Back in the olden days before the web, when I had poison ivy I'd go to the drug store and get something somebody recommended.
Now I have poison ivy and I go to google and check home remedies.
Here is what I found.
1. Rub straight bleach on it.
2. Rub salt on it
3. Rub vicks vapo rub on it.
Tried the first two. No difference. If anything, I've ended up with bleach in my body (having been absorbed by the sores) in pain, and my poison ivy is spreading.
At what point does one become an idiot for using the internet as a resource? I fear I might have just crossed that line....
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I want to be a doctor
Conversation in the car last night with Evie.
Evie: "Mommy, I want to be a doctor. That is a good job and I know how to do it.
I don't want to be a teacher. Being a teacher wears you out."
Me: "Is that what Mrs. Gracia says?"
Evie: "No, but I can tell."
Evie: "Mommy, I want to be a doctor. That is a good job and I know how to do it.
I don't want to be a teacher. Being a teacher wears you out."
Me: "Is that what Mrs. Gracia says?"
Evie: "No, but I can tell."
Thank you for reporting this problem
It is 5:49 am. I don't want to be up right now, but I am.
So why not get some work done, right?
So I spent the last half hour of reviewing and sorting staff into org charts and had just begun re-orienting a work flow chart.
Microsoft has experienced an error and must shut down. Would you like to send an error report?
NO! I want my work back. DON'T Shut down. Live just five more seconds for me to save my (admittedly mindnumbing) work.
White screen.
Message: This program is not responding.
Would you like to report this error to Microsoft?
Thank you for reporting this problem....
Feel my pain.
So why not get some work done, right?
So I spent the last half hour of reviewing and sorting staff into org charts and had just begun re-orienting a work flow chart.
Microsoft has experienced an error and must shut down. Would you like to send an error report?
NO! I want my work back. DON'T Shut down. Live just five more seconds for me to save my (admittedly mindnumbing) work.
White screen.
Message: This program is not responding.
Would you like to report this error to Microsoft?
Thank you for reporting this problem....
Feel my pain.
Friday, March 06, 2009
FOF
Dear Readers-
Please accept this as an official apology for my tone toward Facebook in my last post.
It is nice to hear from so many of you!
In order to promote a more tolerant world, I retract my hostile facebook rant. Please consider me a Friend of Facebook (FOF).
Sincerely yours.
Jennifer
(But I still won't join!)
Please accept this as an official apology for my tone toward Facebook in my last post.
It is nice to hear from so many of you!
In order to promote a more tolerant world, I retract my hostile facebook rant. Please consider me a Friend of Facebook (FOF).
Sincerely yours.
Jennifer
(But I still won't join!)
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Prosthelytizing
Leave me alone you Facebook freaks.
It is bad enough you track down your college freshman roommate from 20 years ago and want to tell me the details, but now you are tracking down mutual friends and making me go out on family dates with them.
Another friend used facebook to track down an Australian tourist who left his camera in a cab. Camera and owner were successfully reunited in Melbourne via third party.
These are wonderful stories of human connections.
But, don't you know I just want to be left alone?
Everyone I want to keep in touch with - I ALREADY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
Yes, there are exceptions. They are minimal and don't keep me from leading a happy life.
Probably all of the people who've fallen out of contact have made the choice to do so and I'm too clueless to realize it. It would be lovely to run into the friend, but unless I happen to run into them on the street it really doesn't need to happen. I prefer to give dear friends and acquaintances their space if they want it. I know I want mine.
My choice is final. Facebook is not for me.
Feel free to share your anecdotes about how you are best friends again with that girl from kindergarten, but leave me alone about joining.
Please let me live in my blissful "unfriended" anonymity.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
(no last names please! Someone might find me!!!!)
It is bad enough you track down your college freshman roommate from 20 years ago and want to tell me the details, but now you are tracking down mutual friends and making me go out on family dates with them.
Another friend used facebook to track down an Australian tourist who left his camera in a cab. Camera and owner were successfully reunited in Melbourne via third party.
These are wonderful stories of human connections.
But, don't you know I just want to be left alone?
