I almost ran over a guy in the middle of my street this morning when I left for work. Luckily he was wearing an orange reflective vest as he was surveying so I swerved to the right.
When I turned onto my street this evening I saw odd bright pink markings on the tarmac at regular intervals leading up to a lane a couple feet apart bordered by long pink stripes. Either someone was decorating or there's possibly going to be some road work delays in my future.
I was at the office later than normal last night and when I got to my car at the BART station I was shocked to see it was almost 9:00 because it was still so light out. Then I realized what day it was: the summer solstice.
I hope you enjoyed the longest day of the year!
So by now you must've noticed the addition to the top of my sidebar: the Countdowns from MuggleNet.
With just 27 days until the movie comes out, it's time to be planning our reading schedule to prepare. Or are you just going to watch the movies? I think I'll try re-reading everything. If I time it right, I can have books 1–5 read before the movie and then read HBP.
The Order of the Phoenix is one of my favorite books of the series but after my disappointment with the last movie, my hopes are not too high for this one. I'm looking forward to Luna appearing and Hermione being a mover and shaker behind the DA. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. (can't wait!!)
Can you believe it's only a little over a month until The Deathly Hallows is out? Have you ordered yours yet? Sorry, Sal, but I ordered mine from Amazon. (I'm a bit worried that they'll try to deliver it on that Saturday to the office. I may be sitting here at home for two days while the rest of the world is reading TDH! Perhaps I should consider staking out the office until the UPS guy arrives.)
Are you sad yet that the story is ending? Who do you think is going to die? I'm thinking it'll be Ron. I hope it's not Harry. I hope I can resist reading the end before I get to it. It'll be so hard. (can't wait!!)
So I figured out why I was so confused when I started reading For a Few Demons More. I was able to fly through the first books in the series as I was lounging around being sick this week. There were only a couple days when I didn't feel up to reading much. As I started the fourth book, A Fistful of Charms, it just didn't seem familiar. In fact, I had never read it at all! Well, I'm glad I gave up on FaFDM or I would've missed a fun romp over the Mackinac Bridge.
I've been sick with a sore throat and clogged up sinuses for the last week. I've been at work a total of 1.25 days this week. I was hoping to get May bookkeeping done today so I could work from home tomorrow but my boss came by and made me chat with him for over half an hour so I think I'll just hope I'm feeling as good tomorrow morning as I did this morning. Well enough to make the trek from home to work anyway.
Have you ever started a book, maybe the third or fourth book in a series, and after a couple chapters realized you have no idea who the characters are and what happened to them previously?
That happened to me when I started reading For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison, the fifth book in The Hollows series. Either my memory is really bad or it's been way too long since I read the other books but I had no idea who Ivy, Nick and Ceri were. I decided to give up and re-read the first ones.
I won't be able to read them on BART however since the only versions available were ebooks. I checked out the first three and downloaded them to my computer for reading at my leisure. Well, I might have to hurry since For a Few Demons More is due on the 26th. We'll see if I can get them all read by then.
I was smart enough to know I'd have no clue what was going on in Sharon Shinn's The Thirteenth House as it has been a long time since I read Mystic and Rider. So I reserved both of them and am busily re-reading M&R before delving into the sequel.
I'm not sure I'll get to my Netflix movies this weekend...
Excerpts of emails from Joanna
Sun, 4 Jun 2000 (from Grandma W.)
Last Sunday, Sheryl was teaching Sunday School during worship hour. At one point she was reading a story about "Where Is God?" Zander was off to the side, playing by himself. She didn't think he was paying attention to her. The story asks the birds, "Where is God?" They say he's with them where it's so pretty. Also, the fish when questioned say He's with them where it's so pretty. As she ends the story, Sheryl said she asked emotionally, "Where is God?" Zander gets up, comes to her, spreads his arms and says , "I don't know, but my dad does. I'll go upstairs and ask him. Shall I go ask him?" And he takes off to do it.
