly unsafe maneuver - especially considering it is DROP OFF, and kids are actually using the crosswalk at that time of day.
And so it continues. I am grateful that there have not been any injuries.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Monday Morning Weekend Wrap Up
This weekend was rainy (thankfully) and full of middle school homework, which was not complete until After 4:00 pm on Sunday, but more on that later...
Friday
Work in the morning and teaching art in the afternoon. This week was all about Chinese brush style paintings to pair with the Lunar New Year feast at the school. Some of the kids "got it" much easier than others. Some were hell bent on finger painting, and one was in tears. Overall, I was impressed with their ability to adjust the brush strokes to meet the style. With watercolors, that can be very difficult. Found out I have the possibility to move into a bigger place, that may be only slightly more expensive, and that excites and unnerves me all at the same time. It would mean that The Boys would no longer have to share a room, and I would have a yard for The Pets again, along with a larger garage. Dinner was burgers, oven fries and baked onion rings for dinner with The Boys and Corky. Went to The Folks' with dessert that Corky made. It was a yummy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (mine and my Dad's favorite). Had a great visit, though a bit late for us all.
Saturday
Spent the morning arguing with The Oldest about homework. We ended up driving to the ex' gf's house to pick up a needed folder.
As I was driving there, I was reminded (as I often am) of a family I knew back when The Boys were attending preschool. This was a Scandinavian family (and for the life of me I cannot remember which country - wait, Denmark, yep Danish family). No clue why that is so difficult - white cross on a red background for the flag... And one of my college roommates lived in Denmark half of her life. But I also have a dear friend who is Norwegian, Same flag, with the addition of a blue cross atop the white one - so go figure... But I digress. This family really freed me up when it came to kid birthday parties. The one I attended, had the parents inside, drinking tea and coffee (with silver tea service), eating cake and visiting, while the children entertained themselves outside. This was the first party I had ever been to that was not scheduled down to the minute by a terribly overwrought mom, and centered around the birthday kid. This was a party that adults could enjoy by having intelligent and grown up conversations without interruption. It was heaven and has informed my party throwing ever since. That is not to say I didn't plan things for The Boys to do with their friends, but it has been tempered by this memory. Now? The Boys plan their own parties, and I help gather stuff ahead of time, and show up with stuff and food.
Anyway, The Oldest eventually got down to business and mostly completed his homework before bed time. The Youngest spent the day alternating between playing games on his iTouch, and the computer, and asking to go do parkour. This is something he's been watching videos of, and wants to give it a shot. I told him as soon as The Oldest finished his homework we'd head out. Even in the rain. I worked on some stuff on the computer, organized my bills, but mostly knit. I have nearly completed one of the baby hats for Corky's grand nephew. We all went to bed relatively early after the late Friday night.
Sunday
The Oldest got right into finishing his homework first thing in the morning. He also cleaned out his binders, folders and back pack. When all that was finished, my Mom came over to drop off Valentine's treats for The Boys. The surprise was that she included Me and Corky with treats for each of us. Pretty cool. My Mom has really come a long way from where I perceived her to be (whether she really was in that space, or not). Following her visit, we headed out in the light rain to practice parkour, which also turned into an earthworm rescue mission, as it did stop raining, and there were multitudes of worms writhing themselves dry. The Boys picked up about three dozen and got them back to dirt where they have a much better chance of survival. We came home, drenched from rolling around and everyone showered and had hot cocoa. I printed the homework for The Oldest, got out a weekly communication and actually wrote this :-). Also looked at and commented on all of the Shoot Out pics, and continued knitting. I should have the hat finished Monday, then I can start on the next one. The Boys had Mac & Cheese for dinner and I had lentil soup. I researched parkour for kids in my area, and the two nearest offerings are at least a 40 minute drive. Will still see if there is something nearer to home. We all went to bed at a relatively decent hour.
