Sky is going back to work.
Big Girl starts first grade in two weeks.
Little Girl was diagnosed with an allergy to one of the preservatives in wine and/or grape juice.
I started a project l'illui nishmas my father.
One of my closest friends moved back to town.
There is a family reunion erev sukkos at a casino.
I am busier than I've ever been.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Help Save Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
PBS announced in June that they will be removing Mr. Rogers from their daily transmittals to local PBS stations, and only doing it once a week. That means at most local PBS stations will be showing Mr. Rogers once a week instead of everyday, and for many of them, they will remove it all together.
I don't know about you, but I grew up on Mr. Rogers and his gentleness. Mr. McFeely, the puppets, the trolley, the sweaters, everything. As a child who grew up abused, I have to admit there was a constancy in Mr. Rogers that I lacked in my own home. I cried the day Mr. Rogers passed away. If there was a television show I would allow my own children to watch (and if we had a TV), it would be Mr. Rogers.
Someone decided to do something about it and started a website to Save Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood is a precious resource for children all over the United States. Let's not let PBS take that away. Please take a few minutes to email your local station and ask them to keep Mr. Rogers on the air on a daily basis.
Local NY PBS Stations are:
WNET - Channel 13 (NYC) Their contact page is here, and make sure you select "Programming" in the drop down box.
WLIW - Channel 21 (Long Island) Their contact page is here.
NJN Public Television (NJ) There contact page is here.
You can find your station here.
PLEASE take a minute and write a short email asking them to keep Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on a daily basis.
I don't know about you, but I grew up on Mr. Rogers and his gentleness. Mr. McFeely, the puppets, the trolley, the sweaters, everything. As a child who grew up abused, I have to admit there was a constancy in Mr. Rogers that I lacked in my own home. I cried the day Mr. Rogers passed away. If there was a television show I would allow my own children to watch (and if we had a TV), it would be Mr. Rogers.
Someone decided to do something about it and started a website to Save Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood is a precious resource for children all over the United States. Let's not let PBS take that away. Please take a few minutes to email your local station and ask them to keep Mr. Rogers on the air on a daily basis.
Local NY PBS Stations are:
WNET - Channel 13 (NYC) Their contact page is here, and make sure you select "Programming" in the drop down box.
WLIW - Channel 21 (Long Island) Their contact page is here.
NJN Public Television (NJ) There contact page is here.
You can find your station here.
PLEASE take a minute and write a short email asking them to keep Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on a daily basis.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
We got home from the hospital at 2 am
I took off my shoes at midnight, thinking, "Now that I'm getting comfortable, he will call and say he's ready to come home."
Nope.
At 1 am I took off my bra and figured I would just lay down and rest until he called. As soon as my eyes closed he called.
Sky has broken a bone in the middle of his foot.
He will be off it for the next two weeks. He has to be off it completely for the next two days and see a podiatrist and/or orthopedist.
They gave him some sort of air cast and a cane and he can hobble around the house at least.
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
It should be the ABSOLUTE worst thing that happens to us in the 9 days.
Wishing you all an easy and meaningful fast!
Nope.
At 1 am I took off my bra and figured I would just lay down and rest until he called. As soon as my eyes closed he called.
Sky has broken a bone in the middle of his foot.
He will be off it for the next two weeks. He has to be off it completely for the next two days and see a podiatrist and/or orthopedist.
They gave him some sort of air cast and a cane and he can hobble around the house at least.
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
It should be the ABSOLUTE worst thing that happens to us in the 9 days.
Wishing you all an easy and meaningful fast!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Sky
Sky fell earlier and Hatzolah took him to the emergency room. It's been almost five hours and I haven't gotten any information from them other than he's "being seen".
I don't think it's anything more than maybe a broken bone, but please daven for him nonetheless.
Thanks!
I don't think it's anything more than maybe a broken bone, but please daven for him nonetheless.
Thanks!
Now I have zero desire to eat
for the rest of the day, if not the week.
Article in LA Weekly about a pair of rat-hoarding elderly sisters. Yeah, they purposely kept the rats.
I feel like I'm going to puke.
Article in LA Weekly about a pair of rat-hoarding elderly sisters. Yeah, they purposely kept the rats.
I feel like I'm going to puke.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Canarsie Boro Park Bus
Do any of you know the schedule and map of the Jewish Bus that goes between Boro Park and Canarsie? Or where I can get the schedule?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The two opposite extremes
In the last few months, my girls have asked me at bedtime to tell them stories about when I was a little girl. I try to make these stories have a moral or lesson to them to reinforce things for them, especially safety issues. For example I've told them about the time I got separated from my parents at the Turtleback zoo (always pay attention to where your mommy and tatty are and don't wander off), or when tripped on the sidewalk and broke my nose in first grade (I wasn't paying attention to where I was going), or when I was on vacation with my grandparents at a farm and I kept touching a fence that was supposed to be electrified and wasn't until I touched it the third time and got a shock (always listen and pay attention to signs). Usually these stories have to do with things like listening, holding a mommy or tatty's hand when crossing the street, etc.
Last week, I started to tell the girls a highly edited version of the story of when my mother left us with a summer babysitter and I ran away to my father's house when I was 12. (Don't worry, I didn't get very far). I told the girls that Bubbie D, my mommy left us with a bad, bad babysitter, who didn't want to play with us and sat around and watch television all day.
Big girl immediately interrupted me and asked, "What's television?"
Needless to say, I was surprised and happy to hear her ask such a question. I consider it a victory that my child does not know what "television" is. The child has watched Jewish videos on the computer, and watched them on a monitor and dvd, but has never watched commercial television to my memory. The fact that I have insulated my almost six year old child from the shtus of the secular world (although not all of it is shtus), and inculcated her with Yiddishkeit feels like an accomplishment.
* * * *
This afternoon I rode the train home and was standing next to a clearly chassidishe young man who was listening to his Ipod. So let's be clear about something from the get-go. If any of you can name me a chassidishe rov, or a chareidi rov for that matter who allows this, please let me know in the comments.
