Talk about Cosmic...

This one is for you Jojo.  For some reason, I began watching reruns of "Cosmos" on Netflix last night.  In doing so I realized I was fascinated with Pulsars....  So, in doing some random research, I came across this short video.  Whoa!  Check it out!


The Universe: Pulsars & Quasars from Darryl Rehr on Vimeo.

Nothing like a good glass of water.

These were my mother's last words.  

Strange and oddly profound in their simplicity... much like her.

Helen Domenica Recchi Oct 23, 1923- Jan 23, 2011

You are missed, but we will keep your spirit with us in our cooking, our love and our humor.

Safe passage, we love you.

The 7th Sense

Harley's new favorite show is something called Wild Kratts.  It's a mixture of cartoon characters and stories about animals, then real people and real animals are shown.  I'm not in love with the animation, but he seems to like it alright.

Today's show was about the Duckbill Platypus.  A fascinating creature. We found out that the DP has a 6th sense!  One that we don't have.  It has something to do with sensing the electrical output of what's around it through spots located on it's bill.  Harley calls this the "transporter sense".

It is part of Harley's nightly ritual to ask me if I know something as part of his settling down before bedtime thing.  He'll be real quiet for a few minutes sometimes, and I'll think I'm almost home free... then he'll pipe up with, "Mom, did you know...."?  (Some tidbid that he passes off as factual on whatever topic or  notion happens to be running through his mind at the time).  I mostly find this amusing and fascinating (on nights when I'm not grouchy or tired myself)  Tonight's topic was senses.  My new and improved understanding is that there are 10.  I was only told about 7, 8 and 10 though.  He's leaving me in suspense about #9... I asked if I could post about it.  He said "sure".  Then I had the idea to have him help me write it, so that is what we are going to do tomorrow after school.

He's pretty excited about it.  And honestly, I think the things that he says are much more intriguing and cosmic than anything I have to say... it could be because I'm his mommy and we are supposed to feel that way.
But I don't think so.

We'll be back tomorrow to elaborate further on the 10 senses and what they mean to you!
xo

Damn it's cold

So, our thermostat quit.  Or so we thought.  Hub tried to replace it yesterday and it appears that was/is not the problem.  It is cold in these drafty old poorly insulated houses even with the heat working.  Thank goodness we have not had hard freeze temps this week.... however, it is still colder IN the house than out.

Poor ole Harley.  He is such a trooper.  He slept donning his cute little Target winter hat which is soft as a bunny rabbit and has fabulous ear flaps that velcro together.  I slept with him and we had a small space heater to help and we were quite warm and snuggly.  Very hard getting out of the covers this morning though. UGH!  I'm too old for this shit!

In other news, I'm still looking for work and we are trying not to be anxious about our teetery finances.  Happy New Year to us!  I am trying to focus on things I am grateful for so I don't get sucked into the abyss of "Everything sucks, and then you die".  So here's my list:

I am grateful for these things:
My family and friends are relatively happy and healthy
I actually have a family and friends!
We have a roof overhead... and even with all the rain in the last few days, has not leaked... yet.  (We do have a nasty little leak in the hall).
The milder temps this week.
We have a space heater.
Ever is home and safe with her family.
The electricity is still working.
The cars are both still working.
I may actually find a job (AKA there are actual jobs out there requiring skills I loosely posses.)
No new negative action being reported in the middle east... that I know of.
We do have food and our sense of humor.
Harley and our kitty seems to be happy and unaffected by recent events.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Anything can happen!
I have a shiny new Xanax script.


Stay warm ya'll, and send those warm thoughts our way.
Peace, pf

THE Christmas list, and other goodies.

HARLEY's OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS LIST 2010:
1- Leggos
2- Train layout (Maybe North Pole Express)  
3- Toy Christmas tree, including star on top and lights
4-Toy SUN, to go with the hanging glow in the dark planets
5-Toy Farm (Cows, chickens and coop ah, hem, barn, pigs)
6-Stuffed Monkey
7-Train tunnels for Thomas layout (straight green preferred)
8-More cardboard blocks
9-New Train Puzzle
10-Train video
11-Train picture on a candy cane (?)  (Ah, yea, ok.)
12-Toy washer and dryer (Really?)  
13- A castle, with a King
14- Toy light and light switch (?)  My kid is so odd!
15-Another Snow Globe (A little more snowy than the last one and with white snow).
16-Five plastic plants (WHAT is this kid ON??!)
17-Compass 

So there it is.

I've written a million posts in my mind the past month or so, but I guess the writing thing is not as much of a relaxing outlet for me as I'd like.  I mean I do enjoy doing it, but I can't do it when my head is spinning.  Some people can, and it helps to clear things up for them.... me?  I just babble incoherently.  I opt to not share the babble too often, so my posting has become very intermittent.  If you are reading this, thanks for sticking around....

This is going to be what Ms Moon calls a brown bag post.  Just a little of this and a little of that.  Currently I am watching Sesame Street with my boy, Harley.  Well, I am half watching it.  Ironically, Elmo (Melmo) is on.  Ms Moon posted about her grandson's love for the red furry guy this very morning.  Mr. Noodle is on.  I hate that guy.  He is just so annoying and mentally challenged... I can't imagine why Elmo keeps asking this man to answer the big life questions, like:  "How do people eat"?  But, I suppose the preschool set enjoys slapstick and being smarter than a grown up once in a while, so there is that.