Everyone I want to keep in touch with - I ALREADY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
Yes, there are exceptions. They are minimal and don't keep me from leading a happy life.
Probably all of the people who've fallen out of contact have made the choice to do so and I'm too clueless to realize it. It would be lovely to run into the friend, but unless I happen to run into them on the street it really doesn't need to happen. I prefer to give dear friends and acquaintances their space if they want it. I know I want mine.
My choice is final. Facebook is not for me.
Feel free to share your anecdotes about how you are best friends again with that girl from kindergarten, but leave me alone about joining.
Please let me live in my blissful "unfriended" anonymity.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
(no last names please! Someone might find me!!!!)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Snow
We got the suprise snow storm on Sunday/Monday. Here is Juliette getting ready for her out door recess today (18 degrees - shiver!) Julie Christie anyone?
Evie is also ready to go, but can't because she is sick. Cough, fever, but you'd never know by this picture!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Art
We hosted the first annual Juliette and Evie 's Art (Ot) Gallery here yesterday afternoon. Since it happened on such short notice, we determined it would be nice to give you the opportunity to participate virtually.
All items will be up for bid next Monday during the contemporary art auction at Sotheby's.
Clear directions to the facilities are a critical component for many guests.
We live in a label-conscious culture.
This contributor enjoys the performing arts as well.
The elusive artist.
All items will be up for bid next Monday during the contemporary art auction at Sotheby's.
Clear directions to the facilities are a critical component for many guests.
We live in a label-conscious culture.
This contributor enjoys the performing arts as well.
The elusive artist.
Friday, February 06, 2009
OT - Pop Culture Notes
What with the subscription to Entertainment Weekly, why not talk books? It is one of the list of seven things I can do with my leg elevated. (What are the other six? Movies, Eating, Painting, Pearls, Puzzles, Games). I can't clean, cook, do laundry. At least that is what I am claiming while Mom is here. Once a youngest child, always a youngest child...
Books I've read since breaking my leg-I've averaged three a week, but I can't think of them all. If I can't think of it, it doesn't mean they are bad, it just means I'm forgetful.
Outliers, Sense and Sensibility, Love the One You are With, Better, Gilead, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, The Painted Veil, Time Traveler's Wife, If Today Be Sweet, and The Beach House.
Some of these are not worth mentioning. Others are definitely worth a mention. When you read books, do you think about whether the author would make a good dinner guest? I do.
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell. Such an intellectually curious man. I love reading his stuff and watching him in interviews. Definitely on the short list for who to have over for dinner for a good conversation.
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen. Addicted to Jane right now. You can always be assured of a happy outcome. This IS cheating knowing the ending will be happy, but with a broken leg that has to be elevated, I don't care. Jane is not on the list for interesting dinner guests. Don't know why, might have something to do with shyness and or pretention.
Love the One You are With - Emily somebody. Skip. Not invited to dinner or even coffee.
Better - Atul Gawande. A follow up to his first book, Complications (which I really liked). I liked Better. Not at first, but it grew on me. Atul is also on the short list for interesting dinner guests. His intellectual curiousity applied to his profession gives the reader tons of insight into the complicated world of medicine today.
Gilead - Marilynn Robinson. This was THE book two years ago. I tried to read it then and was too tired with the chicklets to not fall asleep. This time I made it through. Beautifully written. It is not for everyone. Marilynn doesn't get to come to dinner. I know this doesn't seem fair but it has to do with her prose, it is complicated and requires a great deal of concentration. I really don't feel like concentrating that hard right now.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - author?. This was another reattempt. I have a really bright friend whose wife is an aspiring author. I had trouble the first time, but now that I have hours, I was able to focus. FASCINATING story about a Hmong family with a severely epileptic daughter navigating the U.S. medical system. Hopeful and tragic both. Alternate dinner guest.
The Beach House - author?. Skip unless you are at the beach. No other reason to read, except it makes you want to move to the beach. Only invited to dinner if my invitation will get me an invitation to nantucket. Yes, this is shallow - it comes with the Entertainment Weekly subscription.
Time Traveler's Wife - author? Title says it all. Really liked elements of this book. Other elements seemed strange and out of character. Anyone this creative gets to come to dinner.
