Turns out that as soon as one dials 911, they log it, whether it ran or not.
There was a fight at the end of the block that woke me up about 10 minutes ago, but by the time I grabbed the phone (you know, wake up, really wake up, put on glasses, assess situation, call 911) everyone had gotton into their cars and driven off, so I hung up before it even rang.

Ten minutes later, a very handsome young police officer knows on my door and shines his boig maglight into my dark living room to try and determine why I called. Fortunately, I sleep in a nightgown, so I answered the door, explained myself and will probably have a snack now that I am up and have adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Yea.

I am buying myself breakfast again tomorrow. Maybe at the Coffee News.

*breakfast
*pack picnic lunch
*go to theater camp
*kill two hours while X is in camp
*go to Mississippi market for cookies and mama lunch (only packed a kids picnic)
*collect gang
*feed fruit to kids while driving
*get marble paying lessons
*buy marbles
*go to park, finish lunch, play
*drive to piano lessons, worrying we would be late
*get to piano lessons (on time) drop liv off
*go to liquor store and buy booze for MK08
*puzzle how to keep MK08 booze cold on Saturday
*buy gas (3.65/gal!!)
*pick liv up from piano lessons
*meet Megan and girls at Lake Johanna
*play at lake for 2.5 hours
*come home
*bath, dinner, tv.
*Sleep is pending, but I think I am not the only one that is wiped out.
If the kids are still awake at the end of Max and Ruby, Liv can do her ten minutes of piano practice for the day (she's on a quest to get seven stars in one week. She practiced 6 days last week. I think I should get a reward for that!)

Tomorrow will be easier. Tomorrow I go to work.

And--today is the very last day of Summer School for Jim! ONe month until fall term starts....

A funny Xavier: I told it it was too bad that Batman was so violent because he might like the fact that there were lots and lots of ( things Xavier likes ). And he said "but it's not apprwowiate for Children." No, it's true. Which is what I was saying.

I don't have a dream filter, so you all get it.

I had a particularly bad dream this morning about working at Half Price Books. And in the dream at one point, while I was being harangued for not doing things right, I told MKM that I used to have dreams about coming back to work there and not knowing how to do anything. He replied that I was right, I didn't know how to do anything. When Xavier came in to the bedroom declaring ti was morning, I had just been dreaming about sitting in back of the store throwing rocks at a tree and screaming/crying with rage. It was bad.

And I have no idea what's up with it. I haven't even been to HPB since right before Xavier's birthday and I haven't worked there is December of 2000.

Anyway, theater camp is going well for both kids and tomorrow after camp, I am going to take the gang to Essence of Nonsense to learn to play marbles.

Early enough to say it is now dark at 5AM. Not dark there are still stars in the sky dark, but not as sunny and bright as it was a couple weeks ago at 5am.

Early enough to see a stunning sunrise, with clouds the color I wanted for my wedding flowers and never quite achieved.

The kids are off to Theater camp this morning. Xavier get a one week, two hour a day camp and Liv gets a two week three hour a day camp. And of course these things start on Monday morning. You, me and the man who kindly puts up with my shit know I get twitchy when I am not in control of something like this. But here I am at work. I filled their water bottles, packed their snacks, filled out their forms, programed the new cell phone with my office number in case Jim needs my google-fu while he is on route with them and crossed my fingers.

Breathe.
It will be fine.

I had a pretty lovely weekend.
Young CW came over on Friday night and made ginger lemon pound cake cupcakes with lemon frosting for her mom's birthday for a surprise (it went over well.)
Saturday we hung out at home, made a birthday cake for Blessed Alice (The chocolate truffle cake form Whimsical bake house if you must know. Basically a flourless chocolate torte. which chocolate whipped cream frosting. And raspberries on top.) then in the afternoon we took her that and KFC for dinner and the grownups had a good time. Xav didn't eat anything, because he just won't and I wouldn't give him cake (after letting him like out the bowl at home) until he ate something nutritious. So he didn't get cake.

The only down part of Saturday is that because of road construction here, road construction there, road construction *everywhere*! What is normally about an hour drive took and hour and 45 minutes. And it really had little to do with the bridge (which is so close to being done, I can practically taste it!) and more to do with other major roads being completely closed.

Sunday we went to our monthly brunch, where the food was lovely, the setting was lovely, the grown-ups had a decent time (again) and the children were out of sorts. All of them. And by the time the finally settled into playing nicely, I was tired, so I ripped my poor daughter away in the middle of a game and we had a pretty bad ride home.

But then we came home, settled down enough that I could go get Young CW again and my kids had their first non-grandma babysitter ever. They were good and Jim and I got to go and see--Mama Mia! Oh, no, seriously, *BATMAN*!!! We've only been waiting since we saw Superman last year and the first Batman trailer to see it. I know you all appreciate my enthusiasm.

