Proud Brown Belts

Tonight is the award ceremony for the kid's Taekwondo testing. They have now earned their brown belt. Next comes red, then black and they will have completed the Tiger Cub belts. Because of holidays, illness and mommy overload, the kids have been preparing for this belt for two testing cycles. I am sure they are ready to move on.

Both Cullen and Avery have now been taking Taekwondo for a year. They have earned 4 belts, I believe. They start with white then earn yellow, green, blue and now brown. I am sure Cullen will move up to the Youth program after he earned his black belt. Avery will still be too young. They will then begin going to different classes. We already attend 2 - 3 classes a week. We drive 2 towns away to get to the center. So it takes a lot of time. The classes are now 30 minutes but will increase to 45 minutes in the Youth classes. This will require a big increase in dedicated time. But Cullen is so enjoying this activity.

During the testing on Saturday we saw a side of him we very rarely see. As it was his time to test, he stood and did all that was ask of him with such determination and confidence. I was taken back. He is usually so tentative and unsure but he shined.

New to this testing session is the fact that Cullen is now getting stars to put on his belt. Avery six weeks or so the kids test for a new belt. But once the children start school, a form is sent to their classroom teachers. They are asked to score the children on how they exemplify the tenets of Taekwondo in the classroom and the effort the kids put out in learning new things. The kids can learn 1 to 3 starts for their belt. Cullen has earned 3 starts for his brown belt and is very proud.

Virtual Life

Oh goodness, my neglect of all things has reached a high. I am playing an on line game called Everquest II and I am obsessed. I really enjoy it but it is NOT my fault.

When Doc and I were first married, I was bereft because he had a few hobbies that he loved. He made time in his day to do them too. At night I was sad because he would choose to paint his military miniatures, or play a computer game. And I realized that I had no hobby. I really thought there was something wrong with me. Doc had passion for so man y things and they were born when he was young. He kept them alive throughout his life and he was as excited about them at present as he was when he started out. And I had nothing. My passion was for our relationship and he was painting miniatures.

So I started looking around for a hobby. Doc wanted me to paint miniatures with him. I did that for a time. It fed my obsessiveness for a time but it was his passion not mine. I had been a knitter but hadn't knitted since moving to the South. Its way to hot to have wool laying all over you. And I hardly ever wore sweaters, never mind coats, down here.

Once we were expecting our first child my hobby became my pregnancy. I had an online community of friends who were all expecting in August. I watched A Baby's Story on TV multiple time a day... lol. And I worried. I worried and worried and worried. That has always been a great hobby of mine. After Cullen was born and life again was somewhat manageable I started scrapbooking.

I loved scrapbooking. I loved the paper and the embellishments. I did everything by hand. I organized all my materials, spent time after Cullen went to bed every night. Doc was soon asking em for some time. haha Then was I was doing a page a night. What fun! Five years later when Katrina hit I lost all my scrapbook and my materials. What a blow. There was so much lost though that really I had to face it with a shrug. All those memories were lost but in light of what we did not lose, our lives, I was resigned. I was 6 month pregnant at the time and seeing the baby bassinet that both of my other children used destroyed is what sent me to tears. But this is another story.

Through of early years Doc was always trying to help me find something fun to do to distract me from the day to day of raising kids and managing a house. I had said no to every proposal he suggested for a hobby. He wanted me to play an online game with him. Oh I was so against it. There would be lots and lots of other people playing as well. I would have to interact with people I did not know. It would require making a character and entering into an unknown world. I would do quests and level up my character. Just not for me. No way!

Doc played the game for a number of weeks before I sat down at the computer and tried it. I did make a character which was way fun. I made her just the way I wanted her, choosing her race, the color of her hair and its style. I also chose her class, a rogue. A melee class. After that I was off and running. I played that game for almost 4 years on and off. However, after a time I did lose interest.

Okay so here we are in 2007. I have found another game. Everquest II. I am lost again in another world. And this world is falling apart. I have laundry that needs doing and showers that need scrubbing. The kitchen is a mess from last evenings meal. I vow to get to it before I go to pick up Avery at school. I would not even be blogging down but the game is down for maintenance. I am torn between wanting to be on line playing and all the responsibilities I have in real life. But the pull to game is overpowering. I play with a group of people I have known online for months now. We played another online game together. So I have friends to spend time with as well.