Mon, 5 Jun 2000
Today, Zander and I built a garage for his cars out of wood. He even did part of the nailing. John hasn't seen it. I'm sure no building inspector in the world would approve of it. Then I taught Zander how to sew today. I had the leg I cut off a pair of pants so we turned it into a bag with a drawstring. Zander did some of the sewing so he's enthralled with it. He only poked me with the needle a couple of times so I thought it was a success.
Wed, 19 Jul 2000
Zoe [born July 10] is doing really well. She is eating and sleeping really well. She's just so quiet. I keep waiting for the crying to start. It will any day now. Zander is still so in love with her. He checks on her all the time, holds her, hugs her, and tells her he loves her. It is so cute.
Fri, 21 Jul 2000
Zoe's cord stump fell off today and Zander couldn't be happier. He kept wanting her to wear things that cover it up so he didn't have to look at it. Now he just wants to take a bath with her.
Thu, 5 Oct 2000
So this morning Zander and I were discussing Halloween and a costume for him to wear. He'll be having a party at school and it might be trick or treat night when we're down at Anne's. I suggested he go as a cowboy because he has a hat, vest, bandana, and his appaloosa stick horse. He agreed right away and said he wanted to play rodeo.
...
He went and got his appaloosa and explained that Zoe was going to be the calf. He counted to five and then said GO! He ran around the room with the horse then threw Appaloosa down, grabbed a sock off the floor and hog tied Zoe's feet. She giggled a lot and so they did it over and over and over for about 20 minutes. He'd count and then gallop around, throw down the horse, and then hogtie Zoe. Then he wanted her to be a rodeo clown so I had to put a stop to that. He said she had her own bull named Tomato that she wanted to ride but I decided it was time to read stories then.
Cowboy Zander
Tue, 10 Oct 2000
Since Zoe's starting to like the pacifier, Zander asked what "pacifier" meant. John told him that it mean "to pacify, to calm down." Zander said, "Yeah, but what's the fire part for?"
Thu, 30 Nov 2000
Zander has been so annoying lately, ignoring us and stuff. So John took him to the doctor today and found out he has a double ear infection.... I feel really bad about yelling at him now.
Excerpts of emails from Joanna
Sun, 2 Jan 2000
Zander and my dad went for a horse ride. Zander was sitting behind the saddle, holding on to my dad. With all his winter clothes, he wasn’t stable, though. He slipped off and dad grabbed him but couldn't pull him back up without dropping the reigns. They were in a narrow stretch between the electric fence and the woods so that wasn't an option. He just dropped Zander gently in the snow. Zander thought it was great fun. Then my dad put Zander in the saddle by himself and led the horse home. Zander thought that was even better than landing in the snow.
Tue, 22 Feb 2000 (from Grandma W.)
Zander will be with us until Thursday. He just finished doing a pretty good job of rinsing and stacking the dishes, as I washed. Then he after he played in the water awhile, he wanted to soak his feet. (I think we did this before for some good reason). So I put the rinse pan on the floor and he sat on the stool he'd been standing on. He's been in and out of the water, covered the pan with the towel, and is now threatening to drown his socks (which he did- then put the socks back on!). Yesterday we went out to play in the snow a couple times. Since it was in the mid-40's the snow was 'raining' off the roof. Of course, he stood in it and 'took a shower'.
Fri, 25 Feb 2000 (more from Grandma W.)
On Wednesday Zander went with us to West Shore Hospital while Don had his MRI (on his shoulder) He ate something for breakfast, maybe a couple Pop Tarts and orange juice. At the hospital and on the way home, he ate a bag of plain M&Ms (even tho he wanted the ones with peanuts). At Burger King he took a little time out from playing/sliding to eat a few French fries and drink his whole chocolate milkshake. (Grandpa claims I've spoiled him rotten). [Uh, gee, y'think? italics added for emphasis]
...
