Various travel tidbits from Albany:
1. Saw a kid from my mission who I haven't seen since 1997. He married a hilarious chica who, believe it or not, had the exact same lunch lady battle at their organic waldorfy school. She is like my doppleganger in NY and I am totally glad I made the effort to connect even though I was overworked and exhausted.
2. I love hearing the peeps at the school there say things like "can you take another look at this since you totally saved us from disaster this year?" Makes me feel like I am periodically worth the money my company pays me.
3. Meg was an absolute gem all the way there and back. I can't emphasize enough how incredible she was, happy, smiley, traveler extraordinaire. She just secured herself a spot on another crosscountry trip!
4. It rained and stayed at a nice low 40s for me. Except the last day when I packed the coat rather than leave it out for my 4 am departure from my hotel room. My ears nearly frozed.
5. Came home to a semi-clean house and a report that only once did the house nearly burn down (when Steve figured Bridget could handle the responsibility of cooking the beans while he was at scouts she said she thought she turned it down and then ran out to play with her friends but next time will put in more water. They ate the beans anyway).
6. Time change. 4 am. Ouch.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Travel Schedule and other non-juicy tidbits
I know this is boring stuff but since I consider this a bit of my personal journal as well I have to record it.
Wed-Sat NY. Yes I am taking Meg who will be babysat by a total stranger. Highly recommended by someone I trust but still, you know.
March 8-14 NC. Taking Meg again. Yes that is two cross country trips within two weeks with a 6 month baby. I know.
March 16-19 work HQ. Hoping that I have a babysitter but haven't heard for sure yes or no but for now, taking Meg I think.
Luckily I don't have to travel again until April at which point I will be in Indiana. Still figuring out babysitting so if anyone knows someone awesome in Indianapolis hook me up.
Four days after I get back from Indy, Steve is heading to Europe with his pops for 10 days. I am trying not be jealous but I keep hearing phrases like "we need to coordinate where we are meeting in Vienna." Punks.
I am thinking of heading up to Norcal while Steve is out of town and putting my kids on independent study or something so I don't have to deal with early morning carpool and my awesomest Aunt Judy will be around if I pass out from four kids alone.
Renters are one month+ behind in rent though they called Saturday and said "Check is in the mail." She wanted me to call her and work out her situation but I am not returning her call until her check comes AND clears. It really is killing me to not return her call here, but I feel like I can't negotiate or talk to her until we at least have her payment otherwise I think we have to evict them. I was never meant to be in this slumlord business as I have no backbone. Part of me feels like I was blessed to be able to buy this house in the first place and this lady would be homeless otherwise. The other part of me feels like without the rent from the house we can't fix up the things we need to and my investment is going down the toilet along with the economy.
Ugh. Anyone know a low-income family in Sacramento who would at least make their rent payment every other month?
Wed-Sat NY. Yes I am taking Meg who will be babysat by a total stranger. Highly recommended by someone I trust but still, you know.
March 8-14 NC. Taking Meg again. Yes that is two cross country trips within two weeks with a 6 month baby. I know.
March 16-19 work HQ. Hoping that I have a babysitter but haven't heard for sure yes or no but for now, taking Meg I think.
Luckily I don't have to travel again until April at which point I will be in Indiana. Still figuring out babysitting so if anyone knows someone awesome in Indianapolis hook me up.
Four days after I get back from Indy, Steve is heading to Europe with his pops for 10 days. I am trying not be jealous but I keep hearing phrases like "we need to coordinate where we are meeting in Vienna." Punks.
I am thinking of heading up to Norcal while Steve is out of town and putting my kids on independent study or something so I don't have to deal with early morning carpool and my awesomest Aunt Judy will be around if I pass out from four kids alone.
Renters are one month+ behind in rent though they called Saturday and said "Check is in the mail." She wanted me to call her and work out her situation but I am not returning her call until her check comes AND clears. It really is killing me to not return her call here, but I feel like I can't negotiate or talk to her until we at least have her payment otherwise I think we have to evict them. I was never meant to be in this slumlord business as I have no backbone. Part of me feels like I was blessed to be able to buy this house in the first place and this lady would be homeless otherwise. The other part of me feels like without the rent from the house we can't fix up the things we need to and my investment is going down the toilet along with the economy.
Ugh. Anyone know a low-income family in Sacramento who would at least make their rent payment every other month?
Monday, February 23, 2009
People for Dinner
We have people for dinner on Sundays again. I took a hiatus but now that church is late it works better for our schedule.
Anyway, prompted by my friend Katie, I have been thinking about behavior when you host dinner. How do you know if your guests liked your meal?
If someone says "this is amazing, I want the recipe!" they could be lying.
If they eat a small portion and don't comment on it, does that automatically mean they don't like it?
What if they don't say anything about it but have a healthy second serving?
Do the missionaries always say the food is good?
Do you invite someone to come back if they didn't like the food? Will they come?
Do some people come for the company, not the food?
Is my taste the same as other people?
So how do you know if you were successful? THIS is the real question I want you to answer.
Anyway, prompted by my friend Katie, I have been thinking about behavior when you host dinner. How do you know if your guests liked your meal?
If someone says "this is amazing, I want the recipe!" they could be lying.
If they eat a small portion and don't comment on it, does that automatically mean they don't like it?
What if they don't say anything about it but have a healthy second serving?
Do the missionaries always say the food is good?
Do you invite someone to come back if they didn't like the food? Will they come?
Do some people come for the company, not the food?
Is my taste the same as other people?
So how do you know if you were successful? THIS is the real question I want you to answer.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What do I do ALLL day?
School districts are dishonest. They aren't actually people, though, but an entity so you cannot hold them accountable.
They make a commitment but can never follow through. They try some attempt at reform, but when they don't have any brown sugar, they just stick in white sugar which completely changes the flavor of the recipe. Then they complain it doesn't taste the same as the original they tasted on their visit to a successful model.
Then they go back to their old ways.
Did you know that educational reform in this country originates with the formation of a more "industrial" school model, meant to mimic the factory environment? Students are treated like a four door sedan and one teacher is designed to produce a window while another works on the steering wheel. No one cared that it only produced a 25% college attendance rate because that was the expected outcome- 75% of adults were needed for manufacturing jobs. People would start in a factory, die in a factory, and provide a fairly decent living.
Why hasn't this whole system been overhauled to meet the needs of a different economy?
