Sparks and Butterflies

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

An Example of Good Parenting
2012-02-10 18:27:00
I may piss people off with this one, but so be it. There’s a video that has gone viral. It has folks up in arms both for and against. I’m FOR. So here’s the video. And then I break down my thoughts below. *Warning: There is cussing, so no little kids – but hey… Have your teenagers watch it – we’re actually going to have our kids watch it, swearing and all. And the swearing actually comes from the teenager’s post, not the parent. My thoughts, which I posted as a comment on the video in a highly condensed fashion: I think posting this video on her wall is a stroke of genius. The folks whining about how embarrassing that is and shame on him? Um. Number one, she opened that door. Number two, he’s posting on her forum – meaning this is the way she communicates with the world. He’s doing it on her turf, in other words. That’s a greater impact, her friends may think twice about disrespecting their own parents, and it...

They Say…
2012-02-07 15:34:00
They say… that the school system is good. Homeschooling is bad. Protect our teachers! They help our kids! In one school in the Los Angeles school district, one teacher is being investigated after doing seriously nasty things (after a film developer was like, “ew” and alerted the cops – Related: how dumb is he to try and get his bondage photos developed?) and another is being investigated in the same school for abuse allegations. My kids, while we live in Los Angeles County, are in their own school districts, so technically, this isn’t “our problem.” I’m still extremely frustrated though – these are children, and my kids attend public school. But check this article out. Here are some quotes from the article that make me livid. Many parents said they want to know how the alleged acts happened during school hours. IN THE CLASSROOM, during the school day. I’d want to know too. Parents of several alleged victims are already t...

Surreal Morning
2012-02-03 19:42:00
Logan had a 3rd grade “performance” this morning. Including percussion instruments. It was… painful and enthusiastic all at the same time! Cymbal players are very enthusiastic. Logan played the vibes, and I really need to get him into percussion class. The kid has an inherent talent. No, I’m not just taking about my kid ’cause he’s perfect. Joseph has absolutely no rhythm whatsoever, but is a talented artist. I know percussion (band geek) and he’s got “it.” So, the morning was spent reminding Poe not to laugh every time there was this random enthusiastic cymbal hit out of no where. We were second into the auditorium, which meant we sat right in front. So Poe, being Poe, went up the mom who was there first to congratulate her. Don’t ask. Poe’s just like that, and when he’s had no sleep from working all night, I pick my battles. Anyway, we start talking to this mom, and I’m trying to be cool. Mom talk &ndas...
More About: Morning , Surreal

My Son Has Been Censored
2012-01-26 01:20:00
Fabulous. My son had to write a story for school that he made up. It will eventually be published in hardback with his illustrations. I won’t tell you the story verbatim, but here’s the basic gist: A boy is out on a boat, and he’s having troubles, so his three friends come to help him. As they’re bringing the boat back, limping along, they come upon a shark (IT WAS A SHARK! – My son has already mastered the “caps is yelling rule.”) So, the three friends harpoon it to save their lives. The come back to shore to have shark sushi. The end. The rough draft came back. No harpoons. No killing. Or come up with a different story all together. We aren’t talking about a killing rampage. Or of a murderous person. Or of random animal killing for fun. Boys on an adventure in a ship kill a threat on the sea, thus saving themselves. Apparently, this is the result of the “no tolerance” ban on weapons in the school. I’m surprised he w...

I am Uneasy About Los Angeles Military Training
2012-01-25 03:47:00
OK. So, the military will be training in Los Angeles . That link is from local news, main stream. It has a tone of, “Don’t worry, nothing to see here.” I live in a suburb town about 10 minutes (ok, an hour with traffic, Good Lord the traffic) from Los Angeles. The “tin foil hat” sites that I frequent are BLOWING.UP.  I’m not going to share those links with you. I’m just going to share my thoughts. The military has entire installations with all kinds of settings for training – as well it should. My husband, a former Marine, has trained in whole urban towns, sewers and all, for potential urban atmospheres. Those urban towns are on base. So, I immediately come to the thought of why is Los Angeles necessary? With the various conflicts around the world, people angry with the United States, and the mere names of Iran and Israel creating anxiety, there’s certainly the threat of war. With the defense act, Agenda 21, FEMA camps, and US ci...
More About: Military , Training

