Let me tell you about Z~. One year during high school he decided he wanted to run track. Now Z~ is a pretty talented kid and a lot of things come naturally to him. In fact I admire how when he decides he wants to do anything new he goes right after it and just does it. I wish I were that bold.
But running track is the first thing I’d seen him do that didn’t seem to come easily to him. He actually finished dead last in every race. I’d love to hear him report on his results, however, because although he finished last, his time improved with every single race. When we went to his meets to watch him run I also loved how everyone stopped whatever they were doing (because by now everyone else had finished and moved on) to cheer him to the finish line.
I cheered him at the finish line because I was proud of him for completing the race (finishing is not something that comes easily to me) and for simply running.
Another thing I love about Z~ is his candor. He has a pretty even temperament, but every now and then when he is in a mood he can be a little short with me or a little unfair. But he always apologizes to me when after the cloud passes. Sometimes the apology comes, coincidentally, neatly timed along with a request to go do something with a friend.
“Are you saying ‘sorry’ because you’re really sorry or because you really want to go hang with your friends?” I ask.
“A little of both,” is his frequent reply.
I really admire a kid who will tell it like it is.
Finally, Z~ is generous. He came into some Miley Cyrus tickets and had big plans to turn a nice profit on e-Bay (which was, you know, a fairly lucrative prospect before her fall from grace). Instead he chose–completely on his own and under no pressure from me–to sell them to some friends of mine who had only been able to purchase enough tickets to take one of their two daughters who were dying to go. He walked away from some serious money (for a teenager) in order to make one little girl very, very happy! What a great guy.
As if my Tuesday weren’t enough, here are a few more good things going on chez moi:
While waiting for the pharmacist to bottle up five little pills that would cost me a whopping $95 (that’s with insurance) I had to pick up a pair of baseball cleats for the youngest and since Payless shoes were buy-one/get-one-half-off decided to look for church shoes for L~. You have to understand something here, I don’t do a very good job picking out clothing and apparel for L~ even when she’s with me, so shopping without her is pretty much taboo. I knew what I was looking for was something (shoes with soles, of course) she could wear to church but that looked like anything but church shoes (which we’ve been looking for for months now). I tried on a few pair (we wear the same size) but each of them had at least one feature I knew she would hate.
I left them out where L~ would see them when she came home from school and just ask me how long I’ve waited to nail something so perfectly. “They’re the best!” she practically gushed. That is high praise indeed from someone with such a unique sense of her own style.
Whew!
Today Luke sang with the chamber choir at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Straight superiors once again. They competed with advanced, collegiate-level music and really sounded great. Utah has some very competitive choir programs and Provo High’s is one of the best. Way to go Singers!
Z~ humbly informed us–as he rushed home from his day date just in time to get ready for the big dance–that we might want to make sure we hung around after promenade until they announced the royalty. So I wrapped myself up in the thickest quilt I could find and parked myself on the statuary outside the steps of the city library.
First attendant. (Z~, not his date)
Cool!
Both boys went to prom and they both looked mighty fine and I know they both treated their dates fine and that makes me proudest of all.
In other news:
K~ is playing baseball for the first time and L~ has been blessed with the best softball coach ever (which is sooooo nice after last year’s worst softball coach ever). My May calendar now has something scheduled for every night but two–and that’s without the practices. And of course on some of those nights we have to be in two places at once. (So happy neither of them has a game on the night of high school graduation!)
That’s OK. I kind of enjoy hanging out at the ball park.
I finishedCrossing to Safety. That means as soon as my quilt is done and the garden is in I will return to blogging.
Oh yeah. I cheated. Oh well.
And finally, guess who puts in his mission papers one week from tomorrow?
Stay tuned for photos from Prom (hopefully, WordPress can be kind of a pain when it comes to photos Yay! I did it!). Coming soon: a little friendly competition to guess where Luke will go.
Z~ and his date at the pre-prom photo shoot
Z~ and his date at the promenade
group hug
Z~ after being crowned first attendant to the Prom King
Luke and his date at promenade
group hug
Disclaimer: Before anyone points out that in that unfair way parents have of not documenting the lives of each of their children equally, I may have not given each kid the same amount of face time, may I point out that as a middle child, Z~ probably deserves some catch-up photos at this point and well, he was first attendant. Luke gets to go by his first name (he’s of legal age) and besides, I wasn’t privy to the location of his pre-prom photo shoot.