At Ladies Aid at Reta's he wouldn't eat anything but when we got home at 3:30 he and Grandpa ate a whole lot of frosted mini-wheats. I tried giving him some chicken corn soup (with rice and noodles) for supper, but 'no luck'. Then while I was dipping my honeyed toast (no oleo) into hot tea he was willing to eat apple slices (we were having some, too) if he got a short glass with water so he could dip his apple into it. He had fun dropping them in and reaching into the water to get them out. He did eat most of an apple. He really wanted some chocolate milk with his supper, but I told him he'd had enough chocolate in the M&Ms.
...
Thursday morning he did a good job eating cheerios and blueberries with a little milk (we ran out before Don got his), but only because I fed him the last half. He eats pretty good if fed. Otherwise he's more likely to want to play with his food. He drank a bottle of orange juice on his way home.
Mon, 28 Feb 2000 (more from Grandma W.)
While we were walking the halls at West Shore Hospital, waiting for Don during his MRI, Zander and I came upon the 'chapel/mediation' room next to the Emergency Entrance. We went in and he saw the small kneeling bench and the cross on the wall above it. After examining the bench, raising and lowering it a time or two, he stood up on it and said "I'm the man who makes the speech." Then he proceeded to talk a little (quite short). Then he 'sang' - with lively movements - one of Veggie Tale songs. After that he said "God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food. Amen" and hopped down.
Tue, 29 Feb 2000
> Speaking of amazing Zander stories, did Dad tell you
> about when they were going to get hay, and Zander said
> "Uncle Fitz has a truck just like this!" I don't know
> when the last time he would have seen it, but I'm sure
> it was a long time ago.
Erica sent this to me today. My dad bought Fitz's truck a couple of months ago....
Exerpts of emails from Joanna: July–December 2001
Wed, 11 Jul 2001
We had a sort of [birthday] celebration for Zoe at my parents' house. My mom and dad got her a Fisher Price farm thing and Erica and Fitz got her some Veggie Tales toys and a glittery fork and spoon set and a fish plate and bowl. Zoe loves to carry her new fork around.
Thu, 12 Jul 2001
Today was Zoe's check up. She weighed 18 pounds, 11 ounces. We weighed her on both baby scales and it never went up. Maybe she was just wearing heavy clothing two weeks ago when I took her in because she was 19 pounds 6 ounces, then. She's only in the 30th percentile for weight but she's in the 95th for height. The doctor said we need to get her on a high calorie diet and "fatten her up." She's supposed to get a lot of chocolate milk, cottage cheese, yogurt and whatever she wants to eat. She must be wearing off more than she's eating because of her activity level. So, we'll push a lot of food at her for a while and hope that is the reason for this. Otherwise, she was healthy and normal in her development stats.
Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Zoe has been enjoying the sandbox today. She likes to fill up buckets and dump them out. It's a little cloudy so the sand isn't burning from the sun beating down on it.
Thu, 19 Jul 2001 (from John)
Zoe is becoming more and more intentional in her communications. She has definite signs and indications of when she wants to be picked up and when she is hungry (she goes and sits in front of a specific cupboard) and when she wants more of something. She is doing very well sleeping in her own room and being weaned.
Tue, 23 Oct 2001 (Christmas Wish List)
Zoe really likes things she can carry around in her hand. Fisher Price "Little People" are really nice. She also loves taking baths and splashing water around. She wears a size 18 months right now. She looks really good in red. Side note: She usually wears things that she can move around easily in like leggings. She doesn't like anything that slows her down. She barely tolerates dresses. We've been having a problem with clothing being too wide for her skinny little body and a lot of clothing falls off her.
Thu, 6 Dec 2001
Zoe is talking more and more. It's amazing to hear how many words she puts together now. She's very relieved we can finally understand her. She especially likes to say "I want to eat" and "I want my cup." She also likes to tell John about the things I do (although one day she told him I kicked the cat and that wasn't true.....).
...