This young man was clearly careful about shomer negiah, making sure to not touch both myself and a few non-jewish women who were on the very crowded train. I looked over at his Ipod, which he clearly had in plain view, and saw clearly he was listening to music. Secular music. In the three weeks. Oh, and did I mention it was "Danity Kane"? Nothing like a little secular kol isha in the three weeks, heh. I was trying to think of something to say to him but was kind of left speechless. After I got off the train, I realized that I could have said with a wink, "Last time I checked, but I'm pretty sure that Danity Kane is not the acapella protege of Avrohom Fried or Blue Fringe (or any other Jewish musician for that matter)."
Last week, I started to tell the girls a highly edited version of the story of when my mother left us with a summer babysitter and I ran away to my father's house when I was 12. (Don't worry, I didn't get very far). I told the girls that Bubbie D, my mommy left us with a bad, bad babysitter, who didn't want to play with us and sat around and watch television all day.
Big girl immediately interrupted me and asked, "What's television?"
Needless to say, I was surprised and happy to hear her ask such a question. I consider it a victory that my child does not know what "television" is. The child has watched Jewish videos on the computer, and watched them on a monitor and dvd, but has never watched commercial television to my memory. The fact that I have insulated my almost six year old child from the shtus of the secular world (although not all of it is shtus), and inculcated her with Yiddishkeit feels like an accomplishment.
* * * *
This afternoon I rode the train home and was standing next to a clearly chassidishe young man who was listening to his Ipod. So let's be clear about something from the get-go. If any of you can name me a chassidishe rov, or a chareidi rov for that matter who allows this, please let me know in the comments.
This young man was clearly careful about shomer negiah, making sure to not touch both myself and a few non-jewish women who were on the very crowded train. I looked over at his Ipod, which he clearly had in plain view, and saw clearly he was listening to music. Secular music. In the three weeks. Oh, and did I mention it was "Danity Kane"? Nothing like a little secular kol isha in the three weeks, heh. I was trying to think of something to say to him but was kind of left speechless. After I got off the train, I realized that I could have said with a wink, "Last time I checked, but I'm pretty sure that Danity Kane is not the acapella protege of Avrohom Fried or Blue Fringe (or any other Jewish musician for that matter)."
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I love...
For those of you without TV, I thought you might like to see this:
The original commercial:
The original xkcd comic (click to make it readable):
The video of the xkcd cartoon:
Hat Tip to BoingBoing
The original commercial:
The original xkcd comic (click to make it readable):
The video of the xkcd cartoon:Hat Tip to BoingBoing
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Passaic Help
We are going to Passaic for Shabbos in the near future and want to do something FUN with the kids on Sunday morning. Does anyone have any ideas? Fruit picking maybe? Turtleback zoo? (Will the 13 year old be bored there?) Any ideas dear readers?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
An Update, of sorts
I have so much to write about. First, I weighed in yesterday and I gained 3lbs! I'll explain why in a minute.
Many years ago, I broke a baby tooth that was still in my mouth. My dentist warned that eventually the other teeth would shift and I should get a crown or bridge as soon as possible. Almost 10 years later, I finally got around to doing something about it. My dentist wanted $3500 plus anesthesia plus the crown. I blanched. A commenter suggested that I try a dental school. And I did. I went to NYU school of dentistry, and it's been a few months in getting to this point, but Tuesday I had the surgery. It also took $1000 out of my flex spending account, but that's a bargain compared to what my dentist had quoted me. I went in, they cut my gums open, drilled a hole into my skull, screwed in the first screw (and ratcheted it in (like a socket wrench)), and sewed my gums closed. I go back next week to have the stitched removed, then in three months to have the second screw put in, and then another month later I get the crown. All I have to say is they put so much novocaine in, the whole side of my face was numb up to my lower eyelid. And listening to Moshav Band and Aaron Raizel while your skull is being drilled was the only way I got through it. Turns out the weight gain is likely related to the anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic drugs I'm on. Plus everything I'm eating is soft - so there's barely any fiber in my diet. Hopefully next week I'll lose it all.
Both my girls graduated this week and are moving up to the next grade. All was well until I got a disturbing phone call from Little Girl's counselor at school who is concerned that she has been very sad the last six weeks or so. We talked about it and I will be spending more time playing with her to hopefully see what the cause of her sadness is.
I finally managed to start the gemach l'illui nishmas my father. I feel good about it and I hope that it really gets off the ground and accomplishes something.
* * *
I have been struggling a lot lately with accepting my life choices. Frequently that boils down to just being plain tired of taking care of everyone and everything. If 15 years ago I knew what I know now, I likely would have not gotten married or had children. I acknowledge that this comes from a selfish place. The trajectory of my life is different from what I ever imagined it would be. I wish that it were different, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, I fiercely love my husband and my children, and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. It's just that I often feel trapped into my life and unable to move forward to do the things I really want to do.
But I had to take some time and examine where the selfishness is coming from. It comes from a place of wanting someone to take complete care of me. I don't want to do anything for anyone anymore - I don't want to work, I don't want to think, I don't want to do anything. Would a night out with my husband help? Sure, but it's just a band aid. Would a vacation help? Only to the extent that I would likely sleep for the two weeks solid. Neither would permanently solve my dissatisfaction with life. Where does that desire of having someone take care of me? Obviously, it's not realistic - I have a life, I have responsibilities and I can't just drop everything.
I dug down deep and I realized my entire life, I have been responsible for myself. There was never a responsible parent who took proper care of me. As an example, when I finally left home at 16, my mother was in the process of being evicted (again), and the electricity had been turned off (again). My mother's response to my leaving was to offer to me that if I returned home I could be in charge of paying all the bills. Now a normal person would probably have their jaw drop open at the concept of a 40 something woman asking her 16 year old daughter to pay the bills. But here you see in a prime example of how not only was I responsible for myself, I was responsible for others. It took me over a dozen years to get over the guilt of leaving my younger brother with my mother when I moved out. HELLO?!?! Is this normal?
So you can see the foundation for why I am just fed up being responsible. I've never had the opportunity to have someone care for me as a parent does. And that is the root of my sadness and dissatisfaction. I can recognize that I need to take some time and grieve for the responsibility-free childhood I never had, and will never have. I'm working on moving on from that place. Pray for me, because it's a bumpy road.
