More Annoying Than Barney

I know this is really mean-spirited, and honestly, I hate myself for feeling this way. But this woman grates on my nerves in the worst way. For those of you who are lucky enough to not know who she is, this is Miss Lori from PBS Kids. To be fair, I don't blame her - I blame her director, who must tell her to end every single sentence with a fake giggle. And to open her eyes really, SUPER DOOPER WIDE! I wish she could just speak to the kids and pretend animals like a normal human being instead of pouring a bottle of syrup on every thing she says. I know she doesn't talk like that in real life. She has three kids of her own, for heaven's sake.

I did a lot of kid's theater, and kid's won't let you get away with that crap. They'll squirm and yell insults like they've been training with Don Rickles. So here's a suggestion for PBS kids: Get a live audience in there for this poor woman, so she can stop talking down to your viewers.

Transitions

When I was in college, getting that truly useful degree in Speech/Theater, I knew, I just KNEW, that I'd never need to get a day job. I'd be living in New York, working on Broadway, hobnobbing with the hoi paloi every night and waking up at noon the next day to shop on Fifth Avenue, then rush to the theater to give another Tony-worthy performance.

Because in College, unlike High School, you really DO know everything, and you're paying good money to prove it. Or your dad is. WhatEVER.

So now, here I am, a middle-aged woman with questionable skills figuring out what to do with the rest of my time granted on earth. I'm not ruling out theatre, but working in theatre usually involves late nights, and as much as I would love to be out past dark, I treasure bath and bed time. Plus we've started reading "Harry Potter", and I want to find out how that whole deal works out. So I'm looking for something I can do when JH is at school. I have mad skills - I'm great with Photoshop and Illustrator (well, I'm proficient, at least), I know my way around computers, I type probably 80 wpm (I haven't timed myself recently, I'm just going by the fact that my fingers look blurry to me when I'm typing. I'm either really fast or my eyes are going. Which isn't too hard to believe.) I'm hard-working, friendly, and adaptable. And I'm excellent at "acting as if". For example: "Mom! You aren't the boss of me!", to which I think "Don't I know it", but I "ACT AS IF" I am. (See! All that theater training WAS useful!)

I opted to stay home with Joe-Henry until he went to school full time. We did the math for daycare, and what I could earn wouldn't cover how much it would cost to send him someplace every day. Plus, I felt that we had tried for so long to have a child, I really ought to see what it was like to hang out with him. I won't say I loved every minute of it. Well, I won't say that now, but I know that later on, when I look back on those days, the memory of him severly trying my patience will become precious to me. Right now though? He's still precious to me, but I'm finding my mind wandering a bit, wondering what it's like to be able to finish a project, or do something other than dishes, laundry, search for lost toys, plan dinner, be the nurse, be a clown, etc. Don't get me wrong - I have no doubt that even when I DO find employment outside the house I will still be doing all those things, I just won't be doing them for the six to eight hours I'll be somewhere else interacting with the hoi paloi.

I'm excited about this new phase, and looking forward to seeing what it brings. I'm also excited to have a paycheck. Not because I want to spend all my money on shoes. No, it'll just be nice to see those creases in the center of my husband's forehead relax a bit. I'm also looking forward to giving JH a new way to introduce me when we play "Jeopardy!" every night. Because now I'm getting one of three things: "Joe-Henry's MOM!", or "A Volunteer at H. Elementary!" or "A Person Looking For A JOB!" Ummmmmmm, yeeeaaaahhhh.

So wish me luck. My resume is up to date. I've got two things to wear to interviews. And I have knowledge about a wide array of subjects.

I won at Jeopardy! just last night!

Happiness is...

... a room to play in, to mess up in, to listen to music in, and occasionally to sleep in.

Joe-Henry has, until yesterday been afraid to play alone by himself anywhere in the house, which means that he and his things are always underfoot. It also means that he can't have any privacy from my prying mommy ears.

But yesterday there was a miracle. I'm not sure what brought it about, it just happened.

He went into his room to look for something and didn't come out. When I went to check on him half an hour later, he was listening to music and playing with his globe and drawing and cutting out these little signs, which went up all over the door.
I was so happy for him. It meant he wasn't afraid, he was comfortable and content and happy and engaged. It also meant that I had some uninterrupted time to look at the manual for my camera and fill out the rest of a lengthy job application.

I love these pictures of him and his room. I love that it's a mess. I love him. So much.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

I love outdoor baseball. We are lucky enough to live in the Northwest, where outdoor baseball isn't too hot or humid or sticky. A gentle breeze and a cold beer, and if you're really lucky, garlic fries! Go Beavers!
That just sounds strange, though, doesn't it?!

wallflower

I'm having a blast with the new camera, but all I can say is "Thank goodness it's digital. I'd never be able to afford this hobby if it were film."

Here is one practice shot that made the cut today.

I love orange.

The Most Wonderful Husband on the Planet...

... got me a Nikon D40 SLR kit for my birthday. So I took a picture of him. Isn't he handsome?



I took lots of pictures of this cute kid at the park







and at the farmer's market parking lot...


until he got a bit bored with all my picture taking....



I finally let someone else have the camera, but just for a second.


I promise I'll TRY not to bore you with my pictures of everything that moves and or doesn't move within a mile radius of whereever my butt happens to be planted.

New Arrival

Happy Birthday to the blogosphere's newest mascot! Check out the details at Purelight, aka Thumper's Proud Grandma! I, Rodius and his lovely wife Mrs. I, Rodius are doing well after the surprising arrival of Thumper. Congratulations!