C-R-O-S-S-W-O-R-D

I think I read something, somewhere, sometime about crossword puzzles being good for your brain. You know -- protecting against dymentia, increasing IQ -- that sort of stuff. That may be true, but I just do crosswords because they're fun. I like having one at my desk throughout the day. I can look at in my spare time and at lunch. A lot of times it helps me to get my mind working again if I have come to some sort of mathematical or pedagogical impasse. That's a brain benefit isn't it?

Lately I've been doing the puzzle from the LA Times -- sufficiently challenging, and free every day.

Total Cost: $0 for a brain boost. What's a five letter word for "collar extension"?

The True Spirit of Memorial Day

When I was going to school in Utah, I was always impressed by the number of people who visited the cemeteries on Memorial Day. Every grave was had flowers and/or a flag. In fact, when I was seaching flickr looking for a picture to represent this, I found the one above, which was taking in Heber, UT.) It was really impressive. It reminded me of the reason that we have Memorial Day.

cartoon found here

Funny Books

In Friday's Wall Street Journal there was an interesting installment of "Dear Book Lover" (an advice column for readers). Someone had written in with the following question/request:

"Everywhere I look there is bad news. Not uplifting. Negative. Sad. There seems to be a competition going on to see who can deliver the worst news of the day. Let's have a column on funny books to be read and enjoyed -- with a long list."

I couldn't agree more. We have enough sad. We need more funny. In that same spirit, I have submitted three of my favorites.

1. Jeeves in the Morning -- pure farce. How can you say the words "Steeple Bumpleigh" and not smile?

2. Ex Libris -- smart, bookish humor. My favorite chapter is about the 'odd shelf.'

3. All Creatures Great and Small -- not so much funny as cheerful.

Total Cost: $0 at your local library for a good chuckle.

Kicking the Habit

English Toffee. One of my favorite candies. I have always liked it, but lately it's been getting out of control. It started in Maine when Janet and I would go shopping together and pick up some candy at the check out line. I would always get an English Toffee candy bar (which will remain nameless). Since then, I would get one every few days after work. Then it was up to every day. THEN, last week, Kopps was serving English-Toffee-candy-bar custard (I got two scoops). This was starting to get out of hand. Where would it end?!

On Friday it came to a head. I stopped by the drug store for my English toffee candy bar fix and decided to pick up an extra three or four to keep in my desk. By the time I went to bed, they were ALL gone.

bleh.

Since then I haven't been able to look at another English toffee candy bar.

Total Cost: $2.50 worth of candy bars. Small price to pay to get my life back!

Air Travel

On Wednesday, Nora flew home from visiting Janet in Maine. From what I understand, the Maine visit was great and the flight home was terrible. It’s the same old story – long lines, delays, no leg room, lost luggage, hotel vouchers, overpriced airport food – and all this while she carried her infant son.

Strangely enough, I seem to remember when flying was a comfortable and enjoyable experience. I remember larger seats, real meals, pillows and blankets and (just once) a hot washcloth. Was it ever really like that? Are my childhood memories deceiving me?

Well apparently, there WAS a time when air travel was enjoyable, comfortable and classy – according to the new book Flying Across America. If the stories are true, people used to dress up to fly, and while aboard they ate hot meals with real forks and knives (knives!).

I think part of what makes flying today such a pain is that we are often comparing it to how things used to be. Maybe the best option is to realize that it won’t ever be like that again, and find ways to be comfortable and classy in spite of it. Just my opinion.

Total Cost: $45 for the book (which I haven't bought)

Planning to Plan

Well. Memorial Day is coming up, and I have decided that I would like to go camping over that weekend. When I say camping, I mean that I would like to do some hiking, some swimming, some campfire sitting by ... stuff like that. It's still in the planning-on-planning stage, but right now it sounds fun. Amazingly enough, I got the idea from this hilarious Top Gear challenge. Hilarious.

click here to watch

Total Cost: $0 ... so far.

SPACE: the final frontier

So, this past weekend I saw the new Star Trek movie and I thought it was great. The characters were pretty well developed and the CGI stuff was kept to a minimum (or maybe they're getting better at it). There was pleanty of action for people who like action, and plenty of plot for people who like plot. There was even some quality humor.

Watching this prequel gave me a renewed interest in watching the original Star Trek episodes (which I had never seen). I was curious to see where these characters and plot points came from. So, last night I sat down with a cup of tea and a stack of papers to grade and watched two episodes on youtube.

