Monday, March 19, 2007

Language Police

If you ever had a 6 year old.. you know that they are rule-followers. They love to tell you when you are breaking the rules (like going through a yellow light if they understand that concept) and they usually don't like to be late. Well, later on, these rule-followers become the Language Police for awhile. I have one such person in my home. His name is Andrew and he evaluates my language constantly and I just got my first report card.

Let me back up. When my kids were BORN I stopped swearing completely and for a few years, it became habit to not let those words into my vocabulary. When I started going out with friends again, I may let a word go here and there just for fun :). Well my oldest probably never heard me swear in front of her until she was 12 or older (she is 16 now). But that makes my youngest the most vulnerable to hearing a word or two. This is especially because raising teenagers seems to bring it out in me [smile.. I love being a mom].

So.. I have received a D for "around the house" and a B+ for "outside the house" and my overall grade is a C-. I actually got a written report card on this. There were some interesting comments that I won't go into, but I'm glad it was just my Language Report Card and not my "Mommy Report card". My self-esteem probably couldn't take that!

Just had to share. THis is the little guy who is yawning in the hardware store video. That was 3 years ago, though.
Have a great day.. Be grateful for everything!
Cassie

Friday, March 16, 2007

Underwater charades


Here I am in Bonaire with the Reef behind me. The "ok" sign is the sign in scuba for "all is well" meaning "I landed in the water ok" to "I saw that fish you just pointed at". Its really fun to scuba with deaf people because you can say so much more. A few years ago I met a deaf diver and we got to talk a lot. It was great. With hearing people it is just "point" and then "french angel" and then the other person says "okay". I still LOVE to scuba, tho. I can communicate quite a bit under water if I need to. I once said"Hey, quit swimming away. You need to stay here and be my buddy!" Just ask Kirk. I practically yelled at him underwater :)

the road.. and Eddie

Ever feel like you can't see the road ahead of you? I can see about 5 feet and the rest is like a fog. And yet I'm not usually worried by it because I'm so fascinated and distracted by the pebbles in the road, the scenery to the side, and focused on myself what I am thinking and feeling on the trip.

I'm totally into analogies and this one I'm sure fits many people. I feel like I've spent most of my life not planning on what is coming or could be coming. I sorta care what is coming, but I have too much to do in the moment to really bother to plan it. Luckily, I'm surrounded by people who don't care that much either so they aren't asking me the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" questions very often. If they start, I'll probably start wondering about it or feeling lost, but it will pass because soon I'll notice that craft class I can go to or my child will present me with a problem or a discipline challenge. So much to do.. who wants to think about all that is ahead?

Yet.. I have this great trust that it will be okay. I feel like God knows what is in the fog and is preparing me for it. I'm rather positive in that way.

I got Kirk to digitize a video I made that was for my dad for christmas in 2003. (I so sound like Eddie Izzard switching topics there - have you heard of him? he is a great comedian who is now in the show 'the riches'. He also played the guy who made the 'egg' in Ocean's 12. he is a clean comedian who swears. I can't explain that except to say that his topics are clean, but his language isn't. He just has one favorite word really. But he is hilarious. When he switches topics he just says "so.. yes. ... Wizards.. now they have all the luck." I just love him. ) The link for the video is here http://www.moredomainsforless.com/video/hardwarestoredslnewaudio.wmv
Hope you enjoy it. Those are my kids as "the band".
That's all for now.
Cassie