We had a barbecue today. I told Chris that I was fine with whenever we did the housewarming party- as long as the two people who helped us move could make it... and they didn't make it. I'm kind of frustrated by that. But the good news is that we had to clean the house.
So while we were putting everything in order I asked Ant to take some mail out to the mailbox. It occurred to me that he might not be familiar with the process.
"Have you ever had a real mailbox before?" I asked.
Nope. It was neat to finally be able to teach him that.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Uh, no.
And last night, in the middle of the night, the corner shower caddy fell down and took out the shower curtain rod and curtain with it. We're used to leaving our door open at night because Solo (aka Princess Pain in the Ass) must have the freedom to wander the entire house or she will scratch at the door. If we don't hear that, she'll start knocking things off the dresser. Night before last, Chris had been using this "perfectly sized 8-inch plate" to draw out plans for speaker boxes. In the middle of the night, there was a terrible crash and a beautiful plate was broken. That's when her name becomes Goddammit Cat.
So last night when everything in the shower came down we both jolted awake, asking each other what the hell that was and immediately suspecting Goddammit Cat. She was sleeping next to me, so we either have a poltergeist or those corner shower caddy things are just PITAs themselves. I'm thinking poltergeist.
Chris said yesterday that he heard the gate open and Princess Jasmine became Pit Bull On Guard Duty. He said she didn't bark, just uttered one of those reactionary sounds and he heard her running over. The gate immediately banged shut and he went out front to find Jasmine sitting at the front door. That could have been a meter reader or an ax murderer. I'm thinking ax murderer.
The transition anxiety articles I was reading yesterday said that Ant needs other social circles outside of school so that when he has those terrible middle school moments he'll still fit in and be comfortable elsewhere. We talked last night about his adjustment and what he needs to get organized. He asked if he could join the YMCA that's right next to the school so he could play basketball and stuff.
"Yeah, we can do that!"
"Great!" he said. "You just have to tell them that I'm 15."
So last night when everything in the shower came down we both jolted awake, asking each other what the hell that was and immediately suspecting Goddammit Cat. She was sleeping next to me, so we either have a poltergeist or those corner shower caddy things are just PITAs themselves. I'm thinking poltergeist.
Chris said yesterday that he heard the gate open and Princess Jasmine became Pit Bull On Guard Duty. He said she didn't bark, just uttered one of those reactionary sounds and he heard her running over. The gate immediately banged shut and he went out front to find Jasmine sitting at the front door. That could have been a meter reader or an ax murderer. I'm thinking ax murderer.
The transition anxiety articles I was reading yesterday said that Ant needs other social circles outside of school so that when he has those terrible middle school moments he'll still fit in and be comfortable elsewhere. We talked last night about his adjustment and what he needs to get organized. He asked if he could join the YMCA that's right next to the school so he could play basketball and stuff.
"Yeah, we can do that!"
"Great!" he said. "You just have to tell them that I'm 15."
Friday, October 21, 2011
Not evil, just determined.
I just spent the last three hours with Ant learning about minerals.
Waiting for applause...
Two homework packets are complete... wait. Did I tell you guys about this?
Okay, so Ant is not passing science, the teacher is highly unpopular, and there is something called transition anxiety that
I'm way too tired to write all this. Bottom line: He needs to catch up. I actually needed to accomplish four more hours of homework to be on track myself, but people in hell want ice water. Now it's 10:30 and I'm ready to pass out.
Ant called me an evil stepmother when I made him look up how to spell "vitamin." But two homework packets are done and corrected. He was an obnoxious, whiny poopy pants until he finally saw that he had something totally wrong. He got this OHHHHH look and then he was finally interested in getting it right. It was a long night, but it was so worth it to see the light bulb come on.
YAWWWWN! Goodnight.
Waiting for applause...
Two homework packets are complete... wait. Did I tell you guys about this?
Okay, so Ant is not passing science, the teacher is highly unpopular, and there is something called transition anxiety that
I'm way too tired to write all this. Bottom line: He needs to catch up. I actually needed to accomplish four more hours of homework to be on track myself, but people in hell want ice water. Now it's 10:30 and I'm ready to pass out.
Ant called me an evil stepmother when I made him look up how to spell "vitamin." But two homework packets are done and corrected. He was an obnoxious, whiny poopy pants until he finally saw that he had something totally wrong. He got this OHHHHH look and then he was finally interested in getting it right. It was a long night, but it was so worth it to see the light bulb come on.