They were hilarious. The costumes, the hair, the makeup, the dialogue, the computers, the "special" effects. Didn't they realize (in 1966) that astronauts weren't using microfiche?! Funny, funny, funny. I would definitely recommend!

click here to watch

Total Cost: $7.00 for the matinee. Not bad for a weeks worth of entertainment.

Under the Weather

Sick today. Chills and no appetite. Left school early. Slept all afternoon. Feeling better.

Gift Giving

I love giving gifts. It’s an exciting challenge to watch and listen to a person, trying to discern what would most surprise and please them. For example when I was in Maine, I saw my niece ask over and over again to play with the shovel. So, when I was downtown, I found her a bucket set, complete with a mini shovel and a hand rake. It was a big hit, as evidenced by the following pictures.

The same thing happened this mother’s day. I tried to think of a gift that would be extra special but wouldn’t need to be dusted or cooked. Finally, I came up with something perfect, and it was VERY well received. I don’t want to say what it was, but here’s a hint:

Any guesses?

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! xxoo

Total Cost: $0 and three hours a week.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mother!

(picture to come)

Prayer in School

As most of you know, I teach at a Catholic School. Twice a day prayer is said over the loud speaker. (This could also be a scripture reading or inspirational poem or something like that.) I always like the reflections that are read, and since the ones giving the prayer/thought are faculty volunteers, I signed up – even though I’m not Catholic.

As some of you know, I have already been called upon to deliver the prayer/reflection twice, and both times it didn’t go so well. It’s not that I don’t know how to say a prayer or read a scripture, it’s just that I forget. I’m always standing in my classroom at the beginning of second hour thinking “oooo, someone forgot it was their turn” until I get a call telling me to get my butt down to the main office. These stories are good ones and I would be happy to share them with you, but here’s what happened today.

As none of you know, today my number was up again. Fortunately, I have known about this since Monday and have had a chance to prepare. I chose to read D&C 88:118-120. I love that scripture and how it talks about studying and learning (I’m a teacher to the core). I was ready. So, this morning I got to school, made some copies, ate my orange and chatted with the librarian. During first hour I gave a test, graded papers and answered homework questions. When the bell rang, I stood there blissfully waiting for my next class to come in – blissfully until the phone rang … I had forgotten AGAIN! … Later one of my students said she knew it had been my turn for prayer when she saw me racing down the stairs. Sigh. At least I was prepared this time.

…Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.

A Free Lunch!

Oprah is giving away lunch at KFC. All you have to do is go here to print off the coupon. Unfortunatly, my printer isn't working, so I won't be joining you. But please, enjoy all that grilled goodness for me!

Total Cost: $0 -- if you can acually get the coupon.

How To Make a May Day Basket

I have a confession. I have never made or given a May Day basket. For those of you who don’t know, the “May-Day-Basket-Ritual” goes like this: get a basket and fill it with flowers, hang it on a friend’s doorknob, ring the door bell, run. (If you get caught, you’re supposed to get a kiss.) What a charming tradition! It seems like something that I would do faithfully each year – I love anything that involves spring, flowers and gift giving. The problem is, May 1st always sneaks up on me, and then I feel like I don’t have enough time to create something really memorable. But this year I decided things would be different! Even though I forgot it was May Day until this morning, I had to give a May Day basket to at least one person. Turns out, it wasn’t that hard. All I had to do was:

1. Roll

2. Staple
3. Cut

4. Buy flowers

5. Deliver

Pretty easy. Next year I might give out two baskets.

Cost: $7.00 for paper and flowers. Worth every penny.

Happy May Day!

picture found here.

My New Treadmill

Well, I did it. I finally dumped the gym membership in favor of a more economical option. Now, instead of hitting the treadmill, I'll be hitting the pavement (a lot). This is great. I’ll be saving money while I more fully enjoy scenes like the one above … and the ones below. Milwaukee really is a pretty city.

This sure beats running in place while watching cable news in a room that smells like socks.

Total Cost: 70¢ worth of gas driving to and from the lake.

Spring Break 2009

What sort of destination says Spring Break to you? Miami? Cancun? Jamaica? How about Portland, Maine?

Well, that’s were I’m headed tomorrow … the land of lobsters and lighthouses … and I can’t wait. You're probably asking why I would go north when most people will be heading south. Well, I'm going to visit Cameron and Janet …

… and Madeline and James.

Who needs sand, sun and surf anyway?

While I Was Away

It’s been a little while since I have updated this blog, but I have a good excuse (actually several of them). There was illness, work and writers block. But most importantly, there was a new nephew!