Zoe thinks she is ready to come out of her room from her nap. She's been up off the floor in her twin bed for a few months now. I'm dreading the day she learns to manipulate the door knob, though. Right now, she just knocks and calls to me when she's done sleeping. She's been so funny because now she tells us when she's pooping. She gets a funny look on her face and says "Poooooop!"
Tue, 18 Dec 2001
Zoe is running around naked. I came in here to find her some pjs. She's taking off her socks and running away again. Taz was over earlier and she got so mad she that couldn't go downstairs to play basketball with them. She kept calling "Zander! Taz!" They didn't listen to her.
Thu, 20 Dec 2001
I was speaking to my mom on the phone and Zoe was playing quietly. I walked into the kitchen and saw that Zoe had taken the eggs out of the fridge and broke them all over!! What a mess! So I bundled her up and walked to Home Depot. They didn't have child latches for fridges there. Then I walked to the new Aldi but they didn't have any there, either. So I walked home. It's brisk but sunny. I'm going to have to drive to Menard's later.
...
I took a bunch of pictures of Zoe on her new rocking horse from today. My parents got it for her for Christmas. She loves it. The only thing weird about the pictures is that she felt the need to wrinkle up her nose. She looks a little freakish, I think.
Zoe and Zippy, October 2001
Exerpts of emails from Joanna: April–June 2001
Mon, 2 Apr 2001
Zoe's new favorite food is potting soil. I was repotting our tree and she stood up and reached into the pot and ate a few handfuls. She had a huge grin on her face the whole time.
Wed, 18 Apr 2001
Zoe finally got a tooth today. It's all very exciting. I was so worried she was going to be walking first since she's getting so brave and letting go of furniture. I noticed the tooth when I was prying her mouth open to get something she grabbed off the floor.
Sat, 21 Apr 2001
Zoe took her first couple of steps today! She had been standing alone a little bit for the last day or two and today she stepped alone. Of course we didn't take any pictures of the steps but I did get a picture of her standing alone at the Gardens today. What a big week we've had. Zander turned 5. Zoe got her first tooth and she took her first step. Next week we go for Zander's kindergarten screening. I'm starting to feel so old!!
Fri, 4 May 2001
Zoe fell today and was bleeding in her mouth all over the place. It was horrible.
Fri, 22 Jun 2001 (from John)
Zoe is now at the point where she is walking more than she is crawling. When she really wants to go fast she crawls. It is so funny to be in the living room and hear her flying across the kitchen floor. She gets on to the carpet and stops to grin at you, then off she goes again. She is much more active than Zander was at this age.
Thu, 28 Jun 2001
Zoe has now moved to her own room and she sleeps on the futon mattress. She has been doing ok. She's been doing better than I thought with not breastfeeding. She gets upset and I tell her she's a big girl now and needs to drink from a cup. She doesn't scream at all in her own room. She took a three hour nap and woke up happy. She played in the pool with Zander and played outside for a long time. She's back to the sweet baby she was before! I'm so happy.
Exerpts of emails from Joanna: January–March 2001
Wed, 10 Jan 2001
Zander can't wait to have someone to play with besides his sister. She grabs and scratches a lot and doesn't like to share her legos.
Mon, 29 Jan 2001
Zoe is rolling around on the floor here, trying to figure out how to get around the desk. She's crawling backwards and starting to realize how to move her legs forward. It's a work in progress. So far her little teeth haven't popped out down below but they're letting us know they're there.
...
Looks like Zoe figured out how to get around the desk so I'd better save the roll of paper she's getting into. She just loves the sound of ripping paper.
Thu, 8 Feb 2001
Zoe is feeling much better after her system was being slow for a while. I got her some sort of laxative and she's much bettter today. In fact, she's been into everything from ripping a cover off a book to grabbing the plants to crawling under a pile of toys and getting her head stuck in a basket. She figured out yesterday that she can crawl forward, much to my horror. Nothing in the house is safe anymore and it's harder to keep track of her. As soon as I turn my head, she's gone. She especially likes to get into Zander's toys. Her two favorites are a big plastic lobster and a stuffed snake. Even so, it's a huge improvement over her being uncomfortable and whiny.