YAWWWWN! Goodnight.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Nobody reads those anyway.
Arggghhh, if only I had been able to write my rough draft on the plane when I was cross-eyed from exhaustion and full of pee. I must remind myself that this essay is only 2 1/2 to 4 pages and I could do that in my sleep. So far I have... almost two pages. Garrrggghhhh. And when I finish that I get to write an artist's statement! Joy!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Busy Busy Busy
I can't sum up the past week, but I will tell you about today.
Went to school, shoe immediately broke. Bought photo paper at the bookstore, got free rubber bands from cashier. Sat down to figure out how to fix shoe, wondered why there's never an engineering student around when you need one. Created a rubber band fix by my damn self.
How about the fact that my shoe is still intact now at 8 pm? Chris said, "It's as good as new!"
I put my shoe on and walked to the Shakespeare class. Made it on time, too. I am that awesome. Teacher was out doing some interview for his new book
Washington Post Review
so some other teacher was returning the tests. I got a 96.
I spent my lunch writing a rough draft for the novel class. Then I went to photography, got a lot of help, and finally figured out what the hell I'm doing. I got two pictures printed and there's three to go. I might actually get those done tomorrow.
Finally I went to the American Novel class and got that midterm back. I got a 47. Out of 50! Some of the questions were a little confusing so the teacher said she would add five points to everyone's grade, so woo hoo!
Those exams were done between unpacking from moving and packing for Shannon's wedding. I am really proud of myself.
Okay, here are my illusion photos.
That is the moon.
This is a light on a loading dock by my house.
These are taillights.
This is a tower at the Grand Sierra Resort in the Ultimate Thrill Park or whatever they call it. It's the giant swing.
A plane landing.
It's too bad that these have to be in black and white because I like some of them a lot more in color. But whatever. What do you think?
Went to school, shoe immediately broke. Bought photo paper at the bookstore, got free rubber bands from cashier. Sat down to figure out how to fix shoe, wondered why there's never an engineering student around when you need one. Created a rubber band fix by my damn self.
How about the fact that my shoe is still intact now at 8 pm? Chris said, "It's as good as new!"
I put my shoe on and walked to the Shakespeare class. Made it on time, too. I am that awesome. Teacher was out doing some interview for his new book
Washington Post Review
so some other teacher was returning the tests. I got a 96.
I spent my lunch writing a rough draft for the novel class. Then I went to photography, got a lot of help, and finally figured out what the hell I'm doing. I got two pictures printed and there's three to go. I might actually get those done tomorrow.
Finally I went to the American Novel class and got that midterm back. I got a 47. Out of 50! Some of the questions were a little confusing so the teacher said she would add five points to everyone's grade, so woo hoo!
Those exams were done between unpacking from moving and packing for Shannon's wedding. I am really proud of myself.
Okay, here are my illusion photos.
That is the moon.
This is a light on a loading dock by my house.
These are taillights.
This is a tower at the Grand Sierra Resort in the Ultimate Thrill Park or whatever they call it. It's the giant swing.
A plane landing.
It's too bad that these have to be in black and white because I like some of them a lot more in color. But whatever. What do you think?
Monday, October 10, 2011
One project mostly done!
Every time I go to post something on Facebook I feel like someone will turn and point their finger at me yelling, "Hey! You get back to work!"
But it's been looooooonnneeellyyyyyyy. I have Chris and Ant but I'm over doing chores and homework. I want to go outside and play.
Last night I buckled down and got rid of the 5 page essay that's been hanging over my head for two weeks. Done. Now it's back to reading and answering questions, which I can do. I have a lot of reading for that class, a lot of reading for the novel class, a lot of reading for the Shakespeare class... aaaaaand it looks like I'm going to Wikipedia it up! I've only done that once in college so far. My counselor is like, "Hello, Sparknotes?" But I can't help it- I actually want to learn things, read good books, absorb something! But Jenny, there's no time for that. This makes me really look forward to graduating, finding a good job, and starting night classes- one class at a time. Rachel said she is learning WAAAAAAAY more that way. What a concept, huh?
Ant made it off to school this morning! I'm thinking of throwing him a small party when he gets home. He didn't ride the bus to school at all last week. He came home that way fine, after missing his stop twice. But Chris had to drive him to school every day last week... and I think I already told you that in the last blog? Well, I have trouble keeping up.
