FizzyLizzy

Who is the Biggest Loser? Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels

2011-02-03T07:50:00.002-06:00

A pathetic attempt by two TV personalities (Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels) to bring down a fine Minneapolis restaurant because they couldn't score a table.

Nylons

2009-10-14T13:50:00.002-05:00

As part of my bi-yearly blogging regimen, today I am blogging about nylons. Some of you may know them as pantyhose. Today at the Mall of America I overheard one woman telling another (and I'm thinking they were probably mother and daughter) that nylons "dress up an outfit and complete the look." I just had to glance over and see how old this woman was. When I saw that she was most certainly under 50 I wondered to myself, "What cave has she been living in?" Hasn't it been over a decade since sheer nude hose have been considered fashionable legwear? (Now I do realize that some conservative offices require legs of employees to be covered. But that's a uniform, not fashion.) The young woman seemed moderately incredulous, but I really expected her to say something like, "Are you kidding, Mom?!" In fact, she seemed to be buying into the idea. For a moment I wondered if I was the one who was out of touch but then remembered a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago. It was the day before Katherine's birthday and I was talking to Marla about rites-of-passage into teen-hood. She said when she turned 13 she was allowed to wear pantyhose. One of the girls with us had absolutely no idea what Marla was talking about. Katherine wasn't even rock solid but said she thought they were like tights. If 12-year-olds don't even know what they are, they are old-fashioned. In other words, out of fashion.

Mr. Nonfiction

2009-03-13T16:19:00.003-05:00

"Leave it to William to find the oldest book in the school library." That's what Katherine said after we found out that the book he brought home this week was published in 1953. The school was built back in the 1930's so there is a chance that an older book is still waiting to be discovered. The book is Ships of Our Navy. I'd say it's unlikely that any of the ships featured in that book are still in commission.

Pinewood Derby

2009-03-10T15:44:00.003-05:00

This was our learning year for the Pinewood Derby. William's "Ratmobile" came in last place in all the heats save one...the one in which another car had flipped off the track. I'm sure he wasn't thrilled with his car's poor showing: "I think the ears slowed it down." But he seemed to take it in stride, getting the most enjoyment out of what you're supposed to--making the car and hanging out with his Cub Scout friends.

Paul Blart, Mall Cop

2009-01-19T16:14:00.002-06:00

This afternoon I brought Katherine and her friend to see Marley and Me at Southdale Mall. I was running a little later than I wanted to, and it being MLK holiday the parking lot was packed. So I decided to drop Katherine and her friend off to get their tickets and snacks while William and I found a place to park. I drove down one of the aisles to the drop-off zone, and there's a mall security van stopped right in the middle of the aisle. I'm waiting for him to move and notice that he is shaking his head at me in his side view mirror. There does not appear to be any sort of situation going on so I'm starting to get confused. I tried to indicate that I would like to get around him and he gets out of the van. I roll down my window and he says, "There's no way you're going to triple park here." Dude. Wow. Not even sure where you got that from. So I said, "I'm just trying to drop them off for a movie." He then got back in the van and moved aside, but his attitude still reeked of smugness for having prevented a parking violation. It's rare that you run into someone that dense. I'm just glad he's only protecting Southdale and not my public safety.

In His Element

2008-12-11T09:54:00.006-06:00

Katherine has some fairly time-consuming science homework due Friday, during an already hectic week. The assignment is to draw three Twin Cities' bridges (for a "D"), label the structural elements (for a "C"), draw three additional examples of bridge types (for a "B"), describe under what conditions an engineer would choose such bridges (for an "A"), and for extra credit find real-life examples of the second three bridges including a picture, location, length, and date of construction. (Whew!) So we brought in the big guns to help her out: my father, the semi-retired civil engineer.

Yesterday afternoon, he came over and had already planned out an itinerary of a few bridges to visit. As they were making the "tour", I was receiving e-mailed photos of the bridges from his phone. This frightened me as one appeared to have been taken as he was driving. I later found out that he had pulled over, but that he also had Katherine out on the highway shoulder. (And I'm only telling you this because I know you will not bust him to Mom. You know who you are.) Who knows what grandfathers are for, if not to do crazy stuff with their grandchildren.

When they got back he started going all Civil Engineer on us, to the point that even my eyes started to glaze over. He called on his way way home with more bridge knowledge. Then again from his cell phone in his "office" (my old bedroom) to tell Katherine he had e-mailed her more bridge pictures. I think it's hilarious that he sits up there with his laptop and cell phone and makes calls as if there isn't a land line in the house. I'd call it his Man Cave if it weren't still painted canary yellow from stem to stern. But I digress.

This morning when I checked e-mail, he had sent a link to the ASCE Bridges 2009 calendar. (That's American Society of Civil Engineers for those of you not in the know.) It appears to be the engineers' version of Hot Girls of the Big Ten calendar or whatever. And once again, I am only telling you this because I know you will not razz him about it. It is totally adorable. And I think it's awesome that he was able to help Katherine. I think she learned a lot more than she would have without him.

Do-Gooder

2008-11-21T14:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we received an e-mail from the principal at Katherine's school about an incident: the discovery of a colored, plastic toy gun outside of the school. I read the e-mail, dismissed it (am I too nonchalant?), and deleted it.

Fast forward a few hours. After picking up Katherine at school, she tells me that she and a friend saw a plastic toy gun outside the school and reported it to one of the teachers when they got in the school. Apparently there is quite a rigorous process for the reporting of a potential "weapon". I thought I was listening to the plot line of CSI. OK, now I'm exaggerating.

RIP Nokomis Library?

2008-11-19T07:24:00.004-06:00

I found out that they are planning to "renovate" our neighborhood library. While I can appreciate the need for some updating, I'm a little worried. The Nokomis Library feels cozy to me--like a neighborhood library should be, unlike the behemoth Southdale Library. I like the "old fashioned" architecture of the Nokomis Library.

I also like the sculpture they have there, which represents Minnehaha Falls.

Both things remind me of the library I went to as a child, the Edina Community Library. That too had 1960's architecture and a large geographically-inspired sculpture. In the above photo, behind the sculpture, you can also see the cool reading loft for kids. So I hope that "renovate" doesn't mean "sterilize", like what they did to the Edina Library when they redid it.

