Preludes And Nocturnes

My mom’s bestfriend died last night from cancer. She is young, her kids are my and my sisters’ ages, she used to make the costumes for my high school drama productions. She worked with my mom as a teacher.

But I’m just kinda shattered right now.

On a site I’m on, someone mentioned doing a book challenge for 2010.  The idea is to read 50 books in the year. He suggested a page count so we would not be motivated to pick shorter books or avoid the huge-o-rama books.  If we think of 400 pages per book and 50 books - 20,100 ends up being a great page count (2010 - 20,100).

I’m going to start right away and I’ve got The Book Theif on my table right now as well as two books from the lovely Laura (how much do I love books for Christmas?) and another (Nurture Shock) from Julia and Jason.  Oh, I also got one from the Bones Lady from Jim. Kathy whats-her-face’s book.

Yeah yeah, I should look her up but I’m just so happy I’m blogging. I don’t want blogging to die out.  Do you know that blogging makes us smarter and that tweeting and facebook make us dumber?  Study released last year talking about the shorter status/writing involved in the latter two and the fact that is has started to train our brains to think in shorter less complex thoughts.  Blogging (ie: writing) makes us think up longer ideas and more complex relationships between words and stories.

I hope you all will stick around with my blog for another year. And I hope that I will keep updating and keeping you interested.

We had a lovely Christmas. It was magical.  I hope in two weeks time well find out it was super magical as I should be ovulating right around now.  Fingers crossed, yes?

Much love xoxo

Someone stole the liscence plate off the back of my car today while we were shopping downtown.  Cops said they then either stole a car or removed the insurance tags to put them on their own car.  Given the choice, I’ll take the missing plate over the missing car. So, funny enough, I’ll call it a win.  (Aside from the $20 for new plates. Blah.)

Jim and Malcolm are snuggled up reclined on the loveseat watching curling together. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Jim and I might be done Christmas shopping.

We’ll check tomorrow - and yes, we *will* make a list and check it twice - but I think we are about done. Maybe a few stuffers here or there (stocking stuffers, do get your minds out of the gutter).

On a very related note, I have not finished my marking in preparation for their exam on the 19th. I have also NOT done any prep for next term.

Hey, look back up at the top again - the Christmas shopping part!

Part one.

I have a horrible tooth ache thing going on. I guess the braces can cause overall hyper tooth sensitivity and I’ve gotz it.  Today I’ve started getting SCREAMING pain when I drink anything (including a glass of water left out at room temp for well over 30 min).  Right now breathing with my mouth open will trigger the pain.  I’m feeling sorry for myself. I went upstairs with Mr. M (Jim gets home tonight at 7pm - his last week away for work this term and I’m very glad to no longer have him MIA from Monday morning thru Thurs night).  Malcolm and I get in the bathroom and I’m almost in tears as my teeth on the one side are in sharp pain and not easing off.

I try to rinse with some rather warm water and it helps a bit. I just want a quick hot bath as I’m feeling horrid.  I run the tub, Malcolm has brought his wood puzzle in the bathroom, I get in the hot hot tub, and Malcolm starts up at the side.  “Uh Uh UHUHUHUHUHUHUHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!” He wants in.

It is too hot buddy.

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uh.

Run the cold water. Resolve to self sitting in weee water will be fine. Wee both in temp and in content.  Undress him over the side of the tub. Lift him in.

He turns to sit and has a HUGE poop smushed all over his bottom.

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! (Now that is me) As I try to keep him standing and get myself standing and then up out of the tub, open the drain, wash him off, run the water, let him sit in the now poop-free warm (not hot) bath.  I’m standing on the side, wet, cold, and feeling a bit defeated.

But, well, not pooped on. So we’ll call it a win I guess.

I need to send vicki a note and pick out a new blog layout and brighten things up a bit.

I need to get a new thing for Rather Crafty because fecking twitter took my birdie.

I need to finish marking 33 grammar exams tonight.

I need to market this “braces as weight loss” scheme.  Srsly.  I’ve had my braces for two days and I think I’ve lost three pounds. First, food hurts and mouth hurts.  Ergo no eating.  Second, it isn’t worth the time to peel off the wax, eat, brush, and re-wax just to eat something. Ergo, no eating again.

I need to teach one more day of classes and then prep for next term and have my exam on the 19th and blah blah blah. I’m looking forward to no school for a few weeks.

I need to blog more.

I need to show you all some pictures of cards I’ve done up.

And now I need to go mark.  xoxo