Many years ago, I broke a baby tooth that was still in my mouth. My dentist warned that eventually the other teeth would shift and I should get a crown or bridge as soon as possible. Almost 10 years later, I finally got around to doing something about it. My dentist wanted $3500 plus anesthesia plus the crown. I blanched. A commenter suggested that I try a dental school. And I did. I went to NYU school of dentistry, and it's been a few months in getting to this point, but Tuesday I had the surgery. It also took $1000 out of my flex spending account, but that's a bargain compared to what my dentist had quoted me. I went in, they cut my gums open, drilled a hole into my skull, screwed in the first screw (and ratcheted it in (like a socket wrench)), and sewed my gums closed. I go back next week to have the stitched removed, then in three months to have the second screw put in, and then another month later I get the crown. All I have to say is they put so much novocaine in, the whole side of my face was numb up to my lower eyelid. And listening to Moshav Band and Aaron Raizel while your skull is being drilled was the only way I got through it. Turns out the weight gain is likely related to the anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic drugs I'm on. Plus everything I'm eating is soft - so there's barely any fiber in my diet. Hopefully next week I'll lose it all.
Both my girls graduated this week and are moving up to the next grade. All was well until I got a disturbing phone call from Little Girl's counselor at school who is concerned that she has been very sad the last six weeks or so. We talked about it and I will be spending more time playing with her to hopefully see what the cause of her sadness is.
I finally managed to start the gemach l'illui nishmas my father. I feel good about it and I hope that it really gets off the ground and accomplishes something.
* * *
I have been struggling a lot lately with accepting my life choices. Frequently that boils down to just being plain tired of taking care of everyone and everything. If 15 years ago I knew what I know now, I likely would have not gotten married or had children. I acknowledge that this comes from a selfish place. The trajectory of my life is different from what I ever imagined it would be. I wish that it were different, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, I fiercely love my husband and my children, and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. It's just that I often feel trapped into my life and unable to move forward to do the things I really want to do.
But I had to take some time and examine where the selfishness is coming from. It comes from a place of wanting someone to take complete care of me. I don't want to do anything for anyone anymore - I don't want to work, I don't want to think, I don't want to do anything. Would a night out with my husband help? Sure, but it's just a band aid. Would a vacation help? Only to the extent that I would likely sleep for the two weeks solid. Neither would permanently solve my dissatisfaction with life. Where does that desire of having someone take care of me? Obviously, it's not realistic - I have a life, I have responsibilities and I can't just drop everything.
I dug down deep and I realized my entire life, I have been responsible for myself. There was never a responsible parent who took proper care of me. As an example, when I finally left home at 16, my mother was in the process of being evicted (again), and the electricity had been turned off (again). My mother's response to my leaving was to offer to me that if I returned home I could be in charge of paying all the bills. Now a normal person would probably have their jaw drop open at the concept of a 40 something woman asking her 16 year old daughter to pay the bills. But here you see in a prime example of how not only was I responsible for myself, I was responsible for others. It took me over a dozen years to get over the guilt of leaving my younger brother with my mother when I moved out. HELLO?!?! Is this normal?
So you can see the foundation for why I am just fed up being responsible. I've never had the opportunity to have someone care for me as a parent does. And that is the root of my sadness and dissatisfaction. I can recognize that I need to take some time and grieve for the responsibility-free childhood I never had, and will never have. I'm working on moving on from that place. Pray for me, because it's a bumpy road.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Still a loser, week 15
I lost 2.2 lbs (and I had cheesecake and homemade milchig ice cream). Total lost 15.4 lbs. That's three gold stars!!!! Woo Hoo I beat the Yom Tov GAIN.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Still a loser, week 13
I lost 1.8lbs for a total of 13.2 lbs. I really didn't follow the program in terms of writing and tracking points, but I guess I was making better food choices all along. I am back on track as of today. I am now half way to my 10% goal. If you had asked me 13 weeks ago if this was possible I would have laughed in your face. Success breeds success I guess!
I am also mentally prepared for the yom tov onslaught next week. I am making homemade ice cream and cheesecake and we are also having bagels, cream cheese and lox. So I know I will likely gain next week. But I'm going to swim tomorrow and Sunday.
Hashem helps right?
Wishing you all an amazing Shavous, and may you all receive the Torah with SIMCHA!
I am also mentally prepared for the yom tov onslaught next week. I am making homemade ice cream and cheesecake and we are also having bagels, cream cheese and lox. So I know I will likely gain next week. But I'm going to swim tomorrow and Sunday.
Hashem helps right?
Wishing you all an amazing Shavous, and may you all receive the Torah with SIMCHA!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Still a loser, week 12
I lost 1.2lbs for a total of 11.4lbs. I want to lose another 11 before the end of the summer. I've got 12 weeks to do it in.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Happy Anniversary
Tonight is Lag B'Omer. We got married one year ago. Happy Anniversary to the big Tzaddik I married! It was the best thing I ever did. Someone mentioned to me recently that we act like we've been married forever. And I have to agree, it feels like we've been married forever.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I am really going to do it this time
I lost 1.8 lbs this week and I really, really, really worked the program this week.
That brings me to a total loss of 10.2 lbs. Woohoo!
Tante E's wedding is in something like 6 weeks and I want to kick it up a notch or two in terms of exercise in order to lose a little faster.
I am pretty thrilled and I am really motivated. Just this week I had an epiphany - what would I look like if I was thin? I have no clue, because I haven't been a thin adult. I started gaining weight around age 13 and didn't stop. I imagine I would look very different.
I am actually proud of myself.
That brings me to a total loss of 10.2 lbs. Woohoo!
Tante E's wedding is in something like 6 weeks and I want to kick it up a notch or two in terms of exercise in order to lose a little faster.
I am pretty thrilled and I am really motivated. Just this week I had an epiphany - what would I look like if I was thin? I have no clue, because I haven't been a thin adult. I started gaining weight around age 13 and didn't stop. I imagine I would look very different.
