New Rooms!

This weekend we started moving in earnest.




Here is a shot of Ben's new room - freshly painted with a new wallpaper border, and some of his personal belongings moved in.

I realized after posting this that his wallpaper looks rather floral in this picture, so am adding another so you can see it's actually a coral reef:


























And here is Ty in his new room, in his new loft bed and comforter cover, enjoying the view from way up high!















And finally, here is my new room ... need I mention where I put most of my effort this weekend?

Settling the boys took priority over settling myself - that will come, too, with time!

The Astronaut Farmer

Tonight the boys and I went to see the new movie The Astronaut Farmer. It was great. All about supporting the ones you love, believing in yourself, and never, ever letting go of your dreams. It got a little slow in the middle for the boys, but the ending more than made up for it. I worried at one point that the lesson was going to be more deep than I wanted to have to explain afterwards, but no worries, it all ends happily and we wanted to cheer at the close of the show!

Both boys turned to me at the end and said "we have to buy it!"

Guess that says it all!

(parental comments: there were a surprising number of swear words, more than I thought warranted, but nothing else worrisome)

Sorry for my silence

Apologies to those of you who faithfully check this blog, hoping there might be something new or interesting here to read.

Between starting a new business, keeping school going, getting ready to move, and all the other changes in our lives right now, the blog has slipped to pretty low on the list of priorities.

Quick updates:

Moving is going well, slowly but surely, I take over a few boxes almost every day and this weekend hope to move some furniture.

Kids' schooling is going great, they are really impressing me with their independence and sense of responsibility lately!

New business is going wonderfully, I have two clients who are keeping me about as busy as I can handle right now - as the rest of my life settles down a bit I will be able to work more, but for right now the balance is good.

An Africa update - I am making my airline reservations this week (just shopping around a bit for fares!) and will be visiting Carla in late June -- CAN'T WAIT!!!! I am leading a group of 13 teachers and expect it to be a fabulous journey, on so many levels.

Tae Kwon Do is still making me happy - my yoga classes have stopped for a while, and I miss that a lot (and I know I could do it on my own at home but somehow that ain't happening). Master Ralph has been teaching us a lot of self-defense lately, and I find myself feeling a little like I did when I first became certified in CPR - I would constantly scan the crowds, just waiting for someone to keel over so I could rush in and revive them ... not that I want to be mugged now, but I do find myself thinking "oh, boy, I am SO ready ... just try it, buster, just try it..."!!

Reading: don't have any good titles to recommend - I am focusing on devouring texts and writing manuals and marketing handbooks for professional development, and I am too tired at night to read for fun! I do miss that, a lot - once we move I will re-establish my reading habits.

And ... that's about it, I guess! I am counting on my creativity coming back when all the other stuff clears out of my mind. Thanks for sticking with me!

In doing some research on writing opportunities, I found a website which lists headlines which were not well thought out before being published. I giggled so much that I had to share:

• Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
• Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
• Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
• Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
• Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
• Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
• Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
• Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
• Miners Refuse to Work after Death
• Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
• War Dims Hope for Peace
• If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
• Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
• Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
• Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
• Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
• New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
• Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
• Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
• Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
• Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
• Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
• Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

The Queen

Saw the movie "The Queen" over the weekend. It's the story of how Queen Elizabeth responded to Princess Diana's death. First off, I just want to say to any of you who are up on royal protocol that I know officially it is incorrect to say "Princess Diana." But it's easier. So I still say it. (just in case any of you were wondering.)

Anyway, back to the film. I was unaware how much of a role Tony Blair played in this movie, nor was I aware of how much of a role he played in the actual events as they happened. But according to the movie, he was key in the unfolding of the drama in real life, and I certainly haven't read any reviews of the movie crying foul. In fact, I heard that the Queen actually saw the movie and didn't criticize it. Not that that necessarily means a whole lot.

Ok, ok, I will get on with it now.

I was living in London the year Diana and Charles got married. I was on the street watching the processional the day of their wedding. I was the same age as Diana - less than 6 months difference - and I felt a connection to her - not that I am unique in that way - but I did feel as if we shared something in this world. In contrast, I never felt any connection to Sarah Fergusen, though she, too, is about my age, and honestly I think she sounds like a really fun person. Anyway, I stayed up-to-date about Diana's life, following the births of her children and the demise of her marriage, and I remember vividly the moment I heard of her death. I was pregnant with Ty, it was a Sunday morning, and Steve brought the newspaper in to me - I was still in bed - with the news.

I did not get out of bed that day.

Two years later, I was in Paris and visited the spot where an impromptu shrine to Diana was set up. It's a corner close to where the road goes into the tunnel where the accident occured. People brought flowers there the day after the accident, and two years later there were still fresh flowers placed there regularly. It was very hard to see, yet I sought it out deliberatly.

