That's when I crossed out of Kansas on my way to a new life in Minnesota. And I made it safely to Hibbing.
Sure am missing my girls, though...
Cara Mengobati Wasir Secara Alami
9 years ago
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
One for the road
(sung to the tune of "I'll be Home for Christmas")
I'll be leaving Kansas
Minnesota will I see
Snow that blows
And Dylan's nose
and eagles in the trees.
New Year's Eve will find me
Where Hibbing's streetlights gleam
Oh, I'll be leaving Kansas
This time its not a dream!
I'll be leaving Kansas
Minnesota will I see
Snow that blows
And Dylan's nose
and eagles in the trees.
New Year's Eve will find me
Where Hibbing's streetlights gleam
Oh, I'll be leaving Kansas
This time its not a dream!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
When Miri asks about Santa...
The Truth about Santa
by Elaine M. Gibson
At some point in every child's life, parents must face the BIG question, What do I tell my child about Santa? When do I tell my child the truth? How do I tell my child that Mom and Dad are really Santa?
I approached these details with a great deal of bias from my own childhood. My parents told me the truth before I wanted to hear it. My cousin asked for a bike and Santa brought him one. I had wanted a bike but Santa didn't bring me one. My mother was worried that I would think Santa loved Jimmy more since Jimmy got his wish.
I don't remember even wanting a bike but I do remember the shock of hearing the truth revealed. My first reaction was that my parents had been lying to me and that was awful. There was also a sense of loss at not being able to believe in Santa Claus anymore. I decided that I would never tell my children that Santa Claus was real and thereby avoid the problem.
"Never say never" should be the slogan for parenthood.
When my first child was less than two years old, we attended the Christmas parade in downtown Bryan, Texas. The parade was almost over when Erin, atop her dad's shoulders, started chanting, "Santa, Santa, Santa!" She saw him and the magic began.
We read the Santa books and she pointed out every Santa image for the entire season. She was obviously thrilled with the whole mystique and I simply watched and enjoyed her excitement. I decided to keep my opinions to myself.
During the next few years, I let her invent her own Santa myths. She adopted ideas from books and films as well as from her friends. We avoided the "Santa only brings gifts IF you are good" routine and the "Santa knows everything you do so you better watch out" propaganda. Both concepts are designed to scare the stuffing out of kids and are used by desperate parents.
As this child began to ask questions, we simply answered with, "What do you think?" and she came up with the answers she was ready to accept and willing to believe.
Next, she really wanted answers but she also wanted to believe in Santa even though it was not making "sense" to her.
We would answer her questions with "It must be magic." Magic, fantasy, and pretend are normal parts of a young child's life and she could live with that answer. Then one December when Erin was four, she asked me the dreaded question, point blank.
"Is Santa real?"
"What do you think? and "Santa is magic" were no longer adequate answers. She demanded an answer but was obviously upset at the anticipated answer. (We were in the car at the time where all meaningful conversations seem to take place.)
Remembering how much I wanted to believe in Santa, I told my daughter that you can believe something is real if you want to believe it. I asked her if she wanted to believe in Santa and she said, "Yes." At that point, she actually decided to believe and convinced herself so well that she went through one more Christmas before explaining the "truth" to me.
Santa is magic and sooner or later everyone understands that there is a trick to all magic. When children begin to understand magic tricks, they figure out the trick to Santa. Erin accepted the fact that parents are Santa and relished the idea of being a Santa for someone else.
Santa Claus is love and love is real.
Some child specialist recommend debunking the Santa myth as soon as possible. Other specialists recommend telling children that Santa is real in response to a child's question. I suspect that both recommendations are the result of personal Christmases long ago.
As a parent, you need to handle the situation in whatever manner is comfortable. Think through your own feelings, be aware of your child's needs, then act accordingly. The "right" thing is what's right for your family.
Personally, I think I will continue to believe in Santa Claus. For as every kid knows, that way you get a present from Santa AND your parents!
by Elaine M. Gibson
At some point in every child's life, parents must face the BIG question, What do I tell my child about Santa? When do I tell my child the truth? How do I tell my child that Mom and Dad are really Santa?
I approached these details with a great deal of bias from my own childhood. My parents told me the truth before I wanted to hear it. My cousin asked for a bike and Santa brought him one. I had wanted a bike but Santa didn't bring me one. My mother was worried that I would think Santa loved Jimmy more since Jimmy got his wish.