Apparently a group of well-meaning parents has proposed a new dress code for my children’s junior high school. Typically I like to present the facts, hear what you have to say, then weigh in with my opinion. I apologize if my snarky comments detract from the objectivity here (especially if any one I know was on the committee) but I have to say it like I see it. Here is the proposal as released to the media:
The purpose of the committee was to propose a higher dress standard for the students of _____________. The reason behind proposing a higher dress standard was parental concern over the following areas:
–Gang affiliation dress/causing concern for safety
–Tiers of class/unfair class distinction between students
–Immodest, inappropriate, and offensive dress/that was not distinguished in current dress code.
We feel strongly that the classroom should be a learning environment and we would like for the teachers to be easily able to enforce infractions without having to take their attention away from what they are trying to accomplish in their classroom. We believe, from the research we have done, our students will be safer, have more confidence, excel in their academics, and there will be less discipline problems for the teachers.
Proposed Dress Standard Shirts
Collard (bwahahahaha–do they make shirts out of collard greens these days? I didn’t know.) shirts required, polo, dress shirt, or blouse
No logo or writing may be worn on shirts
Sweaters may be worn but collard shirt must be visible
Shirt must be long enough to cover the waistband of pants/skirts when sitting (do pants and skirts sit? or maybe it’s the shirt?)
Shirts must be buttoned. (Whew! I was afraid they would have to be buttond)
Tee shirt, tank or long sleeved shirt may be worn underneath the buttoned collared shirt (third time’s a charm)
Shirts must be modest and fit appropriately
(administration reserves the right to determine the dress code as appropriate)
Bottoms (Do they mean by this “attire to cover one’s bottom half?”)
Any shade of khaki, brown, navy, green or black pants or slacks is acceptable (put your pink pants away skater boy)
Shorts, skirts, and Capri’s (the Capri’s what?) in these colors are acceptable but must be knee length or longer
No pants with holes, fraying, slashing or threading may be worn
No jeans, no sweatpants, no lounge or fleece pants
Belt is required if needed to meet pant requirements
Pants must be an appropriate length and not drag the floor
Pants must be worn at the waist and properly fit the waistline even if covered by a shirt
Wearing oversized or baggy pants is prohibited
Shoes
No slippers are allowed
Shoes with a sole are required
Jewelry
Shall not be worn in any pierced body parts other than the ears
Anything distracting, or may present a safety risk, or threat is not acceptable–including chains and spikes
Still can’t pronounce it? Guess what? Me either! In any case, I’m interested in your two cents on a heart-wrenching discussion topic posed today over at Segullah.
So the other day Lois wrote a mocku-post-ary about Segullah in which she unequivocally stated, “In my opinion, it’s not real art unless there’s a strip of bacon stapled to it.”
Not one to take such a statement lightly, I’ve become keenly aware of all things bacon ever since and now a whole new world has been opened up to me about the cultish obsession of bacon that apparently had almost completely passed me by.
I am fortunate enough to work with Lois, so when I stumbled upon this little gem while doing some research for an account, I printed it and left it on her desk for a laugh.
As for ephemera, it’s a snap to find bacon gift wrap, bacon wallets, gummy bacon, bacon butter dishes, even a bacon tuxedo and bacon mints on the Internet.”
(Hey boys, prom is coming up!) Hmmm. I guess bacon stapled to art wasn’t much of a stretch.
Of course Lois got the last laugh. This morning she showed up to work with a plate of these:
BACON CHOCOLATE-CHIP COOKIES WITH MAPLE-CINNAMON GLAZE
¾ cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon hazelnut or ½ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups crumbled cooked bacon (about 2 pounds), plus another ½ pound of cooked strips (divided use)
Maple-Cinnamon Glaze (recipe follows)
In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, extracts and eggs until creamy. In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir together.
Dough will be slightly soft. If you want a more cakelike cookie, add another 1/2 cup of flour. Mix in chocolate chips and crumbled bacon. Stir until well integrated.
Place dough on a sheet of wax paper and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Remove dough from fridge. Pinch off 1 ½ -inch pieces and roll into balls. Set dough balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten dough balls in the center slightly with your fingers. Bake about 10 minutes, or until the dough starts to turn golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on a cooling rack while you make the glaze.
Spread a small amount of glaze on top of each cookie and top with a small piece (1 to 1 ½ inches) of crisp bacon. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Maple-Cinnamon Glaze: Mix 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maple extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon cinnamon with enough water to make a thick glaze, about 3 tablespoons. Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. If lumpy, use a whisk.