Eliot Arthur was born on March 12 and has been quite a distraction ever since.

As fun as it is to hold Eliot and gaze upon his loveliness, it was also very important to help out his parents. Supporting a new mother isn’t always the easiest job. Fortunately, there was this list that originated with Gloria Lemay which came in really handy. I think between my parents and myself, we hit everything on the list (except #8 of course).

1. Buy toilet paper, milk and beautiful whole grain bread.

2. Buy a new garbage can with a swing top lid and 6 pairs of black cotton underpants (women's size____).

3. Make a big supper salad with feta cheese, black Kalamata olives, toasted almonds, organic green crispy things and a nice homemade dressing on the side. Drop it off and leave right away. Or, buy frozen lasagna, garlic bread, a bag of salad, a big jug of juice, and maybe some cookies to have for dessert. Drop it off and leave right away.

4. Come over at about two in the afternoon, hold the baby while I have a hot shower, put me to bed with the baby and then fold all the piles of laundry that have been dumped on the couch, on beds or in the room corners. If there's no laundry to fold yet, do some.

5. Come over at l0 AM, and make me eggs, toast and a 1/2 grapefruit. Clean my fridge and throw out everything you are in doubt about. Don't ask me about anything; just use your best judgment.

6. Put a sign on my door saying "Dear Friends and Family, Mom and baby need extra rest right now. Please come back in 7 days but phone first. All donations of casserole dinners would be most welcome. Thank you for caring about this family."

7. Come over in your work clothes and vacuum and dust my house and then leave quietly. It's tiring for me to chat and have tea with visitors but it will renew my soul to get some rest knowing I will wake up to clean, organized space.

8. Take my older kids for a really fun-filled afternoon to a park, zoo or Science World and feed them healthy food.

9. Come over and give my husband a two-hour break so he can go to a coffee shop, pub, hockey rink or some other R&R that will delight him. Fold more laundry.

10. Make me a giant pot of vegetable soup and clean the kitchen completely afterwards. Take a big garbage bag and empty every trash basket in the house and reline with fresh bags.

Mother and baby are doing fine.

The Home Library

I love to read and I love books. These are actually two different things. Loving to read is about the words on the page. Loving books is about the pages themselves. What I mean is, I like the way books feel, look and smell. I like the art work on the cover. I like the way they look fitted together on the shelf.

Anyway, I love to read and I love books. The problem is, I can buy books faster than I can read them. I even have a couple book shelves dedicated to holding books that I have, but haven’t read.

So, in March I am going to commit to not buying any books, and reading a few of those that I have been meaning to read. (This project might even spill over into April.)

Total Cost: $0 – plus what I have already spent. :)

Fat Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday

Mardi Gras. It’s the day before Lent when everybody goes on one last binge before starting the fast. There are floats, feathers and beads … drinking, dancing and singing … reveling, rioting and debauchery.

Not really my scene. Until I heard about …

... Shrove Tuesday. This is a version of Mardi Gras popular in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and it’s celebrated by eating pancakes. In fact, it is often just called Pancake Day. PANCAKE DAY!! Now that’s a holiday that I can get behind. In honor of this auspicious occasion, IHOP is serving free all you can eat pancakes until close. Wa-hoo! So after school, it was dinner time.

My mom and I waited 30 minutes for a table. No problem though. I graded papers while she gabbed with strangers. Soon enough we were seated and got right down to the pancakes – along with a side of bacon, milk and “pure squeezed” orange juice.

The pancakes went quickly. Burp.

On the way out, we ran into Triniti and company who were also out celebrating.

Happy Pancake Day!

Total Cost: $5 for the bacon and beverages.

Let Me Check My Calendar

About a week ago, on the way home from school, I stopped by the grocery store for milk, the book store for a magazine, and then headed straight home where I had a light supper, did a crossword puzzle, took a bath and went to be early. I felt great! …

Until the next day. That night while I was so blithely relaxing, I missed an extremely important appointment. I had no excuse. I just forgot. I knew then -- it was time for a calendar.

I needed a calendar with some very specific qualities:
* It needed to be small enough to take everywhere.
* It needed to be small on art, large on writing space.
* It needed to have space for daily appointments and room for do-lists, shopping-lists, and idea-lists.
* It needed to be cheap.

So here is what I found.
At the drugstore I found a small mead brand notebook. The only color they had was orange which was unfortunate … until I decided to supplement with a Rhodia notebook of similar size.

So, now I'll never forget another extremely important appointment – unless I forget to write it down.

Total cost: $10 for calendar, notebook and pen