I totally understand the Oscar buzz now. Anyone want to chat about the movie, e-mail me as I know a few people here have not yet seen it and we must keep all info about it away from them. Really.

So that brings me back to Monday morning with a task before me I have promised to do this morning but I have been avoiding for months. But I will do it and be relieved it is done. Yes.

I hope you got to see the sky full of peach roses this morning, or at least something equally pleasant.

My Grandfather always wanted my sister to play "Turkey in the Straw" for him on her violin. After hearing Pop Wagner play it on his fiddle tonight, I understand why. Plus I'm older and less embarassed by such things...

The kids and I saw a good library program tonight. We were the only ones that saw it, but it didn't make it any less good.

Also, spryte44, Liv will be excited when Biggest can join her at Girls only book club (don't worry, mmmgood, they have one for boys as well) as she was the only one there tonight.

I warned my favorite library clerks that this fall might be stressful and "you know where I go when I get stressed." I said to them. Oh yes, they know. Poor women. They put up with me.

Kate the library clerk (to distinguish her from the other Kates in my life) asked me if I ever met my on-line friends in person. Oh, yes. If it weren't for on-line friends, I would have few friends at all.

I had a free Furthermore beer coupon in my pocket this evening, but not the means to get to the place serving the Furthermore. Such is life.

Liv is teaching Xav to play "Scramble"
Using a scrabble board, even though he can't read or spell. But they are discussing points and which letters are best.

Liv, after watching the "sponsored by" on PBS: I wish I was a No Child Left Behind because I always get lost in the mall of America."

Xavier: "I can smell your dinner."
Me: No you can't, I haven't started cooking it yet.
Xavier: Yes, I can. I can smell something *horwible*

And he walks off.

He won't sit at the same table with Liv if she is eating mac n cheese. Spaghetti sauce offends his delicate sensibilities. He pretty much survives on Pancakes, cereal and berries.

yesterday we were out of eggs so Jim used the groud flax seed substitute (1T ground flax seed, 1T water in place of one egg.)

Jim and I both felt triumphant that he ate them.

Things I hate:
The children's museum
people who through pencils instead of candy at parades.

The why?
When you through a pencil and it hits the street, the lead (graphite) breaks into pieces. So, months later, when you sharpen the pencil, you wonder why you cannot get the thing sharpened and the lead keeps breaking. Then you notice it says something like "New Prague National Bank" and you know.

Things that are good:
Finding a piano teacher not too far away.
I've paid for the rest of July, let her know about our travel plans in August and chosen a day adn time for September after school starts.
While Liv was having her first lesson today, Xav and I hit the liquor store and investigated the whole keg thing. You can't have a kegger without a keg, but man...
I think we will get two mini kegs--5 liters. Now the question is Bell's Two hearted Ale or Coors Light? (If you know me at all, you know the answer to that question. That silly rhetorical question.)

And with the five liter mini keg, there is no need for a tap, a deposit, or any of that stuff. Rock on.

This is the next to the last Wednesday I will be all alone with the kids all day long. Next week is that last week of summer session. Then a month off, then 14 credits of web classes and two labs. We'll see how it goes after that.

There is so little going on in my little life. really, this is the best I've got.

Pelligrio is what I am supposed to buy at SuperTarget

I've been up an hour and 45 min already. Here's what I have done:
Got in the car
drove to McDonald's for my free Skillet burrito with Medium Drink purchase. Total: $1.07
drove to work. Sun's not up yet
Settled in at my desk
Spent the remainder of the last hour sending Good Karma, little green plants and adding politicians to my Face book. Yes, I said it. Face book.

Yesterday I was at a "house-party" (I was ostensibly "co-hosting") in support of the Minneapolis Public school referendum that is coming up this fall** and the campaign manager said "if any of you are young enough or hip enough to have a facebook, you can friend us over there." Well, I didn't jump right up and announce that not only did I have a face book, I had a livejournal too, but I do! And I am neither young, nor hip in the grand scheme of things.

It was an interesting gathering. Keith Ellison was there, I got to meet Judy Farmer and a couple other school board members as well as Jill Davis, who is both from my neighborhood and running for school baord. Otherwise, I chatted with some people about parent engagement and parent leadership in the schools***.

Did a little politicking and a lot of listening and I was glad to get out of there and meet up with my family at a birthday party where there were "adult beverages" and the present my kids brought was a hit. (How can you go wrong with a fuzzy pink and purple unicorn when the gift receiver is a newly minted 6 year old girl?)

The rest of our weekend was pretty laid back. We picked strawberries on Friday after a big rain so I never did get down on the ground, I bent over the whole time. I spent the rest of the weekend walking kind of funny as my quadriceps hurt.