SOURCE: Adapted from neverbashfulwithbutter.blogspot.com
If that’s not all, I’ve learned there is also quite a following for bacon ice cream.
Today I had lunch with the mayor. And the principal. And some mighty impressive seniors in high school (oh, and ~j’s fine husband, too!). Let me just say P-town is raising them up good. Maybe it’s in the water? I forgot to try to make the mayor laugh, but that’s OK because he was smiling ear-to-ear. As was I.
Today (well, every day, really, but especially today) I am proud to be also known as “Luke’s Mom.”
Tonight I had dinner with Cari (formerly “Said Cari,” now simply “Cari”). Well, she was kitty corner from me, but I got to say hi. And there were a whole roomful of principals involved (and other administrative types–some of the same ones from lunch). And a bunch of really great educators, too. I have a soft place in my heart for educators, you know.
Today (well, every day, really, but especially today) I am proud to be also known as “Mr. Rowley’s Wife.”
Disclaimer: Yeah, I know I’m supposed to be quilting and putting in a garden. But I can’t get to my Bernina for the mountain of laundry that needs to be folded (Note to self: A hobby room should never be combined with any sort of work room. What were you thinking?) and the pollen is driving me mad. So since it’s my blog and I can blog if I want to, here I am.
My grandpa always used to tell me, “Growing old ain’t for sissies.” And I could tell you all the unpleasant aspects of aging I’ve observed that prove he was right, but that would just be depressing. So, having recently started on the path down the backside of middle age, I was encouraged to read this in the paper this morning.
Whew! I’m so relieved. Because the eyes are going fast, the joints they are a achin’ and the old almost-gray mare just ain’t what she used to be. But I’m still fairly happy. So the prospect of more happiness? That’s a pretty sweet carrot for the scientific community to be holding out for the likes of me.
Here are a couple of highlights:
This is partly because older people have learned to lower their expectations and accept their achievements, said Duke University aging expert Linda George. An older person may realize “it’s fine that I was a schoolteacher and not a Nobel prize winner.”
OK. So I guess it really is all about expectations. And since I like to keep mine low so I won’t be disappointed, I’ll probably come out OK. It’s not like having them any higher would have increased my odds of taking home the Nobel prize.
As for my current state of middle-age-hood, I learned something about that, too:
Previous research also has shown that mid-life tends to be the most stressful time, said Cornell University sociologist Elaine Wethington. “Everyone’s asking you to do things and you have a lot to do. You’re less happy because you feel hassled.”The new studies show “if you can make it through that,” there’s light at the end of the tunnel, Wethington said.
So that’s why I’m feeling stretched a little too thin. I guess at this point I’ll just keep going toward the light. *wink*
Due to a couple of specific requests and the fact that I would be ungrateful, really, if I didn’t recap, I’m back for a moment to tell you how much I loved my trip to (and from) Seattle:
Did happen: My sister flew in to spend the weekend with me and hear my kid sing. She was amazingly patient as each night we’d return to the hotel and I’d stay down in the lobby for a brief meeting with all the chaperones and then the drama and adventure would begin and she’d eventually just go to sleep as we both began to realize I wouldn’t be returning to our room until well after midnight. Or one. Or two…
Did happen: I got proposed to at the pier. A gentleman of questionable residence (or lack thereof) approached me and handed me a napkin as I spilled the best strawberry ice cream and waffle cone on my shirt. I thanked him kindly and he replied, “You have lovely tulips (I bought myself flowers at Pike Place because, well, because why not?) and a lovely smile. Will you marry me?” This to the amusement of the gathering crowd of high school students–many of whom were taught by my husband a way back in third grade. I respectfully declined and was then graced with, of all the romantic notions, a few verses of poetry about Pepé Le Pew.
Did happen: The Total Experience Gospel Choir. They blew me away. I love it when people sing like they mean it, and these people mean it. Amen! I got to meet the reverend and she is a force of energy and love and it was really a total experience!
Did happen: Speaking of being blown away…after the concert this beautiful woman with gorgeous hair and a warm and friendly smile came toward me. I thought, “I know her.” (I actually thought she was part of the choir at first.) and then she said, “It’s me. Carrot.” Yes indeed. Carrot Jello had heard I was coming to town and she tracked me down and surprised me by coming to meet me. She was so sweet (she gets me and my conflictedness about blogging) and so much fun and she really is lovely and I can’t even tell you in mere words how much it meant to me that she would do that. I love her; I really do. Thanks again Carrot!