I don't remember even wanting a bike but I do remember the shock of hearing the truth revealed. My first reaction was that my parents had been lying to me and that was awful. There was also a sense of loss at not being able to believe in Santa Claus anymore. I decided that I would never tell my children that Santa Claus was real and thereby avoid the problem.
"Never say never" should be the slogan for parenthood.
When my first child was less than two years old, we attended the Christmas parade in downtown Bryan, Texas. The parade was almost over when Erin, atop her dad's shoulders, started chanting, "Santa, Santa, Santa!" She saw him and the magic began.
We read the Santa books and she pointed out every Santa image for the entire season. She was obviously thrilled with the whole mystique and I simply watched and enjoyed her excitement. I decided to keep my opinions to myself.
During the next few years, I let her invent her own Santa myths. She adopted ideas from books and films as well as from her friends. We avoided the "Santa only brings gifts IF you are good" routine and the "Santa knows everything you do so you better watch out" propaganda. Both concepts are designed to scare the stuffing out of kids and are used by desperate parents.
As this child began to ask questions, we simply answered with, "What do you think?" and she came up with the answers she was ready to accept and willing to believe.
Next, she really wanted answers but she also wanted to believe in Santa even though it was not making "sense" to her.
We would answer her questions with "It must be magic." Magic, fantasy, and pretend are normal parts of a young child's life and she could live with that answer. Then one December when Erin was four, she asked me the dreaded question, point blank.
"Is Santa real?"
"What do you think? and "Santa is magic" were no longer adequate answers. She demanded an answer but was obviously upset at the anticipated answer. (We were in the car at the time where all meaningful conversations seem to take place.)
Remembering how much I wanted to believe in Santa, I told my daughter that you can believe something is real if you want to believe it. I asked her if she wanted to believe in Santa and she said, "Yes." At that point, she actually decided to believe and convinced herself so well that she went through one more Christmas before explaining the "truth" to me.
Santa is magic and sooner or later everyone understands that there is a trick to all magic. When children begin to understand magic tricks, they figure out the trick to Santa. Erin accepted the fact that parents are Santa and relished the idea of being a Santa for someone else.
Santa Claus is love and love is real.
Some child specialist recommend debunking the Santa myth as soon as possible. Other specialists recommend telling children that Santa is real in response to a child's question. I suspect that both recommendations are the result of personal Christmases long ago.
As a parent, you need to handle the situation in whatever manner is comfortable. Think through your own feelings, be aware of your child's needs, then act accordingly. The "right" thing is what's right for your family.
Personally, I think I will continue to believe in Santa Claus. For as every kid knows, that way you get a present from Santa AND your parents!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
The MLB Steroids Report
A few observations on the latest scandal in the sport I love to hate:
1. Best "Take-that-you-miserable-prick-and-kiss-your-career-and-Hall-of-Fame-ballot- goodbye" name: Roger Clemons
2. Names that should have been on the list but I'm glad were not: Mark and Sammy
3. Jose Canseco was right. Yike!
4. Maybe skinny guys will reappear, like in the 70's. And any big guys will be genuinely fat, like Willy Stargel.
1. Best "Take-that-you-miserable-prick-and-kiss-your-career-and-Hall-of-Fame-ballot- goodbye" name: Roger Clemons
2. Names that should have been on the list but I'm glad were not: Mark and Sammy
3. Jose Canseco was right. Yike!
4. Maybe skinny guys will reappear, like in the 70's. And any big guys will be genuinely fat, like Willy Stargel.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Think you know "A Christmas Story?"
I love this movie! Do you? Try these trivia questions! Long live Ralphie!
(Answers posted in Comments)