They tried in the 1920s but then WWII hit and we went back industrial. They tried in the 60s, but when the civil rights movement emerged, teachers were unprepared for urban populations and shied away from trying anything that would work- they went back to the pedagogy of poverty, a method that is both ineffective and a further violation of any civil rights that people may have been afforded during and since this movement.
The 80s saw a resurgence until the Federal gov. started subsidizing state-funded schools and demanded accountability. The long-term result of that is NCLB, a noble but failed attempt to hold schools accountable for all this money the feds have handed out. NCLB has again derailed any movement to solid meaningful instruction because teachers are afraid to be creative. They have reverted to an antiquated "drill and kill" style, something that works for such a small percentage of the population that we are back to the original design of schools to factory every sedan down the line.
It doesn't matter if a kid is a Nova, an SUV, a VW bug, a minivan or a Cadillac, we are going to give them the same sized window, door, and tires.
I have hope that with a new twist on NCLB under the new prez., this age of accountability might morph into something good, that schools will be held accountable but for the right things: decrease in drop-out rate, increased engagement in school, higher job placement and college rates, the number of students who become productive members of society (problem-solvers who do not need the social services of the government for prolonged periods of time) and unique curriculum designed to meet the needs of the individual. All I can say is that every day I get to work to that end and I love my role in it.
If your kid has a good teacher, get them a box of chocolates and say thanks for meeting the needs of my kid even though you have no training or expectation to do so.
::stepping off of soapbox::
Friday, February 20, 2009
Foto Friday
So my penultimate child was the baby for four years. She is still my baby in so many ways. This is a sad set of two pics dedicated to her.
First, she was SO excited to go to her pre-kinder dr. appt. She had fun as they checked her vision and her hearing, height, weight, etc. Here is a pic of her getting her hearing checked:
The after pic:
She got four shots (I think I missed her 3 yo ones which makes me feel guilt of course) and she hasn't been the same since. Poor Gills! She has had a fever for the last three days and just lies around on the couch asking to watch the Pixar Shorts film we have from netflix. Over and over. And over. She finally dropped down to 100 and she was happier tonight. I hope in the morning she is fine.
First, she was SO excited to go to her pre-kinder dr. appt. She had fun as they checked her vision and her hearing, height, weight, etc. Here is a pic of her getting her hearing checked:
The after pic:
She got four shots (I think I missed her 3 yo ones which makes me feel guilt of course) and she hasn't been the same since. Poor Gills! She has had a fever for the last three days and just lies around on the couch asking to watch the Pixar Shorts film we have from netflix. Over and over. And over. She finally dropped down to 100 and she was happier tonight. I hope in the morning she is fine.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Story Behind the Letter
So I got a phone call at the end of school yesterday from Bridget's teacher saying "Bridget was disrespectful to the lunch lady today."
She proceeded to explain that Bridgie had out the forbidden goods and when the LL told her to put it away she was rude to her.
I listened to the story and started to get irritated that my daughter who is really a pretty amazing student in every other way, is getting in trouble for the contents of her lunch. So I get kind of worked up and say, and I wish I regret that I said this, "This is going to sound really, really rude, but how is it the school's business what I put in my children's lunch?"
The teacher gave me a song and dance, very politely I might add, about how poor nutrition affects achievement. I asked her, very politely I might add, if she felt that Bridget was not succeeding academically in the classroom and she responded "Of COURSE not!!!"
We get to the real reason why she is calling which was that Bridget had been rude. When LL told her to put away her chocolate, Bridget responded by saying "This isn't your problem."I swore to the teacher that I never told Bridget that (even tho it is a way true statement).
But we did want to help her learn to express herself in a more respectful way so we did some role playing to help her figure out something better to say. Casey walked by when we were talking to Bridget about this and said "I just put it in my mouth really fast and said it was chicken" and walked away. Steve commented that this dishonest, passive aggressive approach was much more effective.
PS The principal responded to my email (that was the real text I sent in case you thought I made it up for the blog) that the LL are only supposed to make sure all kids eat, not examine the contents and that they might have gotten it confused with the no candy in class policy. She is going to speak with them.
If it happens again I am sending a note that says call my mom with any questions. In Spanish si claro.
She proceeded to explain that Bridgie had out the forbidden goods and when the LL told her to put it away she was rude to her.
I listened to the story and started to get irritated that my daughter who is really a pretty amazing student in every other way, is getting in trouble for the contents of her lunch. So I get kind of worked up and say, and I wish I regret that I said this, "This is going to sound really, really rude, but how is it the school's business what I put in my children's lunch?"
The teacher gave me a song and dance, very politely I might add, about how poor nutrition affects achievement. I asked her, very politely I might add, if she felt that Bridget was not succeeding academically in the classroom and she responded "Of COURSE not!!!"
We get to the real reason why she is calling which was that Bridget had been rude. When LL told her to put away her chocolate, Bridget responded by saying "This isn't your problem."I swore to the teacher that I never told Bridget that (even tho it is a way true statement).
But we did want to help her learn to express herself in a more respectful way so we did some role playing to help her figure out something better to say. Casey walked by when we were talking to Bridget about this and said "I just put it in my mouth really fast and said it was chicken" and walked away. Steve commented that this dishonest, passive aggressive approach was much more effective.
PS The principal responded to my email (that was the real text I sent in case you thought I made it up for the blog) that the LL are only supposed to make sure all kids eat, not examine the contents and that they might have gotten it confused with the no candy in class policy. She is going to speak with them.
If it happens again I am sending a note that says call my mom with any questions. In Spanish si claro.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Letter to the Principal
Hi Principal! Sorry to bother you but I need to know what the policy is with lunch. My kids are getting harassed (by me too!) about what they do and do not eat and it turned into a teensy conflict today. I made the mistake of sending them with some leftover homemade valentine candy today which sparked it. I kind of don't feel that it is the schools responsibility to examine the nutritional content of their lunch but I don't want to contradict a schoolwide policy. So I just wanted to know what is the policy on lunch examination... Is this part of the role of the lunch monitors? If so, what is the goal of said examination?
Sorry to be pesky. You know me.
Lee
Sorry to be pesky. You know me.
Lee
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sensory Overload
Due to an endless number of days with a headcold I have finally pinpointed what it means to have four children: cacophony.