Now, watching this movie, all the emotions came flooding back to me and I found myself relieved that I was sitting alone in the last row of the movie theater so my crying did not bother anyone else. The movie was really done so carefully, so respectfully, that although I was crying, I was also aware of a feeling of surprised satisfaction that the movie makers had not exploited the event or the person to make their film.

I have no way of knowing how accurate the depiction is in the film. They certainly showed a lot of the Queen's personal life that I assume they have no real way of knowing about. But, as I said earlier, I have not read any reviews of the film that point out how wrong it is, and I did read that the royal family watched the movie and did not make a statement disavowing it. And since Tony Blair is still prominent in British politics I have to assume his part in the story must be based on reality. So I have to say that, royal family watcher that I am, I really learned a lot watching this movie. I was pleased with the way the writers presented the human side of the royals, the way they showed the inner struggles and the conflict they had to overcome during that time.

I still find myself looking at any magazine which has a photograph of, or headline about, Diana. I probably always will.

KP Comprehensive

I am starting a new chapter in my life ... I am going to be a professional writer. I am not too sure exactly what that means right now; I will be stepping out on my own to do freelance writing as an independent consultant. It's very exciting and very scary.

I have always wanted to be my own boss, to set my own hours and follow my own direction. I have had numerous opportunities to write for many non-profits I have been involved with, and for church, and for school. I have, actually, been a writer for quite some time - but now it's Writer, and I am going to get paid for it!

I am worried that suddenly, now that I am putting "professional" in front of my name, that I will be unable to write anything at all. I have been extremely self-conscious about my vocabulary lately. What if all my words leave me and I have to say things like "It was nice." because I can't think of any more precise or descriptive words to use? What if I am hard-hit by the dreaded writer's block? Everyone has heard of it, everyone knows that every writer gets it once in a while, there's clearly no way I will be immune.

And even writing here. As I am typing RIGHT THIS MINUTE I am putting all kids of pressure on myself, wondering if what I write here is of the appropriate caliber to be the blog of a "real" writer. What if people look at this and think to themselves "who's she kidding?" What if I think that?



But you know what, I am still going to do it. I have to, quite frankly. I have to earn money, I have to become focused and productive. Even though today there were at least two instances where I absolutely could not think of the word I wanted to say (possibly more, I just remember two), I am going forward on faith that my talents will come through for me because they have to.

KP Comprehensive is going to be my official name.

A comprehensive approach to communication.

I can write a brochure, or I can develop an entire marketing plan. I can edit a newsletter, or I can design an all-inclusive communication strategy. I can coordinate websites, sales pieces, PR releases, and logo'ed merchandise. Comprehensive. It all fits together - it must fit together - to be successful.

And you will all be invited to help me build a client base, just as soon as I get business cards made :-)

Heated Car Seats

Tomorrow I am going to a seminar in St. Paul and my neighbor is picking me up at 7:30 AM. I am looking forward to it not only because it should be a good seminar, but also because this neighbor has heated car seats.

I have often said that the older I get the more I will pay to park close to wherever I am going ... heated car seats kind of falls in the same category. When I was younger, the thought of paying extra for luxuries like heated car seats or nearby parking spots seemd foolish and a waste of good money! But now ... well, now I like life's little pleasures, and appreciate them so much more.

It's the coldest weekend of the year in Minnesota but my bottom will be warm tomorrow ;-)

White Belt!!!

I did it! I successfully completed all the moves necessary to be promoted from a "no belt" to a white belt! One of the other women told me before starting tae kwon do that it's incredibly empowering - and I really felt that tonight. Could not stop grinning after I broke that board! The photo above is a reinactment for Ben & Ty to congratulate me at home :-)

That actually isn't the only exciting thing that happened today. Just after we finished lunch there was a horrific crash in the kitchen. The glass door of the microwave spontaneously exploded! Thankfully it was safety glass so it broke into millions of pebbly glass bits, but they flew everywhere. Very strange.

Was driving home from Tae Kwon Do and there was a song on the radio from a group called Suburban Kids with Biblical Names.

Hated the song but loved the name.

Every once in a while I read Scott Adams' blog (he's the creator of Dilbert.) Sometimes his entries are really, really funny and sometimes they are pretty bizarre. Today the entry is somewhat thought-provoking. Today's topic is "mild superpowers." He says this:

A mild super power would be, for example, the ability to regenerate extra toilet paper on a roll that is almost out, or the ability to know exactly how long to microwave leftovers, or the ability to scratch the middle of your own back. Those are just examples.

He says his mild superpowers include the ability to make people nicer (by way of them recognizing his name and being excited to meet him) and that he never forgets a joke.