Mon, 12 Feb 2001
Zoe is crawling forward better and has now decided to stand. Nothing is safe. She was laying on her back, kicking the new cable receiver the day after we got it. I had to rescue a spider plant from her clutches. She still likes to pinch everyone. She's getting better about not pulling my hair. And still she has no teeth! For months I've been swearing they're about to pop through and then they don't. It's odd. But at least it keeps her from biting us! I was just thinking today how one of the nurses commented that they'd never seen a fetus kick around so much. Hmmm.... thought it would slow down a bit but it hasn't.
Tue, 13 Feb 2001
(when I mentioned Sasquatch in a previous email, Joanna thought I was referring to Zoe when I really had meant the hairiest John I'd ever seen)
Yes, Sasquatch is looking chubbier because she's on the verge of a growth spurt. In about two weeks, she'll look skinny and taller. Crawling all over is making her look thinner, too. She was playing around with some golf clubs tonight, holding on with one hand and having her legs straight so that her butt was up in the air. She's definitely got personality, that's for sure.
Wed, 7 Mar 2001
Zoe was asleep on the floor earlier and I went to the bathroom. While I was there, she woke up. I called to her and told her I was in the bathroom and she crawled to me. I was amazed. But then, even in her immature mind, she probably knows that's the logical place to find me!
Fri, 9 Mar 2001
Zander just came in saying he had a little baby for me and he brought a laughing Zoe. He was holding her under the armpits and she was bouncing up and down. It was cute but she's a bit too heavy for him. Now he's taking her for a walk. She's not cooperating but she's having fun.
Tue, 13 Mar 2001
Zoe took 21 steps pushing Zander's red plastic tray! She just kept walking and walking. It was crazy. The tray doesn't have wheels or anything. Once she started going, I was so shocked that I counted to see how far she would go. The tray is about 6 inches off the ground with a pocket on either side so that his legs can sit under it while he works or eats. Zoe has to bend over a little to reach it but she seems to love her new freedom. She was cruising all over the room with it. She's been cranky for a while so I finally got her to sleep - IN HER CRIB!! It's crazy!!
One of the benefits offered by my employer is called Tenure/Compensatory Leave. Our salaries are based on a range of six or eight steps and when you've reached the top of the range—and therefore will get no more significant raises in the future—you are encouraged to take a four-week paid leave every three years once you've been at the organization for at least five years. I remembered taking such a leave at some point and was wondering how long ago it was and how many I've missed since then.
I figured out that it was in the fall of 2001 that I took my four weeks off but I couldn't remember where I had gone. I opened up my old email program to look for clues. I discovered that 2001 was a very busy year. After my trip to Seattle where I got severe bronchitis, I discovered in January I had asthma. My parents' house burned down also in January so everyone but me gathered there to help them recover.
I went to spring training for a weekend with my friend Tree who's from the Phoenix area. Mom and Dad went to Vienna, Austria in May and Sallie and I took a road trip that month to visit nearly everyone in the family. Mike and Beth got to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York. Anne's family moved from Ohio to Illinois in the summer. And I went to MN and MI for my month off. While I was there, my officemate totalled my car! But that's a whole 'nother story.
I was looking back through some old emails and found this gem:
At 5:03 PM -0800 3/13/01, Joanna wrote:
>So I've been wondering what corned beef was and what
>it tasted like. I bought some last night and followed
>all the directions for cooking it. I did everything
>right and it was the most vile salty tasting crap I've
>ever had. Plus our house smells so horribly. We each
>took one bite and threw it in the trash and went to
>Russ' for dinner. I can't believe anyone would like
>corned beef. With my one bite, my tongue was
>practically swollen and I couldn't get the taste out
>of my mouth!!
>j
My reply was:
>I nearly threw up that sounds so nasty. I'm trying to
>remember if I've ever had corned beef. If it were as
>bad as you describe, I'm sure I would remember.