ALERT!

2008-11-07T12:46:00.002-06:00

Facebook has sucked all the energy out of this blog.

Dang it!

2008-09-23T11:03:00.004-05:00

I just finished putting on my makeup, and then this e-mail about William's kindergarten teacher arrives. So much for my mascara.

We would like to share the following article which was part of our MPS weekly employee newsletter:

Ruth Lotzer: Kindergarten, start to finish by Lisa Ramirez

In 1995, twelve years into teaching, Ruth Lotzer arrived at a life-altering realization. One that would renew her journey with the class of kindergartners with whom she began her career—and those lucky enough to follow.

Lotzer recollects, “I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, *this is the year* my first class is graduating! I wonder where they’re at?’”

The question might have stayed a rhetorical one, had it not been for the secretary who overheard her and suggested, “Let’s find out.”

So it happened. The roll call of students from Lotzer’s Morris Park kindergarten class of 1984 was sent to all MPS high schools, with a note asking if any of the students might possibly be graduating seniors in the class of ’95.

Soon “yes” replies came back and Lotzer wrote a letter to that very first class of kindergarten students who knew her as “Miss Goodman.”

The experience was an emotional one and Lotzer considered not doing it again, much the same way she tells herself each year that she won’t cry when her kindergartners leave her for first grade. “But I always do.”

And, so it is with the letters. In this, her 25th of teaching, Lotzer has already sent letters—13 years running—to every graduating student she can locate from every kindergarten class she’s had since. “Each year I say, 'I can’t do it.' Then I say, ‘I have to.’"

Lotzer does more than just write a letter. She includes a copy of the class picture, complete with self-portraits drawn by the kids in their first academic year. "It's such a good feeling. You start them off at the starting line, you want to see them off at the finish.”

The payback is rewarding. "I send the letters at a chaotic time of year. I don't expect letters back. But when they come, it's a bonus."

From the class of 2008, Lotzer received a special bonus, one of her kindergartners, turned Edison graduate, will be attending Lotzer's alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus. "She wrote me the nicest letter and now I'm making arrangements to attend my reunion this fall and I hope to see her there."

Lotzer also receives letters from parents, notes from former students and with tears in her eyes, Lotzer remembers the time she returned to a classroom filled with roses from a grateful student.

“I just want the students to know they made a difference in my life. We’re all in such a hurry, we don’t express what’s important and I want them to know I’m proud of what they've accomplished.”

Ruth Lotzer began her teaching career at Morris Park. Today she teaches at Hale Elementary--the same school she attended as a child; the same school her mother attended as well. She is now getting ready for her 25th class of kindergartners. The senior high school class of 2009 will graduate her 14th kindergarten class.

Vocabulary lesson

2008-09-20T09:15:00.002-05:00

Dear Flickr,

The word "embiggen," as in "Embiggen small things to fill screen," is not a word. Try using the word "enlarge".

Thanks,
FizzyLizzy

Day 3, Lesson 3

2008-09-19T20:16:00.003-05:00

If you think your future sister-in-law is kidding when she says she's using your screen name on your place card, you are mistaken. : )

Did not know this

2008-09-16T15:03:00.001-05:00

"But it was the Hungarians who ultimately introduced the first modern perfume. Made of scented oils blended in an alcohol solution, the first modern perfume was made in 1370 at the command of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary and was known throughout Europe as Hungary Water."

--from Wikipedia

Memory

2008-09-11T21:01:00.001-05:00

Somewhere deep in William's brain are images of the video replayed over and over on the news. But while he was alive at the time, he will never remember.

Celebrity Car

2008-09-01T05:36:00.002-05:00

The taupe-ish vehicle "belonging" to the young woman in this Dunwoody ad is my parents' car. Their actual car. Unfortunately during the taping, a light pole fell on the hood and dinged it.

Ugly Americans? Get in line.

2008-08-30T05:59:00.002-05:00

Looks like the Brits may be taking over the top of the list.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/world/europe/24crete.html?ex=1377403200&en=1470e5f335f75f08&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/news/article4622208.ece

Day 2, Lesson 2

2008-08-26T19:11:00.003-05:00

No common language needed. Even besides the language barrier between Katherine and William and their new cousins Albi and Viki, I thought some of them might be thinking "So who are these people and why am I supposed to care about them?" Not to worry. Even without the video game, they formed surprisingly strong attachments to one another in the short time together. And it was a sad goodbye on Saturday.

Day 1, Lesson 1

2008-08-24T14:40:00.002-05:00

She's obviously recovered by dinner. However if you are flying with children and there are no motion discomfort bags in any of your family's four seats (thank you, NWA), ask one of the flight attendants for some so your daughter doesn't have to use the clear plastic bag your blanket came in. The landing in Amsterdam was a little rough. Unfortunately she had another episode into a trash can in the Amsterdam airport, and another during the flight to Budapest. (Thank you Malev for providing said bags.)

Was one foot in the cradle...

2008-08-06T21:22:00.002-05:00

now one foot in the grave. Having a spouse who was in his 30's while I was in my 40's somehow made me feel as if I were young and hip enough to be hanging with a younger crowd. Now that he's in his 40's were just straight out an old married couple. Happy Birthday and welcome to middle age Mr. FizzyLizzy!

My adventures on Facebook

2008-07-31T07:40:00.003-05:00

I've been a member of Facebook for about a week now, and I can say with authority that I don't know a lot of people on Facebook. At least not very many people that I want to know. I did find the first guy I ever dated who appears not to have matured much in the past 25 years. And the next door neighbor boy who flashed me when I was a teenager. He was "friends" with some of my former high school classmates, which prompted me to immediately remove my high school as part of my personal information. But I did find my best friend from 10th grade, who pierced my left ear in her bedroom with a safety pin. She's working as an opera singer in Germany. I think I've got about 10 friends now and most of them are my husband's relatives. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it makes me feel a little lame. You know what else makes me feel a little lame? That my own brother has not yet accepted me as a friend on Facebook. FYI: I haven't bought your wedding present yet.

Do this

2008-07-27T07:44:00.005-05:00

(Photo: Yannis Kolesidis for The New York Times)

I hope I can visit an unspoiled Eastern Crete at least once more before I die.