If Today Be Sweet - author? Good story about a women trying to decide whether to leave her life in India after the death of her husband and start over with her son and dil in Ohio. Compassionate look at grief and family. Invited to dinner. Asked to bring appetizer.
The Painted Veil - Somerset Maugham. Maugham is the author of one of my favorite books. It is easy to love his work. A fascinating, gifted author - this book has the same effect on me as War and Peace - during which I constantly say, " just one more chapter, and then I'll put it down." Definitely invited to dinner.
Next up - River of Doubt - another one I failed to finish the first time. So Brave, So Young, So Handsome, The Zookeepers Wife, The Story of Marriage, and The Reason for God. Stay tuned for more dinner invitations.
Books I've read since breaking my leg-I've averaged three a week, but I can't think of them all. If I can't think of it, it doesn't mean they are bad, it just means I'm forgetful.
Outliers, Sense and Sensibility, Love the One You are With, Better, Gilead, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, The Painted Veil, Time Traveler's Wife, If Today Be Sweet, and The Beach House.
Some of these are not worth mentioning. Others are definitely worth a mention. When you read books, do you think about whether the author would make a good dinner guest? I do.
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell. Such an intellectually curious man. I love reading his stuff and watching him in interviews. Definitely on the short list for who to have over for dinner for a good conversation.
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen. Addicted to Jane right now. You can always be assured of a happy outcome. This IS cheating knowing the ending will be happy, but with a broken leg that has to be elevated, I don't care. Jane is not on the list for interesting dinner guests. Don't know why, might have something to do with shyness and or pretention.
Love the One You are With - Emily somebody. Skip. Not invited to dinner or even coffee.
Better - Atul Gawande. A follow up to his first book, Complications (which I really liked). I liked Better. Not at first, but it grew on me. Atul is also on the short list for interesting dinner guests. His intellectual curiousity applied to his profession gives the reader tons of insight into the complicated world of medicine today.
Gilead - Marilynn Robinson. This was THE book two years ago. I tried to read it then and was too tired with the chicklets to not fall asleep. This time I made it through. Beautifully written. It is not for everyone. Marilynn doesn't get to come to dinner. I know this doesn't seem fair but it has to do with her prose, it is complicated and requires a great deal of concentration. I really don't feel like concentrating that hard right now.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - author?. This was another reattempt. I have a really bright friend whose wife is an aspiring author. I had trouble the first time, but now that I have hours, I was able to focus. FASCINATING story about a Hmong family with a severely epileptic daughter navigating the U.S. medical system. Hopeful and tragic both. Alternate dinner guest.
The Beach House - author?. Skip unless you are at the beach. No other reason to read, except it makes you want to move to the beach. Only invited to dinner if my invitation will get me an invitation to nantucket. Yes, this is shallow - it comes with the Entertainment Weekly subscription.
Time Traveler's Wife - author? Title says it all. Really liked elements of this book. Other elements seemed strange and out of character. Anyone this creative gets to come to dinner.
If Today Be Sweet - author? Good story about a women trying to decide whether to leave her life in India after the death of her husband and start over with her son and dil in Ohio. Compassionate look at grief and family. Invited to dinner. Asked to bring appetizer.
The Painted Veil - Somerset Maugham. Maugham is the author of one of my favorite books. It is easy to love his work. A fascinating, gifted author - this book has the same effect on me as War and Peace - during which I constantly say, " just one more chapter, and then I'll put it down." Definitely invited to dinner.
Next up - River of Doubt - another one I failed to finish the first time. So Brave, So Young, So Handsome, The Zookeepers Wife, The Story of Marriage, and The Reason for God. Stay tuned for more dinner invitations.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
In 2009 / Out 2008
Out - Sprout PBS Kids
In - Boomerang (Pink Panther reruns from the 1970s - how could it be better??)