1. What is Ralphie's last name?
2. Where does he live (street, town, state)?
3. What does he want for Christmas? (Be exact.)
4. According to his mom, teacher and Santa, what will happen if he gets it?
5. What does Ralphie explicitly not want for Christmas?
6. What is the name of the local department store?
7. What is the name of the Lone Ranger's nephew's horse?
8. What did the "clodhopper down in Griffith, Ind.," swallow?
9. What contest does Ralphie's dad enter?
10. What is first prize?
11. What is Ralphie's brother's name?
12. Who directed, produced and co-wrote the movie?
13. This man also directed what 1982 movie about a group of Florida high schoolers and a sleazy nightclub owner?
14. What magazine does Ralphie's mother read?
15. According to Ralphie (as he tries to con his dad), what did Flick see near Pulaski's Candy Store?
16. What are the parents' names?
17. What did the father want for Christmas?
18. What does he get?
19. In his dream sequence, what does Ralphie call his trusty firearm?
20. In that dream, who's the leader of the desperadoes who attack his house?
21. What kind of car does Dad drive?
22. To the best of Ralphie's knowledge, where does his dad's "tapestry of obscenity" hover to this day?
23. Why does the little brother cry before going to school?
24. What song's sheet music is written on the blackboard in Ralphie's class?
25. What is the name of Ralphie's teacher?
26. What is the name of the neighborhood bully?
27. What color eyes does he have?
28. This bully is played by Zack Ward. In what Fox comedy did he co-star as an adult?
29. What is the name of his toadie sidekick?
30. Name two things confiscated from students in the teacher's desk.
31. What book is the class reading?
32. What is the most serious of all dares?
33. Melinda Dillon, who plays Ralphie's mom, appears topless in what 1977 movie?
34. Where does Ralphie sit in class?
35. What theme does the teacher assign to the class?
36. What is the name of Ralphie's neighbors?
37. Who wrote and narrated "A Christmas Story"?
38. Who does he play on-screen in the film?
39. What does Dad guess is his "Major Award"?
40. When the crate arrives, where does he think it's from?
41. How much does Dad tip the delivery guys?
42. How long has Ralphie's brother not eaten voluntarily?
43. When did Mom last have a hot meal for herself?
44. What is the Major Award?
45. What is the nickname of the neighbor Dad talks to across the street?
46. What time did "Lil' Orphan Annie" start?
47. Who is the sponsor of the radio show?
48. What grade does Ralphie get on his theme?
49. How fast can Dad change a flat tire?
50. What brand of soap does Ralphie like to have his mouth washed out with?
51. What brand does he hate?
52. When Mom breaks Dad's Major Award, what "crusher" of a line does he stammer out?
53. What does Dad then do with his Major Award?
54. What kind of dogs do the neighbors have?
55. Who had tickets to the Bears-Packers game?
56. Characters from this movie march in the Christmas parade.
57. Some of these characters pretend to beat up what other character in the parade?
58. Who/what does "Goggle Boy" waiting in line like?
59. What year did "A Christmas Story" likely take place?
60. What does the department store Santa hate?
61. Ralphie's dad could replace a fuse faster than what?
62. What gifts did Ralphie and his brother throw over their shoulders in disgust?
63. What are the names of Ralphie's two friends?
64. Name three gifts Ralphie's brother received for Christmas.
65. What is the name of Ralphie's aunt?
66. What does she think Ralphie is?
67. What does she make him as a gift?
68. What two things does Dad say Ralphie looks like wearing it?
69. What school does Ralphie attend?
70. What does Dad offer Ralphie on Christmas morning?
71. What is Dad's favorite food?
72. What happens to Ralphie's glasses on Christmas morning?
73. According to Mom, what will Dad get if he eats dinner before it's completely cooked?
74. What day of the week does Christmas fall on that year?
75. Where does the family go out to eat on Christmas night?
76. What is above the restaurant?
76. What two songs do the wait staff sing?
77. How is that dinner like da Vinci's "The Last Supper"?
78. What is the problem with the duck that's served?
79. How is this resolved?
80. What does adult Ralphie call duck?
(Answers posted in Comments)