All that I can not control in this life is overshadowed by the power and accomplishments I experience in this other world. And yet, when the computer is powered down, I am faced with dirty floors, toys strewn all over the floor and toilets that need attention. Hmmm seems a good reason to want to get away.

Smacks of bias to me

Doc and I went out to celebrate our 8th anniversary last night. We had a great time. We went to a local casino buffet for dinner. Boy was it yummy. We don't go to the casinos much, especially with the kids because we don't want them to get too comfortable or mesmerized b y the games. But when we can get family to watch out for the kids for a while we will indulge. I had prime rib covered in mushrooms, asparagus, mashed potatoes and gravy and two kinds of cheesecake. I had a taste of both chocolate and sugarless cheesecake. Oh boy, what a lovely meal.

Our next stop was to go to the movies. hadn't been to a movie in months and months. I really wanted to see I am Legend. Before we left the casino, we both stopped in at the restrooms. We met outside of the bathrooms and headed out of the casino. Doc proceeded to tell me about the flat screen TVs hanging up over the urinals. What? What! TV in the men's restroom .... really? No really? I have not been shocked in a long time to that extent.

What is the purpose. Is it to get men to use the bathroom when they need too. Is there a fear they will not leave their bar stool but instead relieve themselves right there in public. Is it so that this casino becomes the only place where men never have to miss any play of the game because they have continual access to the screen? And why, pray tell, do i not get the same luxury. Maybe I need to spend an extra amount of time in the stall. It would be nice to have a distraction. Don't you ladies think? Or is this just a luxury that has past the boundaries of common sense.

Advise

Avery said to me on the way home from nursery school today...

"Mommy, remember... if you are really tired and thirsty and you need a drink of water.. you need to call Jesus cause he has water for you. ok? Jesus has water."

Avery, honey, what that means is that when you are tired and overwhelmed and don't think you can face another step, you can turn to Jesus and he will give you strength to face whatever difficulties lie ahead. He refreshes you like a cup of cold water on a hot day.

"Yes but Mommy just remember that Jesus has water if you are thirsty, ok?

I am gonna call Jesus right now cause I am thirsty.
Jesus? Hello Jesus! I need some water."

Presidential Candidate Matchup Quiz

Hmmm I just took this little political quiz. Ran into it at Ninja Poodle. The quiz asks question about the topics that are hot right now like Dafur, abortion and same sex marriage. Based on your answers it matches you up with the presidential candidate that best mirrors your results.

Haha, as you can see I am a Democrat and a social liberal. It is abundantly clear. And I do like Barack Obama but was really lean ing towards Hillary. These results have made me stop. I better go back and see what he is all about.

I was talking to a friend at church about the presidential candidates. She was very happy at Obama's win in Iowa. She said something very interesting that made me stop and also rethink who I want in the White House. If you think about it, in the last 20 years the White House has been occupied by Either a Bush or a Clinton. And if we want change in government and the direction of this country, can we afford to have four or maybe eight more years of another Clinton. That would mean 24 to 28 years dedicated to 2 political families running this country. I can not imagine that change can happen from that.

So these things have made me rethink how I will vote and for whom... but I will never be going red anytime soon. You can see that clearly as well.

And on a side note... Doc took this quiz too. My wonderfully Republican husband... and the Democrats were on the top of his list... The first Republican was 6th on the list! What a hoot!

77% Barack Obama
76% Chris Dodd
74% John Edwards
73% Joe Biden
72% Bill Richardson
71% Hillary Clinton
71% Dennis Kucinich
66% Mike Gravel
41% John McCain
38% Mitt Romney
37% Rudy Giuliani
35% Mike Huckabee
32% Tom Tancredo
31% Ron Paul
26% Fred Thompson

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Dating and marriage from a 4 yr olds perspective

The last couple days Avery has been talking to me about who she is going to marry. She is very distressed not to have anyone named yet. Her brother has turned her down and that is a sad affair. She told my best friend' s son, Ben, that she loved him during church. Ben says that he would rather she not love him since he loves someone else. I gather this is his teacher who he is "engaged" to marry. Ben is 5. Avery has also mentioned both Jack, her brother's friend and Will, who is a very sweet and quiet boy in her class. She would walk all over him.