See when my head does not ache, I have a high tolerance for sound. I was a high school teacher, after all, and what many of you don't know is that I actually team-taught in a classroom with an English teacher (I was Social Studies) and we had a very large classroom full of students. Our largest class was 54 students and we operated that place like a controlled zoological experiment. It was amazing what we could pull off in there but it is not for the light-hearted. Training students to work independently, collaboratively, and creatively yet pay attention while a teacher is up in front of the class for a few minutes here and there, well, that took a lot of...energy.
Having said all of this, the chorus of four voices to whom I have given birth, especially with the newest addition of a rather pitchy soprano can sometimes outdo even the group of 54 teens. Additionally I think I could always feel sorry for those misbehaving students, blaming their parents of course for their lack of respect or gratitude. Who can I blame for my children's lack of respect or gratitude but myself?
If you are not familiar with this particular symphony let me enlighten you:
During church, whilst attempting to listen to the speaker, I hear all of these things at once, in no particular order:
--girls on floor alternating giggling and fighting over markers
--son, alternating between "I love you mommy" and "I'm tired/hungry."
--baby, alternating between crying and giggling at her brother
--me saying "honey, tell them to be quiet"
--husband saying "it isn't bothering me, do you want to trade places?"
--"Can I have a drink of water?"
--"Can I have some of your gum?"
--"Will you play the dot game with me?"
--"Why do I have to put my shoes on?"
--"Why do we have to sit in our seats?"
I am used to this chorus, as familiar with it as I am Beethoven's Ninth played for the billionth time in a movie, but when I am sick, it sounds like one of the instruments broke and the rest are severely out of tune and I just can't make it stop.
So tonight when the family was acting out Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik:
--"I don't want to do my chores"
--"That was my chore Saturday"
--"I am never going to ever clean the toilet when it is my turn"
--"Cry, cry, cry"
--"I have pinworms"
--"Let's play charades"
--"How do I know when my prayers are answered?"
--"Can I go to Samuel's house after dinner?"
--"I don't like this food"
--"Can I have another fiddy pounds of sugar?"
It dawned on me that THIS is what Pres. Beck meant when she said "Be on for the swing shift, it is when your kids need you the most." She said that in our regional meeting so hopefully lightening won't strike on me for having published it here.
So I took some herbal tea (Stash Peppermint if you are ever in need of calming) and put it on my Pandora station (Deb Talan) and folded laundry. It felt good. The headache leftover from my teeth cleaning (people don't wait four years to do this just cuz you are too lazy to find a new dentist) stuck around but I was somehow able to turn that symphony back into something beautiful in my head.
It doesn't hurt that the kids are all asleep and the harmony of their voices is reduced to a quiet breathing sound.
See when my head does not ache, I have a high tolerance for sound. I was a high school teacher, after all, and what many of you don't know is that I actually team-taught in a classroom with an English teacher (I was Social Studies) and we had a very large classroom full of students. Our largest class was 54 students and we operated that place like a controlled zoological experiment. It was amazing what we could pull off in there but it is not for the light-hearted. Training students to work independently, collaboratively, and creatively yet pay attention while a teacher is up in front of the class for a few minutes here and there, well, that took a lot of...energy.
Having said all of this, the chorus of four voices to whom I have given birth, especially with the newest addition of a rather pitchy soprano can sometimes outdo even the group of 54 teens. Additionally I think I could always feel sorry for those misbehaving students, blaming their parents of course for their lack of respect or gratitude. Who can I blame for my children's lack of respect or gratitude but myself?
If you are not familiar with this particular symphony let me enlighten you:
During church, whilst attempting to listen to the speaker, I hear all of these things at once, in no particular order:
--girls on floor alternating giggling and fighting over markers
--son, alternating between "I love you mommy" and "I'm tired/hungry."
--baby, alternating between crying and giggling at her brother
--me saying "honey, tell them to be quiet"
--husband saying "it isn't bothering me, do you want to trade places?"
--"Can I have a drink of water?"
--"Can I have some of your gum?"
--"Will you play the dot game with me?"
--"Why do I have to put my shoes on?"
--"Why do we have to sit in our seats?"
I am used to this chorus, as familiar with it as I am Beethoven's Ninth played for the billionth time in a movie, but when I am sick, it sounds like one of the instruments broke and the rest are severely out of tune and I just can't make it stop.
So tonight when the family was acting out Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik:
--"I don't want to do my chores"
--"That was my chore Saturday"
--"I am never going to ever clean the toilet when it is my turn"
--"Cry, cry, cry"
--"I have pinworms"
--"Let's play charades"
--"How do I know when my prayers are answered?"
--"Can I go to Samuel's house after dinner?"
--"I don't like this food"
--"Can I have another fiddy pounds of sugar?"
It dawned on me that THIS is what Pres. Beck meant when she said "Be on for the swing shift, it is when your kids need you the most." She said that in our regional meeting so hopefully lightening won't strike on me for having published it here.
So I took some herbal tea (Stash Peppermint if you are ever in need of calming) and put it on my Pandora station (Deb Talan) and folded laundry. It felt good. The headache leftover from my teeth cleaning (people don't wait four years to do this just cuz you are too lazy to find a new dentist) stuck around but I was somehow able to turn that symphony back into something beautiful in my head.
It doesn't hurt that the kids are all asleep and the harmony of their voices is reduced to a quiet breathing sound.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
More Birthday Happenins
So as with any birthday that lands on a heavily commercialized holiday, it just keeps giving.
We have received an almost infinite amount of incredibly tasty chocolates, cookies, etc. Included in that gift-giving was this incredible trio of hand-dipped caramel apples created by a very talented individual:
My step-momma came to town unexpectedly and took me to dinner as a fun surprise. Here she is giving lil meg some verboten ice cream:
Steve likes to do that stuff too--give babies food before they are capable of digesting it. However as you can see in this pic she is a huge fan of the stuff. It WAS really tasty tho.
In other news:
1) Elder Holland is coming to our stake conference in March. New stake prez will be announced.
2) Saw the Hulk last night. Ed Norton is awesome, movie mediocre.
3) A water pitcher broke, which is devastating since I purchased a one-of-a-kinder from my friend Ben whose artwork is truly spectacular (his wife Lynette was one of my mission comps.) The good news is that it only held a quart of water so I ordered a replacement on Amazon.com. Matches my new le creuset ramekins. I am totally in love with the cherry red line now so I think I am going to order the crock next. Who knows, maybe I will even get crazy and order like a mini cocotte or something. Anyway I am chalking up the broken pitcher to a new opportunity.