SO. I told Chris yesterday about the photography project and ran my ideas past him. At dinner he told me we would be going out that night to shoot. I finished my paper around 10 and we put on some layers and went out in search of a good vantage point. He had an idea that didn't work but got us started. I saw some lights and had some ideas about moving the camera and making some funky weirdness. It worked really well and I am excited about the results. We were out for about 3 hours but I got some neat stuff. Chris wanted to play too and started calling me a camera hog. :D It was fun though, and reminiscent of our paper delivery days, except this time we weren't freezing, running late, or solving arguments by hitting the brakes really hard. LOL yes, we really did that.
We were mostly out on dirt roads. At the first spot, we could hear some coyotes fighting somewhere in the distance but at the second spot, we got out and were surrounded by the sound of coyotes yipping. Both jackrabbits and cottontails ran suicide missions into the road, some ran zigzags down the road in front of the Dodge in an effort to elude us. Some would dart from the field into the ditch by the road, then run right out in front of us. We were on serious bunny patrol- should have had Riley with us.
Today is errands and homework, more organizing and cleaning, more pictures and checking out what I've got. Maybe I'll post some while we're dealing with Photoshop. Busy day in a busy week...
But it's been looooooonnneeellyyyyyyy. I have Chris and Ant but I'm over doing chores and homework. I want to go outside and play.
Last night I buckled down and got rid of the 5 page essay that's been hanging over my head for two weeks. Done. Now it's back to reading and answering questions, which I can do. I have a lot of reading for that class, a lot of reading for the novel class, a lot of reading for the Shakespeare class... aaaaaand it looks like I'm going to Wikipedia it up! I've only done that once in college so far. My counselor is like, "Hello, Sparknotes?" But I can't help it- I actually want to learn things, read good books, absorb something! But Jenny, there's no time for that. This makes me really look forward to graduating, finding a good job, and starting night classes- one class at a time. Rachel said she is learning WAAAAAAAY more that way. What a concept, huh?
Ant made it off to school this morning! I'm thinking of throwing him a small party when he gets home. He didn't ride the bus to school at all last week. He came home that way fine, after missing his stop twice. But Chris had to drive him to school every day last week... and I think I already told you that in the last blog? Well, I have trouble keeping up.
SO. I told Chris yesterday about the photography project and ran my ideas past him. At dinner he told me we would be going out that night to shoot. I finished my paper around 10 and we put on some layers and went out in search of a good vantage point. He had an idea that didn't work but got us started. I saw some lights and had some ideas about moving the camera and making some funky weirdness. It worked really well and I am excited about the results. We were out for about 3 hours but I got some neat stuff. Chris wanted to play too and started calling me a camera hog. :D It was fun though, and reminiscent of our paper delivery days, except this time we weren't freezing, running late, or solving arguments by hitting the brakes really hard. LOL yes, we really did that.
We were mostly out on dirt roads. At the first spot, we could hear some coyotes fighting somewhere in the distance but at the second spot, we got out and were surrounded by the sound of coyotes yipping. Both jackrabbits and cottontails ran suicide missions into the road, some ran zigzags down the road in front of the Dodge in an effort to elude us. Some would dart from the field into the ditch by the road, then run right out in front of us. We were on serious bunny patrol- should have had Riley with us.
Today is errands and homework, more organizing and cleaning, more pictures and checking out what I've got. Maybe I'll post some while we're dealing with Photoshop. Busy day in a busy week...
Friday, October 7, 2011
I think I can I think I can I think I can
I feel like I have been away so long that I won't be able to catch up on everything. Actually, it's exhausting to think of everything I should tell you.
We moved- we're in, we're trying to get settled. I have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do, but not really any time to do it! I wrote myself a schedule for the next several days and so far I am behind. It's not terrible and I'll be able to do it all, but in addition to school work I am flying to Virginia next week for Shannon's wedding. I need to catch up from moving and get ahead at the same time. I need to spend some brain power on that too, since I don't know what to wear. I think I will request someone else make that decision for me. Shannon said she's registered, but would rather see what I come up with. She has also asked me to speak. No pressure, right? :D
I have two midterm exams the day I leave and a photography project and an essay due the day after I get back.
Okay, but the house is worth it. It's beautiful. Chris wants to buy it. It has already become normal- we adjust so fast- but I still find myself marveling at what we have. I am very happy. Busy and exhausted, but happy. The bathrooms and kitchen have been redone and they are so nice. All of the places we saw had kitchens with frighteningly old appliances (when they had appliances) and cracked countertops. The bathrooms were "clean" and I didn't want to touch them. Here I could pick up something behind the toilet and not want to boil my fingers. It is nice.