I am actually proud of myself.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Still a loser
I lost 0.6 lbs for a total of 8.4 lbs. Whoo hoo. I am doing okay albeit not perfect. But I'm striving for better, not perfect because perfect is impossible.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Where I've been
Pesach ended and the next day we started a two week process of moving offices. Pollen has been sky high. I've been doing an intense focus group spanning two weeks. And best of all Tante E got engaged! Mazel Tov! I got the zechus of helping to organize the food for the l'chaim which was yesterday.
I'm very tired and was looking towards a quiet shabbos, but we have a bris early shabbos morning.
I'm very tired and was looking towards a quiet shabbos, but we have a bris early shabbos morning.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Post Pesach Roundup - The good, the bad, and the ugly
Let's start with the ugly. Shevi Shel Pesach, as Sky was walking our guest out the door at 1:30 a.m., I was washing the dishes. As I was coming to the end, I felt like my feet were wet. I looked down to discover water seeping from under the cabinet. I opened the cabinet to find a wave of water slosh over me. Sure enough, for the umpteenth time, the connection between the sink and the drain pipe has come undone. I yelled for Sky and we threw towels down to soak up the water. Unfortunately, at that point, all my pesach pots were covered with disgusting greasy water and had to be washed in the other sink at 1:45 in the morning. I was NOT happy.
The bad? I dunno, the matza? Everybody had some sort of stomach illness over yom tov.
The good? Well, it was interesting. The first days were hard, in that my mother in law was with us, and I was nervous about making sure she was happy. It's a non-stop not sleep enough, eat to much fest, and so that was hard. On a funny note, one of little girl's favorite things to say to Sky when she is upset is, "I'm going to tell my mommy on you!", so when Sky's mother was here, he said to her jokingly a few times, "I'm going to tell MY mommy on you!", which resulted in lots of giggles.
Chol HaMoed, I worked Tuesday and Monday and the girls went with my ex for a children's program and an Uncle Moishy concert. This is their first concert (well okay big girl went when she was two, but she doesn't remember). My kids came home and said, "Mommy we saw Uncle Moishy! For REAL! Not the Uncle Moishy on the video, the REAL Uncle Moishy!" Exciting times huh?
Thursday we took our big trip to the "beach". Sky's parents live in Brighton Beach, and there is a large playground there, so we packed a lunch and got on the train. The girls were adamant that they were going to put on their bathing suits to go swimming although I tried many times to tell them it was too cold, I soon realized that it would just be better if they saw it for themselves. So I let them pack their camp backpacks with a towel, bathing suit, and pool shoes from last summer (they squeezed into them). I slathered everyone with sunscreen. We walked down the boardwalk to meet Sky's mommy. We walked over to the bathrooms, I took of the girls' tights and put on their pool shoes. They wanted to put on their bathing suits, but Sky helpfully pointed out the no swimming sign (because there is no lifeguard right now), and I reiterated that it was too cold. But alas, there were brave souls in the surf and they were adamant. I figured experience is the best teacher. I told them we will walk down to the water, get our feet wet and then see if we want to put on bathing suits. I held both their hands as we walked down to the surf and stood at the edge waiting for a wave to reach us. Eventually one washed over us and both of them screamed, "Mommy it's COLD!" Don't worry, it was an extremely hot day, so we didn't risk any hypothermia, I think it was more the shock of expecting one thing and getting another. Little girl did NOT like the waves, and big girl did. We stood there for a few more minutes and I asked the girls if they wanted to put their bathing suits on and get in. They both loudly said, "NO! It's too cold!"
We played for a while in the sand and eventually walked back to where Sky and his mother were sitting. We ate and the girls played for a while on the playground. An older Russian gentleman walked up to us and in one of the more interesting Pesach moments asked us if the ice cream cone he was eating was kosher for passover. Eventually we packed up and headed home taking a train and a bus. For a five and almost four year old, transportation is part of the excitement of the trip! Everyone had a quick shower and went to bed.
The end days were uneventful, we had a recently divorced man here for one meal and my bil and sil for the last meal. While everyone wanted to go to "Moshiach Seudah", it just didn't pan out for any of us to go anywhere. So we all washed and sat down at the table for matzah and grape juice. The girls had been begging for ice pops, but we didn't have any and I didn't want them to have so close to bed time anyway. I realized that during the meal I had put grape juice in the freezer and when I took it out, it was slushy. So I played up the "slushy icee" aspect of the grape juice and the girls were given kiddush cups and spoons. We ate our matzah, drank our four cups of grape juice slushy, and while we didn't sing niggunim, Sky talked in very simple terms, on the girls' level, about Moshiach before and after each cup of grape juice. I was very impressed with his ability to bring it down to their level in ways they could easily grasp. Then we all sang the bentching together out loud and sang a few songs in English. I have to say, it was not a fancy ordeal with big speakers giving over big d'var torahs, it was not a somber affair, but it was by far the most beautiful and meaningful Moshiach Seudah I've ever been too - my little family joined together in a real way touched me more than all the other 11 moshiach seudahs I've been to over the years.
The bad? I dunno, the matza? Everybody had some sort of stomach illness over yom tov.
The good? Well, it was interesting. The first days were hard, in that my mother in law was with us, and I was nervous about making sure she was happy. It's a non-stop not sleep enough, eat to much fest, and so that was hard. On a funny note, one of little girl's favorite things to say to Sky when she is upset is, "I'm going to tell my mommy on you!", so when Sky's mother was here, he said to her jokingly a few times, "I'm going to tell MY mommy on you!", which resulted in lots of giggles.
Chol HaMoed, I worked Tuesday and Monday and the girls went with my ex for a children's program and an Uncle Moishy concert. This is their first concert (well okay big girl went when she was two, but she doesn't remember). My kids came home and said, "Mommy we saw Uncle Moishy! For REAL! Not the Uncle Moishy on the video, the REAL Uncle Moishy!" Exciting times huh?