So of course I am now thinking about what my own mild superpowers are. The first one that comes to mind is that once I type someone's name and address, it's pretty much permanently in my memory. I can 'wow' people at PHF events when I meet them for the first time and can tell them accurately what their spouse's name is and where they live ... all because I used to be the one responsible for entering everyone's data in our mailing list, and writing all the thank you letters.

Another mild one I have is that I can juggle (metaphorically, not literally) many, many things at once - though I have to admit this one is weakening as I age.

Another one which can be annoying both to me and to others around me is that I can spot a typo at 90 yards ... (which, unfortunately, doesn't prevent me from making them now and again!)

One that I really, really wish I had is the abilty to enter a clothing store and know immediately which clothes would make me look tall and slender, or at least make my skin tone look terrific.

I love the idea of looking at my skills and talents as "mild superpowers." Makes me feel powerful! I may not be Wonder Woman, but perhaps I am wonder woman.

Perky the Lucky Duck

This morning I got a case of the giggles while reading the paper. Seems a man in Florida went duck-hunting, brought all the ducks he got home, and put them in the designated "hunting freezer." Two days later his wife opened the freezer door and one of the ducks lifted its head and looked at her!

Can you imagine??? Opening the freezer and having the food stare back at you??? Seeing one little duck head raise above the others and peering at you? Having a duck look at you with a "Hey, lady, it's kind of cold in here, if you could get me out I'd appreciate it" expression?

After a trip to the vet, the duck, now named Perky, is apparently doing fine.

Well, it sure made me giggle.

Contest Winners

A couple of the winning photos from the "I Look Like My Dog" contest ....

A little sympathy, please ...

Oh my gosh I never knew how many different muscles there along the front of my body. Even when I studied anatomy I never quite got it. Master Ralph has us doing all these weird abdominal exercises - things I have never done before (no simple sit-ups in his classes) and they are seemingly very effective as I am hurting in ways that I have never in my whole life hurt before.

It's a good hurt, in that I am confident I am doing things correctly and hopefully will start to see some results ...

but tonight I am really in pain.

Extreme Frugality

This morning on the radio they were talking about a family of 7 which lives on $33,000 per year and just paid off their mortgage and apparently are buying a second home or some such thing. They were named (it sounded like) "America's Most Frugal Family" or something, and the wife was interviewed and shared how they do it.

Seems she spends all day every day seeking out bargains and the best prices for everything. She stockpiles and of course uses coupons, manufacturer's rebates, and other special deals. When they go shopping the husband and wife take walkie-talkies along so they can talk to each other while in different areas of the store in case one of them stumbles across an unexpected deal or bargain. (Now, I will admit I thought why can't they walk around together? But apparently that's not in the gameplan.)

The radio announcer made a good point after discussing all this. You know, if the wife got a job earning money instead of spending 40+ hours per week finding coupons, they wouldn't have to use so many coupons. And how much is it worth to travel all around town seeking out the bargains instead of paying a bit more but having everything in one place (think SuperTarget?) They obviously don't put any monetary value on her time, which I guess I can understand, but still it seems a bit extreme to me. On the other hand, I guess if you add up all she saves them each year, that could be considered her "salary."

I am starting to use coupons, but my biggest problem is there are so few coupons out there for products I want to use, so I feel like I spend way more time than it's worth to get two coupons which maybe save me a total of $1.50. It's just not worth it to me to use a coupon and get a great price on something we may end up not even using, or using but not liking. If coupon-using were a competition, I guess I would come in pretty near the bottom.

$240,000,000

I bought my very first ever lottery tickets this week. The pot is $240 million. It's worth $3 to dream! The drawing is tonight. I have gotten plenty of use from my small investment. I have it planned out ... how I would share it with those close to me, how much I would donate to Peace House Foundation (and who I would name a building after!), what frivolous fun things I would do ...

Tune in tomorrow to see if I won :-)

I have started to watch "24" on the recommendations of two close friends who are hooked. Currently on prime time in its 5th season, I have seasons 1 - 4 on DVD and am working my way through.

For those of you who don't know the premise, Keifer Sutherland plays Jack Bauer, head of the Counter Terrorism Unit based in southern California. Each season follows him for one full day - 24 hours - an hour at a time, in real time. (I was talking to one friend before I started watching and said I understood that each season was one day, and each episode was one hour of that one day, but I wondered how many episodes there were in a season. She looked at me as if I was incredibly stupid, and said something along the lines of "what's the title of the show again?" Duh.) In other words, we see things happening in the actual time it takes for things to happen. They even allow for commercials - every now and then during the show they flash the time. Just before commercial breaks they might flash 10:24 and then after the commercial break it flashes 10:28 (one presumes that Jack uses the commercial breaks for the same things most viewers do, as we never see him having to stop at the restroom!)

