January 28 - Raising Rock Stars

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Hugo

Music is important in my family, with everything from Vivaldi's Les Quatre Saisons to Metallica's Death Magnetic providing a soundtrack for our lives. Therefore, I'm not surprised when another career possibility presents itself:

Music is what life sounds like. ~Eric Olson

He who sings scares away his woes. ~Cervantes

Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan

January 21 - Career Counseling

What do you want to be when you grow up? When do you know if you've arrived? Am I a grown up yet? Can I change my mind? How many times?

As I'm raising three kids and contemplating all new life choices, these questions keep coming up. Sometimes it's intimidating to realize I'm guiding small, impressionable people when I can't even figure my own stuff out.

So far, Seth wants to design new characters for whatever latest online adventure is popular. Think Club Penguin, Webkinz, Pokemon. Or design for Lego. (I don't think he realizes this requires an engineering degree, but I'm all for it!)

Skyler has vast career potential. His interest in sharp objects and leadership qualities inspire hope in this momma (think "surgeon"). However, he seems to think training for the knighthood is still an option. Or sometimes he reverts to the plan of "car fixer". Sigh...

Naomi, who is far exceeding preschool academic levels, has her heart set on being "a hair maker." Great.

I am praying for guidance in my own choices as well as supporting and loving my children as they make their own decisions. But if one of them chooses to be a doctor, I won't mind. ;-)

DVD Review - Dexter Season 2

The whole concept of this Showtime TV series, an emotionally-scarred child being raised as a serial killer who targets only evil people, is controversial but fascinating. In this second round, the plot seemed to get a little ridiculous, but Dexter's (Michael C. Hall) performance delving into a dark, complex sides of human nature was still worth watching. Scary what seems justifiable with the proper dramatic setup. Good for discussion questions.

Book Review - Literacy & Longing in L.A.

I am SO proud. I actually finished a book, purely for entertainment, and it only took me a weekend!

I read, but am not necessarily "well read", so I didn't follow all of the literary references that were featured in the book (9 page single-spaced book list at the back). I did, however, relate to the thirty-something divorcée life outlook. Minus alimony/investment portfolio, plus three kids, but whatever.

Most fun for me was that I was reading this to and from my own visit to L.A., so all the place and cultural references were relevant. And the bibliophile protagonist, Dora, grew up going on family field trips to authors' homes. Kind of poetic.

Literacy and Longing in L.A. is written by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack, published by Delacorte Press, 2006, 325 pages.

January 8 - Attention Deficit Issues

I don't think I have A.D.D., however I'm pretty scatterbrained lately. While there are many clinical factors involved, it's not all my fault...

A ten minute glimpse from yesterday:

Sitting down to check church email while Naomi sat at the counter next to me, paper and paints ready for artistic expression. The two guys were here installing a new furnace, carrying parts and tools up and down the steps. Then I got a phone call from a friend on his way to oral surgery, so I wanted to focus on reassuring him. And I got texted from a friend in California, with questions preparing for the upcoming weekend visit. And IM'd through Facebook from a friend's new romantic interest with general questions while simultaneously an old classmate IM'd with physical therapy questions. I couldn't focus, so I hung up the phone, just in time to get a phone call from Skyler's school nurse to report he was wheezing after running outside in the cold for recess but all was well after sitting still inside for a few minutes. In the meantime Naomi had given herself a black French manicure with acrylic pain and the furnace guys were ripping the old thermostat out of the wall.

Whew! Maybe it's just my life that has ADHD.

January 7 - Lessons from 4th Grade

This morning I got to help out in Seth's classroom for a bit. I love being in the Intermediate school building; it has such a different feel from the elementary grades. I'm continuously shocked at how big the kids are and what they study. Seth had to design working circuits in science and is preparing to publish in advanced writing and journalism.

Here are a few things I picked up today:

- follow directions or it'll cost you: the teacher runs a mini-economy that charges for lost work, missed deadlines, and incomplete assignments. Hmmm...

- anti-bullying rules should apply at home too. Seriously. The boys have been horrendous to each other lately. If they would just learn to respect each other, keep their hands to themselves, and "walk it out, wait it out, talk it out", I would be a much happier mommy!

- you can easily remove dried hot glue and paper from painted cinder-block walls with a simple spritz of water

Learn something new (or remember it again!) every day!

January 5 - Compliments

The best compliment from my 9 year old son:

"You look weird Mommy. Like Mrs. Smith."

Yeah. That's just like me ;)