Our tree is lovely.  Just lovely.  I am also stealing glances at it, since it is right next to the TV.  There is something wrong with that, but it really just fits perfectly in that corner.... What can you do?  The boys decorated it this year without my assistance.  I was baking.  They did a marvelous job and the kitty has already knocked off a few of the bottom ornaments to "Christen" the holiday season.  It has officially begun, so says the cat!

The past week, I've been dodging mad texting drivers and pedestrians donning Santa hats, as I'm sure all of you have as well.  For some reason, I've only had a few seasonal melt downs... mostly in the traffic.  The stores, although crowded, were not at all horrible.  In fact, this year the Dollar Tree got it down!  They had plenty of cheap ass merchandise and cashiers a go-go.  No waiting.  Me likes.  I had one of the best random holiday moments to date on that trip.  So, there I was at the damn Dollar Tree, zoning out in front of some Whinnie the Pooh doo dads, when all of a sudden three beautiful black girls stroll up to my isle and one of them poses the question: "Why are we here again"?  To which another replied: "Um, I forgot."  Well, that was it for me.  I peered at them over my glasses, and busted out laughing, which started the lot of them chortling and belly laughing too, which I'm pretty sure spread down the length of the isle.  We were all just shellacked in an extra thick coating of seasonal glaze.  I finally replied as they were wandering off aimlessly, "You girls sound like I feel".  More laughter.  I have to say, that was hands down my BEST Dollar Tree experience EVER!  And to top it off, I got lots of stuff that I couldn't find in regular stores like: dollar Christmas wrapping paper, 2$ Christmas Snow Globe WITH a TRAIN inside (BONUS!!), holiday goody bags, mystery grab bags, a 1$ pairing knife, stocking stuffers galore, and oh so much more!  I got out for about 25 bucks.   UNbelievable!  Sigh.  Life is good.

In other more important news, nobody has had so much as a runny nose, much less the usual winter asthma.  This is a blessing more valuable than any other.  As far as we know. we and ours are in good health and of reasonably good cheer.  This is highly unusual, and much appreciated.

Harley and I were folding clothes today.  His job is to match and fold all the socks.  I taught him how and he adores doing it.  For some reason today, he got the notion to stuff ALL of the socks down his pajamas bottoms....  I am only mentioning it because it is so insanely goofy and inexplicable!   So, of course, I had to take a picture, because how can you not preserve that holiday moment?  I don't think it would be appropriate to post said photos, but they are quite hilarious in a twisted kind of way.  Kids these days.

I'll leave you all with a holiday greeting I received from my very conservative cousin.  I think it's quite funny and reaches across the table or the isle or whatever they call it.  Happy Holidays ya'll!

To My Liberal Friends: 

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011 but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America  is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America  in the  Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Conservative Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you have a few minutes... watch this.

If you're lucky, it will make you cry.
just a little

Blank

Hey ya'll.

There's been a whole lot to post about, but honestly I think I'm just in shock.  Nothing serious, just sort of the impending holiday ADHD overwhelmed kind of shock.  I cannot concentrate long enough when I'm sitting still to make any of it sound interesting or coherent even.  But I figured if I didn't at least throw something up here, ya'll would abandon me for sure.  That would be sad.

Ok, so here's the insanity report:

Harley is as cute as ever.  His party went great.  He is now 5.  He told me yesterday as we were dining on egg sandwiches at Borders (3.50 for egg, spinach and cheese sand... Deal of the century!), he says,
"Mom, I have a hypothesis.  I think I'm going to LOVE Kindergarten!"
God I love this kid.

My hub is having hernia surgery today.  It's outpatient.  It's supposed to be no big deal, but you never know.  You just don't.

We acquired a litter of baby mice over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our cat killed the mama.  Then, one by one, the babies were getting caught.  As this happened over the course of a 24 hour period we were quite astounded and humored.  Each one was discovered before kitty could put the fear of death into them... well, except one.  I think she punctured it and we didn't know about it.  He/she died after a few days.  Anyway, the hub was really patient with me waking him in the middle of the night to go catch yet another "customer", as we affectionately refer to them.  I have been meaning to call St. Francis to see if they'll take them as I just cannot bear to set them out in the cold.  I know they belong there, but still.  I want someone else to do it!  They are cute as the dickens!  They are really tiny and gray with big ears and eyes.  Very sweet.  I have to mention for those of you who do not know, my cat has only three legs.  I find it incredible that she can hunt so well.  Better in fact than when she had all four.  Life is weird.

My nephew and his wife got into a bad car accident.  They are ok, but her grandma was in the back seat and she died.  This is very sad for us all.  Grandma was very sweet, and it's all really tragic.

I'm looking for work as my feet have been dragging through the process of "building my business"  It's so odd to me, because when I worked at a bar, I had NO problem with the marketing and promotion thing... it was just like inviting everyone to a huge party where you are the hostess and you know it will be great because there are endless supplies of yummy food and libations and and fun people and fine music... but this whole encouraging people to spend money on my services, sans alcohol, sans music, sans food, sans any props at all?  Well, that just don't seem right.  I'm clearly not as interesting or confident as when there is booze involved.  Is anyone?  I'm pretty confident about my bar tending skills, but I'm too old for that shit.  I am.

Well, I have to go now.  The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About THAT is coming on.
Ta.