Home Improvement

2008-07-25T06:50:00.001-05:00

Rethink those granite countertops.

Did it

2008-07-23T20:38:00.003-05:00

After a lunch with the girls today, I succumbed to peer pressure and signed up for Facebook. Yes, exactly what I need...another way to find myself frittering away hours in front of the computer. And over time, I will inevitably find myself unable to maintain any currency with my page...hmmm, just like this blog! But guess who I found on Facebook? Mrs. Bickerson! And I hope there's not more than one TK in Poland, 'cause I just friended him too.

I think it's been something like two years...

2008-07-22T10:03:00.001-05:00

but I've gotten another hit for "Bombay born dancer Juliet".

"Happy Golden Dating Anniversary!!!"

2008-07-21T10:17:00.002-05:00

That's the e-mail I got from Mr. FizzyLizzy this morning. Not "golden" as in 50 years, mind you! "Golden" as in "golden" birthday...it's the 21st...we had our first date 21 years ago today.... Anyway. After picking me up from my job at Hello Minnesota, we went to see Raising Arizona at the Suburban World. Happy Golden Dating Anniversary to you too, Mr. FL!

Good things happen when Norwegians and Danes get together

2008-07-17T15:08:00.001-05:00

Warning: over 15 minutes long.

Digging my heels in

2008-07-10T07:57:00.006-05:00

The tooth fairy made one of his last visits (I think!?) to Katherine's bedroom on Tuesday night...must have gotten too loaded down with her molar to stop for Hope's tooth! I say "I think" not necessarily because Katherine's faith in magical beings has faded (though I'm pretty sure it has), but because I think she's got to be near the end of losing teeth. She's made a few comments implying that intellectually she has issues with said magical beings. And she probably has been weighing the benefits of not letting on how she really feels. However our girl was still up before 7:30 yesterday morning rolling her gold dollar between her fingers when she normally sleeps until at least 9:00. While Katherine claimed not to have been excited to find out if the tooth fairy had visited, her mother has a different take on it.

Summer Sale?

2008-07-09T18:04:00.004-05:00

I know the pic is kinda small, but this catalog arrived in my mailbox two weeks ago! The text says "summer sale", but the not-too-subtle graphic says "back to school". As of the June 24 delivery date, my kids hadn't even been out of school two weeks. What up, Pottery Barn Kids?

Ouch!

2008-07-01T10:04:00.003-05:00

This looks totally awesome! But at $399, I don't think Santa will be bringing it to any good little boys. I should say, any good little boys at the FizzyLizzy house.

What's your sign? Um, I mean, major?

2008-06-26T12:20:00.001-05:00

I think the University of Minnesota might be surprised to learn they have an Astrology Department.

Tempus Fugit

2008-06-16T20:52:00.003-05:00

Mr. FizzyLizzy and I recently realized that we are halfway between the birth of our oldest child and the high school graduation of our youngest child. Eleven down, eleven to go.

Freedom? Depends on your perspective.

2008-06-12T12:23:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday I asked Katherine if she wanted me to chaperone their bowling outing on the last day of school. (Guess they got an off-campus event anyhow!) She said she didn't care, so I commented that I'd rather not give up my last day of freedom. "What do you mean?" she asked earnestly.

Gift Idea for TK

2008-06-01T14:44:00.005-05:00

The Beertender by Krups: Of course you may want to wait several months...wink!

Don't miss the video in Hungarian!

Fifth Grade Fun Day

2008-05-30T09:59:00.003-05:00

This afternoon is "Fifth Grade Fun Day" at Katherine's school. She's miffed that they don't get to do an "off campus" event like the 6th, 7th, & 8th graders. (Of course next week is the infamous "no-I-don't-want-you-to-chaperone" field trip up north, that I am chaperoning.) I've enjoyed her being "little" again this year in her big-girl sort of way. And I think the idea of Fifth Grade Fun Day is extremely cute, even if she doesn't.

Update: While driving to pick up Katherine from FGFD William said, "I can't wait until I'm in fifth grade and can go to Fifth Grade Fun Day."

Quel Weekend!

2008-05-27T14:49:00.005-05:00

My dad and I drove down to Chicago last weekend to meet Tom & Ildi, who had flown in from Warsaw to buy engagement rings and a wedding gown. After five hours of shopping on the Magnificent Mile, Ildi and I finally had success finding a dress and cooled our heels at Neiman Marcus. I wish I could show you this stunning woman in the gorgeous dress, but I didn't photograph it...and even if I had, the groom reads this blog.

Hiányzol.

You decide

2008-05-19T07:44:00.002-05:00

Young Saudi women. Purity Ball. Is there really that much difference in the goals of these families?

Car Spotting

2008-05-15T09:59:00.001-05:00

No photo 'cause I was on my bike, but I saw my first U.S. Smart Car in operation. Bravo!

Are you like me?

2008-05-08T21:36:00.002-05:00

Are you watching your tape of Survivor right now? Do you feel like you're watching George Costanza on Seinfeld? Do you feel like you just can't watch Erik any longer so you went to go post on your blog? If you answered yes to these questions then, yes, you're like me.

Ultimate expression of love or most disgusting product ever?

2008-05-02T18:59:00.002-05:00

The distributer's website bills it as "saving rocky marriages and the planet at the same time" because of it's design to use one flush for both commodes. I'm not really sure who this is seriously being marketed towards with a price of $1400 and a minimum order of a dozen.

Birthday Candle Envy

2008-04-21T08:49:00.002-05:00

albi 7 :)
Originally uploaded by Ponytail31

on the part of the American cousins-to-be that is

Eljegyzés Gratualok Tom & Ildi!

2008-04-19T13:14:00.002-05:00

Do you like my Hungarian? Is it better than your fiance's?

Congratulations on your engagement! We can't wait!

"At least 500 American Airlines flights were canceled Tuesday"

2008-04-09T14:20:00.008-05:00

Our little group, who took two flights on American yesterday, appears to have amazingly dodged the bullet. After their delayed flight from Costa Rica to Miami, their flights to New York and Minneapolis went smoothly. And I will give a little good publicity to American here. Upon hearing that Katherine's group would probably be spending the night in the airport, the American flight attendants let them take as many blankets as they could carry off the plane. It turned out however, that they didn't need them. American ended up putting them up in a hotel (not a dump either, a Wyndham) and gave them food vouchers. I suppose that with all the bad news surrounding the airline, it was really in their best interest. But they really didn't have to considering that the group's plight was no fault of the airline.