We have received an almost infinite amount of incredibly tasty chocolates, cookies, etc. Included in that gift-giving was this incredible trio of hand-dipped caramel apples created by a very talented individual:
My step-momma came to town unexpectedly and took me to dinner as a fun surprise. Here she is giving lil meg some verboten ice cream:
Steve likes to do that stuff too--give babies food before they are capable of digesting it. However as you can see in this pic she is a huge fan of the stuff. It WAS really tasty tho.
In other news:
1) Elder Holland is coming to our stake conference in March. New stake prez will be announced.
2) Saw the Hulk last night. Ed Norton is awesome, movie mediocre.
3) A water pitcher broke, which is devastating since I purchased a one-of-a-kinder from my friend Ben whose artwork is truly spectacular (his wife Lynette was one of my mission comps.) The good news is that it only held a quart of water so I ordered a replacement on Amazon.com. Matches my new le creuset ramekins. I am totally in love with the cherry red line now so I think I am going to order the crock next. Who knows, maybe I will even get crazy and order like a mini cocotte or something. Anyway I am chalking up the broken pitcher to a new opportunity.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Dinner and a Movie, or, How I Need a New Camera
Last night I had a GREAT time going to dinner and a movie with some very fun people.
I tried to take a few pics but my camera is muy lame for this kind of lighting. Steve pointed out I could have used the flash, but why wasn't it already on the "auto" setting? I should have checked but I didn't want to take a million pictures and then have people to be nervous that I was going to post them all over the internet.
So here are just a few so you can get a sense of it:
1. Thanks to Vivian for arranging the menu ordering (such a pain when you are eating family style). I have to admit that the Chicken Nirvana truly WAS nirvana. I might go back this weekend, just to get my hands on some of that stuff. Wow. I mean WOW. She also arranged the payment so in the end my friends even bought me dinner even though I asked them to come out with me. Mucho generous and I really appreciated the gesture! Here is a picture of her counting the money:
2. Las virgenes section of the table--ladies who were having Indian food for the first time. I HEARD (heard) that they liked it and hope that it is true.
3. The chicken nirvana was good but it was practically indistinguishable from 90% of the other dishes on the table so I didn't take a pic. Here is one of me in front of the ever popular Tandoori:
No pics of this, but there were 3 mere survivors who were brave enough to see Taken. I have to say that I would give it a couple of stars for good action and violence and a couple of stars for a very understated but incredible Liam Neeson adding up to a respectable 4 out of 5 stars. The presence of the archtype of Eastern Bloc bad guys while reiterating that torture does indeed work smacks a little of 24 but overall I would give it a thumbs up. Some dark and sinister parts to it about selling young girls into prostitution but don't worry, no real gratuitous sex scenes, only violence. And of course no fewer than 6 of the now-dead evil men spoke Arabic so that should satisfy needs you might have for the bad guy to be middle eastern. Warning: Albania is not in the Middle East.
Oh and I shoulda taken pics of Elephant Bar dessert crew afterwards which really topped off what was a great time. Thanks to one and all.
I tried to take a few pics but my camera is muy lame for this kind of lighting. Steve pointed out I could have used the flash, but why wasn't it already on the "auto" setting? I should have checked but I didn't want to take a million pictures and then have people to be nervous that I was going to post them all over the internet.
So here are just a few so you can get a sense of it:
1. Thanks to Vivian for arranging the menu ordering (such a pain when you are eating family style). I have to admit that the Chicken Nirvana truly WAS nirvana. I might go back this weekend, just to get my hands on some of that stuff. Wow. I mean WOW. She also arranged the payment so in the end my friends even bought me dinner even though I asked them to come out with me. Mucho generous and I really appreciated the gesture! Here is a picture of her counting the money:
2. Las virgenes section of the table--ladies who were having Indian food for the first time. I HEARD (heard) that they liked it and hope that it is true.
3. The chicken nirvana was good but it was practically indistinguishable from 90% of the other dishes on the table so I didn't take a pic. Here is one of me in front of the ever popular Tandoori:
No pics of this, but there were 3 mere survivors who were brave enough to see Taken. I have to say that I would give it a couple of stars for good action and violence and a couple of stars for a very understated but incredible Liam Neeson adding up to a respectable 4 out of 5 stars. The presence of the archtype of Eastern Bloc bad guys while reiterating that torture does indeed work smacks a little of 24 but overall I would give it a thumbs up. Some dark and sinister parts to it about selling young girls into prostitution but don't worry, no real gratuitous sex scenes, only violence. And of course no fewer than 6 of the now-dead evil men spoke Arabic so that should satisfy needs you might have for the bad guy to be middle eastern. Warning: Albania is not in the Middle East.
Oh and I shoulda taken pics of Elephant Bar dessert crew afterwards which really topped off what was a great time. Thanks to one and all.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Valentine Candy
I LOVE to make treats. I don't always have time for this but I really do think it would be fun to be a pastry chef. I would love to have someone else make all the stuff for me and then have me decorate or something since my time is somewhat limited in the kitchen these days.
Anyway, obviously it is not a good fit that the school where my kids spend mucho tiempo has a sugar ban. They send home notices saying things like "please respect our no candy policy as you prepare your valentines." Über lame. If I didn't love the school so much I would have to switch solely to be able to bring cupcakes and cookies to school parties.
When Casey was in kinder we used to take chocolate chips and cover them in tinfoil and then tape them on the valentines, like little kisses. It was so cute! This year we had to settle for paper roses instead of making little chocolate cupcakes like I would have in my dreams. The sad part is, I bet the kids will be like "what? paper? where is the candy?" because their parents will have ignored the policy. Why do I feel like I can't violate these rules? I aspire to be a rule breaker. Here is a pic of the final producto:
I was going to also post on these topics but I ran out of time this morning due to feeling some loyalty to my awesome job. If you want my opinion on these topics email me for deets:
1. Why parents who are getting kicked out of SBUSD because of their attempt to become a Basic Aid district sooner (aka excess revenue) should be aiming their anger at the school district where they reside and demanding their own quality school.
2. My Idol faves aka I heart blue collar men.
Anyway, obviously it is not a good fit that the school where my kids spend mucho tiempo has a sugar ban. They send home notices saying things like "please respect our no candy policy as you prepare your valentines." Über lame. If I didn't love the school so much I would have to switch solely to be able to bring cupcakes and cookies to school parties.