Thursday we took our big trip to the "beach". Sky's parents live in Brighton Beach, and there is a large playground there, so we packed a lunch and got on the train. The girls were adamant that they were going to put on their bathing suits to go swimming although I tried many times to tell them it was too cold, I soon realized that it would just be better if they saw it for themselves. So I let them pack their camp backpacks with a towel, bathing suit, and pool shoes from last summer (they squeezed into them). I slathered everyone with sunscreen. We walked down the boardwalk to meet Sky's mommy. We walked over to the bathrooms, I took of the girls' tights and put on their pool shoes. They wanted to put on their bathing suits, but Sky helpfully pointed out the no swimming sign (because there is no lifeguard right now), and I reiterated that it was too cold. But alas, there were brave souls in the surf and they were adamant. I figured experience is the best teacher. I told them we will walk down to the water, get our feet wet and then see if we want to put on bathing suits. I held both their hands as we walked down to the surf and stood at the edge waiting for a wave to reach us. Eventually one washed over us and both of them screamed, "Mommy it's COLD!" Don't worry, it was an extremely hot day, so we didn't risk any hypothermia, I think it was more the shock of expecting one thing and getting another. Little girl did NOT like the waves, and big girl did. We stood there for a few more minutes and I asked the girls if they wanted to put their bathing suits on and get in. They both loudly said, "NO! It's too cold!"
We played for a while in the sand and eventually walked back to where Sky and his mother were sitting. We ate and the girls played for a while on the playground. An older Russian gentleman walked up to us and in one of the more interesting Pesach moments asked us if the ice cream cone he was eating was kosher for passover. Eventually we packed up and headed home taking a train and a bus. For a five and almost four year old, transportation is part of the excitement of the trip! Everyone had a quick shower and went to bed.
The end days were uneventful, we had a recently divorced man here for one meal and my bil and sil for the last meal. While everyone wanted to go to "Moshiach Seudah", it just didn't pan out for any of us to go anywhere. So we all washed and sat down at the table for matzah and grape juice. The girls had been begging for ice pops, but we didn't have any and I didn't want them to have so close to bed time anyway. I realized that during the meal I had put grape juice in the freezer and when I took it out, it was slushy. So I played up the "slushy icee" aspect of the grape juice and the girls were given kiddush cups and spoons. We ate our matzah, drank our four cups of grape juice slushy, and while we didn't sing niggunim, Sky talked in very simple terms, on the girls' level, about Moshiach before and after each cup of grape juice. I was very impressed with his ability to bring it down to their level in ways they could easily grasp. Then we all sang the bentching together out loud and sang a few songs in English. I have to say, it was not a fancy ordeal with big speakers giving over big d'var torahs, it was not a somber affair, but it was by far the most beautiful and meaningful Moshiach Seudah I've ever been too - my little family joined together in a real way touched me more than all the other 11 moshiach seudahs I've been to over the years.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Kind of a loser...
So last week, I went to weight watchers on Thursday - I was swamped at work and didn't have time until then.
Let me remind you that up until that point I had lost a total of 4.6 lbs.
I got on the scale and the person at the desk said, "You've lost 5.2 lbs."
"You mean total? I was up to 4.6 before, so now it's 5.2?" I asked.
"No," she said surprisingly, "You lost 5.2 lbs this week for a total of 9.8 lbs."
I was in shock. I got my 5lb star! I knew that all the Pesach cleaning was giving me a work out, and that I have barely had time to eat the last week (never mind that there was hardly any food in the house), so I figured I had lost a few pounds. But 5.2!!!!
I was so motivated.
And then Pesach happened.
I weighed in today, and yes, I gained 1.2 lbs back. That means I'm at a total of 8.6 lbs lost.
So I see from all this that exercise is going to be a big factor for me. I have to a) find a walking partner b) start swimming at least once a week or c) find a stationary bike for cheap on craigslist.
Still, I'm really motivated. I really want to lose the weight and get better! I'm hoping the 1.2lbs is the result of leaden shmurah matza and I will be back on track next week!
Wishing all of you a great pesach!
Let me remind you that up until that point I had lost a total of 4.6 lbs.
I got on the scale and the person at the desk said, "You've lost 5.2 lbs."
"You mean total? I was up to 4.6 before, so now it's 5.2?" I asked.
"No," she said surprisingly, "You lost 5.2 lbs this week for a total of 9.8 lbs."
I was in shock. I got my 5lb star! I knew that all the Pesach cleaning was giving me a work out, and that I have barely had time to eat the last week (never mind that there was hardly any food in the house), so I figured I had lost a few pounds. But 5.2!!!!
I was so motivated.
And then Pesach happened.
I weighed in today, and yes, I gained 1.2 lbs back. That means I'm at a total of 8.6 lbs lost.
So I see from all this that exercise is going to be a big factor for me. I have to a) find a walking partner b) start swimming at least once a week or c) find a stationary bike for cheap on craigslist.
Still, I'm really motivated. I really want to lose the weight and get better! I'm hoping the 1.2lbs is the result of leaden shmurah matza and I will be back on track next week!
Wishing all of you a great pesach!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What we did
Yesterday I posted about an ethical dilemma we faced. First let me say that Sky called me when he got it and asked me if it was a mistake. My immediate reaction is that indeed it must be a mistake. I said let me call.
I called up one of the two people who runs the organization, and explained what happened. She said, it sounds like a mistake, let me check with the other person and I'll call you back.
Meanwhile, I mentioned the whole scenario to a non-jewish coworker, who laid into me that I should not look a gift horse in the mouth and just deposit the check and keep my mouth shut.
While it was never a question in my mind that I needed to call them, I was curious to see what other people thought, hence the post.
Indeed, a few minutes later she called back and said that they had made a mistake, they hadn't realized that Sky and I had gotten married, and to please rip up the check. They were also EXTREMELY grateful for our honesty. She repeatedly thanked me for calling. I said it was my pleasure and that while we were extremely grateful for the assistance, I didn't want to do the wrong thing and take from someone else's pocket.
I feel that we did the right thing unequivocally. Hashem sends us each what we need in the right time.
I called up one of the two people who runs the organization, and explained what happened. She said, it sounds like a mistake, let me check with the other person and I'll call you back.
Meanwhile, I mentioned the whole scenario to a non-jewish coworker, who laid into me that I should not look a gift horse in the mouth and just deposit the check and keep my mouth shut.