The listing said we'd get a washer and dryer, which of course was the priority. That and a fenced yard. The house originally came with neither until I made a fuss. The listing said W/D and the fence almost enclosed the yard. They fixed the fence, installed both W and D and blinds. Now I don't have to immediately worry about curtains. The interesting update is about the school.
Chris and I took Ant across the street to enroll him and were informed that the school was so crowded that Ant would be attending the middle school. In VA, we are all used to middle school being 6, 7, and 8, but out here it's only 7 & 8. Except for this particular school. This middle school is 5, 6, 7 and 8. Suddenly Ant would have a locker and change classes. He was so excited!
It's also insane out here the way the schools' days are staggered: elementary starts latest, middle school goes in earlier, and the poor teenagers in high school are all standing around in the dark at 6 o'clock in the morning. I imagine they must use the same buses or something. It seems cruel and unusual, as teenagers need the most sleep after babies. This sudden transition means that Ant is having to go to bed earlier, not only because school starts an hour earlier, but because school is no longer across the street. He hasn't taken the bus since we left the old apartment about 2 1/2 years ago, so it's taking him some adjustment. He didn't actually make it to the bus stop on time at all this week. Monday we were moving, Tuesday Chris enrolled him, Wednesday he couldn't find him ID (Wait until you hear about THAT.), Thursday he woke up on time and went right back to bed, and today one alarm didn't go off and he slept through the other. We keep bumping back his bedtime which might seem too little too late, but we started with bedtime being an hour earlier. Sheesh.
So the IDs... This school has uniforms too, but shirts must be tucked in, pants cannot be pulled more than two inches away from the body, etc., etc. They cannot get on the bus, go to class, or get lunch without their IDs. Chris said they have to be scanned everywhere they go, which might be his imagination talking. I can't imagine they have to scan into class. That would be scary.
See? This is long.
So I've been having this problem with Ant. At first I thought it was like his birthday when he changes ages and he immediately becomes more obnoxious. But it's not his birthday, so where is all this crazy obnoxious behavior coming from? He's hyper and annoying, sings mean songs, makes terrible comments, walks around repeating god-awful noises as loud as possible... and that reminds me:
Mom, thank you for not killing me.
The questions have been marinating and today I verbalized them for Chris. I think this has to do with his sudden jolt into middle school. On one hand, he went from being at the top of elementary school to being low in middle school, but on the other hand he's suddenly got all this responsibility and is surrounded by older kids that are trying to look as much like hoodlums as possible. He has to act older, even if the other kids are just putting on a show too. Then he comes home and we no longer have neighbors below us- pandemonium. I bet he feels pretty conflicted. This is the point where you want to act like a kid but not if your friends can see you.
Tonight he came in here with two kids and asked Chris if they could spend the night. He had to work and warned Ant that it was likely a no since I had all this school work. Ant, of course, came to plead his case anyway. I have told him 85 times not to ask me in front of people but here he was again. And what did I do? Cave, of course. We've been here less than a week and he's lonely- what can I do? Heres again I am the Nazi Stepmother if I follow through, but when I cave it seems like it's just the status quo and I'd be an asshole if I said no. He has not one but TWO friends over! Where is my medal? How about a ribbon? Do I get a ribbon?
But wait, there's more. When they came in to ask he told us that these kids knew the kids who used to live here, and one of them was gay. Pure immature boy fascination, I know, but it still made me want to sit all three of them down to watch The Matthew Shepard Story.
"Why did you say that?" I asked.
"I thought it was funny," he said. "A gay person lived here."
"So?" Chris asked.
I ought to remind him about the gay couple that come stay at Topaz. Maybe if he connects those perfectly nice, normal friends with his gay-cooties thoughts he might realize that he is being an idiot.
They are up to something. I do not want to host sleepovers.
We moved- we're in, we're trying to get settled. I have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do, but not really any time to do it! I wrote myself a schedule for the next several days and so far I am behind. It's not terrible and I'll be able to do it all, but in addition to school work I am flying to Virginia next week for Shannon's wedding. I need to catch up from moving and get ahead at the same time. I need to spend some brain power on that too, since I don't know what to wear. I think I will request someone else make that decision for me. Shannon said she's registered, but would rather see what I come up with. She has also asked me to speak. No pressure, right? :D
I have two midterm exams the day I leave and a photography project and an essay due the day after I get back.