When Casey was in kinder we used to take chocolate chips and cover them in tinfoil and then tape them on the valentines, like little kisses. It was so cute! This year we had to settle for paper roses instead of making little chocolate cupcakes like I would have in my dreams. The sad part is, I bet the kids will be like "what? paper? where is the candy?" because their parents will have ignored the policy. Why do I feel like I can't violate these rules? I aspire to be a rule breaker. Here is a pic of the final producto:
I was going to also post on these topics but I ran out of time this morning due to feeling some loyalty to my awesome job. If you want my opinion on these topics email me for deets:
1. Why parents who are getting kicked out of SBUSD because of their attempt to become a Basic Aid district sooner (aka excess revenue) should be aiming their anger at the school district where they reside and demanding their own quality school.
2. My Idol faves aka I heart blue collar men.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Vocabulary Quiz
So here are the words that I use, perhaps over use, on a daily basis due to my job:
Culture (school, staff, corporate)
Next steps
NTK (need to know)
Implementation
Development
Continuum (just added this last week)
Redesign
21st century
Platform
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Real World
What words do you use?
Culture (school, staff, corporate)
Next steps
NTK (need to know)
Implementation
Development
Continuum (just added this last week)
Redesign
21st century
Platform
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Real World
What words do you use?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Ode to the Man
So after I posted about the missing child, Steve asked me if he should stop going to church now that people in the ward know what happened.
I asked permission, I really did. Both for telling people in real life (I didn't ask before texting my bff but that doesn't count) and for the post. I even read it to him before I clicked "publish."
But now I think he feels bad about it. And why shouldn't he?
However I need to clarify something here. For what it is worth, I am the most happily married person I know. Sure there are a few of you out there who claim marital bliss and I believe you but I think no one really knows what a miserable person I would be without Steve. Here are some things he provides for me that no other husband could ever give me:
-Ongoing comic relief. He is seriously one of the funniest people you will never know. He is shy so it doesn't come out in public too much but he is witttttty. Also, his absent-minded professorness is just funny to me and he never, ever minds when I make fun of him. I hope he knows that I love that about him and appreciate that he appreciates my humor. Sometimes I worry people think I don't know I am making fun of him but I really do.
--Total support of any endeavor I wish to pursue. Once a woman said I was amazing because I do so much and then she stopped short and said "but your husband lets you." I scoffed her internally (externally too in the retelling) but realized that in spite of her anti-feminism she was onto something. What kind of man says "honey go ahead and go to choir and I will stay with the kids" and then really, really doesn't mind. He also supports my cockamamie schemes like hand-grinding the meat for my homemade tortellini (completely unnecessary) for my final in my history of Italy course. And putting orange yarn on hats for some dance thing that in the end my kids are not even going to do. I once told him I was going to quit as the secretary for the governing council at my kids school and came home the president on accident. He didn't blink an eye and just worried about how I was going to accomplish it.
--Intellectual conversation. You can NOT underestimate the value of this to me. He not only teaches me something every day but he actually listens to all my bullcrap about education reform and incorporates my work lingo into his vocabulary. He even acts interested when he is listening to me.
--Dishes. Laundry. Flowers when I get back in town 90% of the time (except when friends are coming from out of town because he likes to put on a show that he doesn't do anything for me).
--The best chocolate cookies on the planet. If you doubt this, you have never eaten his cookies.
--Unlimited hugs. Seriously there is no limit. Ever.
--An ongoing smirk on his face that seems as if he is making fun of other people. Since he would never actually make fun of other people, I get to pretend like he is and internally laugh while he is probably reviewing in his head some old Simpson's episode.
--In the middle of an economic crisis and a future that did not portend well I bought an iphone. In spite of his cheapness, he didn't say anything, just seems happy that I enjoy it. Cuz that is the kind of guy he is.
--Oh and keeps us from total financial ruin. That one is a very true and serious reality that I could never, ever thank him enough for giving to me. I may be the one who works but he is the one who makes our family and finances work out.
Without him=me, broke, unfulfilled, probably childless, and utterly lacking in good stories.
I asked permission, I really did. Both for telling people in real life (I didn't ask before texting my bff but that doesn't count) and for the post. I even read it to him before I clicked "publish."
But now I think he feels bad about it. And why shouldn't he?
However I need to clarify something here. For what it is worth, I am the most happily married person I know. Sure there are a few of you out there who claim marital bliss and I believe you but I think no one really knows what a miserable person I would be without Steve. Here are some things he provides for me that no other husband could ever give me:
-Ongoing comic relief. He is seriously one of the funniest people you will never know. He is shy so it doesn't come out in public too much but he is witttttty. Also, his absent-minded professorness is just funny to me and he never, ever minds when I make fun of him. I hope he knows that I love that about him and appreciate that he appreciates my humor. Sometimes I worry people think I don't know I am making fun of him but I really do.
--Total support of any endeavor I wish to pursue. Once a woman said I was amazing because I do so much and then she stopped short and said "but your husband lets you." I scoffed her internally (externally too in the retelling) but realized that in spite of her anti-feminism she was onto something. What kind of man says "honey go ahead and go to choir and I will stay with the kids" and then really, really doesn't mind. He also supports my cockamamie schemes like hand-grinding the meat for my homemade tortellini (completely unnecessary) for my final in my history of Italy course. And putting orange yarn on hats for some dance thing that in the end my kids are not even going to do. I once told him I was going to quit as the secretary for the governing council at my kids school and came home the president on accident. He didn't blink an eye and just worried about how I was going to accomplish it.
--Intellectual conversation. You can NOT underestimate the value of this to me. He not only teaches me something every day but he actually listens to all my bullcrap about education reform and incorporates my work lingo into his vocabulary. He even acts interested when he is listening to me.
--Dishes. Laundry. Flowers when I get back in town 90% of the time (except when friends are coming from out of town because he likes to put on a show that he doesn't do anything for me).
--The best chocolate cookies on the planet. If you doubt this, you have never eaten his cookies.
--Unlimited hugs. Seriously there is no limit. Ever.
--An ongoing smirk on his face that seems as if he is making fun of other people. Since he would never actually make fun of other people, I get to pretend like he is and internally laugh while he is probably reviewing in his head some old Simpson's episode.
--In the middle of an economic crisis and a future that did not portend well I bought an iphone. In spite of his cheapness, he didn't say anything, just seems happy that I enjoy it. Cuz that is the kind of guy he is.
