Mixed Messages

It's possible we're damaging our children with mixed messages. Case in point...last night was a serve yourself/eat when you want type of dinner. We had some chicken, some rice and bread, etc.. I wasn't paying much attention to whom was eating what, or when, before I became distracted by the apron I started before Christmas - the one onto which I had attached the pockets unevenly. I decided to fix it right then and there, and didn't realize Sophie hadn't been served any food. After I had been working on the apron for a while, I walked into the living room and found Sophie still in her ballet leotard eating her dinner on the living room floor, complete with half a loaf of french bread, and surrounded by her animal figurines. She had picked out and eaten almost all the center of the loaf, and had her hand deep down inside for another piece. There was also a discarded chicken bone behind her. I thought her resourcefulness was about the most adorable thing in the world, and ran upstairs to grab the camera. I took some pictures, laughed and laughed, and kissed her and told her how cute it was that she had served herself dinner and was eating it on the floor with her animals - then I went back to my apron in the other room.

About ten minutes later, Matt comes down stairs into the living room and I hear him saying, "Sophie, what are you doing? Why are you eating that whole loaf of bread like that? Rachel, did you know she was in here eating the entire loaf of french bread on the floor?"

Sophie starts crying - it doesn't take much. She never wants to do anything wrong, because she's sweet like that.

I don't answer right away.

Me after awkward silence: "umm, what?"

Matt: "did you know Sophie was in here with her arm down the middle of the french bread eating it on the floor? No Sophie, you can't do that."

Me: "Oh, yeah......I did see her doing that...and was kind of letting her."

Do you think she'll need lots of therapy when she grows up, or what?

Sacajawea Rap

This is what Ella and her friends did for a history project instead of writing a paper. It's kind of a ghetto fab/CMT channel version of Sacajawea - prepare to be amazed!

Ella's sporting the soul-patch

Happy Hair Ending

Wow...who knew we were all still harboring such harrowing bad perm memories? The pain in my comment box was palpable. I think some group therapy, at say...North Beach Pizza in San Francisco, is in order! Let me know when you're all available and I'll bring a comfy portable couch along.

Well, my junior high bad perm saga had a happy ending. My hair wasn't permanently (pun intended) damaged after all. But then there was my 8th grade graduation dress...

Here I am taking modesty a little too much to heart - or was this my mother's fault again? I have my suspicions. Possibly more salt her way cometh...

Hmmm, looks like all my BFFs went shopping together without me. Check out the way my friend Amy is checking me out. She's all like, "giiiiiirl, we're in the twentieth century now."

Here I am, gracefully gliding back to my seat like a delicate and proper Victorian lady-in-waiting. I was only 100 years late and one parasol removed from being Monet's muse.

An Abridged Conclusion

Okay, this IS IT!!! I'm not getting up from this computer until I have finished this freaking heartwarming story of deflating my mother's bum foot!!! And it will be an abridged version, which will no doubt cause great joy for all my lovely readers :) The details are simply too boring blog.

So...I grocery shopped and read lots and lots of labels, blah blah blah. I discovered most everything frozen, processed, convenient or tasty was off limits and that I am awash in sodium, blah blah blah. I purchased all fresh and natural foods, blah blah blah. I cooked, and or prepared, three square low sodium meals a day - plus nutritious snacks, which were very delicious, blah blah blah. I became the sodium Nazi, blah blah blah. After a couple days, wrinkles appeared on the bottom of my mother's bum foot, blah blah blah. And in a few more days, her toes also began to wrinkle, blah blah blah. By the end of my stay, her ankles nearly matched one another, blah blah blah.

And now for the heartwarming part - when I returned the following week to stay the night (after I'd come home the first time), she was talking to a friend on the phone and told her friend that for the first time in fourteen years, her ankles matched each other, and that it was all because of my cooking and good care :) Isn't that so neat?! It really made me smile :)

PHEW!!! I am sooo glad I finally got that out! Wow, what torture that was for some reason. I feel like a weight has been lifted - aaaahhh...

But you know what happened this week? I kind of wanted to invite my mom over for dinner in order to slip a large quantity of salt into her dinner after I went on a Facebook frenzy and took a trip down memory lane. All kinds of childhood friends were suddenly in my life again, posting pictures and reminiscing. I decided to go look for some of my old photos, and came across some pretty frightening stuff. Here's the deal, I had amazing hair my very first season of playing soccer in 1979, as seen below.

Ummm, I was a babe in 1979!

The next season I had a perm, which wasn't bad. It's kind of cute actually because it was pretty loose, but my mom really really really wanted me to keep getting perms because my hair is rather thin and tends to be stringy.