Didn’t happen: Rain. First time ever I’ve been to Seattle and didn’t get rained and/or misted on. It was almost 80 degrees on Saturday!
Did happen: I got to spend an entire afternoon with Lucky Red Hen. The hug was so worth the long drive. We decided to head downtown where Lucky and my sister introduced me to The Cheesecake Factory then we hung out for awhile on the lush green lawn at the Seattle Center and it was fun just to chat. Thanks again Lucky!
Did happen: I spent $5 (really only $4.50) on a stupid hot dog. I’m not a huge baseball fan unless I know someone who’s playing, but there is something about a major league ball park and I wanted the total experience (well, OK, minus the beer). Our kids were great and 35,000 is the biggest crowd they’ve sung for, so that was pretty amazing. (How amazing? One of the team managers came up to them after they sang and said, “I’ve been dealing with Angels all day. Most of them are out on the field right now, but the real angels are right here.”) It was actually a good (read: quick and exciting) game and real live home runs were involved. I loved it!
Did happen: I got mooned in the hotel by a disgruntled high school-aged soccer player who was not happy I was standing in the way of his efforts to flex his stuff for the naive girls in our group who apparently didn’t know any better than to flirt with complete strangers who were staying in the same hotel.
Didn’t happen: Sleep. Much anyway. Oh well.
Did happen: My brother and his sweet family were there waiting for us in an undisclosed location somewhere between Seattle and Utah (that one is for you e-dub). And we were soon joined by the wonderful elizabeth w. and her delightful daughter (who quite impressively sat through the entire program even though she had barely finished with her own three hours of church). My little niece (who, despite being quite tall, is only three) wanted to copy e-dub’s daughter’s every move (they even had matching shoes) and it was so sweet to watch. The students by that time were starting to believe I had family and friends almost everywhere (but I was careful not to let on my friends were all people I’d met on the Internet). I started to believe it too and it warmed my heart. Thanks again Elizabeth-W!
Didn’t happen: We didn’t lose any kids. We didn’t even want to lose any kids. I really love these kids–even the obnoxious ones–and it was really a pleasure to hear them sing over and over again for five days in a row. I never got tired of it once. During the first clinic we attended we were packed into a too small auditorium with an accomplished clinician during what turned out to be an extremely busy day for that particular university. I was crammed against the wall and sitting on the floor by the double doors into the practice room. While the kids were singing I watched as time and time again people–young and old–who were passing in the halls were drawn toward their sound and their spirit. The passersby would stand in the doorway and linger to listen as long as they could before reluctantly moving on. It was really an amazing experience and I was blessed to be a part of it.
Posted by Compulsive Writer under fly Comments Off
Late this afternoon I start a journey that involves four days of travel with two small children and forty or more teenagers cooped up in a tour bus (there are three buses–130 people in all) just to spend two days in Seattle. I love my life!
But it will be worth it because once I finally arrive to the great Pacific Northwest, land that I love, I will get to see and do the following:
Give a great big hug to my favorite Lucky Red Hen, who, by the way, has been a big help to me as I have worked on the tour planning committee. Thanks Lucky!
Hang with the fishmongers for a few. It’s halibut season right now. Please don’t laugh at me when I tell you I have seriously considered dragging along a cooler packed with ice so I can buy some, sneaking into the hotel kitchen and cooking some up in the middle of the night, or possibly having some flown home. (The problem with that one is by the time I finally get home it would be fresher at McGraths already.)
I may not be able to cook up a fresh halibut, but I will dine on fresh salmon here. (Because according to the people at sky city, actually, the world will revolve around me. At least for a few minutes.)
Before dinner, though, our kids are putting on a concert with the Total Experience Gospel Choir. (I’m going to have a hard time not singing along–think I can pass for 17?):
On the next, and sadly last, day there we get to visit St. Marks, Experience Music, and watch the chamber choir open the Seattle Mariners game with the national anthem.
And since this is of course Seattle, the choir director’s theme for tour: “Come Rain, We’ll Shine!”
I don’t know when I’ll be back again.
When I return I’ve got to do three people’s taxes in one day. Then I’m checking out for awhile. I probably won’t back until I get at least one quilt finished, reread Crossing to Safety and get the garden in…