The upside to all this is you really see all the details of everything that is happening, all the decision-making procedures, the thought process of the main characters.

The downside is I have been watching for 9 hours now and still am only to breakfast of the first day. For someone used to seeing everything wrapped up in the course of a two-hour TV show or a three-hour movie, it can be agonizing to watch and wait. It's hard to control my need for immediate gratification - but somehow I am enjoying this agony. I feel as if this TV show is helping me regain my patience and my attention to detail - two things that modern society often ignores or belittles (they take too long!) It has become a huge hit with viewers, so maybe others are experiencing it as I am. (Of course my friends tell me that watching it on DVD is the way to go, as imagine the impatience of seeing one hour at a time and having to wait a week for the next hour!)

Good Movie

The other night I went to a movie with a friend. We saw Sweetland, which was filmed in Minnesota - near the town of Montevideo which is where Steve's mom grew up. I have been out there many times but there really was nothing in the movie recognizeable; the entire movie was the farm, really, with no town shots.

It was really a, well, umm, sweet movie! It's the story of a mail order bride who comes from Norway to marry a Norwegian-American bachelor farmer. Turns out she is really German, though, andthat causes all kinds of worry on the part of the local Lutheran minister and some of the neighbors. They are unable to get permission to marry because it is so well known that all Germans are spies and dangerous ... never mind that this is the sweetest looking young woman you have ever seen!

I particularly enjoyed it because at the beginning there was a lot of talking in Norwegian, and they did not use subtitles. Nothing was said that couldn't be surmised from watching the actions, but Istill got a little thrill out of understanding every word, knowing that everyone else around me was simply enjoyingthe musical sounds of the language without comprehension.

Watching the neighbors and particularly the minister come to terms with accepting Inge for who she was, as opposed to which nation she was born in, was intriguing. On Carla's blog she wrote about stereotyping and making generalizations about people of other nationalities or cultures, and that was present in full force here. Honestly I didn't think the minister's character was true to life, he seemed quite mild-mannered yet strangely insistent Inge and Olaf could not marry - but then capitulated very simply and easily later in the story, without ever showing the audience any indication of an internal (or any other kind of) struggle. You would expect as a leader among his flock that it would not have been easy for him to change his viewpoint on such an important issue, but we did not see anything supporting that.

Watching Inge and Olaf develop their relationship - so cautious of social mores, yet clearly pleased with the match made through the mail - was delightful. The viewing audience gasped together when it was revealed the size of the corn field Inge and Olaf cleared by hand, and then nearly cheered when they finished the monumental task. It was easy for us to be pulled in to the charm of their relationship, the two actors did a wonderful job of taking on the personas of these two shy and very strong individuals.

Wonderful movie!

After breaking my glasses on my first day of Tae Kwon Do, I went to get new ones and they had a two-for-one sale going on. I got one pair which is very similar to my old ones, and then I got these - a bit more mod, more fun, more different - for me, anyway! I'm pretty cautious when it comes to eyewear, so this is about as wild as it's gonna get. I like 'em!

Tae Kwon Do is going oh-so-much better now. I have had 5 classes ... (or is it just 4?) but I am finally starting to remember which foot is my left foot and which is right, how to count higher than 1, and how to put both directional instructions and numerical sequences together (though I am only able to do "Left-right-left" and count up to 3. Anything beyond that and I am still as confused as ever.) But at our last class we finally got to do some kicks. Ty has been asking, after each class I attend, if I got to do any kicks yet. Finally I could say yes! And what fun they were, too! Front kicks, side kicks, turning side kicks, back kicks, and roundhouse kicks. Amazingly enough I kick better than I do most anything else in this sport. I can't wait to try breaking a board!

Feline and Rodent Armor

Just found this site where a Canadian artist shows his intricate metalwork - primarily he focuses on making armor for cats and mice. His name is Jeff De Boer and I like his style - so do the boys, given their interest in the Redwall series and animal warriors. He started out making suits of armor for people, then when he was in a jewelry making class he made a cat-sized suit as a sculpture project, and discovered he was intrigued by the concept. The rest, as they say, is history ... his larger work is interesting, too. Whimsical and colorful - looks like lots of fun.

Change is good!

It's a new year, I am entering a new chapter of life, and therefore I decided the blog needed some change, too. I am not entirely happy with this look but it was the best one I could find in the pre-made options, and I am not yet savvy enough to make up my own. I will be trying to edit this a bit, to see if I can move away from the stark white-ness of the background ... but for now it's a new look for a new time.