So then, by 1981-1982 I had this hair!!!!! What the what???? How did I go from the first picture, to this poodle-ish monstrosity, in only two or three short years, and why did my mother condone it? And not only did she condone it, she LOVED my hair like this :0

And to make it all worse, look. No one else had a perm! It was NOT in style!!! Everyone else wasn't doing it!!!

Oh, be certain of it - something salty her way cometh, believeth you me!!!

In Your Face Neighbor Girl

We all know Neighbor Girl ain't got nothin' on me! Well she ain't got nothin' on Eva either!!! Dig this

On drums - she's only 9 people.

Neighbor Girl doesn't even have a pair of drum sticks.

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I'm only delaying the much anticipated conclusion to my low sodium saga in order to build more tension and suspense. I'm a master like that ;-)

Winter Coats

Eva's been home sick for the last couple days, so I took her out for a drive to get out of the house. We drove up to see the wild horses, and you know what? She was bored right out of her mind! Can you believe that? Oh well. I had a good time :)

The horses are all decked out in their thick winter coats now. They look very different than they do during the summertime.

Slide Mountain in the background

Don't you just want to take it home, give it a nice hot bath, and then cuddle up with it?

There is a spot up on a certain hill where someone (possibly a government agency worker?) brings them hay during the winter. If you go up there, they walk right up to your car and are very friendly. This brown one tried to eat my jacket through the window. Parking there has kind of a Pavlovian affect on them I think. It's the Pavlovian parking spot.

And do you know what else I saw today? Prisoners in black and white stripes cleaning up horse stuff on Steamboat :D I didn't know they still wore stripes! Crime really doesn't pay!!!

I've never actually seen the horses on Steamboat, but they made a huge mess on it over the last few weeks! I kind of imagine it happening like a Far Side cartoon - they sneak over in the middle of the night, mess the place up, and then laugh their heads off at the prisoners cleaning up after them. You just have to love that they do whatever they want, wherever they want, and whenever they want!

Not in the Band and Almost the Conclusion of the Salt Saga

Oh my goodness - guess what! We really are starting a girl band...Matt bought an electric guitar on Friday. I can't count the number of times I've already heard the intro riff from 'Iron Man'. Suddenly we're metal-head rockers!

But guess what else...I'm a failure as a mother. Last night while watching the Grammys, our musical worlds collided when The Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder took the stage together. In a painful illustration of how my attempts at brainwashing have had absolutely no affect, Ella said, "oh my GOSH! Stevie Wonder is soooo lucky to get to play with The Jonas Brothers!"

(Did you see Nick forget the words to 'Superstition'? Was totally awesome and vindicating - hee hee hee)

But that was just the first wound.

Today I was told that the neighbor girl (I used to call her by her name, which is Deanna, and I used to really love her) is going to be the drummer. In other words, I'm not in the band.

Geez! She doesn't even have her own mock/wannabe/pseudodrummer drum set to practice on like I do. She probably couldn't even pass the easy level on any of the easy peasy songs! I'm pretty sure she sucks as a Rock Band drummer - I challenge the neighbor girl to a drum off! And if I still don't get the job after my inevitable victory, guess who'll be cleaning the garage this week? And guess who'll then never have band practice with the neighbor girl in said newly cleaned garage?

Think about it...

;-)

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Epic salt saga continued...

I was kind of nervous about taking care of my mom up in Susanville by myself. For one thing, all of her doctors are either in Reno or the Sacramento area, and she doesn't like the hospital in town. There just isn't much available in terms of super duper emergency medical care.

And, I was also nervous that after a few days I would really turn into Nurse Ratched. Sometimes my mother and I bring out the worst in each other, and I can get a little bit crazy!

But all the worry was for naught, because I turned out to be more like Florence Nightingale than anyone - pleasantly finding the remote for her, refreshing her drink and ice regularly, fetching the mail, watching chick flicks with her, tucking her into bed at night, etc., etc., etc.. I truly was an excellent nurse! But on top of looking after her in those ways and many others, I took it upon myself to cook meals for her with the least amount of sodium possible, in order to bring her swollen foot (see earlier posts if you don't know what I'm talking about) back to a comfortable level.

And that's exactly what I did! To be continued...and hopefully finished in the next post, because it's been so long now, the details are becoming murky (and I'm losing interest).

Useless Rock Band Talent and More Homework

Remember a few weeks back, after Christmas, when I shared my moving testimony about Rock Band?

"And finally, I want to share my testimony, that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rock Band (the family gift) is true, that I will someday receive a 100% playing drums on 'Black Hole Sun' (I'm still on easy, baby steps people) and that I want to be with my family forever when we're rockin' it together!"

You probably thought I was just being silly right? Check this out

On drums

Yes, you're right, it's not the same song. But did you notice the level is 'EXPERT'? It wasn't pretty, and it's not one of the hardest songs, but I passed - 6 times!!! Matt keeps asking me if I'm embarrassed about my Rock Band addiction...