Out - Blockus
In - Rat a Tat Cat
Out - Mad Men (only until Season 2 becomes available on Netflix)
In - Damages - it is back not as crisp, but still better than most on television
Out - Trader Joes
In - just kidding!! Trader Joes never goes out
Out - Ice Skating
In - Ballet (I can't skate with a broken leg)
Out - Dora the Explorer
In - Max and Ruby
Out - Laura Ingalls Wilder
In - Missionary Biographies (the missionaries of the 1800's lead amazing lives!)
Out - Health
In - all communicable diseases. Evie's been out of school all week with high fevers - we're a inhale away from a MRSA infection in this house
Out - Bikes
In - Scooters
Out - Ice Cream
In - Georgetown Cupcake
Out - Mommy
In - Gramma
Out - Brio
In - Pietanza
Out - The Wall Street Journal
In - Entertainment Weekly - go ahead and judge me
Out - coloring
In - painting
Out - NFL Football
In - Spring Training!!
Out - multiple applications and interviews to private schools
In - sibling preference - HOORAY!!!
Out - freewheeling dinners out and weekends away
In - tuition payments
Out - beef stew
In - Pot Roast!!
Out - seconds
In - licking our dessert plates
Out - pony tails
In - headbands
In - Boomerang (Pink Panther reruns from the 1970s - how could it be better??)
Out - Blockus
In - Rat a Tat Cat
Out - Mad Men (only until Season 2 becomes available on Netflix)
In - Damages - it is back not as crisp, but still better than most on television
Out - Trader Joes
In - just kidding!! Trader Joes never goes out
Out - Ice Skating
In - Ballet (I can't skate with a broken leg)
Out - Dora the Explorer
In - Max and Ruby
Out - Laura Ingalls Wilder
In - Missionary Biographies (the missionaries of the 1800's lead amazing lives!)
Out - Health
In - all communicable diseases. Evie's been out of school all week with high fevers - we're a inhale away from a MRSA infection in this house
Out - Bikes
In - Scooters
Out - Ice Cream
In - Georgetown Cupcake
Out - Mommy
In - Gramma
Out - Brio
In - Pietanza
Out - The Wall Street Journal
In - Entertainment Weekly - go ahead and judge me
Out - coloring
In - painting
Out - NFL Football
In - Spring Training!!
Out - multiple applications and interviews to private schools
In - sibling preference - HOORAY!!!
Out - freewheeling dinners out and weekends away
In - tuition payments
Out - beef stew
In - Pot Roast!!
Out - seconds
In - licking our dessert plates
Out - pony tails
In - headbands
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I know about rocks
A conversation I just had with Evie:
I know about Rocks.
What do you know?
They are round.
They are hard.
You can't throw them at people.
I know important things.
Like no throwing rocks at other people.
Do I even want to know HOW she knows this and why she brings it up today?
I don't think so.
I know about Rocks.
What do you know?
They are round.
They are hard.
You can't throw them at people.
I know important things.
Like no throwing rocks at other people.
Do I even want to know HOW she knows this and why she brings it up today?
I don't think so.
Monday, January 05, 2009
40 is old and decrepit
So, on the second day of the new year I broke my leg doing yard work. Pathetic, I know. Even more pathetic was me crawling along like a crab in the dark calling to my neighbor for help while my well-lit house contained the spouse and chitlin's. Think Little Match Girl....
So the fibula is shot. Which is good news, the tibia is the weight bearing one. Maybe no surgery. I have my fingers crossed. I've sat down more in the past four days than I can recall outside of airplane travel.
Bruce has been a saint. He helps without complaining. I think he is enjoying the new junked up Jenn who is less caustic and pretty happy thanks to the little white pills.
Juliette and Evie are exceptionally helpful and curious. They are using the hockey sticks procured at Christmas as their "crunches."
Here is what I've discovered.
1. Keeping your leg elevated means elevated above your heart. Sitting up does not count.
2. Crutches means no multitasking - you can't even carry a drink with you to the living room. You must rely on the kindness and patience of everyone around you. CRAZY!!!
3. People are incredibly kind to the gimpy. We've had meals brought three days in a row - none of which we asked for all of which were delicious.
4. I am really clutzy. Scarily so. We already knew this, but it has been proven twice in just over 365 days.
5. My former most significant relationship - the Starbucks staff at the West End Plaza, has been replaced with my new most significant relationship - the orthopedic staff. Who have set my bones twice now. I know people by their first names, kids etc. Completely scary.