While it was never a question in my mind that I needed to call them, I was curious to see what other people thought, hence the post.
Indeed, a few minutes later she called back and said that they had made a mistake, they hadn't realized that Sky and I had gotten married, and to please rip up the check. They were also EXTREMELY grateful for our honesty. She repeatedly thanked me for calling. I said it was my pleasure and that while we were extremely grateful for the assistance, I didn't want to do the wrong thing and take from someone else's pocket.
I feel that we did the right thing unequivocally. Hashem sends us each what we need in the right time.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What would you do?
As I've mentioned previously, Sky is out of work.
Last week I received a check in the mail, made to my name, from a local chessed organization for X dollars to help with Pesach expenses. I wrote a thank you note and deposited it.
Today, Sky got a check in the mail from the same organization made to his name for the same X dollars.
While we could definitely use the help, we believe the second check might have been a mistake. Should we keep our mouths shut and deposit the check and be grateful? Or should we contact the organization and ask them if there was an error made?
Tell me what you would do in the comments and tomorrow I'll post what we decided to do.
Last week I received a check in the mail, made to my name, from a local chessed organization for X dollars to help with Pesach expenses. I wrote a thank you note and deposited it.
Today, Sky got a check in the mail from the same organization made to his name for the same X dollars.
While we could definitely use the help, we believe the second check might have been a mistake. Should we keep our mouths shut and deposit the check and be grateful? Or should we contact the organization and ask them if there was an error made?
Tell me what you would do in the comments and tomorrow I'll post what we decided to do.
Things I have learned about Pesach this year
1. The hardest substance known to man is beet that has dried onto the bottom of a plate and been in storage for three years.
2. When you are packing up your tupperware after Pesach is over and you are sick of washing dishes, do NOT say to yourself, "F-it, I've washed it enough and I'm putting it in the box." Instead take a minute and run a Q-tip inside the grooves of the lid. You will thank me for this later - especially when you find said box of tupperware after sitting in storage for three years.
3. Papertowels are your friend. They belong in between stacked/nested pieces of tupperware. This will save you from mold and having to pull them apart.
4. Keep a list of what you put in storage so you don't buy again the next time you made pesach. Anyone want a case of foil pans and two bags of kosher l'pesach napkins? I've bought again, even though I had in storage - from three years ago.
5. It is OKAY to not take every Pesach item out of the closet. I do not need the giant tupperware containers right now because we are only eating two meals at home. Put that sucker back. I don't need the blender. Put it back. Oh yeah. Less to put away at the end.
6. There is never enough time. My children are off school and they want my attention. It's hard to balance everyone's needs.
7. I have to make food that I can put into my milchig microwave in the week before Pesach.
8. It's okay to ask for a heter to use already shelled nuts if you are losing your mind.
9. I get more accomplished in the morning than I do at night.
10. My mantra has been: Unpack a box, wash the items, unpack another box, dry the first box's worth of items and put them away, repeat. This keeps things in rythym without too much stuff out all at once.
11. Having a CD player in the kitchen is vital to my mental health.
12. Don't schedule Dr. appointments in the week before Pesach.
13. It costs so much money. I need to start saving right after yom tov for next pesach. If you want $1000 for Pesach, you need to put aside $19.23 each week. And you know it can easily cost more than $1000.
14. Do not underestimate the power of a brand new Uncle Moishy DVD.
15. Ice Cream for breakfast is an excellent idea.
2. When you are packing up your tupperware after Pesach is over and you are sick of washing dishes, do NOT say to yourself, "F-it, I've washed it enough and I'm putting it in the box." Instead take a minute and run a Q-tip inside the grooves of the lid. You will thank me for this later - especially when you find said box of tupperware after sitting in storage for three years.
3. Papertowels are your friend. They belong in between stacked/nested pieces of tupperware. This will save you from mold and having to pull them apart.
4. Keep a list of what you put in storage so you don't buy again the next time you made pesach. Anyone want a case of foil pans and two bags of kosher l'pesach napkins? I've bought again, even though I had in storage - from three years ago.
5. It is OKAY to not take every Pesach item out of the closet. I do not need the giant tupperware containers right now because we are only eating two meals at home. Put that sucker back. I don't need the blender. Put it back. Oh yeah. Less to put away at the end.
6. There is never enough time. My children are off school and they want my attention. It's hard to balance everyone's needs.
7. I have to make food that I can put into my milchig microwave in the week before Pesach.
8. It's okay to ask for a heter to use already shelled nuts if you are losing your mind.
9. I get more accomplished in the morning than I do at night.
10. My mantra has been: Unpack a box, wash the items, unpack another box, dry the first box's worth of items and put them away, repeat. This keeps things in rythym without too much stuff out all at once.
11. Having a CD player in the kitchen is vital to my mental health.
12. Don't schedule Dr. appointments in the week before Pesach.
13. It costs so much money. I need to start saving right after yom tov for next pesach. If you want $1000 for Pesach, you need to put aside $19.23 each week. And you know it can easily cost more than $1000.
14. Do not underestimate the power of a brand new Uncle Moishy DVD.
15. Ice Cream for breakfast is an excellent idea.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
One of the more interesting Craigslist Postings, The Tooth Fairy, and my purse
I found this today on craigslist:
Date: 2008-04-09, 11:44AM EDT
I am not observant and was sent one box, not opened of D+T Matzoh. This is shmura and not tasty - used for Passover. Here's info from a NYT article.(( "Matzoh means a higher spirituality," explained Zalman Shmotkin, a rabbinical student at the Lubavitch yeshiva in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. And then there is higher matzoh. In the days before Passover, Mr. Shmotkin helps bake matzohs at the D & T Shmura Bakery in Crown Heights, one of a half-dozen small New York bakeries where matzoh is handmade and painstakingly supervised by rabbis adhering to the strictest dictates of Jewish law. The rabbis, bakers and largely Lubavitch Hasidic patrons of D & T's, say it is one thing to keep kosher a la Manischewitz or Streits, and quite another kettle of gefilte fish to have a seder provisioned with the expensive matzoh produced in this small, unmarked storefront at 460 Albany Avenue. The two most visible differences between regular Passover matzoh -- the machine-made unleavened bread sold in supermarkets -- and shmura, from the Hebrew word for watched, are that shmura is round, while its mass-produced cousin is square, and shmura from D & T's sells for $10.70 a pound, whereas supermarket coupons for "all popular brands" of matzoh can be found this week for $3.99 for a five-pound package.)) So, you see, this is not cheap. If you want it - it is yours. Contact me and I'll give you my address.
