My Third Time

So this is the third time that I've tried to publish a post using the blogger app on my phone. I've learned that if reception is poor, you'll lose your post. And you may just lose it for no reason. Anyway, I'm still pricing internet options and things tend to move extra slow when the old man has to make a monetary decision (I've nicknamed him Mr. Crabs and if you don't know why'd you need to get out from under your rock and watch Spongebob Squarepants). It's times like these that I wish I lived in a huge city over a Starbucks so that I could use their WiFi. Mr. Crabs would like that, too.

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You are a good mom

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I don't know about you, but as a blogger I read a lot of gorgeous blogs by supermamas. And they really are supermamas with absolutely no pretense, doing an amazing job raising, loving, and (or maybe not) homeschooling their kids. It can make a mom feel less than adequate. Let's review.

William would like to eat this for every meal (and when it's not this, it's toaster waffles or macaroni and cheese):

Supermama's somehow get their toddlers to eat this:

The supermama's way of raising children consists of:

* super-organized learning environments with children who know what a dodecahedron is at 3.

* children who break out in the praise songs of Michael W. Smith, not "Disco Stick" by Lady Gaga.

* Children who don't steal toys from playmates (and actually know and practice the meaning of the word "share"), and never think of bashing said playmate over the head with said unstolen toy.

* Mom's either model head to toe organic, zero-carbon-footprint wardrobe and have dewy skin from make-at-home-with-veggies-from-the-garden facial products and blissed out countenance (while being key members of the "cool moms" clique)

OR

Model stellar thinness, athletic ability, perfectly in place hair and make-up, and amazing clothing put-togetheredness (while being key members of the "cool moms" clique)

* Mom attends every PTA meeting, raises thousands in the Yankee Candle sale, and still has time to previously pictured create delicious, homemade, healthy meal while coif is perfect and clothing is super put-togethered. Oh, and all the laundry is done!

In this laundry room

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NOT this one!

* Toddlers don't fall on the ground in a kicking tantrum and run for the hills (or behind the couch) at the mention of the word "potty."

* The answer to every request, question, or sentence isn't "NO!!!!" Followed by running and hiding behind the couch.

* Oh, and they definitely have never sat on the cat for fun. Repeatedly.

Do you love your children and do they know it? Are you consciously trying to teach them how to be good, kind, moral individuals? Do you read and play with them, sing to them, pay attention and help when they need it? Have you kept them from dismembering an arm or leg, or from falling from high places (and from climbing onto said high places), or otherwise injuring themselves or others on a continual basis (unforeseen injuries, fluke accidents, and occasional toddler fights notwithstanding)?

Most importantly, when they look at you, can you feel the love that they have for you?

If you can answer yes to these questions, pat yourself on the back. You are a good mother.

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On those days when you want to drive out into the country and push your children out of the car and speed away, go look in the mirror and say to yourself "You are a good mother."

When your teenager uses cuss words that you didn't even know existed to describe how she feels about you at that moment, remind yourself, "You are a good mother."

When your house looks as if a cyclone went through it, the dishes are piled to the ceiling, and your perfectionist mother-in-law unexpectedly shows up, take a deep breath and remind yourself that You are a good mother.

When you have to explain to the doctor that your child really DID get that black eye by stepping on the end of a rake, stare her back in her naturally suspicious eyes and say out loud, "You know what? I am a good mother!"

Because you know what? You are.

Bowling Shoes

Truthfully, this isn't about bowling shoes, but I liked it for a title. Tim, Will, and I went to a birthday party today at a bowling alley and William "played" (with lots of help) his first game. I've never seen such cute bowling shoes as the ones that Will wore. He was styling!

Truthfully, this isn't about bowling shoes, but I liked it for a title. Tim, Will, and I went to a birthday party today at a bowling alley and William "played" (with lots of help) his first game. I've never seen such cute bowling shoes as the ones that Will wore. He was styling!

* * * *

My modem has decided to turn off and not come back on, so for a while I'll either be posting by phone or when I can get to a Wi-Fi hot spot. Bah, Time Warner Cable modem! Why must you make blogging life so trying?

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jade number 3

Please remember to give to Japanese relief efforts by clicking on one of the links in the sidebar.

This is a preview of what the camera in the Droid can do. Using a free application called Vignette (also available for the iPhone), I took these pictures and used the "old picture" setting. There are so many settings that I can't get into now, but I will eventually!

Have a fabulous spring like day (or fall day for all of my Aussie friends).