Okay, but the house is worth it. It's beautiful. Chris wants to buy it. It has already become normal- we adjust so fast- but I still find myself marveling at what we have. I am very happy. Busy and exhausted, but happy. The bathrooms and kitchen have been redone and they are so nice. All of the places we saw had kitchens with frighteningly old appliances (when they had appliances) and cracked countertops. The bathrooms were "clean" and I didn't want to touch them. Here I could pick up something behind the toilet and not want to boil my fingers. It is nice.
The listing said we'd get a washer and dryer, which of course was the priority. That and a fenced yard. The house originally came with neither until I made a fuss. The listing said W/D and the fence almost enclosed the yard. They fixed the fence, installed both W and D and blinds. Now I don't have to immediately worry about curtains. The interesting update is about the school.
Chris and I took Ant across the street to enroll him and were informed that the school was so crowded that Ant would be attending the middle school. In VA, we are all used to middle school being 6, 7, and 8, but out here it's only 7 & 8. Except for this particular school. This middle school is 5, 6, 7 and 8. Suddenly Ant would have a locker and change classes. He was so excited!
It's also insane out here the way the schools' days are staggered: elementary starts latest, middle school goes in earlier, and the poor teenagers in high school are all standing around in the dark at 6 o'clock in the morning. I imagine they must use the same buses or something. It seems cruel and unusual, as teenagers need the most sleep after babies. This sudden transition means that Ant is having to go to bed earlier, not only because school starts an hour earlier, but because school is no longer across the street. He hasn't taken the bus since we left the old apartment about 2 1/2 years ago, so it's taking him some adjustment. He didn't actually make it to the bus stop on time at all this week. Monday we were moving, Tuesday Chris enrolled him, Wednesday he couldn't find him ID (Wait until you hear about THAT.), Thursday he woke up on time and went right back to bed, and today one alarm didn't go off and he slept through the other. We keep bumping back his bedtime which might seem too little too late, but we started with bedtime being an hour earlier. Sheesh.
So the IDs... This school has uniforms too, but shirts must be tucked in, pants cannot be pulled more than two inches away from the body, etc., etc. They cannot get on the bus, go to class, or get lunch without their IDs. Chris said they have to be scanned everywhere they go, which might be his imagination talking. I can't imagine they have to scan into class. That would be scary.
See? This is long.
So I've been having this problem with Ant. At first I thought it was like his birthday when he changes ages and he immediately becomes more obnoxious. But it's not his birthday, so where is all this crazy obnoxious behavior coming from? He's hyper and annoying, sings mean songs, makes terrible comments, walks around repeating god-awful noises as loud as possible... and that reminds me:
Mom, thank you for not killing me.
The questions have been marinating and today I verbalized them for Chris. I think this has to do with his sudden jolt into middle school. On one hand, he went from being at the top of elementary school to being low in middle school, but on the other hand he's suddenly got all this responsibility and is surrounded by older kids that are trying to look as much like hoodlums as possible. He has to act older, even if the other kids are just putting on a show too. Then he comes home and we no longer have neighbors below us- pandemonium. I bet he feels pretty conflicted. This is the point where you want to act like a kid but not if your friends can see you.
Tonight he came in here with two kids and asked Chris if they could spend the night. He had to work and warned Ant that it was likely a no since I had all this school work. Ant, of course, came to plead his case anyway. I have told him 85 times not to ask me in front of people but here he was again. And what did I do? Cave, of course. We've been here less than a week and he's lonely- what can I do? Heres again I am the Nazi Stepmother if I follow through, but when I cave it seems like it's just the status quo and I'd be an asshole if I said no. He has not one but TWO friends over! Where is my medal? How about a ribbon? Do I get a ribbon?
But wait, there's more. When they came in to ask he told us that these kids knew the kids who used to live here, and one of them was gay. Pure immature boy fascination, I know, but it still made me want to sit all three of them down to watch The Matthew Shepard Story.
"Why did you say that?" I asked.
"I thought it was funny," he said. "A gay person lived here."
"So?" Chris asked.
I ought to remind him about the gay couple that come stay at Topaz. Maybe if he connects those perfectly nice, normal friends with his gay-cooties thoughts he might realize that he is being an idiot.
They are up to something. I do not want to host sleepovers.
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