...um, no. Because I'm totally awesome and I know Rock Band is true :) Sheesh

Plus, it's one more amazing thing to add to my long list of useless talents :)

And little Eva is hot on my trail

On drums

I think we're going to start a girl band!

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My salt homework continues...

Besides being profoundly weak (it took all the strength she could muster to make it with her walker from her bedroom to the living room), my mom also had a leg swelling complication. Fourteen years ago she had a chunk of melanoma on her right inner thigh removed. The doctor also removed the lymph-nodes in that leg (apparently it was unnecessary), and as a result, fluid does not easily drain anymore - meaning her ankle becomes extremely swollen if she consumes too much sodium. Normally, she takes a water pill everyday, and something else I can't remember the name of, but these medications were exacerbating the kidney failure, so she had to quit taking them. In addition to all that, the hospital, which was excellent in every other way, could not seem to provide a low sodium diet, so by the time she was discharged, she could hardly wiggle her toes from the swelling.

The really exciting and heartwarming part coming soon...why...am...I...still...torturing...myself...this...way?...

'Yellow' by Ella

Tonight Ella was running late getting to bed but needed to print a poem she had written for a class that was on a flash drive, so I told her to go to bed and I would print it for her. Here is the poem:

“Yellow” by Ella Hamrick

Yellow is the color of Joy

An unexpected surprise

To a deserving young child

There are yellow daisies and yellow sunsets

Childhood feels yellow, joyful and bright

Yellow is a stroll through the meadows

Yellow is bright and happy

Always smiling upon you

Yellow feels like happiness, joy, and excitement

Yellow is the lilies floating on the water

Or the refreshing lemonade on a sunny yellow day

Yellow feels like tomorrow

But seems like yesterday

With every heart beat and joyful smile

I think Ella is Yellow

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More salt coming soon, but in the meantime, my mother made a miraculous return to work today :)

Homework Assignment and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

Well, I've put off writing my heartwarming salt story for so long, that now it feels like homework...

...so let me put it off for just another minute longer to tell you about a fantastic concert I went to the other night :) Talking about concerts is so much more fun than doing homework!

I'm not sure if anyone's noticed, but I'm kind of a soul music fanatic - soul music as in the 'classic' soul/R&B of the 60' and 70's, not to be confused with contemporary R&B. Ya dig? Wednesday I went with a friend to see Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (Matt was so nice to take over my duties again). Sharon Jones is truly a throw back to the way soul used to done!!! And the Dap Kings, her band, are brilliant! They are known for having backed-up Amy Winehouse on several songs, including 'Rehab'. But dang if Amy Winehouse doesn't just give me the creeps with her tacky black widow hair, those scary Cleopatra eyes and her self-harming ways! It's not the Dap King's fault though. They can't help it that Amy's a crack head who needs a lifetime of rehab. Sharon Jones on the other hand has herself together, and they're her band.

Anywho, the show was one of the best and most fun I've ever attended. Case in point, check this out. Sharon does the dance moves she did growing up - she's 53, which means this is inspiring:

She danced like this most of the night! She pulled people up on stage to dance throughout the night as well, but if someone was boring, she kicked him/her off :D

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Then she did one of my my all time favorite songs, 'A Change Is Gonna Come'

This song (by Sam Cooke) is one of the greatest of all time in my opinion. It was very dramatic and wonderful - although I don't really think Obama is going to put any money in my pocket ;-)

A friend I hadn't seen in years came with me. Actually, she lived across the street from us and I labeled her house in my Google Earth post a couple weeks back. She's Tracy. We've recently been in contact again thanks to facebook :) We had a great time catching up on our lives and visiting, and even though we've grown to be political and religious polar opposites, she's kind of like a family member you haven't seen for a long long time, but makes you feel like home because you did so much together as kids and she knows you so well. She was a huge part of my childhood, and it was lovely seeing her again - plus, she loves this kind of music too. Thanks for the fun Miss T!

So, it was a wonderful evening, and if you made it through all the videos, you're invited to come the next time I go see SJ&TDK :) And there will be a next time!!!

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Okay, fun's over - on to my homework...

When my poor mother was released from the hospital, she was in a bad bad way! The infection that had gone into her blood and caused kidney failure had left her profoundly weak, and her asthma had become a problem from lying in bed so long. But they always send people home as soon as they're not on their death beds anymore, so home we went (to Susanville).

Okay, that's enough of that - I'm boring myself, sheesh...will finish it soon and liven it up a bit...

Flair Achievement

Tonight I had every intention of writing my riveting and epic tale of low sodium gastronomic achievement, but instead I made my very first flair :)

How 'bout a roundhouse kick to the face in those bad boys Chuck Norris

My heartwarming tale of low sodium culinary delight coming soon...