--Oh and keeps us from total financial ruin. That one is a very true and serious reality that I could never, ever thank him enough for giving to me. I may be the one who works but he is the one who makes our family and finances work out.
Without him=me, broke, unfulfilled, probably childless, and utterly lacking in good stories.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
1...2...3...4?? 4???
I sing in choir for personal enrichment. I like feeling like I am contributing and I am also developing a talent that I would like to have. Last year since church was at 9 it was tough for me to get there early for practice on the days we would sing so I vowed this year I would try to be there early since we have late church now. Today I arrange a ride, then get all the kids ready in their church clothes and then finally put Meg down for a nap so my husband can mainly deal with the three older kids and theoretically be able to just walk out the door when it is time to come.
Enter conflict.
My husband walks into the chapel where I am sitting with two of my children, neither of whom is the baby. The following conversation ensues:
Me: Honey, where is Meg?
Him: She is refusing to come in from the car, the two girls were fighting again.
Me: Not Bridget, Meg. Honey, where is MEGHAN?
Him: [Look of shock] I am so sorry... [runs out the door]
I thought he was joking at first but when the look of shock never left his face I knew it was the real McCoy. He left her at home asleep and then drove off to church. I guess the girls fighting in the car was a major distraction.
I know you are now wondering what happened when he got home, was she okay? Did something fall down into her crib and suffocate her? Did the house catch on fire? Was she crying hysterically and now has major abandonment issues? Did something happen to him on the way home to pick her up and now she is there by herself locked in the house crying? Will I ever forgive myself for going to choir if anything happened?
Because that is what was going through my head.
I stepped out of the meeting and called him when I thought he had gotten home and he described her as "somber but not crying." He did mention a single tear that had fallen on her cheek from perhaps what could have been crying over having been abandoned.
Enter conflict.
My husband walks into the chapel where I am sitting with two of my children, neither of whom is the baby. The following conversation ensues:
Me: Honey, where is Meg?
Him: She is refusing to come in from the car, the two girls were fighting again.
Me: Not Bridget, Meg. Honey, where is MEGHAN?
Him: [Look of shock] I am so sorry... [runs out the door]
I thought he was joking at first but when the look of shock never left his face I knew it was the real McCoy. He left her at home asleep and then drove off to church. I guess the girls fighting in the car was a major distraction.
I know you are now wondering what happened when he got home, was she okay? Did something fall down into her crib and suffocate her? Did the house catch on fire? Was she crying hysterically and now has major abandonment issues? Did something happen to him on the way home to pick her up and now she is there by herself locked in the house crying? Will I ever forgive myself for going to choir if anything happened?
Because that is what was going through my head.
I stepped out of the meeting and called him when I thought he had gotten home and he described her as "somber but not crying." He did mention a single tear that had fallen on her cheek from perhaps what could have been crying over having been abandoned.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Taking Busy to a WHOLE New Level
So I am sorry to admit that one of the phrases in this world that bugs me more than anything is "I was too busy to _______"
Who isn't busy? Do you know anyone who says "I have all kinds of free time that I waste?" Isn't someone who is watching tv just as busy (watching tv) as someone who is serving up soup in a homeless kitchen? Or is it kitchen for the homeless.
Part of this comes from a secret annoyance when someone who has clearly fewer tasks to do than I (wait, paradox, I just said we are all busy) does not complete a particular assignment because they were too busy.
I take it ALLL back for anyone who has a baby at home.
6 months ago I had time. I had three kids and a full-time job but I felt like I had free time. When I met someone who I thought would be a cool friend I would invite them over for dinner. Now I don't have time for new friends, only the ones we already had.
6 months ago I could read a book or listen to an entire playlist on my ipod prior to having to do something. Now I am in the middle of two excellent books and can hardly find time to read a word and the pause button on my ipod is wearing down.
6 months ago I could get up at 5 and go to bed at 11 and actually get through the entire night. Now I do this and I feel totally exhausted--with four kids the chances of being awoken in the middle of the night are hiiiiiigh.
While I honestly believe I will be less busy again when this youngest child can dress, feed, and bathe herself in 3 years or so, I am temporarily too busy to do the things I once thought simple.
The disastrous results of being overly busy:
1) Boring blog posts
2) Low quordy scores (I know, I know, I am using it as an excuse, but I only have been able to play ONE game all the way through without putting it on hold for feeding, changing, bathing a baby, cooking, cleaning, or answer doctor's questions--he totally walked in the room RIGHT in the middle of a goood game).
3) Lack of exercise.
4) Not being able to invite new families over for dinner after church. This is perhaps the most disastrous as we used to use it as an excuse to clean the house.
5) I don't usually use this word, but HATING dealing with the paperwork of an insurance claim. I have to submit an EOB to the FSA to get my reimbursement for the medical bill since my HSA didn't go through. That represents no fewer than three pieces of paper and two phone calls. I feel like I am in the military with all these acronyms.
6) Deciding not to watch Hollywood Week. It was too much drama for me and I think I will just skip next week until we have gotten to the part about AI that I actually like: the singing.
Who isn't busy? Do you know anyone who says "I have all kinds of free time that I waste?" Isn't someone who is watching tv just as busy (watching tv) as someone who is serving up soup in a homeless kitchen? Or is it kitchen for the homeless.
Part of this comes from a secret annoyance when someone who has clearly fewer tasks to do than I (wait, paradox, I just said we are all busy) does not complete a particular assignment because they were too busy.
I take it ALLL back for anyone who has a baby at home.
6 months ago I had time. I had three kids and a full-time job but I felt like I had free time. When I met someone who I thought would be a cool friend I would invite them over for dinner. Now I don't have time for new friends, only the ones we already had.
6 months ago I could read a book or listen to an entire playlist on my ipod prior to having to do something. Now I am in the middle of two excellent books and can hardly find time to read a word and the pause button on my ipod is wearing down.
6 months ago I could get up at 5 and go to bed at 11 and actually get through the entire night. Now I do this and I feel totally exhausted--with four kids the chances of being awoken in the middle of the night are hiiiiiigh.
While I honestly believe I will be less busy again when this youngest child can dress, feed, and bathe herself in 3 years or so, I am temporarily too busy to do the things I once thought simple.