Saturday morning the kids and I and Jen'n'Sadie went to the Old Log theater to see teacher Jan Puffer in Charlotte's Web. The little story arch near the end where Fern runs off to ride the ferris wheel with Henry Fussey instead of hanging out with Wilber in the barn nearly had me in tears. Then Charlotte *dies* leaving her children with Wilber! Seriously, I had never seen the story as a tear jerker before.

Both my kids were good and didn't wiggle too much through the show. Then we had lunch at Adele's custard shop so it was a good outing altogether.

Saturday afternoon Xavier and I had naps while Liv did art projects, then we had a family outing to Target to procure the fluffy unicorn and get a new cell phone (among other fun things like socks, kitty litter and shampoo.)

Sunday morning was lazy, followed by politicking and the birthday party and that brings us all up to date to this very moment, really.

**$60 Million dollars, only ~$17 a month extra on your property taxes. "strong Schools Strong City"

***Have I mentioned that I took on the volunteer postilion of Facilitator for the Marcy Family Network? Yeah, that was part of why I was "co-hosting" this party...

When she was 11, I was thinking about having her watch my baby...

It never happened though.

At last report, the boyfriend has been arrested.

It is Thursday between 4 and 6.
And you are pretty quiet...

Did you hear that John McCain's top economic adviser said "America is a nation of whiners" and that it is only a "mental recession"?

What else is going on?

I was at the library twice yesterday, and Jim went to a different one once. Do we have a problem? I don't think so!

Today Xavier starts a 4 day camp (two days this week, two days next) called "Ice cream, you scream" Should be fun and give him something to do without the two bossy females in his life.

I had a lovely massage yesterday. She did some good work on my neck. If anyone local feels the need for one, I have a nice pile of referral cards where you get $10 off, so 60 minutes for $40 and if you say it was me that referred you, I get a free massage :) You know you want one...



Do you all have "life lists"? Like 100 things to do before you die, that kind of thing? I am thinking of making one, but I am looking for inspiration...

muffybolding has an eloquent paragraph before her list about the power of film. You should go read it.
Me, I just like movies.

Below is Entertainment Weekly's list of 100 Classic Movies of the past 25 years. Bold the ones you've seen, underline the ones you plan to.


1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

as I suspected, I have seen quite a few.

Look! There is only a tiny gap remaining and they are going to complete that this week!

Check out this cool pic. You can see the gap more clearly.



I am sure I am not the only one who is excited. Very excited!

The bridge!

Ready to get to work.
We had a nice quiet weekend, capped off by a terrible, terrible bedtime. Like at 10:30 they were still up and squirreley even though I was trying to sleep.
Plans this week include a visit to spryte44 and babe,
a massage during a child-free morning (a rare treat on both counts)
A bit of summer camp for Xav
some art in the park for Liv
Charlotte's Web at the Old Log theater on Saturday
and a birthday party for part of the family and some politicking and networking for me on Sunday.

Could be a busy week.

Today's accomplishments:
a little laundry
getting Liv a piano teacher. for $65 a month! (what a deal. Everyone else I have talked to thus far charges $80)
She sounds like she has a very similar philosophy to my mom as far as teaching, recitals and competition. Which is good.

Man, I was getting flash backs just asking her my list of questions though. But even through the flashbacks, the end result was "I want to take piano lessons!"

Actually, I want to take any kind of lessons**. Anyone local have something they want to teach me that I can barter for? I could teach you something, or pay you in bread or childcare or something...

Piano lessons, Daisies, first grade, would I be crazy to try and stick dance class in there as well? Liv really wants to take a dance class. Again, point me in the right direction, perhaps?

Jim is writing a paper or revising one, I don't know for sure.
And no one is home because it is a holiday weekend...blargh.
I guess I will go sort kids clothes. Or read a book. Or drink a beer. It is past one...

**Except knitting. Please don't throw things. But I really do not want to learn to knit.

My house is clean (well, the three main rooms) the dishes are done.
Food for spryte44 is ready
I had a five minute massage and got my glasses fixed at the farmer's market--and I bought mulberries to make a mulberry buckle.

My kids are at blessed Alice's and Jim and I are off on Adventures as soon as we both have had showers.

I am not usually one to dance gleefully on a grave, however-- Jesse Helms died!
Happy Fourth of July.

I remember the day he announced his retirement. I didn't hear the full report, and I thought he had died as NPR was doing a retrospective of his time in the senate. I was a little let down when I heard he was still alive.


Jim has a co-worker who professes to be a republican satanist. I told him to tell the guy we've got him covered as we are teaching our children that John McCain is evil.

Why am I on the computer on this glorious July day? Just waiting until I can wake up the guy and we can drive to Wisconsin for our usual fourth of July festivities. God help me, I have put effort into a dessert again. My kids like it, at least. There had better be beer.