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jade number 2

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jade plant

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Relief Efforts for Japan

As of this posting, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan has caused two nuclear reactors to melt down, in the town of Minamisanrikucho, 10,000 people - nearly two-thirds of the population - have not been heard from since the tsunami wiped it out, and there is an estimated death toll of over 200,000 in the entire country. The effects of the radiation will not be known for some time, and while aftershocks continue to shake the nation (over 150 at this time) damage continues. The Prime Minister is calling this Japan's biggest crisis since WWII.

I first saw this video on Twitter, it was posted by Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster - she keeps an outstanding Twitter feed). I'm sure that many of you have probalby seen it, but for those of you that haven't, this is a first person account of the tsunami as it happened. It is shattering.

Needless to say, there are countless relief efforts on the way to aid the people of Japan in this tragedy. I will be including links to them in my sidebar (the links do not benefit me in any way). Please give what you can.

We sponsor a child through World Vision. They are a Christian humanitarian aid organization who uses all profits for relief work.

Save The Children is currently using donations from it's Emergency Relief Fund for Japanese aid.

To contribute to the Salvation Army, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 (that's a zero, not an 'O') to make a $10 donation of visit their Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief page.

Doctors Without Borders will be sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Donate here.

As always, Etsyians are contributing to the cause. A huge number of items are on sale with proceeds going toward the Japanese Relief Effort. Here is a sampling:

The Great Wave, $10.00, all proceeds go to World Vision

FOR JAPAN - Japanese Flag Hemp Bracelet, $4.95, 50% of proceeds go to the American Red Cross

Japan Earthquake Relief Red Hobo, $38.50, 50% of sales go to the Japanese Red Cross

Cat in Glasses Photo, $20.00, 100% of product price donated to disaster relief

Regardless of how you feel about her, you've got to admire Lady Gaga for designing a "We Pray For Japan" wristband. With her fiercely devoted followers and the PrayForJapan Twitter feed, this should raise significant funds. Bracelets can be pre-ordered for $5.00 and all proceeds will go to relief efforts.

Quick Post from the Droid

Using my most amazing phone in the world to post (reviewing a few photo apps, so look out for that). Anyhow, legal blindness isn't affecting Kendall's skating- she got first in two programs today. One more compulsory program to go then done with another competition day.

Posting from the Druid is cool, but not at easy as on the old laptop!

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Happy Harried Housewife

Another one of my brother-in-law's photos

Kendall had an appointment with the ophthalmologist yesterday whose gut is telling him that everything is fine (other than her currently being legally blind in her right eye what with her optic nerve being all but useless). He said that in the large majority of cases of healthy kids her age with no other symptoms it isn't unusual that they never figure out what caused the nerve to swell. To be on the safe side Kendall had some blood drawn today to check her blood cells, electrolytes, and factors that show up in auto-immune diseases. She is also having an MRI of her brain done next Wednesday. Within the last 12 months, Kendall has broken her wrist, had bunion surgery, gotten reading glasses, and is now temporarily blind in one eye. She asked me to shoot her today, but I don't have a gun.

This photo, which I LOVE, was taken by Kendall. She takes amazing portraits.

And in "those happy moments of parenting" news, Will is currently being potty trained! Yay (sort of)! He's been incredibly resistant to it up until now, and this time he's actually doing pretty well as long as we take him to the toilet on scheduled intervals. The telling us he has to go to the potty, not so much. I am currently drying my first load of accident clothing and I am happy to say there is less soiled stuff going into the washer. So yay! Happy potty training days are here! Woo hooo!!!

It's been a bit exhausting around here, what with all the running, pottying, and extra laundry on top of everything that I normally have to do, so if I go a few days without a post, please send some energy my way!

Skate for Hope

Many of you know that my daughter Kendall is a figure skater. This year she has been asked by her coach to participate in the 2011 Skate for Hope, a premiere skating event that benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund at the Ohio State University James Cancer Center & the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. In order to participate in the event, Kendall must raise approximately $500 to cover the entry fee, dress, and participation fees.

Featured skaters include Johnny Weir (!!!), Rachael Flatt, Emily Hughes, and Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates. The event will be emceed by Sarah Hughes (!!!). The top 5 fundraising skaters get to meet the cast and have their pictures taken with them. Quite exciting!

I normally would not come to you asking for money, but this is a very worthy cause, and any amount would be appreciated. If you are able to donate, you can follow this link to get to Kendall's fundraiser page. I know that times are tight for most of us, but if you have $5 or $10 to spare, it would be greatly appreciated. If not, I totally understand.