* * * *
After speaking with a number of experienced mothers we decided to wait on pulling Big Girl's tooth because it had started to come loose and I didn't want to put her through the trauma of having a tooth pulled. (That I didn't want to have to hold her down while they pulled it). It looks like it will fall out in the next day or two. My question is what do orthodox people do in regards to the "tooth fairy"? I mean obviously it's not a Jewish thing, but, and that's a BIG BUT, it's the tooth fairy! How can I deny my kid the tooth fairy? What have you guys done in regards to this?
* * * *
This is my purse mazel. It always decides to die just before Pesach. Last erev Pesach my purse died two days before Yom Tov. In a mad dash to Walmart at 11 p.m. I found a brown "leather-look" plastic purse on clearance for $9.00. I wasn't particularly enamored of it, but it worked for what I needed at that moment. I didn't expect it to last, but surprisingly it has. Unfortunately, the end is nigh. Both straps have started to fray and one of them the plastic is flaking off. I just need it to last me another week or so. Daven for my purse - I need it to last 10 more days! ;)
* * * *
In other news, I'm just flipping exhausted. After staying up past midnight on Monday cleaning the freezer, I went to cook up a bunch of small packs of chop meat I had in the freezer. I was going to use them for meals from now until yom tov (we are kashering motzi shabbos). As I went to make the bourekas, I tasted the browned meat. Some of it was BAD. Unfortunately, I had mixed several packages together and I had to throw it all away. I forced myself to throw up so that I wouldn't get food poisoning this close to yom tov. It's a kapparah right?
* * * *
What I still have left to do for Pesach:
Front Bedroom - Done but all the chometz is going in there and being sold
Living Room - Done but I want to go over the couch one more time
Dining Room - Tables and chairs still need to be done, selling one closet
Girl's Bedroom - I need to finish sorting toys, sweep the bottom of their closet, and do the inside of their dressers
My bedroom - done!
Bathroom - Done, I just need to collect the chometz products and store them
Kitchen - Clean behind the appliances, clean out a lower cabinet, and of course kasher, cover, etc.
It doesn't look like a lot but it is!
Wishing all of you lots of success cleaning!
Shmura Matzo for Passover (Marine Park)
Date: 2008-04-09, 11:44AM EDT
I am not observant and was sent one box, not opened of D+T Matzoh. This is shmura and not tasty - used for Passover. Here's info from a NYT article.(( "Matzoh means a higher spirituality," explained Zalman Shmotkin, a rabbinical student at the Lubavitch yeshiva in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. And then there is higher matzoh. In the days before Passover, Mr. Shmotkin helps bake matzohs at the D & T Shmura Bakery in Crown Heights, one of a half-dozen small New York bakeries where matzoh is handmade and painstakingly supervised by rabbis adhering to the strictest dictates of Jewish law. The rabbis, bakers and largely Lubavitch Hasidic patrons of D & T's, say it is one thing to keep kosher a la Manischewitz or Streits, and quite another kettle of gefilte fish to have a seder provisioned with the expensive matzoh produced in this small, unmarked storefront at 460 Albany Avenue. The two most visible differences between regular Passover matzoh -- the machine-made unleavened bread sold in supermarkets -- and shmura, from the Hebrew word for watched, are that shmura is round, while its mass-produced cousin is square, and shmura from D & T's sells for $10.70 a pound, whereas supermarket coupons for "all popular brands" of matzoh can be found this week for $3.99 for a five-pound package.)) So, you see, this is not cheap. If you want it - it is yours. Contact me and I'll give you my address.
* * * *
After speaking with a number of experienced mothers we decided to wait on pulling Big Girl's tooth because it had started to come loose and I didn't want to put her through the trauma of having a tooth pulled. (That I didn't want to have to hold her down while they pulled it). It looks like it will fall out in the next day or two. My question is what do orthodox people do in regards to the "tooth fairy"? I mean obviously it's not a Jewish thing, but, and that's a BIG BUT, it's the tooth fairy! How can I deny my kid the tooth fairy? What have you guys done in regards to this?
* * * *
This is my purse mazel. It always decides to die just before Pesach. Last erev Pesach my purse died two days before Yom Tov. In a mad dash to Walmart at 11 p.m. I found a brown "leather-look" plastic purse on clearance for $9.00. I wasn't particularly enamored of it, but it worked for what I needed at that moment. I didn't expect it to last, but surprisingly it has. Unfortunately, the end is nigh. Both straps have started to fray and one of them the plastic is flaking off. I just need it to last me another week or so. Daven for my purse - I need it to last 10 more days! ;)
* * * *
In other news, I'm just flipping exhausted. After staying up past midnight on Monday cleaning the freezer, I went to cook up a bunch of small packs of chop meat I had in the freezer. I was going to use them for meals from now until yom tov (we are kashering motzi shabbos). As I went to make the bourekas, I tasted the browned meat. Some of it was BAD. Unfortunately, I had mixed several packages together and I had to throw it all away. I forced myself to throw up so that I wouldn't get food poisoning this close to yom tov. It's a kapparah right?
* * * *
What I still have left to do for Pesach:
Front Bedroom - Done but all the chometz is going in there and being sold
Living Room - Done but I want to go over the couch one more time
Dining Room - Tables and chairs still need to be done, selling one closet
Girl's Bedroom - I need to finish sorting toys, sweep the bottom of their closet, and do the inside of their dressers
My bedroom - done!
Bathroom - Done, I just need to collect the chometz products and store them
Kitchen - Clean behind the appliances, clean out a lower cabinet, and of course kasher, cover, etc.
It doesn't look like a lot but it is!