6. Netflix online is a great time killer.
7. There is still a great deal to enjoy even if you are limited to one floor of your house. We've been playing games, doing puzzles, reading books and enjoying each other. All of which we do regularly, but I've been more focused on what is at hand (see no multitasking above) which has been nice.
In short, I'm thankful for this being only as limiting as it is and for the many friends and family who've rushed to support us. Expect more blogs in the next few weeks.
I've got the time!
So the fibula is shot. Which is good news, the tibia is the weight bearing one. Maybe no surgery. I have my fingers crossed. I've sat down more in the past four days than I can recall outside of airplane travel.
Bruce has been a saint. He helps without complaining. I think he is enjoying the new junked up Jenn who is less caustic and pretty happy thanks to the little white pills.
Juliette and Evie are exceptionally helpful and curious. They are using the hockey sticks procured at Christmas as their "crunches."
Here is what I've discovered.
1. Keeping your leg elevated means elevated above your heart. Sitting up does not count.
2. Crutches means no multitasking - you can't even carry a drink with you to the living room. You must rely on the kindness and patience of everyone around you. CRAZY!!!
3. People are incredibly kind to the gimpy. We've had meals brought three days in a row - none of which we asked for all of which were delicious.
4. I am really clutzy. Scarily so. We already knew this, but it has been proven twice in just over 365 days.
5. My former most significant relationship - the Starbucks staff at the West End Plaza, has been replaced with my new most significant relationship - the orthopedic staff. Who have set my bones twice now. I know people by their first names, kids etc. Completely scary.
6. Netflix online is a great time killer.
7. There is still a great deal to enjoy even if you are limited to one floor of your house. We've been playing games, doing puzzles, reading books and enjoying each other. All of which we do regularly, but I've been more focused on what is at hand (see no multitasking above) which has been nice.
In short, I'm thankful for this being only as limiting as it is and for the many friends and family who've rushed to support us. Expect more blogs in the next few weeks.
I've got the time!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas card rejects
Last year, no christmas cards. I was still recovering fm my broken arm. The hardest part is choosing pictures. Here are a couple that didn't make the card...
This year, they are coming closer to the new year.
Keep watching the mail!
This year, they are coming closer to the new year. Keep watching the mail!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Lice
Did I mention the great lice outbreak at LW? Our hair had to be up and our stuff had to be in plastic garbage bags for a week.
I volunteered to nit pick (one of the few times it was the actual task) and never knew my parasitology class would come in so handy.
It meant lots of fun hairstyles though!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
300th Post and Counting
With all that is going on in the world this holiday season. There is some comfort to know some things are still the same -little girls love Christmas. Here are the things that haven't changed since I was little.
1. The Nutcracker is still magical. They both sat with rapt attention through the entire performance, except when stage whispers were utilized to ask specific plot questions. (yes, I am aware there really isn't a plot in the nutcracker, hence all of the questions.)
2. Advent Calendars are the highlight of the day. It is hard to wait for your turn to put up an ornament or open a box.
3. Silly Christmas songs are the best. Their father made up a song to the tune of Christmas Time is Coming. It is all they have sung or wanted to sing for two days now.
4. Christmas dresses are still slippery and itchy.
5. There is nothing more exciting than a wrapped package with your name on it.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
What we are thankful for-
Juliette
Mommy
Deeaadddy
Gramma
Grampa
Evie
Evie
Bruce
Jennifer
Jesus
Children
Job
Cheese
Jennifer
More than one bathroom
The anesthetic effect of television on children
Friends
Family
Chocolate
--
and we are all thankful for you!
Mommy
Deeaadddy
Gramma
Grampa
Evie
Evie
Daddah
Momma
Gramma and Grampa
Uncle Howard and Uncle Heidi
Uncle Gerald and Uncle Shane
Bruce
Jennifer
Jesus
Children
Job
Cheese
Jennifer
More than one bathroom
The anesthetic effect of television on children
Friends
Family
Chocolate
--
and we are all thankful for you!