Edward and I will be married 8 years the 15th of January. I was mentioning this to Avery in the car on the way home from preschool. She said that if I was married I had to be on an island and dance. This is a reference to The 12 Dancing Princesses which she has seen entirely too much. All these fairy tales end with marriage. Grand marriages where all the participants dance ballet is beautiful sweeping movements. I told Avery that in real life weddings happen in churches where you pledge to God your intent to honor this person all your life. And her next comment exactly...

"Mom will you help me find a guy?"

After I was done chuckling I told her that she would have plenty of time to find just the right guy. And it wouldn't just be anyone. She would know the right "guy" when she met him. She was concerned that she would not know where to find him. I suggested school, work, a party or church as some of the places. Here was her suggestion.

Mommy we need to take a blanket out to the road and wait. We can bring a radio to listen too and you can bring my bike too.

What are we going to do out by the road Avery?

Hellloooo! (yes she says this) we are going to wait for my guy. You can stay with me til he comes. Will you mommy. Will you stay with me?

I had to promise her that IF she needed my help I would help her. But I did not agree to camp out by the side of the road with her. I hope it never comes to this.

Masterpiece Theatre's Jane Eyre

The last couple of Sunday nights have been spent watching Masterpiece Theatre. Boy have I had a wonderful time too. Jane Eyre has been the offering. Its a new version and just plain wonderful.

And there is more to come! Masterpiece Theatre is airing The Complete Jane Austen starting January 13th. Price and Prejudice and one of Doc and my favorite movies. We actually own it. So if you love British drama its time to tune in. I just wish i had a DVD recorder.

Things I find myself saying...

There are a number of rejoinders I use in my parenting repertoire that have turned classic. The reason I know this is that my children now say them back to me. Some I did not recognize but Doc assured me that i say them. I thought it would be eye opening to list my parenting verbiage just in case you, yourself, are at a loss or need new material. Here goes and please don't judge me too harshly:

• Enough!
• Mellow out!
• Stop it!
• Do you want a knuckle sandwich?
• We've not serving breakfast here today.
  
• Okay, lets get in the car and go to the spankin' store (or whoopin' store if the offense in grand).
• okay, this is the deal...
  
• Quit the fake crying!
• One. Two. Three.
  
• Go to time out!
• Look at me...
• Did you hear me?
• What did I just say?
  
• Did you flush the toilet?
• Where are your underwear?
• Put your clothes back on.
• I'm going to get the spatula.
• What's in your mouth?
  
• Get that out of your mouth.
• Hey bony butt, get your knee out of my gut.
• Please don't hurt me.
  
• If you don't stop you are going to lose privileges.
• Please go somewhere else.
• Get off my bed.
  
• Be quiet!
• Shush!
• shhhhhhh

Thought it would be nice to add the more pleasant things I say:

• You are the sweetest girl I have ever known... sometimes.
• You know what?... I love you.
• I am so proud of you.
  

More to come... just gotta live some more of the day and see what comes up.

My Plate is Full!

Ok 2008 has begun and I have so many projects starting. I thought I would list them here for my own benefit... so I don't over look one and as a handy reference.

1. Learn Adobe Illustrator. - My class starts on January 6 over at LVS to learn Illustrator.
2. Redesign my church's website.
3. Continue designing and creating blog toppers/headers for others at my blog ThatGirl Designz. I have three to do as we speak. Head on over to my blog to see the ones I have already done. The list is growing!
   
4. Knit my mother in law a sweater coat for her Christmas present. The kit should be arriving today! I haven't knit since I moved to MS. Sweaters are too warm for here and its too hot to knit... all that wool laying on top of you is deadly hot! I hope I can pick it up again for my mil's sake.
   
5. Continue to manage my website at ThatGirl Designz and write Paint Shop Pro tag tutorials for the site.
6. Continue to work on my digital scrapbook pages gallery, coding it to add to my website.
7. Work on a business plan for a digital scrapbooking service, i.e Scrap4hire business.
   
8. Try not to let my new online game diversion, Everquest II, eat up all my time. I played World of Warcraft with Doc for about 5 years and most recently Lord of the Rings Online. nBut I haven't played an online came in months... so Everquest II is my new pick. I only have the trial and am waiting the arrival of the full game which I bought of Ebay a few days ago.
   
9. Get back on the ball at Weight Watchers and walk daily.
10. Try to incorporate some Flylady habits into the management of the household.
    

Aahhhh my head is spinning! But at least the list is complete! What about you? What are your projects for the beginning of 2008?