Is This for Real?
2011-12-23 22:01:00
I get a lot of pitches. LOTS of pitches. I chuck them daily, and only read the ones addressed to ME, not “Dear Ms.,” “Hi,” or “Dear Mommyblogger.” You see I’m pretty clear on my blog, if you know where to look (and I would think PR folks would know where to look), that I do have a review blog, where to contact me, who I am, etc. I tend to only read the ones from networks I belong to and work with, or the ones addressed to, “Dear Michele.” This one was addressed to ME. So I opened it. Here it is in all its glory. Dear Michele, Happy Holidays! We’d love your opinion on our new e-book/app for kids, “The Worst Book Ever!”  The description is below. Thank you! [REDACTED] —————&mdash ;————— The Worst Book Ever! (available for iPhone and iPad via iTunes) Does your child love to eat mushrooms, apply sunscreen, do chores, and go to bed early? We didn’t th...
More About: Real

A Fact I Didn’t Know
2011-12-20 19:02:00
My dad is 77 years old. A couple of years ago, he got a computer. You’re looking at “Tech Support.” Anyway, he’s still in the email phase of email forwards of every single funny thing he’s sent. And no, I’m not about to attempt to explain “BCC” to him, so if I have your email address and you didn’t want me to? I apologize. I pick my battles. Anyway, he sent me the following. It’s cute – thought I’d share. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should’ve known… ONLY women would be abl...
More About: Fact

Monday Love
2011-12-20 01:09:00
Nothing is wrong, per se. My father and assorted clients are just making today a real Monday , with a capital M, you know? I needed a break, so I thought I’d post something that Carmen posted on her anniversary that really spoke to me. She found it on Pinterest, so hopefully the attribution is correct. He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect ...

Life Well Lived – Getting Organized for the Holidays
2011-12-17 02:10:00
As part of the BlogHer Life Well Lived series, we were asked this question: The holidays make me so anxious! How can I stay organized this year? It has taken me years to come to the point I am at. What point is that? The point at which I no longer care what everyone else does. Others’ perception of what I “should” be doing no longer matter. I used to think I wanted the “perfect” Christmas. With the lights, and the presents, the traditions, the perfect children anticipating Santa, the family togetherness… Everyone in my life should receive a gift. My children should receive every single thing on their list. The biggest tree my ceiling will allow. A few things that helped slap me silly: My children love Santa in THEORY. The man in the suit? Not so much. I have maybe two Santa Pics of my kids. They flat out refused to sit on that man’s lap – and speak? Oh Hells No. I am not going to force them. My children are not perfect, nor are they ...
More About: Holidays

Explain This to Me
2011-12-09 16:35:00
As an aside before I come to the topic on my mind… Mom got out of the hospital… and went right back in. That’s all I’m going to say because I’m rather pissed at some people involved in her care, and I just don’t want to get into it right now. But – what I wanted to ask about. OK. Most of my readers know I’m a “Christian.” I use the quotes because I’ve come to have some rather eclectic ideas. But that’s not the point. My question is this… Why are atheists now denouncing, taking down, or attempting to take down expressions of faith (examples include nativity scenes during this season)? If Jewish folks set up their menorahs, it does not bother me, and I don’t believe in their faith. When I see Muslim folks doing their prayers, it does not bother me, and I don’t believe in their faith. When I see expressions of other faiths, it does not bother me. I guess what the problem is, for me – if y...

Where We Stand Right Now
2011-11-30 16:24:00
A catch up post of sorts. My new computer doesn’t come until next Tuesday. I’m checking the website every day to see if there are changes, as this old computer of Poe’s is killing me. I’m a great typist, but there is something about this keyboard. I’ve got typos EVERYWHERE, and randomly keep turning on the Caps Lock key. And it’s very slow, and my efficiency has taken a huge hit. It’s all my own fault for spilling the stupid soda. I can’t really afford the computer, but I certainly can’t afford not to work. Sigh. My mother is out of the hospital and is at home. As usual, they cannot find the source of the bleeding, and then she spontaneously stopped, so they kicked her out. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been through this in the last 6 years. I’m saddened by our lack of funding for Christmas this year. We’re going to have a discussion about Santa not being real, and I hate that the reason for that i...

And… I Blew NaBloPoMo
2011-11-28 16:21:00
It finally happened. I blew NaBloPoMo. I didn’t post yesterday. But hey – yesterday was the 27th, so I did pretty darn well! I’m not disappointed in my showing.