1. What is Ralphie's last name?
2. Where does he live (street, town, state)?
3. What does he want for Christmas? (Be exact.)
4. According to his mom, teacher and Santa, what will happen if he gets it?
5. What does Ralphie explicitly not want for Christmas?
6. What is the name of the local department store?
7. What is the name of the Lone Ranger's nephew's horse?
8. What did the "clodhopper down in Griffith, Ind.," swallow?
9. What contest does Ralphie's dad enter?
10. What is first prize?
11. What is Ralphie's brother's name?
12. Who directed, produced and co-wrote the movie?
13. This man also directed what 1982 movie about a group of Florida high schoolers and a sleazy nightclub owner?
14. What magazine does Ralphie's mother read?
15. According to Ralphie (as he tries to con his dad), what did Flick see near Pulaski's Candy Store?
16. What are the parents' names?
17. What did the father want for Christmas?
18. What does he get?
19. In his dream sequence, what does Ralphie call his trusty firearm?
20. In that dream, who's the leader of the desperadoes who attack his house?
21. What kind of car does Dad drive?
22. To the best of Ralphie's knowledge, where does his dad's "tapestry of obscenity" hover to this day?
23. Why does the little brother cry before going to school?
24. What song's sheet music is written on the blackboard in Ralphie's class?
25. What is the name of Ralphie's teacher?
26. What is the name of the neighborhood bully?
27. What color eyes does he have?
28. This bully is played by Zack Ward. In what Fox comedy did he co-star as an adult?
29. What is the name of his toadie sidekick?
30. Name two things confiscated from students in the teacher's desk.
31. What book is the class reading?
32. What is the most serious of all dares?
33. Melinda Dillon, who plays Ralphie's mom, appears topless in what 1977 movie?
34. Where does Ralphie sit in class?
35. What theme does the teacher assign to the class?
36. What is the name of Ralphie's neighbors?
37. Who wrote and narrated "A Christmas Story"?
38. Who does he play on-screen in the film?
39. What does Dad guess is his "Major Award"?
40. When the crate arrives, where does he think it's from?
41. How much does Dad tip the delivery guys?
42. How long has Ralphie's brother not eaten voluntarily?
43. When did Mom last have a hot meal for herself?
44. What is the Major Award?
45. What is the nickname of the neighbor Dad talks to across the street?
46. What time did "Lil' Orphan Annie" start?
47. Who is the sponsor of the radio show?
48. What grade does Ralphie get on his theme?
49. How fast can Dad change a flat tire?
50. What brand of soap does Ralphie like to have his mouth washed out with?
51. What brand does he hate?
52. When Mom breaks Dad's Major Award, what "crusher" of a line does he stammer out?
53. What does Dad then do with his Major Award?
54. What kind of dogs do the neighbors have?
55. Who had tickets to the Bears-Packers game?
56. Characters from this movie march in the Christmas parade.
57. Some of these characters pretend to beat up what other character in the parade?
58. Who/what does "Goggle Boy" waiting in line like?
59. What year did "A Christmas Story" likely take place?
60. What does the department store Santa hate?
61. Ralphie's dad could replace a fuse faster than what?
62. What gifts did Ralphie and his brother throw over their shoulders in disgust?
63. What are the names of Ralphie's two friends?
64. Name three gifts Ralphie's brother received for Christmas.
65. What is the name of Ralphie's aunt?
66. What does she think Ralphie is?
67. What does she make him as a gift?
68. What two things does Dad say Ralphie looks like wearing it?
69. What school does Ralphie attend?
70. What does Dad offer Ralphie on Christmas morning?
71. What is Dad's favorite food?
72. What happens to Ralphie's glasses on Christmas morning?
73. According to Mom, what will Dad get if he eats dinner before it's completely cooked?
74. What day of the week does Christmas fall on that year?
75. Where does the family go out to eat on Christmas night?
76. What is above the restaurant?
76. What two songs do the wait staff sing?
77. How is that dinner like da Vinci's "The Last Supper"?
78. What is the problem with the duck that's served?
79. How is this resolved?
80. What does adult Ralphie call duck?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Not so cold after all
Well, that horrible ice storm that blasted everyone else just rained a lot on Wichita, though I spent the day at home (school was closed the day before) getting ready for everything to go out. There were benefits, however. We didn't have to pay a babysitter, I got a nap and I got to watch the entire first season of "The Drew Cary Show" on DVD.
Hey, it was MY day off, so that is a benefit...
Hey, it was MY day off, so that is a benefit...
Monday, December 10, 2007
That icy cold feeling part II
The second ice storm in three years is on its way. And the tree that caused my week-long power outage last time is still there...and three years older.
Hibbing has 2 feet of snow and has a temperature of -18 degrees this morning. I'd rather be there.
Hibbing has 2 feet of snow and has a temperature of -18 degrees this morning. I'd rather be there.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
A quiet week for blogging...
...but not for me. Many things going on at school, home (Cole's birthday, Miri's birthday, Hanukkah, getting ready to move) plus I'm feeling under the weather. So, no posts this week. Check in next week.
So, till then:
A guy walks into a bar, sits down and hears a small voice say, "You look nice today." A few minutes later he again hears a small voice, "That's a nice shirt." The guy asks the bartender, "Who is that?" The bartender says, "Those are the peanuts. They're complimentary!"
So, till then:
A guy walks into a bar, sits down and hears a small voice say, "You look nice today." A few minutes later he again hears a small voice, "That's a nice shirt." The guy asks the bartender, "Who is that?" The bartender says, "Those are the peanuts. They're complimentary!"
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