Friday
Work in the morning and teaching art in the afternoon. This week was all about Chinese brush style paintings to pair with the Lunar New Year feast at the school. Some of the kids "got it" much easier than others. Some were hell bent on finger painting, and one was in tears. Overall, I was impressed with their ability to adjust the brush strokes to meet the style. With watercolors, that can be very difficult. Found out I have the possibility to move into a bigger place, that may be only slightly more expensive, and that excites and unnerves me all at the same time. It would mean that The Boys would no longer have to share a room, and I would have a yard for The Pets again, along with a larger garage. Dinner was burgers, oven fries and baked onion rings for dinner with The Boys and Corky. Went to The Folks' with dessert that Corky made. It was a yummy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (mine and my Dad's favorite). Had a great visit, though a bit late for us all.
Saturday
Spent the morning arguing with The Oldest about homework. We ended up driving to the ex' gf's house to pick up a needed folder.
As I was driving there, I was reminded (as I often am) of a family I knew back when The Boys were attending preschool. This was a Scandinavian family (and for the life of me I cannot remember which country - wait, Denmark, yep Danish family). No clue why that is so difficult - white cross on a red background for the flag... And one of my college roommates lived in Denmark half of her life. But I also have a dear friend who is Norwegian, Same flag, with the addition of a blue cross atop the white one - so go figure... But I digress. This family really freed me up when it came to kid birthday parties. The one I attended, had the parents inside, drinking tea and coffee (with silver tea service), eating cake and visiting, while the children entertained themselves outside. This was the first party I had ever been to that was not scheduled down to the minute by a terribly overwrought mom, and centered around the birthday kid. This was a party that adults could enjoy by having intelligent and grown up conversations without interruption. It was heaven and has informed my party throwing ever since. That is not to say I didn't plan things for The Boys to do with their friends, but it has been tempered by this memory. Now? The Boys plan their own parties, and I help gather stuff ahead of time, and show up with stuff and food.
Anyway, The Oldest eventually got down to business and mostly completed his homework before bed time. The Youngest spent the day alternating between playing games on his iTouch, and the computer, and asking to go do parkour. This is something he's been watching videos of, and wants to give it a shot. I told him as soon as The Oldest finished his homework we'd head out. Even in the rain. I worked on some stuff on the computer, organized my bills, but mostly knit. I have nearly completed one of the baby hats for Corky's grand nephew. We all went to bed relatively early after the late Friday night.
Sunday
The Oldest got right into finishing his homework first thing in the morning. He also cleaned out his binders, folders and back pack. When all that was finished, my Mom came over to drop off Valentine's treats for The Boys. The surprise was that she included Me and Corky with treats for each of us. Pretty cool. My Mom has really come a long way from where I perceived her to be (whether she really was in that space, or not). Following her visit, we headed out in the light rain to practice parkour, which also turned into an earthworm rescue mission, as it did stop raining, and there were multitudes of worms writhing themselves dry. The Boys picked up about three dozen and got them back to dirt where they have a much better chance of survival. We came home, drenched from rolling around and everyone showered and had hot cocoa. I printed the homework for The Oldest, got out a weekly communication and actually wrote this :-). Also looked at and commented on all of the Shoot Out pics, and continued knitting. I should have the hat finished Monday, then I can start on the next one. The Boys had Mac & Cheese for dinner and I had lentil soup. I researched parkour for kids in my area, and the two nearest offerings are at least a 40 minute drive. Will still see if there is something nearer to home. We all went to bed at a relatively decent hour.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
My Town Shoot Out - Entrances
I have been in a self imposed break from photography, as I am currently working two wedding books, along with trying desperately to knit 11 balaclavas for a party in a month. I gave up on the balaclavas, but still have two baby hats to go...
I pulled this from the archives of 2009. This doorway is still in my old neighborhood, damned near across the street from Corky, and I'm almost certain leading to a rental or in-law unit.
I pulled this from the archives of 2009. This doorway is still in my old neighborhood, damned near across the street from Corky, and I'm almost certain leading to a rental or in-law unit.