Mom
2011-11-27 04:33:00
On Wednesday, my mother was taken off her cruise ship and put into the hospital on Cabo. She’s bleeding internally again, with no known cause. No, this is not unusual. No one can figure out why she starts spontaneously bleeding. They’ve done bone marrow checks, blood disease checks, cancer checks, and at least 20 endocsopies, all to no avail. All they can do is treat the symptoms. So, in the ICU in Mexico, she had two blood transfusions. She’s still bleeding, but they flew her home today, with a travel nurse. I’ll be going to the hospital here around midnight or so (they have to land, do customs, find their transportation, get to the hospital, get checked in, say goodbye to the nurse, and all the paperwork etc.) in order to pick my dad up, as his car is still at the harbor. Unfortunately, I have to take the kids with me, since Poe has to work. Tomorrow, I’ll probably take him out to the harbor to pick up his truck. I just heard from dad, before their co...

Happy Thanksgiving and a Video
2011-11-24 16:43:00
So, bad stuff happened yesterday, which I need to tell you about. But I’m not going to today. It’s Thanksgiving . We’re having it in our jammies. There will be parades and football on TV, mom (me) cooking, much eating, then packing up 1/2 of it for Poe to take to his coworkers since he has to work. Happy Thanksgiving. May we I remember to live in our my heart, without judgement, and with thankfulness. I leave you with a video I found funny, and has absolutely nothing to do with Thanksgiving. Jesus Christ in Richmond  
More About: Video

Blargh
2011-11-23 16:02:00
So… Today, I have to somehow balance work and pre-cooking/baking for tomorrow. Work isn’t going well. I have gotten a lot ready on Poe’s old computer… But there are certain things. Such as I need a .pdf editor. I have one, that works, on disk. Except that the CD drive on the old computer won’t, you know, OPEN. I tried downloading a free one, except that it didn’t do what it said it would. I would convert something to .pdf, save it on a certain filename, on my desktop – and then it wouldn’t be there, and a search on the system shows that filename not existing. I cannot believe I’m going to have to PURCHASE a downloadable, when I have one, and this computer is merely temporary. And then I have to do the setups all over again when my new computer, Daisy comes. I’m so frustrated. Mercury is supposedly going into retrograde. I’m blaming it.

I Think It’s Dead
2011-11-22 18:05:00
Betsy has officially bit the dust, I fear. She won’t turn on this morning. We broke out Poe’s old – Very old – computer so I can attempt to work. Sort of. Kind of. Daisy isn’t due to arrive until December 6th. Sigh. This keyboard is all wrong. The screen is too far away. It’s all dirty. And I keep inadvertently turning on Caps Lock. I’m very pissy about this. It will be solved. I just hate having to jury rig something together in the meantime. I thrive on routine. This has blown my routine out of the water, as I’m not even able to sit at my own desk. OK, OK I’ll stop complaining now.
More About: Dead

The Last Couple of Days
2011-11-21 17:22:00
So… Why did I sort of disappear? A migraine, yes. It was a sort of confluence of events that led that way. First, the headache itself had been coming on for days. I’m very sensitive to weather pressure which I think is something to do with my ears and sinuses. Since we’d had rain “coming” for days, I was feeling it, and I knew I wouldn’t get relief from that until it actually did, indeed rain. Which it did all day yesterday. Then Friday. Oy. Around 3pm, I was working, and I went to reach from my soda. I was paying attention to what I was reading on my screen, and my hand swept my soda across my laptop (pink, named Betsy). A full 12 ounce glass, and I spilled it ALL. I’ve owned a computer, as well as used company computers, for 20 years. Aside from feeling old, I have never ever ever spilled on my computer. Frantic paper toweling. Frantic drying and opening and tipping to actually POUR out the soda. After all that, my poor Betsy wouldn&rsquo...
More About: Couple , Days

Tomorrow
2011-11-21 05:03:00
I’m nearly back to normal, and I’ll be back tomorrow. I hate migraines.
More About: Tomorrow

Break
2011-11-19 17:24:00
I’m in migraine territory. However, I’m determined to finish Nablopomo. So. This is my post. If you’re a migraine sufferer… You understand the shortness. Hopefully, I’ll be in pain hangover tomorrow (which means the migraine is over). See you then.
More About: Break

A Couple of Points
2011-11-18 17:37:00
I’ve been purposely NOT writing about politics, or the state of our country, or the state of the world on purpose. I have enough anxiety in my life without poking at the trolls with a sharp stick. But two things, today, stand out to me and I would like to share. These things are examples of a great many things that are taking place around the country, and around the world, and are the backing of my trying to “prep.” Just examples of things I’ve been noticing for a few years, slowly. First: The EU bans claim that water can prevent dehydration. The absolute ridiculousness of this article is an example of government regulation and “committee making” gone totally wrong. This paragraph brings it home: …I had to read this four or five times before I believed it. It is a perfect example of what Brussels does best. Spend three years, with 20 separate pieces of correspondence before summoning 21 professors to Parma where they decide with gr...
More About: Couple , Points