This is Katherine feeding a bat.

What I was not prepared for was the post-trip let down that I would experience. After feeling off-kilter for over a week, I was starting to get used to the strangeness of not having Katherine around. I keep feeling like I should be worrying about something.

And an Even Longer Day

2008-04-07T14:12:00.003-05:00

The flight from Costa Rica left on schedule. I thought about my girl sitting on that plane, finally on her way home. Two hours later I'm trying on pants at the Gap and my phone rings. It's the phone tree. The bus that was supposed to take the group to the airport never materialized therefore they missed their flight to Dallas. They are now scheduled to fly to Miami this afternoon on a flight that is already delayed 4 hours due to weather in Miami. They will spend the night in Miami, fly to New York the next morning then onto MSP. Seems quite convoluted, but with a group of 18 I suppose the logistics are complicated. The word through the grapevine is that they are "viewing this as just another adventure." Katherine's a trooper, so I think she'll be as fine as anyone could be in this situation. I just hope everyone's luggage makes it through.

I'm no stranger to travel difficulties. In fact, this provides me with the perfect opportunity to tell my own tale of woe. In 1990 my bargain-basement fare from Athens (if you can call $1000 round trip bargain basement) included an overnight layover in Brussels and a catching a connecting flight in New York to MSP. All that with a one-month-old kitten in a carry-on pet bag that the tender-hearted FizzyLizzy had to save from certain death in Greece. Aside from an uncomfortable night in the Brussels airport, everything was going pretty well until the flight from New York ran late. Somehow at JFK I ran into a kind airline worker who whooshed me through customs and called ahead to the Northwest Airlines ticketing agents who were ready to catch my bags as I ran past. No exaggeration. However, when I got to the gate the plane was ready to depart and they had given my seat to a stand-by. They ended up holding up the flight...for my bags. My bags made it to Minneapolis but I was stuck in New York. It all becomes a blur after that point but the rest of the story involves a shuttle to La Guardia, sitting in a chair in the terminal next to some unsavory characters (only feeling safe because there were maintenance workers cleaning the floors nearby), flying to Chicago the next morning, then finally home. Whew. Top that one, Katherine.

Watch out Bob, Janet, Jerry, & Linda

2008-04-06T16:59:00.004-05:00

Don't ask me how this show ended up on our TV this afternoon. I suppose it's something we really shouldn't share with others. However, while watching it Paul found out that some people are shipping their parents off to retirement communities in Mexico and India because they're cheaper. Do you think our parents would get the hint if we gave them Hindi phrasebooks? Better yet, how are the retirement homes in Poland?

The Longest Week

2008-04-04T19:21:00.005-05:00

Apart from the call at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday from a phone-tree parent to say the group had arrived in Costa Rica, this is all we have heard so far--an e-mail from the husband of one of the chaperones:

The girls are having a great time and are getting along really well. Survey on the food is mixed - some love "rice and beans" and some never want to see it again!

They've seen many different kinds of animals - howler monkeys, caymans, lizards, iguanas, frogs and lots and lots of birds. The classic quote so far - "This is just like the nature channel, LIVE!"

Today is a quiet day. Tomorrow they will go white water rafting (a change from the planned zip line excursion) although Marian wanted me to assure you all that since there's been little rain the rapids are really only class 1 or 2 - slightly more than the Minnehaha Creek and nothing to worry about. Sunday will be Arenal and Hot Springs.

Though there have been many, this has been among the longest weeks of my life. It feels so strange to have no tab on the pulse of my daughter for this long. Did she get sunburn? Does she like the food? Is she homesick? I'm pretty sure that by now the answer to the last one is "no". And hopefully the cereal bars and granola bars will tide her over. : ) Sitting in the Special Care Nursery at the hospital holding a 32-week preemie, could I ever have imagined her life? No.

Yuk!

2008-04-01T08:12:00.002-05:00

Next thing you'll tell me is that they eat horses too.

Would you rather be...

2008-03-31T17:09:00.001-05:00

here...

or here?

Have fun in Costa Rica, Katherine!

2008-03-30T12:13:00.001-05:00

My condolences

2008-03-23T11:22:00.002-05:00

to you Drake alums, on the death of your dream.

On the mend

2008-03-20T08:19:00.003-05:00

While we were recouperating from various stages of malaise on Tuesday, Mr. FL & I saw this fashion segment on the Today show. The outfit I found particularly interesting is about a minute and a half in. It's the "Practice with the Kids"--what you'd wear to your kids' soccer practice.

Would you not become the laughing stock of your kid's team if you showed up in that? I don't know where these stylists' kids practice soccer, but those cute little sandals would be covered in mud at our field. And I'm pretty sure that I'd be afraid to bend down or sit in my folding chair for fear that the mid-thigh length dress would expose a little too much of me. I'm all for looking your best and it's a cute outfit, but come on.

BTW, our resident accountant mentally tabulated the costs for the outfits while watching. He thought the segment was a scam since most of the outfits were over $100.

That's Dungeons & Dragons to you non-geeks

2008-03-05T07:46:00.003-06:00

"Oh no!" Paul exclaimed while checking MSN this morning. "D&D co-founder dies! Bad news for geeks everywhere." I replied (mockingly), "Was it Gary Gygax?" And just as I said it, I realized that simply knowing the name of a D&D co-founder meant that it was bad news for me too.

Leap Day: License for Strange Behavior?