Go see more photos and join us here:
Thursday, February 6, 2014
This Morning At Drop Off
This morning, in order of appearance:
Not one, but two cars in the red zone in front of the school, one of which was blocking the driveway.
Today I pulled through the drop off loop, and so:
Three separate people deciding they didn't want to wait to get to the drop off zone, and dropped their kids in the parking lot, making the rest of us wait before we could get to the drop off zone.
A line of cars waiting for the drop off zone, not pulling all the way forward, also making the rest of the cars wait that much longer.
Someone pulling into the bus drop off zone for the special day kids' bus. Thankfully there was not a bus waiting.
Someone pulling out of the teacher lot, not looking for cross traffic, and cutting off another person, who was approaching from the right (giving that person the right of way).
Same car, also pulled out of the parking lot to the street turning left, when there is no left turn during drop off and pick up hours.
Two separate sets of moms and kids walking up the severely narrow driveway, with cars parked on the side, and cars driving in and out. On the best and sunniest days, this is a dangerous practice.
A u-turn in the intersection of a three way stop.
Given that it is raining, but still. Can we please take care in driving around the elementary schools, and understand that the safety of all of the children is our own responsibility.
Not one, but two cars in the red zone in front of the school, one of which was blocking the driveway.
Today I pulled through the drop off loop, and so:
Three separate people deciding they didn't want to wait to get to the drop off zone, and dropped their kids in the parking lot, making the rest of us wait before we could get to the drop off zone.
A line of cars waiting for the drop off zone, not pulling all the way forward, also making the rest of the cars wait that much longer.
Someone pulling into the bus drop off zone for the special day kids' bus. Thankfully there was not a bus waiting.
Someone pulling out of the teacher lot, not looking for cross traffic, and cutting off another person, who was approaching from the right (giving that person the right of way).
Same car, also pulled out of the parking lot to the street turning left, when there is no left turn during drop off and pick up hours.
Two separate sets of moms and kids walking up the severely narrow driveway, with cars parked on the side, and cars driving in and out. On the best and sunniest days, this is a dangerous practice.
A u-turn in the intersection of a three way stop.
Given that it is raining, but still. Can we please take care in driving around the elementary schools, and understand that the safety of all of the children is our own responsibility.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
This morning at drop off
Today included a three point turn, executed in front of the school, blocking traffic in both directions, while shifting the cell phone from one hand to another, all the while talking. Also, a small child (kindy? 1st grader?) getting out of the car on the street side. And a minivan pulling into the red zone in front of the school, effectively blocking one direction of traffic so that your kid can get out closest to the school. And this was all well in advance of school starting. No need to rush in this way, endangering everyone in your wake people...
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
More weird dreams
Had another weird dream, which when examined this morning, leads me to believe that I am still working on opening my heart to love. I've had to repair and rebuild my broken heart, and my work is unfinished. Now the layers of protections and walls are being peeled away, and it scares me. To open myself up to another, completely, no protection from heartbreak. It is what Corky deserves, and I continue to work on it, but I'm not totally there yet. Do I love Corky? Yes. Absolutely. Can I give her the love she deserves? I don't know. There is so much wrapped up in my own issues of self worth. Am I worthy of love, well of course, we all are, but that is something I know on an intellectual level. I don't truly feel that. Not yet. What is weird, is getting out of a bad relationship and marriage was about me deserving so much better, and not losing my self respect and self worth. And now, I still have residual worries about being there again. Even though, I KNOW, I truly KNOW in my heart that this is so much different, and in so many ways. I just don't trust myself about it. I thought the ex loved me, and I think he did, at least for a while. I do not know when that stopped. Was it an instant? a series of events? A continuing decline? How do I protect myself against that? I don't, and I can't. I need to let go of it entirely, and stop allowing it to define my life.
More work to do.
And a song that was running through my head as I fell asleep last night:
More work to do.
