Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cooking

I'm obsessed with food. Not in that anorexic, "I don't get enough, so I think about it all of the time" way, though. I also try not to overeat. I just really like the sensuality of food.

I like cooking. However, my husband and I are not big eaters, and I abhor waste. Joe and I only want to eat the same thing twice in a row, so cooking can be tricky. Also, the girls are the pickiest kids on the planet.

I like the idea of coming home from a busy day, putting on the music, lighting a candle, pouring a modest glass of wine, and making something nice that everyone will enjoy. I usually manage all but the last item on this list, and end up with leftovers or a hot dog. Sexy!

Music

I want to be one of those edgy music people. The ones who never listen to bland crap. Hmmm. Can I help it that I like Julie Andrews? I usually prefer single instrument music to large orchestral pieces. I think I like the intimacy.

Right now I'm listening to "flamenco." Joe would call it Andalusian elevator music. Well, it goes well with the cinnamon-scented candles and the savignon blanc.

Mrs. Williams, may we have a word with you?

My first child is a fairly typical first child. Generally, she's eager to please, and wants to appear to be doing the right thing.

My second child is a pretty typical second child. Every year, I get pulled aside by her teacher, with a "Mrs. Williams, may I have a word with you?"

On Lyra's first day of kindergarten, I was told by her teacher that Lyra said, "I don't have to follow your rules. When my mom hears about this, she's going to send me to a better kindergarten." The teacher wondered if Lyra were special needs. Well...

She's ahead academically, but she's not ahead socially and emotionally. I always assure the teachers that I will work with them to guide Lyra to make choices that will enable her to work better in a group.

Lyra's fine with self guided stuff, and that's great. However, I want her to have the tools to be able to work with others.

I have lots of friends who have made a wide variety of choices with their kids' education. Waldorf, Montessouri, homeschool...

There was the one mom of 11 kids who said that it doesn't matter which school your kid goes to, because they'll turn out how they turn out regardless. However, she did say that there was this one family, and they must have done something wrong, because their kid turned out gay. And, yes, I told her that she was full of crap, but in that polite, I'm-a-mom sort of way.

The Gym

I'm supposed to go to the gym with my husband. It works out that we're going on Mondays and Wednesdays. I skate on Tuesdays and Fridays, so I'm moving the bod...

This morning, however, I'm doing an art project with my 5th grader's class. Tomorrow I'm volunteering for their fund-raising thingie. I stroke my biceps, and promise I'll take care of them soon...

When I was a girl, I knew that all girls do ballet, so they can become the Sugar Plum Fairy. Now I realize I should have been training to be Wonder Woman. : )

Monday, October 6, 2008

Red Winey

I have the habit of sipping wine, and wanting to write. Probably like the garrulous old coot in the corner of the bar who wants to chat. Faulkner wrote whole books while out of his gourd... maybe I should switch up what it is I'm drinkin'.
Joe and I have been discussing the difference between being intellectually open, and actually doing things that may cross lines. Joe claims that he is intellectually open to things that shock me, but that I'm often the one who jumps up, opens the hole, and shoves it in.
My mid life crisis started on December 8, 2007. I know that a lot of people feel that the midlife crisis creeps in gradually, or maybe it gets kicked off with a birthday. Mine started with a Christmas dinner party. I went without hubby or kids, because after a choir concert, Santa's breakfast, and a birthday party, they were all "funned out." I represented the family at this dinner, but I drank something weird and ended up without my dinner gown in a hot tub. Wow!

Relating this all to hubby made him jealous, and I had to bring him along to the next event. Things have been rolling along ever since...