2008-02-29T14:32:00.002-06:00

#1
Earlier this week I made my first foray into Costco since my rant against them in January in order to purchase snacks for William's basketball team. While there I noticed they had girls' swimsuits for $11.49. So I returned with the kids today to buy one for Katherine to ruin in Costa Rica. I put it on the conveyor belt at the register and placed one of those plastic bars in between that and the lady-in-front-of-me's baby wipes. Like a deer in the headlights I watched as the cashier removed the plastic bar and scanned my swimsuit with the lady's baby wipes. And voila, already it was too late to take it off her order. Aparently it is some huge hassle--and this lady was in a hurry--to remedy this situation. So I paid the lady cash for the swimsuit. (Of course I only realized later that if I need to exchange it I'm in trouble.) After I did that, the cashier asked for my membership card and started to scan the swimsuit. Dude! Are you totally out of it? And of course no apology from him, giving me a look the whole time like it's my fault. On our way out of the store I found out why the lady was in such a hurry. She had parked her Mercedes SUV in the fire lane.

#2
Some dude honked at me on the freeway. I didn't think he was honking at me so I didn't look, but Katherine said he shook his finger at me in a tsktsk sort of way. Since there was no possible traffic infraction, I can only surmise that maybe he thought my kids should have been in school. I really have no idea.

#3
While attempting to signal to a driver that he was going the wrong way on a one-way around Southdale Mall, he gave me the finger. Nice.

So that's three. I'm off the hook, right? Hopefully the only strange behavior I will further encounter will be at our friend Dan's 40th (or 10th) birthday party tonight.

Brown Ends Tuition for Lower-Income Students

2008-02-26T08:27:00.002-06:00

When I saw that headline on the NY Times website, I thought to myself..."Wow, they're ending tuition for low-income students? That seems to be going against the tide." I misinterpreted this ambiguous headline to mean that Brown was cutting back on its financial aid. While instead it means that Brown is ending the requirement that low-income students pay tuition (or I should say students from low-income families, because I would warrant a guess that most college students are low-income).

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T18:23:00.003-06:00

The Valentine's Day I will most remember until the day I die is the one when Katherine came home from second grade with a one-pound, heart-shaped box of chocolates. A boy, misguided by his custodial grandmother, had brought in this gift for Katherine-- as well as similar ones for the teacher and the principal. (I'm sure the grandmother meant well--she just wanted to make her grandson happy and make sure he was well-liked.) Poor Katherine had no idea what to think. Of course I was a little alarmed and went to see the teacher the next day. Well, everything ended up fine and the boy had moved on to another crush by the end of the year. I suppose it'll be some lucky girl when the boy moves onto little blue boxes from Tiffany's.

Frequently Asked Questions

2008-02-12T21:06:00.002-06:00

That's the the web page I visited at the Norwegian National Archives. One might expect some of these questions:

What kind of genealogical information is available on the internet?
Can you get me a death certificate for my grandmother?
What kind of information can I find out about Norwegian immigrants?
How can I find my biological father?

Then there was this one:

My neighbour has blocked the road to my cabin and denies me any further use of it. Is there anything in writing about the right of way to vacation homes?

That's a frequently asked question? And I thought the Norwegians were supposed to be such a nice people.

23-0

2008-02-09T14:51:00.000-06:00

I didn't like seeing the other team lose so badly. But this week's girls' basketball game was a welcome respite to the previous five, after which I was an emotional wreck--three of them because Katherine's team was overpowered by skill, aggression, or both and two because they were close games. Katherine has managed to get eight or so baskets so far this season, a nice improvement to the zilch she made last year. Her skills are pretty on par with many of her teammates and it's fun for me to see her become one of the "go to" players. She's an aggressive (but not physical) defender and managed to get herself fouled out of the game today.

And on the other hand there's William. Someone whose passion for sports may not be enough to overcome his lack of skill. Love you little dude!

Caucus

2008-02-05T14:54:00.000-06:00

or vote! If you care about the choice of candidates you will have in November, then I urge you to participate in your caucus or primary today. In Minnesota only about 2 percent of eligible voters participate in caucuses. That means that that 2 percent decides who they and the other 98 percent get to vote for. If you have a caucus or primary today and you don't know how to proceed, google "League of Women Voters" and the name of your state. They are non-partisan and usually have pretty good information about where you can vote or caucus.

That being said, the caucus system in Minnesota stinks. On a number of different levels. Not the least of which is that it is nearly impossible for centrists (and by that I mean people who don't necessarily vote down party lines) to be adequately represented. Another reason--and I'm going to try to say this in the kindest way possible--is that many people who are very involved in politics are nut jobs. That can make it very annoying for someone like me, who just wants to participate in the democratic process.

So with that ringing endorsement... If you favor a candidate, please vote. If you live in MN and only care about the presidential candidates you can go to your caucus, take the presidential preference poll, and leave. Pretty simple.

So it begins

2008-02-01T09:19:00.000-06:00

In June, the fifth grade is going on a three-day field trip to a conservation center in Northern Minnesota. The permission slip came home this week and along with it the opportunity to go along as a chaperone. I asked Katherine if she wanted me to go on the field trip, fully expecting a "Yes." You know where this is leading. She said, "No." I asked if she thought I would embarrass her and she said no. I asked if she thought I would negatively impact her socializing and she said yes. When I explained that the reason I wanted to go was to connect with other fifth-grade parents and that I wasn't going to hang out with her, she acquiesced. But I'm thinking that her initial response of "No" is the very reason why I should go. Lord only knows what her visions of "socializing" are, and they'd better not involve any fifth-graders with a Y chromosome. Nice mom that I am, I'm toying with the idea of torturing her with the threat that she and I will be staying at my aunt & uncle's cabin just down the road from the center.

...and we saw a dead 'possum

2008-01-31T14:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was just one of those days. The car refused to start; would you at -14? And of course I needed to be up at school to make my penultimate art presentation. Fortunately, Paul hadn't left for work yet...unfortunately I couldn't find anyone to score a ride home from and walked 3 blocks in said -14 degrees. My dad brought me his car so I could do my last presentation at school, bring the art set back to the Art Institute, and pick up Katherine from her after-school activity. In the meantime, one of the parts of the art set went missing--a laminated piece of paper that they'll charge us $10 to replace--and I lost an earring that I really liked. And while driving their car back, we saw a dead opossum near my parents' house. What is it about seeing dead animals on days like that?

Things are shaping up today. It's +11. Paul got AAA to start my car this morning. The earring I lost miraculously found it's way back to me through William. And I haven't seen any dead animals. Now if I could only find that stupid piece of laminated paper...

Update 1 Feb: Art set thing has been located.