Friday, November 07, 2008
I've been working on something new...
Are you ready for this? click on the picture when you are ready!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
OT-Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
For my 40th birthday, I dumped Starbucks. It had nothing to do with world events or the sudden realization that they were an evil empire or that paying $2.75 plus tip for a caffeinated beverage wasn't worth it. I never drank coffee until I turned thirty, and I felt like a decade of whole hearted dedication to a single thing was enough. AND TRUST ME! IT WAS WHOLEHEARTED DEDICATION!!!!
So we're done. And like all breakups, it is the unanticipated consequences that bite you.
Do you really want to hurt me?? Do you really want to make me cry???
For now, I need to avoid all strip malls. Which is not easy in Metropolitan Washington.
I guess that's why they call it the blues....
Really, I need to avoid every inch of Washington. I was having a serious discussion with a colleague in his office the other day and I swear I couldn't take my eyes off the Venti cup resting on his desk. It was taunting my resolve which was only two days old at the time.
I ain't missing you at all....
I'm drinking tea again. Heavily.
Time can never mend, the careless whisper of a good friend....
And I'm lying to tea. Telling her I loved her all along, and that I didn't really mean the dedication to the point of obsession that Starbucks became. When will I ever see Ellie? Who will notice when I travel? Without the oracle, how will I know who I am?
Here they come, dogs of lust....
AND - I've fallen off the wagon. Only once, and it was because of social pressure. I was on a girl date with time to kill in between events. What else were we going to do???? Bruce would have understood and steered me to some highway where there are no Cracker Barrel esque tall green and white circular signs singing the siren song of espresso shots.
Don't answer me, don't break the silence, don't let me in. Run away and hide from everyone
Speaking of espresso, this Starbucks thing started getting serious only after Bruce and I returned from Italy. It was there I learned how good coffee could really be and began this elicit romance in earnest.
There's a tear in my beer, cause I'm crying for you dear, you are on my lonely mind
Maybe if I go BACK to where it all started I can exorcise the internal voices clamoring every time we pass a mermaid.
You oughta know...
That and make an angry break up mix tape....
So we're done. And like all breakups, it is the unanticipated consequences that bite you.
Do you really want to hurt me?? Do you really want to make me cry???
For now, I need to avoid all strip malls. Which is not easy in Metropolitan Washington.
I guess that's why they call it the blues....
Really, I need to avoid every inch of Washington. I was having a serious discussion with a colleague in his office the other day and I swear I couldn't take my eyes off the Venti cup resting on his desk. It was taunting my resolve which was only two days old at the time.
I ain't missing you at all....
I'm drinking tea again. Heavily.
Time can never mend, the careless whisper of a good friend....
And I'm lying to tea. Telling her I loved her all along, and that I didn't really mean the dedication to the point of obsession that Starbucks became. When will I ever see Ellie? Who will notice when I travel? Without the oracle, how will I know who I am?
Here they come, dogs of lust....
AND - I've fallen off the wagon. Only once, and it was because of social pressure. I was on a girl date with time to kill in between events. What else were we going to do???? Bruce would have understood and steered me to some highway where there are no Cracker Barrel esque tall green and white circular signs singing the siren song of espresso shots.
Don't answer me, don't break the silence, don't let me in. Run away and hide from everyone
Speaking of espresso, this Starbucks thing started getting serious only after Bruce and I returned from Italy. It was there I learned how good coffee could really be and began this elicit romance in earnest.
There's a tear in my beer, cause I'm crying for you dear, you are on my lonely mind
Maybe if I go BACK to where it all started I can exorcise the internal voices clamoring every time we pass a mermaid.
You oughta know...
That and make an angry break up mix tape....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pics from First Day of School
Evie on her first day.
A good luck hug from big sis.
This is Juliette's first day of school.
And what she did when she got home....
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cox Farms
Juliette and Evie went to Cox Farms with Bruce and kids from Juliette's school yesterday. Here they are with some special friends enjoying all Cox Farms has to offer.
I don't know about you, but I wish I had gotten to go!
I don't know about you, but I wish I had gotten to go!
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