Chia Obama to be Available in Two Different Looks

OMGoodness! No Cool Story over at More Cowbell has informed me that Chia Obama will come in two different looks: determined and happy. I definitely prefer the 'determined' pose

but I'll probably end up getting both! I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy them all up Dwight Schrute style...they'll be available March 20, 2009 - mark your calendars!!!

And thanks NCS for the video :)

I can't wait to start my indoor garden :)

Click here for some fascinating Chia Pet history

Chia Obama

Hey, look! Two posts in one day...

I don't think I can live another day with an Obama Chia Pet!!!!!

♫ Cha cha cha chia ♫

Feeling the Love and Handicap Parking Righteousness

Do you know I feel very honored this week? First was my lovely homecoming and subsequent joy over the makeover on Eva and Sophie's room, coupled with the satisfaction of Matt having not been a perfect mother (but he was very close). Oh, and seeing my family again and being fawned all over too ;-) Then the Crash Test Dummy made me her featured follower of the week, and each time I look at her blog, there I am :) I just love seeing my name in lights like that - and you should all check out her blog because you'll smile a lot, and sometimes maybe tear-up a little. Then, yesterday, I went over to my friend Julie's blog, and she had an entire post dedicated just to ME! I just about fell out of my chair, only it's flanked by arm rests, so I didn't. Did you know that Julie drives a mean getaway minivan when your out toilet papering with your girlfriends? Too bad she went and moved way out to Ferntucky! Thank you for the very flattering post Julie (it really went to my head). Then, on top of all of that, J-Lo showed up in my comment box tonight after a six week maternity leave from blog stalking, and mentioned that she rocked her sweet little Joe Cypress to sleep listening to Aretha Franklin's 'You Send Me' that is on my current playlist. I just feel like my birthday keeps going on and on and on....

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Look what I found in my car after I arrived home from my mother's on Monday...

...her handicap parking placard.

Did you know that there are no handicap parking placards available on e-bay? I checked because I wondered if I could make enough money to get a Nikon D-90. I was surprised there weren't any up for auction, but then I read the small print.

You do the math - it just doesn't add up to being worth it. That's twice the price of my dream camera ;-)

So, the placard was relinquished to my mother today, and without even having been taken advantage of one single time while out shopping. Yes people, that's the kind of superior human being I am. I had it for three days and never used it. Not once. I've always aspired to be a role model, and now I truly am. I'm just not the kind of person who takes advantage of excellent parking spots with her ill mother's handicap parking placard, or who would auction it off on e-bay for anything less than the amount of the fine that would have to be paid for using it illegally. I didn't even send Ella in to grocery shop for me and stay in the car pretending to be a handicap person who doesn't feel like getting her wheelchair out, that's how righteous I am. Don't you kind of love it when that happens though? When a handicapped person parks in a handicap spot, but stays in the car while the able bodied person goes shopping? That's nerve!

Tonight I'm in Susanville again with my mom. She was having some pain and her doctor wanted her to come to Reno to check her out (I followed her home afterward). Apparently the infection which caused one of her kidneys to fail is still lingering, so she's back on some antibiotics, but is still much improved from last week. I'll probably only be here for one night.

Now it's late and I don't have time to write about how I became an expert low sodium chef last week. Too bad! It's a riveting story, but it'll just have to wait until next time...

Ciao for now peeps :)

He Really Does Love Me

Either that, or he was really tired of looking at the mess spilling out of Eva and Sophie's room when he reached the top of the stairs. I happen to think it was because he loves me though. When I came home last night from being at my mom's for nine days, I was greeted with a completely organized and revamped kid's room! Oh how my heart soared!!! I mean really high! I feel like a new person, like a weight has been lifted, as if I can do anything in the entire world to which I set my mind - like clean my closet and finish the garage. Oh the joy! All the clothes have been gone through, the old and unused toys gotten rid of, the closet cleaned, drawers organized, and under the bed cleaned out.

But you know what else was wonderful about my homecoming? There was a huge pile of clean laundry on the bed to be folded, a huge pile of dirty laundry needing to be washed, homework unfinished, a spelling test failed because it hadn't been studied for, boxes and boxes of cold cereal that made up the bulk of their nine day diet, and several appointments missed. See, he did something extraordinary that made me very happy and has motivated me to finish some things that need to be finished already, but then he didn't do such an extraordinary job with everything else as to put me to shame. So nice of him to not have been a perfect mother - that would have been depressing. It was just the right balance of keeping the kids alive/happy (okay, way better than that), getting them almost everywhere they needed to be, and doing something for me that I'd been dreading and putting off for a long time. It was so lovely, I let him know exactly how glad I was to be home :)