If only they were dogs, then they could pee to mark their territory

2008-01-27T06:55:00.000-06:00

Some more people with too much time on their hands and a little too much ire.

The cutthroat world of...

2008-01-21T10:12:00.000-06:00

...scrapbooking? Hmm, sounds like even the scrapbooking hobby doesn't occupy enough of some people's time.

He must have seen my post.

2008-01-17T12:02:00.000-06:00

Just got a phone call from Al Franken. Of course it was very cutesy: "This is Al Franken...okay this is a recording of Al Franken." An invitation to meet him at a neighborhood coffee shop. Think I'll pass.

Tar-zhay: finally living up to it's name

2008-01-17T11:52:00.001-06:00

After playing this game at some friends' house, I bought it for Paul at Target. Except that the version I bought has the words "contre les lapins cretins" (against the crazy rabbits) in between Rayman and Raving Rabbids. It gave me a moment of pause in the store. But I thought to myself, "Well, it's just made for sale in Canada, right?" Paul opened it and the manual is only in French. Je vais retourner le jeu video au Target et j'acheterai un jeu avec les instructions en Anglais.

Two degrees of separation

2008-01-17T10:07:00.000-06:00

If you live in these parts you may have seen this ad. Oh, I know it's all tongue in cheek and he's really winking at us all the while. (Nevermind the grandmotherly teacher who was probably fresh out of college when Franken had her nearly 50 years ago.) But there's just something unseemly about it. Like he's trying to remind us that he's from here when he's not really "from here" anymore. Kind of makes me feel like he's picked us as his best bet to get to Washington, and it makes me feel used. Maybe I'm just sensitive about it because St. Louis Park is my hometown. I actually met Franken's brother Owen once. He came to speak at our school about his experiences as a photojournalist in the Mid-East. He was really cool...I asked for his autograph. (And got it.)

I belong

2008-01-10T07:40:00.000-06:00

On principal, I am against stores that want you to pay them for your loyalty by buying their "membership" cards. Included in this is Costco, which won't even allow you to give them your money until you've paid them to shop there. While I'm sure that many people save a lot of money there, Costco's image in my mind probably isn't helped by my mother-in-law, who regularly buys cakes that can serve 50 or a 20-inch-round cheesecake for family gatherings of a dozen or so. She loves Costco so much that, bewildered by my non-plussed attitude towards the store, she added me to her membership. I went there for the first time, a couple of days ago. Eh. I suppose I might be more into it if we lived nearer. (I'll just have to visit you more often, Mrs. Bickerson!) And I was disappointed in their selection of Wii games, the main purpose of my interest in going there. Well, when you see me hauling 96-bottle cases of Vitamin Water into our tiny abode...just don't say, "I told you so."

While you've probably become used to my sporadic posting, you can expect it to continue at least through the month of January, as the !#$%&* art program I run up at school is taking place this month.

Hair today, gone tomorrow (you knew I had to say it)

2008-01-04T12:29:00.001-06:00

Before...

during...

and after.

Solar Sisters

2007-12-27T17:39:00.000-06:00

This is from almost four weeks ago. As their fall activity, Katherine's GEMS (girls in engineering, math, and science) group participates in the Lego League tournament. This was a totally new world to me, but was actually kind of fun to watch. Prior to the competition, each team builds and programs a Lego Mindstorms robot to complete "missions." At the tournament they are scored on how many they can complete in 2 1/2 minutes. While they're doing this, an emcee gives the play-by-play and adrenaline pumping music blasts in the background. This year's Lego tournament theme was alternative energy, so their missions were things like pushing a hydro dam and wind turbines into place, etc. Katherine's team, the Solar Sisters, got an award for best programming, but didn't make it on to the state tournament.

Am I the Bad-Mother-of-the-Year or Evil Genius?

2007-12-21T14:57:00.000-06:00

As a testimony to my lack of organization, here is William at his Spanish holiday program.

Notice he is the only one wearing homemade reindeer antlers--not just homemade, but hastily fashioned from a grocery bag, a plastic straw (to keep the antlers from flopping over), and staples...and handed to him seconds before the program started. Deep down I knew that my little craft-meister would appreciate my effort. But I really didn't think he'd be the only one (out of 15) with a homemade hat and I felt a little self-conscious. So when we were walking home I asked if the antlers were o.k. He said, "I love them! Is it from Martha Stewart?" Evil Genius it is.

He did, by the way, assemble the necessary materials on his own and started working on this craft. However, jumping in a huge pile of leaves proved to be a more tempting pursuit and he never got back to finishing his project.

The Waaaaves

2007-12-19T20:07:00.000-06:00

Meet the Waves volleyball team (or at least two-thirds of them). The team cheer: stomp, stomp, clap, "The Waaaaaves" (while moving hand in wave motion). They had a pretty good season--won more games than lost I think. Came in 4th place out of 16 teams in the city championship. "Power," little number 42 there, lost the groove on her serve early on in the season and only managed to get it back for the last game. Painful to watch, but better late than never.

Blessings

2007-12-14T07:59:00.000-06:00

There are many people who had a much worse day than mine yesterday, which included my car getting nicked by someone going into the school parking lot and our TV dying. However I feel lucky that just thinking about my wonderful husband and children can make me feel incredibly fortunate.

This is a total rip

2007-12-12T19:49:00.001-06:00

I saw this on a gift-idea website and thought, "That's cool. I could make that." It looks like about a total of 35-ish or so stitches around and made out of a chunky yarn. So I went to the company's website to see if they divulged any info about the dimensions. Of course that was a negative. But get this, it sells for 108 dollars! I think it's at max $30 worth of yarn and would take like an hour to knit. I'll make one for you for $60! The real topper is that they "custom make" it for you in 2-3 weeks. That means that none of that $108 is even being invested in inventory. I think someone's got quite the racket. Guess there's a sucker born every minute.

Addendum: It's a neck-warmer!

Cool

2007-12-11T19:17:00.000-06:00

If you're a Twin Citian as I am, you might be interested to know that Google Map's Street View for our fair cities has launched. Maybe they've even snapped a photo of your mother-in-law gardening in her front lawn!

7-11

2007-12-07T14:16:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, little man!

