Blasé Blue

I finally sat down and finished my peacock painting for my daughter's class. Her school is having an art auction to raise funds for their art program, and each class has to donate a piece of artwork done/assisted by the children. Gabi's teachers and some of the mothers thought my edible snowman craft for Christmas was cute and asked if I wanted to lead this project, too. I jumped at the chance to get creative! I decided to do a peacock. I'm not really sure why... I just wanted to do something that might actually be bid on.

So, without further ado, here's Blasé Blue - along with some symbolism for peacocks that I found interesting:

"In general, the Peacock is representative of glory, immortality, royalty, and incorruptibility. It is a possessor of some of the most admired human characteristics, and is a symbol of integrity and the beauty that can be achieved when we endeavor to better ourselves and better our lives.

In history, myth, legend & lore, the peacock is considered an emblem of protection, nobility, watchfulness, guidance, and holiness.

In Greco-Roman mythology the Peacock is identified with Hera (Juno) who created the peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes (seen on the tail feathers of the peacock) symbolize the vault of heaven and the “eyes” of the stars who watch all life unfolding .

In Christianity the peacock represents the “all-seeing” church and the holiness & sanctity associated with it. Additionally, the peacock represents resurrection, renewal and immortality within the spiritual teachings of Christianity.

In Hinduism the peacock is associated with Lakshmi who is a deity representing benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and luck.

Similar to Lakshmi, the peacock is associated with Kwan-yin in Japan – she is also an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good-will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. Kwan-yin chose to remain a mortal even though she could be immortal because she wished to stay behind and aid humanity in their spiritual evolution.

In Babylonia and Persia the peacock is seen as a guardian to royalty, and is often seen in engravings upon the thrones of royalty."

- taken from: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2007/08/17/symbolic-meaning-of-peacocks/

Toiletiquette

This topic could have its own blog, I know... And it will: www.toiletiquette101.blogspot.com (coming soon).

I've noticed a reoccuring situation whenever I dare brave a public restroom - and I must interject: I know it's my own fault; karma and all, you see.

When I was little I used to be scared of the "flush." Yes, flushing the toilet brought out the boogeyman for me (one of many things that did, actually - I was, and still am, a scaredy-cat). I blame this on the movie, Candyman. I still vaguely remember a scene where the main character (in all her stupidity) enters some abandoned restroom and bees emerge from a toilet in the far stall. So, naturally, hence forth I skipped on flushing when I was younger. And would proceed to rush out of there asap.

Now, either the children of today are being forced to watch this traumatic movie... or some grownups have never outgrown the habit. I am constantly being flooded with nasty toilets!! But, like I said: karma. It's my own fault - for my somewhat irrational fear when I was younger.

So, now that I'm older and more mature and wise... or something like that... I attempt to repay my debt to society by flushing the toilets left before me (unless they're overflow material - those I leave for the professionals).

Oh - and I flip the toilet paper over so that it rolls off the top.

You're welcome.

Day 5

If someone had told me I would one day be writing with much enthusiasm at the thought of my son making it FIVE days in a row with No Time Out at school, I don't think I would have believed it... Christian is the one with the big heart. He's the one that sits down beside me and tells me he loves me "just because." He isn't supposed to be the hellion!

That's Christian At Home; Christian At School, however, is a whole other child that I must not know. For quite a while now he's been in timeout, let's see.... EVERY DAY!! If he isn't fighting with pretend swords and guns, he's not following directions - at least he mixes it up from time to time.

Recently I've been trying to do better at commending him for doing well - which means special surprises and such for every day he's managed to keep his fanny out of the T.O. chair. His prizes have included: toy cars (which I can usually find at Kroger for $1), a random action figure at Target, a book from Barnes & Noble or Borders, and (the big one) a trip to see How to Train Your Dragon - which I thought was really cute, btw.

So far I think this plan of action is working (must be: FIVE DAYS). And, although I am very proud, I think I may go broke if he keeps it up!

Ooops...

"I'm Sorry For Annoying You"

Is that really the text I got from Husband#2??

And here I was, worrying I wouldn't have anything to write about... Ask and ye shall receive!

Yes, this is the text I received from wonderful Husband#2, in response to me telling him I feel like he tries to control me and what I do. All I wanted, after a long day at work, was some of my newly acquired favorite broccoli cheddar soup that only Panera Bread knows how to make right (I tried making it on my own the other night - my 2nd attempt - and it still didn't taste "right").

"Okay, well I gotta run... I have about 30 minutes to eat before I have to go pick up the kids," I said after a 10 minute convo on nothingness.

"Oh. What are you gonna eat?" <--the tone is of vital importance here, but I can't convey it properly, so why try...

Me: "My Panera." (all chipper and happy like)

Husband#2: "Oh....... Um...... Didn't... you... just... go to WalMart the other day? I mean, didn't you buy FOOD. What did you buy??"

Oh. No. He. Didn't.

I know he didn't just go there. I know he didn't just ask me that AGAIN - especially not after he already asked me that same question when I told him how much I spent there on the day of. - not after I went through and detailed out my shopping list for him in a very sarcastic, "are you kidding me right now??" tone the other day, just to get the point across. - not when HE is going out to eat EVERY SINGLE NIGHT in Pennsylvania. - not when I know zip about what HE buys and does five days a week up there. - not when HE spends more in one sitting (going out and drinking) than my two kids and I spend in our one meal.

