Life, death and a good report card.

Today was a good day.  It was a good morning getting out of the house, work sped by in the morning, I had an impromptu lunch with my honey, and then the afternoon sped on by and before I knew it- it was time to leave work and go to the teacher conference at the boy's school.
His homeroom teacher was out but we met with his reading/english teacher and the math and science teacher. It was, all in all, a very good report. The boy depsite his wiggliness, and penchant to burst out into song, is doing well in all of his subjects. He is an independent thinker and demonstrates kindness, and respect towards others. It is everything a parent hopes to hear when other people are speaking about their child. It was also great to know that our child spends most of his day with people who are intelligent and committed to helping out on our journey to make a great human being.
After the conference was over, it was off to the races to pick up both little people and get home in time for the husband to get changed and go get the MIL (mother in law) and head to the first of the Broadway Series shows - The Ten Tenors.
Once I got home, I knew that the stove would not be seeing any action this evening.
Our intent was to get a couple of happy meals and picnic in front of the tube for an evening filled with Dora, Diego and the Wonder Pets. Instead we found ourselves at one of the local IHOPs enjoying pancakes with wipped cream and strawberry syrup for dinner. We then headed to WalMart for milk and a quick trip through the toy department and finally home.
After everyone was bathed and in bed- I headed for the pc to catch up on some news, locally, around the state and around the world.
While checking out Facebook- I received a message that a dear friend and relation had passed away this morning after a terrible car accident yesterday. I think back on all of the times spent with her and her family, and all the recent pictures and events in her life that made her life a good long one. How many people loved her and how many people she loved in return. May she rest in peace knowing that those she leaves behind will always love her and remember her. It amazes me how any day can be your last day, that is why we have to make the most of every day we are given.
The husband has now returned from the Tenors showing and he says that it was EXCELLENT! I am glad, sad and happy all at the same time. I am ALIVE.
Today was a good day.

Report Cards and Conferences

Well, it's official! I've turned into my Mom. I was kind of suspicious a few months ago- but now I have confirmed it. Yesterday the boy brought home his first ever report card. It's funny because in kindergarten they do not, apparently, give letter grades. A teacher conference is scheduled and they send home your copy of the report card with your conducts and PE grade. He received a complimentary comment from his homeroom teacher and a great big S (for satisfactory) in PE. Our conference is scheduled for tomorrow and we will be meeting with his cluster teachers (3 of them).
As my husband and I looked over the report card-the thought of every movie parent looking at their childs report card crossed through my head.
I also thought about my mom. All those years of looking through our report cards. I wondered if she felt the same anxiousness that I did when I opened the envelope and took it out- and the same amount of pride that I did once I saw that he had good marks. I am sure that she did- as every other parent taking interest in things that their child can accomplish would. It was a good feeling- although purely selfish- to know that this little person that you created together- is out there doing things on his own- and being recognized by others for it.
I know that there will be other report cards down the road that may have some things in it that we will not be too thrilled with, but that is the trip...good and bad. I know that we will always be proud of the boy's accomplishments- no matter what they are and no matter how big or small.

14 uses for a Microwave

So, tonight I read an article about 14 uses for a Microwave that you probably never thought of.

Some things I knew about like cooking an entire dinner in under 10 minutes, and making potatoes. I also knew about the number 1 item on the list- disinfecting sponges ! But there were items on there like disinfecting your cutting boards and softening brown sugar that intrigues me. I also found out that it is a great way to toast coconut and nuts. Who knew?

I am all about working smart and not hard so finding out that I can toast coconut and nuts in the micowave is AWESOME!

Here's the rest of the list- hopefully one of these will make your day a little easier..

1. Disinfectin/Deodorizing sponges (soak in water with lemon or vinegar, then rinse and microwave for 1 minute)
2. Cooking an entire dinner in under 10 minutes (any recipe that calls for braising, poaching, or steaming- cut cook time about 1/4)
3. Disinfecting Plastic Cutting board (wash board well and then rub with lemon juice and heat for 1 minute)
4. Softening brown sugar (add a few drops of water into package- then microwave for 10-20 seonds)
5. Making potatoes (prick with fork all over- cook for 2 minutes, turn over and then cook for another 2-3 minutes)
6. Decrystalizing honey (30 seconds to 1 minute)
7. Proofing Yeast Dough (Place the dough in a very large bowl and cover with plastic. Place an 8-ounce cup of water in the back of the microwave with the bowl of dough in the center, and set the power as low as possible (10 percent power). Heat for 3 minutes, then let the dough rest in the microwave for 3 minutes. Heat for 3 minutes longer, then let rest for 6 minutes. The dough will double in bulk.)
8. Heating Up Health Aids
9. Warming Up Beauty Products (like hot oil treatments for hair)
10. Roasting Garlic (take 7 minutes)
11. Partially Cooking Foods for the grill
12. Getting more juice from citrus (20 seconds in the oven before squeezing that lemon will get you more juice!)
13. Toasting Nuts, Bread Crumbs and coconut (2-3 minutes while stirring)
14. Cooking vegetables (you can steam them without water....)

New Federal Hate Crime Law

So, advocates for disabled persons and GLBT groups were cheering new provisions signed into law by President Obama last week. In Florida penalties were already harsher than in other states if you could prove that the crime was indeed a hate crime. There are still loop holes in the provisions, which leads me to ask the question....why do we need to sign in a new law about this?
Has society completely lost it? Do we all not have adequate home training? What are some of the basic things you learn as a child?
I remember that my mother always told us that if you had nothing nice to say- then don't say anything at all. I think she picked that up from Bambi's Thumper---but it was always good advice. Word or actions are things that you really cannot take back. Once they are out there...they are there.
And you learn early on that you do not hurt others because they are different. The whole idea is ridiculous. Persons commiting these crimes, know deep down that what they are doing is WRONG! So- why do we have to spend tax dollars and time on this?
I think that the world would be a much better place if we started thinking about others and not just ourselves. After all- what are we possibly going to leave behind for our children and their children, and their children's children?

Getting serious

Okay= so this has been a not so serious attempt at blogging- but I have turned a corner, a page---whatever!
Begininng tonight, I am going to be on here daily - writing about everything, and nothing....so ...let me put the kids to bed...and I will be back with something good!