That was fast

2007-12-06T16:06:00.000-06:00

After applying for the kids' (non-expedited) passports three weeks ago, Katherine's arrived yesterday and William's today. Guess that State Department log jam is over. Or else some other law of the universe where when you don't need your passport fast, it comes quickly. And you'll notice, Tom and Ildi, that the wheels are in motion...

Oh, and Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Fast Food

2007-11-29T15:54:00.001-06:00

Mrs. Bickerson's post today has inspired me to write about a couple of my "fast food" suggestions for the busy holiday season. Both can be prepared in the time it takes to make a pot of rice.

1). Trader Joe's frozen Mandarin Chicken. So well-liked that I use 1 1/2 bags per meal. I serve it with plain white rice...you could buy the frozen rice too and make it even faster. But I need to feel like I'm doing some of the cooking. ;-)

2). Tikka Masala simmer sauce from Whole Foods--it's in the refrigerated section. Just cut up a pack of chicken breasts, simmer with the sauce for 10-15 minutes. (TK, I think you liked it quite a bit when you were here last summer.) I serve it with basmati rice and Trader Joe's frozen naan (heated up, of course). The naan is huge with the kids and the Trader Joe's is the best we've found so far.

His & Hers

2007-11-28T20:38:00.000-06:00

Wondering what to get your man for Christmas? How about this item from the Sharper Image catalog:

It's the Bodygroom Shaver for Men. The copy in the catalog reads, "...life could be a whole lot sweeter with a hair-free back, well-groomed shoulders, smooth chest, tidy underarms and neatly-kept areas...well, elsewhere." I don't know about you, but I'm o.k. with my man's "elsewhere" just the way it is.

Once you're done perusing the catalog, pass it on to your man with a special mark next to this "massager":

It's a "bath-friendly vibrating beauty. Every inch of FORM 6's organically curvaceous surface is designed for delightful, omnidirectional sensation. This massager's seamless silicone contours are continuous, the options limitless. There are six intensity levels.... Measures 7" long." Confused? Don't be. If you visit the manufacturer's website, you'll find that it's exactly what you think it is.

I'm thinking there must be some pretty raucous times in the Sharper Image catalog copy room.

Casimir Who?

2007-11-27T21:11:00.000-06:00

Why would a fifth-grader choose to write about Casimir Pulaski for her report on a Revolutionary War figure? Because he's Polish. Katherine loves her uncle who lives in Poland.

So who is Casimir Pulaski? Enough of somebody to find a few pages about him online. But when she told me last night that she had to bring a book source to school the next day, I was not pleased.

Enter two of my eccentric habits. The ownership of an excessive amount of books and my compulsion for lists. As some of you may have noticed, I've got a Librarything widget on my sidebar. I've been using Librarything to catalog the excessive amount of books I have purchased along with the excessive amount of books Paul has purchased, combined with the excessive amount of books we have purchased for our children. (Here's a fun game: guess which books belong to who!) But I digress...

So last night I was able to search my Librarything catalog and locate our American history books (including the fascinating read Minutemen and Their World). The verdict: a no-go on Casimir Pulaski except in a 1952 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia. Which she proceeded to leave on the dining room table this morning.

Mixed feelings

2007-11-23T16:28:00.000-06:00

Remember this post from last year? Or this one (scroll down)? I am sad, but also slightly relieved that there is no new Playmobil Advent Calendar this year. I am running out of room for the calendars (and had insanely contemplated buying special folding bookcases just for the purpose of displaying them). I also can spend about 15-20 minutes each day setting up the calendar scenes. And some days in December there's not an extra 15-20 minutes. Nonetheless, I'm a little bummed. It had still been something to look forward to each year.

We don't "do" dinosaurs

2007-11-21T07:16:00.000-06:00

“I felt like an archaeologist who had just stumbled on a dinosaur,” said Mrs. Longone

In other words, she wouldn't know what to do? To clear up a common stereotype, archaeologists dig up people-related stuff, paleontologists dig up animal-related stuff.

Whacked out parenting

2007-11-14T11:15:00.000-06:00

Katherine is participating in this GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) program at school this year. Because she is in GEMS, she had the opportunity to apply to be part of a group from her school traveling to the Tirimbina Rainforest Center in Costa Rica over Spring Break. I knew she must really have wanted to go because she had six days to write an essay and get two letters of recommendation. She did not balk or procrastinate about either. She turned in what I thought was a nice application yesterday. Her teacher called last night. She was accepted. I am alternately very proud of her and very freaked out. So, what kind of parent lets their daughter go to Costa Rica on a school trip but doesn't let her get her ears pierced?

And now for something completely different

2007-11-10T20:17:00.000-06:00

While at the school carnival today, we stopped by the Duck Pond game where a friend of ours was working. Paul asked if she had had her hair done. I looked and noticed maybe two inches of salt and pepper roots (though to be fair, heavier on the pepper). She made a quip about her grey hair and laughed it off, but I was thinking, "What did he say that for?" Most of us have young children and probably don't get to the salon quite as often as we'd like.

Later I half-jokingly asked Paul if he intended to insult her. He was completely clueless. He thought that she'd had her hair painted at the carnival "hair salon"--you know, the spray paint and glitter type--and thought he was being nice by noticing her hip 'do. He said it hadn't even dawned on him that she might have grey hair and is now quite mortified. So ladies, if your men aren't hip to the concept of "roots" already...do them a favor and clue them in.

Morons are lovin' it

2007-11-09T15:33:00.000-06:00

Even an 11-year-old can see one of the myriad stupidities of this ad: "How did he pay her?"

To me, everything about it says McDonald's Devotee = Idiot. Is it impossible to enjoy a McDonald's meal without going through the McDrive? Has he no other car besides the free one from his dead uncle? Take the seatbelt off, dude! And...how did he pay her?

Halloween update

2007-11-05T13:41:00.000-06:00

They didn't trick-or-treat together. I still thought it was cute that William wanted to "match" Katherine and that Katherine didn't mind.

Caesar and his "date"

2007-10-29T17:25:00.000-05:00

No comments about my get-up please...I made it. Feel free to tease the guy next to me.