Is it too late to say, "Don't get me started" ??

"What did I buy... Well, let's see... The kids were out of shampoo, so I thought I'd go ahead and get them some. My toner/face wash stuff is low, so I went ahead and got that, too. Oh, and I ran out of the cotton balls - had to get those. Um, let me think... We had no toilet paper - had to get it. And no trash bags either. I mean, I can keep going if you'd like, or maybe you'd like me to break it down even further when I get home and can look around and make sure I got everything."

I don't like being interrogated. - especially when I'm working, too. And even more so when I rarely do much of anything for/with my kids (as far as spending money goes).

Why is it okay for him to question what I'm doing when HE'S got the anonymity thing going on up there in PA? Do I request a copy of his AmEx bill and verify purchases with him? Do I ask why he dares to withdrawal $20 or $40 from the ATM every few days??

No. I don't. And I don't appreciate it being done to me. Nor would I want to do that to someone. I'm no detective, and neither is he - so I wish he'd stop acting like it. Or maybe he should consider a career change.

So, yes, that was the text I got. That was my deep, heart-felt apology. No "I'm sorry" for anything HE did - but "I'm sorry for annoying you."

Nice.

Save a Christian Blogathon

Let me preface this post by clarifying: Christian is my son. The following is in no way a religious campaign.

You know those mothers, the ones who think their children are so sweet and innocent...?? The teacher must have something against their children, or maybe their child is just misunderstood. Well, lately I have been that mother. And I really don't WANT to be. But I keep feeling like maybe that persona just crept through for an unexpected visit. And to me, that's as bad as those women on A Baby Story who reenact their own personal version of The Exorcist during labor [and, for the record, my immense disgust - and probably FEAR of becoming one of those women - kept me from becoming Linda Blair. My sister is my witness. Two points for me :) ].

My son has always been my child with a big heart. He's actually my sweet one: so loving and giving - melt your heart kind of sweet when you catch it. But, for some reason, he's the one with the behavior problem at school here recently. My "Miss Independent" know-it-all daughter (who is only six, by the way) is on her perfect color everyday, and my angelic little boy has horns that emerge between 8 AM and 2 PM.

In all honesty, I'm completely clueless about how to 'fix' the situation - or even make it a little better. He's in "Time Out" EVERY DAY now. I'm lucky if he takes one day off from his new routine a week! Last Friday was his only good day all week!

I've tried rewarding him at the end of the week with little Hot Wheelz cars, if he manages to stay out of TO.

I've tried taking away video games (and even took away watching someone else play them).

I've tried taking away all his sleep buddies (and then letting him earn one back with every Non-Time Out day).

I've even tried spankings - which I feel is kind of like spanking a dog when you've caught him an hour or two after he's peed on the floor... What's the point??

So, my latest attempt: Today I got his sister a big surprise as a reward for having such good behavior. Being excluded brought bug crocodile tears to my little boy's eyes at first (here's my heart; I saved you the trouble of RIPPING it out), but it was pretty soon out of sight, out of mind. I guess I have to wait til tomorrow to see if it made a dent.

Til then, the blog lines are open and accepting your verbal donations toward this great cause. The comment is free, and YOU could potentially help save a Christian... and his butt.

Let's Stick With Multiple Choice

So I was sitting on the couch, going over my daughter's homework with her, last night... Let me interject here that she is in first grade - which is good, b/c this means I am still able to help her with her homework, as opposed to it being way over my head.

Anyway, we were looking at some Q&A stuff she had done: ya know, read the paragraph and then answer 3 or 4 questions about the story. It's 1st grade, so of course it's simple stuff: "Jack felt sick. His tummy was hurting. He told his mom, and she took him to the doctor.... yadda yadda yadda." It was about six sentences long.

As I checked her answers, I started to feel so proud of her, "Check it out. My 'Goob' is so smart!"

Question 1: correct.

Question 2: correct.

Question 3: correct. :)

And then I get to Question 4...

It wasn't multiple choice like the previous questions. It was a discussion question. And I looked at what Gabi had written, and the answer just didn't seem to make sense with the question. It was something along the lines of, "Why did Jack's stomach hurt?" And it looked like my daughter had written "Due" as her answer. Sometimes Gabi doesn't always spell things correctly, so I asked her, "What's this say? D-u-e?"

Her reply: "Duhhhhhhhh!" - accompanied by 'that look' and everything

She was trying to write "duh" as her answer to the question. I couldn't help but burst out laughing!

I finally composed myself and explained that I didn't think her teachers would appreciate that as her answer...

Why All the Milk?

I watched an episode of House last night: Private Lives. It's the one where the chick from That 70's Show almost blogged her life away. Well, of course I had to get back into the blogging game after that...

So here we are. I am once again starting a new blog with the intention of keeping it updated. I make no promises, though. So if I gain any readers, be forewarned.

As for the title... I figured I'd be doing my share of complaining and whining on here - as is my Blog given right - and the first thing that came to mind was, "There's no use crying over spilled milk." Of course Spilled Milk was taken, as was Spilt Milk (some other whiner must have beat me to it). So to my good friend Thesaurus I went.... and, yes, "moo juice" is actually in there for milk. I thought it was hilarious - and too funny not to see if it was available. And whadaya know!?! SMJ was born.