And a song that was running through my head as I fell asleep last night:
Monday, February 3, 2014
Monday Morning Weekend Wrap Up
A weekend where I came to some conclusions, and my stress level evened out (a bit). This weekend the ex had The Boys, and The Oldest has strep, so of course, I got to hear about all the missing assignments, and the fact that The Oldest cannot swallow a pill. I know grown adults who cannot swallow pills, so I don't see a big deal. It isn't a battle I am picking, but the ex evidently is far to inconvenienced by this that there was a yelling match and The Oldest ended up in tears. Thanksfully, the gf of the ex interceded on The Oldest's behalf, and they figured out a workable alternative for him, that the ex was likely still not happy about, but too fucking bad.
Friday
Worked with the 4th and 5th graders on a colored chalk still life. They are really looking good, and some of what I teach them about art techniques is sinking in. Spent the night at Corky's, and I was exhausted and ended up sleeping in.
Saturday
What followed sleep and preceeded breakfast can only be described as my complete conversion to a) loving a woman and b) morning sex... I was so in the clouds the entire rest of the day. Corky worked closing, and I finished adding the photos to the October wedding book. I knit like a mad woman, finally finishing the one balaclava I'd been working on for a week. At that rate, it will be months before I have enough to supply The Youngest's birthday party... I took a break from knitting to read a book I'd borrowed about a month ago. Fantasy and really detailed, so it took me longer than I expected. I read well into the morning, and went to sleep with it still partially unread.
Sunday
Slept in again, this time at my own home and spent the morning finishing laundry, and working on the quotes for the wedding book. I was able to talk to Diane's parent's and have a great visit with them. Gathered more knitting and food and headed to Corky's to "watch" the superbowl. I spent the game time knitting, taking breaks to watch the commercials. I enjoyed hanging out there, and got a portion of a baby hat completed. Came home when The Boys arrived, go them to bed and finished the book I'd started Saturday. Had a really weird and sad dream where I felt like I needed to break up with Corky because of my fear that I cannot give her what she wants. I'm not ready to make that level of committment, and I'm not sure she's doing herself any favors by waiting for me to get there... Fodder for therapy this week for sure.
Still stressed out about money, have this week to order those balaclavas I won't be knitting, sign up The Boys for swim team, and likely pay for that, and order nerf bullets in bulk... Also, rent.
I hope to have a more relaxing week, but not likely. May you enjoy your week.
Friday
Worked with the 4th and 5th graders on a colored chalk still life. They are really looking good, and some of what I teach them about art techniques is sinking in. Spent the night at Corky's, and I was exhausted and ended up sleeping in.
Saturday
What followed sleep and preceeded breakfast can only be described as my complete conversion to a) loving a woman and b) morning sex... I was so in the clouds the entire rest of the day. Corky worked closing, and I finished adding the photos to the October wedding book. I knit like a mad woman, finally finishing the one balaclava I'd been working on for a week. At that rate, it will be months before I have enough to supply The Youngest's birthday party... I took a break from knitting to read a book I'd borrowed about a month ago. Fantasy and really detailed, so it took me longer than I expected. I read well into the morning, and went to sleep with it still partially unread.
Sunday
Slept in again, this time at my own home and spent the morning finishing laundry, and working on the quotes for the wedding book. I was able to talk to Diane's parent's and have a great visit with them. Gathered more knitting and food and headed to Corky's to "watch" the superbowl. I spent the game time knitting, taking breaks to watch the commercials. I enjoyed hanging out there, and got a portion of a baby hat completed. Came home when The Boys arrived, go them to bed and finished the book I'd started Saturday. Had a really weird and sad dream where I felt like I needed to break up with Corky because of my fear that I cannot give her what she wants. I'm not ready to make that level of committment, and I'm not sure she's doing herself any favors by waiting for me to get there... Fodder for therapy this week for sure.
Still stressed out about money, have this week to order those balaclavas I won't be knitting, sign up The Boys for swim team, and likely pay for that, and order nerf bullets in bulk... Also, rent.
I hope to have a more relaxing week, but not likely. May you enjoy your week.
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