Our Thanksgiving Menu
2011-11-17 16:37:00
So… Somehow it’s late November, 2011, and Thanksgiving is next week. I’m not entirely sure how that happened. It feels like the days are flying by faster and faster and faster. Here’s what we’re having: Turkey – I don’t usually stuff it with stuffing, but I do put onions and such in it for flavor. Got the Turkey for free this year, through a vons.com deal. Stuffing – Stovetop. ‘Cause I like it, and it’s easy, and I got it for $0.99 this year. Cranberry sauce – I’m the only one who’ll eat it. Dinner rolls – We always have those Kings Hawaiian rolls, it’s turned into a tradition. Mashed Potatoes – I’m going to use my Kitchen Aid mixer, and a recipe I got from it. Joseph likes potatoes. Gravy – I don’t make great gravy from scratch, it’s really hit and miss. So I bought jarred as a backup just in case. Carmen’s Corn Pudding – Never tried it before, but th...
More About: Menu

Mistakes
2011-11-16 16:09:00
Have I mentioned I’m in therapy? I’m sure I have. Yesterday was therapy day. I talked about a situation at work. I had made a mistake. I had assumed something, because that was convenient, and with some other things outside of my control, let to an error. I was a writhing mass of anxiety. I don’t make mistakes at work. So I brought it up at therapy. Any kind of “badness” or conflict creates this massive anxiety in me. After we talked in therapy, we figured out together why. I don’t want to be “in trouble,” or yelled at, or anger thrown at me. I’m a grown woman. It seems that I’m fine when it comes to conflict involving my kids’ care (Hello, mama bear!) but me? Not so much. So we kept going back further and further. While I do come from an abuse situation, it feels like it stems from my very first memory. I was living in New Jersey with Jeannette (my biological mother, for those who don’t know my story) and my &l...

Punctuation on Forums
2011-11-15 16:23:00
I read a lot of forums. For the most part, I’m a lurker, not a participant. Every once in a while I need to stop, though. Not because of the content, but because of the lack of punctuation. I’m not saying you need a degree in English – but common punctuation is good. It gets your point across with clarity, and gives the mind the natural places to pause. For example, here’s the former paragraph in the form I run into: i read a lot of forums for the most part im a lurker not a participant every once in a while i need to stop though not because of the content but because of the lack of punctuation im not saying you need a degree in english but common punctuation is good it gets your point across with clarity and gives the mind the natural places to pause for example heres the former paragraph in the form i run into: Throw in spelling errors and your eyes bleed. Here’s the bottom line… If you’re not willing to make it legible, it degrades ...
More About: Forums

Out of Sorts
2011-11-14 16:15:00
I’m a little out of sorts today. Not sure why. I have a big project due for work, so perhaps it’s that I have a deadline looming? I don’t know. Luckily, I had a check come through, so I’m able to replace my desk lamp. I went to turn it on this morning, and nothing. I’ve gone through 3 lightbulbs in 2 months. So, I think the lamp has finally bit the dust. It lasted a long time though! I had it next to my bed growing up. For a cheapy lamp, it had a long long life. So I got Poe and I matching desklamps. Also cheapy – but the better ones are $100-$200 a piece! I can’t spend that on small lamps! It goes against my constitution. Anyway, they match the decor I’m attempting in the office (nice but not too masculine or feminine, going with the burgundy/navy blue color scheme) since Poe and I share the office. I definitely need one, because our office is off the bedroom, and it’s kept like a cave so Poe can sleep during the day, and I need...