On another note, Kendall has been having some eye problems and today at the Ophthalmologist they found that she has a swollen right optic nerve. It's really unusual to see this in only one eye, so the eye doctors don't know what to make of it (and this former pediatrician doesn't, either). She has an appointment tomorrow with a specialist - please keep her in your prayers, she (and her parents) is nervous about what could be causing this.

* First photo was taken by my brother-in-law, Jeff Wallace

They Make Me Happy:The Garden Dreaming Edition

The promise of:

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Tiny sprouts turning into fragrant flowers

Fresh tomatoes - that don't taste like cardboard At All

That old rose myrrh smell wafting into the windows

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Trips to the garden center, dreaming about fantastic Victory Gardens

Peonies heads to large that they fall over onto themselves

Vases full of daisies

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Hens and chicks, my grandmother's favorite

Seeing my grandfather's irises grow tall and proud in my garden

Muscles sore from digging and tilling

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Walks on trails smelling of honeysuckle

The heavenly experience of brushing up against catmint and lavender

Butterflies, hummingbirds, ladybugs, and caterpillars

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Blah day but awesome coupon codes!

Bah, migraines. Saps one of all strength and creativity. So it's a good time to pass along a bit of savings to all of you.

You've noticed, I'm sure, that I've monitized the old blog, trying to raise a bit of cash for the dusty coffers. Anyhow, along with that comes a lot of info on offers, sales, etc. Most recently, I received these awesome coupon codes from Alibris:

Save $2 off $20 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code FREEDOM on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

Save $3 off $30 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code BOUND on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

Save $5 off $50 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code ILLUSTRADO on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

Save $7 off $70 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code ANGELOLOGY on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

Save $10 off $100 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code SOLAR on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

Save $15 off $150 of your favorite books, music, and movies when you use coupon code CLEOPATRA on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires April 5, 2011.

If you've never shopped Alibris, it's worth taking a look. Their prices are often discounted and they stock or will help you find out-of-print and used items. I go there sometimes and put in all of the Alice Starmore books and Rowan magazines and dream that I have the money for all of them.

If you've been yearning for a new read, now would be a great time to get one!

Old Man

This is Stanley. I got him 17 years ago, when he fit in my hand and had the worst case of pinkeye and fleas that I have ever seen in a cat. Since that time, he's been healthy as a horse, although he spends most of his time sleeping in the warmest spot he can find these days.

According to multiple websites, a 17 year old cat is approximately 85 in human years. I think he looks pretty good for an 85 year old, male pattern baldness notwithstanding.

Thanks bunches!

I'm always thrilled to receive blogging awards and this week I was graced with two of them. First, Sonia Florian of Sonia's Wonder World awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award. Sonia's blog is really cool; she's Romanian, studied in Germany where she met and fell in love with a Japanese man, so now she lives in Japan. Her blog is an interesting look at her life in Japan and Japaneses culture, architecture, and art.

So, I'm passing this award along to

Cup of Serenity

Trains, Tutus, and Teatime

Chrissy in America

Scenic Glory

and

Small Things

Sarah from Through the Picture Window gave me this award:

Sarah's blog is a great mash-up of family, life, recipes, and every little other great bit she decides to write about. Thanks Sarah!

I'll pass this on along to:
She Smiles, She Writes
Splittergewitter
Whimsybeams
Peace and Projects
My Best Friend Jules
Bohemian Backbone
and
grainline

And now, in the great tradition of blogging awards, 7 random things about me!

1. In my life, I've owned 15 cats. I like dogs, but I truly am a cat person.

2. In medical school, I wanted to go into Forensics (this was long before CSI) but then the Chief Forensic Examiner of the State of Ohio came to school and showed us some pictures of cases and I ran like the wind from that idea (beyond gory - so far beyond)!

3. I collect tinted lithographs, statues of saints, and art pottery (though not so much anymore).

4. I have a celebrity crush on Colin Firth (I know, who doesn't) and John Cusack (a hold over from high school, when Lloyd Dobler was the ultimate.)

5. I'm a PokeManiac. Yes, and a geek, too.

6. I have a thing for Yo Gabba Gabba. The music is incredible and it reminds me of Sesame Streets psychadelic good old days.

7. I either sleep A LOT or am a total insomniac. I never know which it will be.

So thanks a bunch for the awards, they are always appreciated!