The disastrous results of being overly busy:
1) Boring blog posts
2) Low quordy scores (I know, I know, I am using it as an excuse, but I only have been able to play ONE game all the way through without putting it on hold for feeding, changing, bathing a baby, cooking, cleaning, or answer doctor's questions--he totally walked in the room RIGHT in the middle of a goood game).
3) Lack of exercise.
4) Not being able to invite new families over for dinner after church. This is perhaps the most disastrous as we used to use it as an excuse to clean the house.
5) I don't usually use this word, but HATING dealing with the paperwork of an insurance claim. I have to submit an EOB to the FSA to get my reimbursement for the medical bill since my HSA didn't go through. That represents no fewer than three pieces of paper and two phone calls. I feel like I am in the military with all these acronyms.
6) Deciding not to watch Hollywood Week. It was too much drama for me and I think I will just skip next week until we have gotten to the part about AI that I actually like: the singing.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Where have all the real men gone?
So Markie23 was the first to verbalize (publicize) what this poll was trying to ascertain. After watching Daniel Deronda (one of those BBC George Eliot adaptations) and contemplating the role of men in films, I have decided that there is a reason why I am not a huge fan of modern romantic comedy. I love About a Boy, but not Hugh Grant--or really any movie with Hugh Grant set in the 21st century. I love Say Anything but would never have interest in someone who doesn't want to buy anything sold, bought, or processed.
I particularly love the Wedding Singer and appreciate humor as the sole characteristic of the man in the lead, but could never have found happiness with one who while intoxicated publicly decried female facial hair.
So these are the leading men I adore and my guess is, most of you would agree at least on the pre-21st century hero-types:
Colin Firth. Duh. Or any other Austen hero.
Hugh Jackman, X-men style
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man (or just about anything else except Beautiful Mind because, well, wackoooo)
Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry (okay, I just really, really like this scene)
It turns out that for all my feminist talk, I really do still feel like the tough-guy rescue scene act. The modern romantic comedy, unless the guy takes a hit in rescue of his lady lead, does nada for me.
I think this is secretly why Simon is my favorite judge too.
If you have some leading men that are "normal" guys without all the macho business who still inspire the "Awwww" of the ladies, speak now.
I particularly love the Wedding Singer and appreciate humor as the sole characteristic of the man in the lead, but could never have found happiness with one who while intoxicated publicly decried female facial hair.
So these are the leading men I adore and my guess is, most of you would agree at least on the pre-21st century hero-types:
Colin Firth. Duh. Or any other Austen hero.
Hugh Jackman, X-men style
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man (or just about anything else except Beautiful Mind because, well, wackoooo)
Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry (okay, I just really, really like this scene)
It turns out that for all my feminist talk, I really do still feel like the tough-guy rescue scene act. The modern romantic comedy, unless the guy takes a hit in rescue of his lady lead, does nada for me.
I think this is secretly why Simon is my favorite judge too.
If you have some leading men that are "normal" guys without all the macho business who still inspire the "Awwww" of the ladies, speak now.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Okay now for a REAL poll question (that was a test)
Okay so after watching Disney's version of Robin Hood (love the music) I asked Steve why all movies highlight men in such a light and if it were possible that any men out there would risk their lives for the kiss of a particular woman (you know, he dresses as the stork to go the archery contest?)
That led to a discussion of modern leading men vs. old tymey story types (like Colin Firth in P&P or Robin Hood, etc.) So here is the poll question. Defend your answer if you dare.
That led to a discussion of modern leading men vs. old tymey story types (like Colin Firth in P&P or Robin Hood, etc.) So here is the poll question. Defend your answer if you dare.
Which of the following leading men appeals most to you?
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Drama of One Who Hath 4 Years
Yesterday I took all four kiddos to church by myself since Steve was sick and it was surprisingly pleasant. The kids didn't fight, we only had one exit from the first meeting to get a drink of water (out of 1 hour 15 that is pretty good, yo). We were on time! It was marvelous and I was happy that I could finally do one itsy bitsy thing to return all that he has done for me lately.
I did have one moment with my four year-old daughter, however, who with tears coming down her face cried out:
"How could you mama?"
She took the keys to unlock the car door only to find it was already unlocked.
How could I indeed.
I did have one moment with my four year-old daughter, however, who with tears coming down her face cried out:
"How could you mama?"
She took the keys to unlock the car door only to find it was already unlocked.
How could I indeed.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Childless??
So some couples just do not have children. Not because they can't but because they just are not interested.
For those who do not have children my kind of people are referred to as "breeders." While this is meant with disdain, those of us who are breeders do not take it offensively and to the contrary might even wear it with a badge of pride as in, I am doing the duty of my generation to maintain the population, economy, etc. In terms of the evolutionary battle, we are, as it were, the winners, because our genetic code will long outlast the presence on this earth of those without progeny. So what do we call these non-breeders? For people who cannot have children but want children, the term "childless" seems heartless and cruel (at least to breeders). But for people who choose not to have children, I wonder if the term is an insult.
A Harvard Professor completed a study on "happiness" and determined that those without children are indeed happier. Those with children were of course up in arms because how could we have been so stupid? The study must be wrong.
I do not question this study. I believe that people without children honestly believe that they are happier. Even now as my family is reading together, three children on the couch listening to a reading of Watership Down, and one playing happily in her room, I know my minutes are *numbered. I know that the second this blog is completed (or before), I must cook or clean, get someone ready for church, play a game of monopoly (star wars clone wars edition which is awesome btw), or even worse and more likely, break up a fight of some kind.
I do not have any alone time nor do I have the indulgence of paying attention to my own needs on a minute-to-minute basis. If I want "time alone" it requires the sacrifice of my partner in crime who might want time alone to actually complete his program.
My "happiest" moments are really more about short-lived peace and harmony, a house of cards.
As a woman who considers myself happy AND a mother of four, here are my comments on the study:
1) How can you compare apples and oranges? Can a woman who has never felt the joy of a child believing in her unconditionally really know that she has missed out? Can a man who has never heard a child say "because my dad says so" know that he could be happier?
2) How can you quantify happiness? Is being able to go to your hot yoga class anytime of day with no constraints happiness? Is going out to eat without considering child care what makes a soul joyful?
3) What were the ages of the people in the study? 30-year old women who have a career that fulfills their lives compared to the 30-year olds of my demographic who are doing more laundry a day than their childless counterparts do in a week? I would like to see a sincere comparison of 60 year-old women who are childless, and the breeders with grandchildren AND free time. Now that humans live to be 80 years old on average and you can enjoy 20 years of retirement without children regardless of your childless/breeder status, is there a difference in the happiness levels there?