Life on a Sunday
2011-11-13 20:14:00
Sundays are lazier than weekdays for me, but more active than Saturdays. On Sundays, I do some fun stuff (DVDs or playing WoW). But I also do household chores, and basic things to get ready for the week so all is not chaos on Monday. So, today… Laundry and dishes will be done. Bills will be paid. Grocery lists made, and coupons cut. Basically, that’s the plan. But if I don’t get to it all, that’s OK too. The whole point is to make the week easier – but to be nice to myself at the same time. The biggest hitch to the bliss of weekends? The children. The boys get along great – until they don’t. And that cycle continues all.day.long. Both the boys are good, kind, smart folks. But with each other? The mind boggles at how they can get so mean so fast to each other. They treat each other worse than they would even consider treating anyone else in their lives. I just don’t understand it, and I have yet to come up with a way to solve it. Sibli...
More About: Life , Sunday

My Poor Longsuffering Husband
2011-11-11 20:42:00
I apologize for any weirdness or spelling errors. I’m currently on muscle relaxants and they make me fuzzy. Before we got married, I informed Poe about my bodily idiosyncrasies. In short? I am a freak. I’ve written about it before, so I won’t go into the backstory too much. Warning – If you are male, or hate discussions of bodily functions – stop reading. I’ll continue below the fold – but the fold doesn’t show on my feed, so stop reading now if you’re squeamish. Ahhh. So you’re still here. I apologize for any weirdness or spelling errors. I’m currently on muscle relaxants and they make me fuzzy. When I get my period, which I am on right now, my hormones are very very interesting. They will pick one symptom, and take it to the extreme. The good side? I only have to worry about one symptom. The bad side? It’s the EXTREME. These are the symptoms I might get. A buffet if you will. Sore boobs Fatigue Bloating PMS B...

Ahhhhhh, Maiwwage
2011-11-10 16:27:00
Poe and I have been married for 13 1/2 years. We were babies at merely 21 and 23. Have I ever done our story? I really ought to do that – it’s a good story. He’s a good man. So, very much not perfect – but neither am I. Oh MY! does he have stuff to put up with me. And I love him. However, I would like to post the following as an open letter to my husband. Wife, 87, Shoots “Cheating” Husband, 88 …allegedly told police that she only “intended to scare the shit out of him” and “just went a little bit beserk” since “he was stepping out on me, and I just got pissed off.” 1. The article is worth reading. 2. Her husband is okay. 3. You go girl. 4. I hope I have that much Oomph at that age.

Date Day
2011-11-09 16:16:00
So, yesterday was date day for me and Poe. It’s really kind of sad and pathetic. Babysitting is an issue for us. Due to Joseph’s issues, my parents don’t really feel comfortable watching him. With both their issues, we are damn well not going to hire a teenager. A “real” babysitter (ie: Nanny or AuPair or Child Development person) is WAY out of our budget. Any my best friend – while I completely trust her – has her own family, and so I hate to ask her unless it’s really really important. Thus, grocery day is date day. Tuesdays are the one day Poe is with it during the day. He will have slept the night before, and doesn’t work that night, and so Tuesday’s the day. While the kids are at school, we hit up all the stores (going for the various sales/coupons), spending the time together child free. Yesterday, we went to CVS, Vons, the bank, the Church of the Holy Touchdown (you’d have to be a local to understand) to vote, ...

Community – I Don’t Wanna
2011-11-08 15:56:00
I told you that we’re trying to be more prepared around here in the event of an emergency. Part of the planning of that includes creating community. Think about it. Most of my friends are online. Either they’re my online friends, made while blogging. Or they’re old friends, and we connect online. But honestly? Only one lives nearby – even she is 1/2 hour away. I’m not so much “antisocial” as much as I am very solitary. I enjoy my solitude. And my life has shown me that relationships are messy (duh). Messy usually ends up very painful for me, and so I choose to withdraw. My husband and I both like to just be alone or with each other. I hate hate hate crowds as well. Joseph has social phobia, and so I got a special needs pass so he could enjoy Disneyland – and it was THE BEST TRIP I ever took there. So, he comes by it honestly. OK, now what if an emergency happens? My friends are online. 99% of them are in another state. So – they ...
More About: Community

Grossed Out
2011-11-07 15:55:00
In our house, I very strongly believe that Poe has certain jobs, and I have others. Namely, Poe gets the gross jobs and I get everything else. When he complains, I ask if he would like to figure out the kids’ health insurance this year? Or perhaps he’d like the job of coming up with the car insurance payment. Or – I know – Would he like to fight with the state about Joseph’s classification? That would be fun! I could make him do the kids’ laundry. (He’s totally creeped out by small clothes. Hold up a small sock and he shudders. “They’re like doll clothes!” Yeah. That’s my big strong former Marine man.) And then he shuts up about the gross stuff. This morning, however, Poe was still at work. I saw that a slug of some kind had found its way into the office, and then apparently did laps. It was a full on slug derby. How in the world do I clean up slug trails from the carpet? But I didn’t see the perpetrator. He fin...