I left the party 45 minutes before Mr. Caesar here in order to relieve the grandparents from babysitting duty. While walking home I recalled something Katherine, age 3, said while on her way to trick-or-treat at the same house: "It's a long way to Rachel's house when it's Halloween and you have Cinderella shoes on." It's a long way home from Dan & Sarah's house when it's 11:30 p.m. and you're dressed as a Roman woman.

After I left, Paul was talking to a guy he knows and said, "My date left." The guy, who was quite drunk, replied, "Dude! I thought you were married!" Paul tried to explain that by "date" he meant his wife, but was pretty sure the guy wasn't connecting the dots and still thought Caesar had brought his concubine to the party.

I feel like a princess

2007-10-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

Katherine and Mr. FL detailed the inside of my car last weekend. I had requested the back seat (read "kids area") of the car be cleaned out as it had gotten a little out of hand, however they did the whole thing. I keep my areas of the car (i.e. front seat and trunk) fairly tidy, but I didn't realize how much dust, sand, and crushed up leaves were in the car until I got into the perfectly clean car on Monday morning. I immediately called Mr. FL to thank him.

Selfless love

2007-10-18T15:45:00.000-05:00

If I bought this for someone's upcoming 7th birthday, you know it would only be because I know he wanted it. Right?

I was wrong

2007-10-15T07:59:00.000-05:00

Since posting about the se*y Hermione costume, I've had two visits from people searching on said term. It appears to be more popular than I thought. Paul and I are invited to a costume party. Maybe we should go as a se*y Harry and Hermione. Don't think too hard about that. You might scar your mind's eye.

But not the "1000 places to see before you die" one

2007-10-12T07:54:00.000-05:00

I'm kind of into lists. More about that later. I am very intrigued by this idea of "101 things to do in 1001 days." Will I attempt? Hmm.

what is going on

2007-10-09T18:09:00.000-05:00

forgot williams soccer snack so drove back home. swear to god every squad car in minneapolis is at chicago and m'haha pkwy

Update

Do you think it's officially licensed?

2007-10-08T14:30:00.001-05:00

Katherine wants to be Hermione Granger (the Harry Potter heroine) for Halloween so I was doing a little online research on creating the look. I googled "Hermione Granger costume" and guess what came up? This "se*y Hermione Granger" adult costume. Can that really be a seller? I would think that if any adult were inclined to dress like Hermione Granger for Halloween that they would not be the type of person who would buy a "s**y" costume. (Besides, don't they know that Hermione doesn't wear glasses? Duh!) Conversely, I would think that most adults inclined to buy a "se*y" costume would not know who Hermione Granger is.

While I'm on the topic of slutty--oops I meant se*y--costumes, I was appalled at the "teen" costumes advertised in the Sunday paper. I showed Paul the ad and said, "Would you let your teenage daughter wear one of these costumes?" His answer was swift and firm: "NO!!"

run warsaw

2007-10-07T16:07:00.001-05:00

run warsaw
Originally uploaded by Ponytail31

Aw, isn't this cute!

She didn't get her letter from Hogwarts

2007-10-04T14:36:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Katherine's 11th birthday and she did not receive her invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For those of you not in the know (like, duh, how can you be so lame - eyeroll), girls and boys who have magical powers like Harry Potter get their admissions letter from said school on their 11th birthday. Katherine has mentioned this a few times over the last couple of months. And while the tone of her voice suggested that she was kidding, one could also detect the faintest bit of hope that it might actually come true. Oh well. She did get the latest Harry Potter video game at least.

Say "accountant" ten times fast

2007-10-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

While cleaning out the old desk to make room for the new desk, I found the 10-key calculator collection.

Boycott Christmas

2007-09-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

At least until after Halloween.

Did you know that right now one can buy any variety of Christmas light known to man but only one type of space heater at a store whose logo is two red circles?

Stop the insanity.

Gratulálok

2007-09-25T15:08:00.001-05:00

Happy independence day!

Glad that day's over

2007-09-25T07:55:00.000-05:00

So. I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in years. I'd been putting off making an appointment for several reasons but mainly because of insurance issues. I've got good teeth so cleanings seemed a bit like a luxury. Until yesterday. Three cavities. No cavities my whole 40 years then, bam, three. Way to go Fizzy "Dental Hyg" Lizzy.

So. I went to the hospital yesterday to visit a pregnant friend who was admitted for high blood pressure. They had been going to induce her on Thursday, but it turned out she was in labor. When I got there her door was closed so I asked at the desk if she was taking visitors and the nurse said "Oh yeah." So i get in there and she's lying on her side in pain and her husband is there. I said "It's Elizabeth" and I heard her say "Elizabeth who?" I think her husband recognized me at least. She figured out who it was. We're not that close so I thought it was best to just say a few kind words and ditch.

A message from above?

2007-09-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

William is currently in his room on time out. Paul, Katherine, and he were on their way to the garden center this morning when William spat in Katherine's face in an unprovoked moment of rage. Paul turned the car around, brought William up to his room, and resumed his trip to the store. He just called on his cell phone to tell me that on the return trip he noticed that the exact spot where William lost it was right in front of a church with this quote on its message board: "He who can suppress a moment's anger may prevent a day of sorrow."

He's almost all boy

2007-09-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

This morning at breakfast William said, "I want to make something out of Martha Stewart magazine." He went on to describe a broom thing which is this:

They are kind of cool looking. Well, now I know who left the magazine lying out on the sofa yesterday. It almost makes me forget that he's the one who sits in the back of the car and shoots everything with his little "finger gun."

Target countdown

2007-09-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm no different than everyone else. As a shopper, I thrive on familiarity. I want to go into a store, know where what I need is, and get out of there. Efficiency. I've been without a Target home for over 8 months and it's taken its toll. I've wandered and wandered, searching for an enjoyable yet convenient Target experience. Not to be had. I usually settle for the Southtown Target--a traffic nightmare both outside and inside (what genius puts large pillars in the middle of the main aisle?) or the Apple Valley Target--a stiff breeze from the south and you're greeted with the smell of manure in the parking lot. This past weekend we drove through the parking lot of the new Target that's just 5 minutes away. Only 27 days until it opens.

This is my paprika

2007-09-15T19:29:00.000-05:00

Do you approve Ildi?

I brought it out for my beef stroganoff tonight.