4) Were we born to be enjoy every single minute of our day? Or look back on our weeks and feel productive? Are lions happier when they hunt, eat, die, or are they happier when they hunt, provide for their children, then eat, see a continuance of their genetic code, and then die? Even more importantly, can you truly be like a creator, a God if you do not have children yourself? Can you understand the relationship we must try to develop with our Heavenly Father if we are not fathers and mothers ourselves?
5) There are a lot of myths about raising children that the childless might celebrate mistakenly and add to their happiness. Gaining weight per child for example--true that the body rearranges, but research indicates that women simply gain weight as they age and women with children only have on average 1-2 more lbs per child. There is the myth that you must pay for your child's college education. You can do so, but there are other ways to pay for college (scholarships, grants, and loans, and heaven forbid, working your way through school). There is also a myth that a woman is more fulfilled working than having children or that you can't do both (though it is hard peeps). A childless woman might say "I am so glad I have my career and I am not getting fat while saving my money for college when I can be thinny thinnerson and spend my hard-earned money on my iphone instead" and THINK they are happier when a woman with children might say "thank goodness I have time to go to the gym that provides childcare so I can be fit and I am buying an iphone since my kids are paying for their own college experience."
Lastly, this study about the happiness factor works well in my favor so I say, study on. Find more reasons to convince people not to have children. The fewer children that people have, the more likely it is that my genetic code will live on as the rescuers of society, those who make decisions that will affect the future. The childless who die without heirs must put their money elsewhere, like donating to art programs which my children can benefit from, or to hospice, which I myself can benefit from someday. The more people decide not to have children, the more that women like Nancy Pelosi (5) Sarah Palin (5) and Soledad O'Brien (4) will seem amazing for both a successful career and a happy family.
Here is a kind of funny article in Newsweek about the study.
So the real question on this post is what do you call a non-breeder? A evolutionary dead end seems rude.
* During the course of this post I changed a messy diaper, wet bedding, broke up two fights, settled an argument, said "no" to 5 requests, and asked twice for children to be more gentle with the baby.
For those who do not have children my kind of people are referred to as "breeders." While this is meant with disdain, those of us who are breeders do not take it offensively and to the contrary might even wear it with a badge of pride as in, I am doing the duty of my generation to maintain the population, economy, etc. In terms of the evolutionary battle, we are, as it were, the winners, because our genetic code will long outlast the presence on this earth of those without progeny. So what do we call these non-breeders? For people who cannot have children but want children, the term "childless" seems heartless and cruel (at least to breeders). But for people who choose not to have children, I wonder if the term is an insult.
A Harvard Professor completed a study on "happiness" and determined that those without children are indeed happier. Those with children were of course up in arms because how could we have been so stupid? The study must be wrong.
I do not question this study. I believe that people without children honestly believe that they are happier. Even now as my family is reading together, three children on the couch listening to a reading of Watership Down, and one playing happily in her room, I know my minutes are *numbered. I know that the second this blog is completed (or before), I must cook or clean, get someone ready for church, play a game of monopoly (star wars clone wars edition which is awesome btw), or even worse and more likely, break up a fight of some kind.
I do not have any alone time nor do I have the indulgence of paying attention to my own needs on a minute-to-minute basis. If I want "time alone" it requires the sacrifice of my partner in crime who might want time alone to actually complete his program.
My "happiest" moments are really more about short-lived peace and harmony, a house of cards.
As a woman who considers myself happy AND a mother of four, here are my comments on the study:
1) How can you compare apples and oranges? Can a woman who has never felt the joy of a child believing in her unconditionally really know that she has missed out? Can a man who has never heard a child say "because my dad says so" know that he could be happier?
2) How can you quantify happiness? Is being able to go to your hot yoga class anytime of day with no constraints happiness? Is going out to eat without considering child care what makes a soul joyful?
3) What were the ages of the people in the study? 30-year old women who have a career that fulfills their lives compared to the 30-year olds of my demographic who are doing more laundry a day than their childless counterparts do in a week? I would like to see a sincere comparison of 60 year-old women who are childless, and the breeders with grandchildren AND free time. Now that humans live to be 80 years old on average and you can enjoy 20 years of retirement without children regardless of your childless/breeder status, is there a difference in the happiness levels there?
4) Were we born to be enjoy every single minute of our day? Or look back on our weeks and feel productive? Are lions happier when they hunt, eat, die, or are they happier when they hunt, provide for their children, then eat, see a continuance of their genetic code, and then die? Even more importantly, can you truly be like a creator, a God if you do not have children yourself? Can you understand the relationship we must try to develop with our Heavenly Father if we are not fathers and mothers ourselves?
5) There are a lot of myths about raising children that the childless might celebrate mistakenly and add to their happiness. Gaining weight per child for example--true that the body rearranges, but research indicates that women simply gain weight as they age and women with children only have on average 1-2 more lbs per child. There is the myth that you must pay for your child's college education. You can do so, but there are other ways to pay for college (scholarships, grants, and loans, and heaven forbid, working your way through school). There is also a myth that a woman is more fulfilled working than having children or that you can't do both (though it is hard peeps). A childless woman might say "I am so glad I have my career and I am not getting fat while saving my money for college when I can be thinny thinnerson and spend my hard-earned money on my iphone instead" and THINK they are happier when a woman with children might say "thank goodness I have time to go to the gym that provides childcare so I can be fit and I am buying an iphone since my kids are paying for their own college experience."
Lastly, this study about the happiness factor works well in my favor so I say, study on. Find more reasons to convince people not to have children. The fewer children that people have, the more likely it is that my genetic code will live on as the rescuers of society, those who make decisions that will affect the future. The childless who die without heirs must put their money elsewhere, like donating to art programs which my children can benefit from, or to hospice, which I myself can benefit from someday. The more people decide not to have children, the more that women like Nancy Pelosi (5) Sarah Palin (5) and Soledad O'Brien (4) will seem amazing for both a successful career and a happy family.
Here is a kind of funny article in Newsweek about the study.
So the real question on this post is what do you call a non-breeder? A evolutionary dead end seems rude.
* During the course of this post I changed a messy diaper, wet bedding, broke up two fights, settled an argument, said "no" to 5 requests, and asked twice for children to be more gentle with the baby.
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