Wishing all of you lots of success cleaning!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
A loser once again
I went back since just after Purim (I had gained 1.2) and today I had lost 1.8 since then. Total loss - 4.6 lbs. I feel inspired again.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Is it enough?
Pesach cleaning is hell. We push ourselves to do more and more each year. I'm all for cleaning and getting rid of chometz. But I just refuse to make myself crazy this year.
We all say that dirt is not chometz and children are not the korban pesach, but if "it's not clean enough, if I'm not frum enough, if I don't be chumrah enough, no one will eat in our house and my value as a frum jew will be not enough."
It's a terrible dichotomy. What should I choose? My mental health, or that others will eat in my house on Pesach? If they don't, doesn't it say something about my standing in the community or yiddishkeit? And please - if you're one of those people who "don't eat out on Pesach"(and I mean that they don't eat anyplace but their own homes - not friends, neighbors, etc), then do me a few favors:
- First, don't invite any guests - if you have to be that strict, don't expect that anyone is going to be less strict than you.
- Two, don't tell me that eating in your parent's house or your rov/rebbe's house is "not eating out" - eating out is eating out.
- Third, don't be patronizing about the fact that you don't eat out. Just say, "We're eating at home this yom tov because of ________ (the kids are small, my spouse is tired, my elderly parent doesn't like guests).
- Fourth, don't make snide comments about my desire not to clean everything in my house even if I'm selling it. Yes, I know a few people that clean BENCHERS for Pesach even though they are selling them. Or people who wait to buy their meat until right before Pesach "because they feed the cows/chickens non-chometzdik feed" (yeah right). And that my meat must be inherently chometzdik because I bought it on sale two weeks earlier.
- If I choose so, we will use hamotzi wraps to wash on shabbos erev pesach. Please don't make comments to me about how "you'll be using real challahs" and that "real challahs are the only hamotzi items that are appropriate for shabbos."
- After I tell you that I am cleaning and kashering my oven because we can't afford to buy a new stove (and we don't have the room to store it), that you don't trust yourself to get the year round stove perfectly clean - that you might miss a chashash of chometz. It really makes me feel good to hear that ya know? Because I'm not nearly as clean as you are.
Can you just tell I'm pissed off and frustrated with everyone's Pesach stupidity. Please. Buy, spend, make yourself crazy. I worked like a dog all day yesterday and don't anticipate this week being any better.
Why aren't the rabbonim and gedolim putting a stop to it? Why does this madness descend every year?
I remember a I once heard about a chossid and his rebbe. The chossid never ate out on pesach - not even a glass of water. He was well known for this chumra. One Pesach, his rebbe had him brought to the rebbe's house. The rebbe offered him a drink of water. The chossid had a dilemma - how could he say no to his rebbe? But then again, he never ever ate out of his house. In the end he took a drink of water from his rebbe. The Rebbe said to him, "It must be a machaya to have a drink of water that isn't chometzdik." The Rebbe sent him on his way. The Chossid tried to figure out why the rebbe had said such a thing and nothing more. With horror, he realized he had made a mistake. When he reached home he had the bottom of his well scraped. Sure enough in the bottom of the well was a big ball of bread dough. Does anyone know which chassidishe rebbe this story is based on?
We all say that dirt is not chometz and children are not the korban pesach, but if "it's not clean enough, if I'm not frum enough, if I don't be chumrah enough, no one will eat in our house and my value as a frum jew will be not enough."
It's a terrible dichotomy. What should I choose? My mental health, or that others will eat in my house on Pesach? If they don't, doesn't it say something about my standing in the community or yiddishkeit? And please - if you're one of those people who "don't eat out on Pesach"(and I mean that they don't eat anyplace but their own homes - not friends, neighbors, etc), then do me a few favors:
- First, don't invite any guests - if you have to be that strict, don't expect that anyone is going to be less strict than you.
- Two, don't tell me that eating in your parent's house or your rov/rebbe's house is "not eating out" - eating out is eating out.
- Third, don't be patronizing about the fact that you don't eat out. Just say, "We're eating at home this yom tov because of ________ (the kids are small, my spouse is tired, my elderly parent doesn't like guests).
- Fourth, don't make snide comments about my desire not to clean everything in my house even if I'm selling it. Yes, I know a few people that clean BENCHERS for Pesach even though they are selling them. Or people who wait to buy their meat until right before Pesach "because they feed the cows/chickens non-chometzdik feed" (yeah right). And that my meat must be inherently chometzdik because I bought it on sale two weeks earlier.
- If I choose so, we will use hamotzi wraps to wash on shabbos erev pesach. Please don't make comments to me about how "you'll be using real challahs" and that "real challahs are the only hamotzi items that are appropriate for shabbos."
- After I tell you that I am cleaning and kashering my oven because we can't afford to buy a new stove (and we don't have the room to store it), that you don't trust yourself to get the year round stove perfectly clean - that you might miss a chashash of chometz. It really makes me feel good to hear that ya know? Because I'm not nearly as clean as you are.
Can you just tell I'm pissed off and frustrated with everyone's Pesach stupidity. Please. Buy, spend, make yourself crazy. I worked like a dog all day yesterday and don't anticipate this week being any better.
Why aren't the rabbonim and gedolim putting a stop to it? Why does this madness descend every year?
I remember a I once heard about a chossid and his rebbe. The chossid never ate out on pesach - not even a glass of water. He was well known for this chumra. One Pesach, his rebbe had him brought to the rebbe's house. The rebbe offered him a drink of water. The chossid had a dilemma - how could he say no to his rebbe? But then again, he never ever ate out of his house. In the end he took a drink of water from his rebbe. The Rebbe said to him, "It must be a machaya to have a drink of water that isn't chometzdik." The Rebbe sent him on his way. The Chossid tried to figure out why the rebbe had said such a thing and nothing more. With horror, he realized he had made a mistake. When he reached home he had the bottom of his well scraped. Sure enough in the bottom of the well was a big ball of bread dough. Does anyone know which chassidishe rebbe this story is based on?
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Here's a heartwarming video
from CNN about a 70 year old man who has gone back to first grade to learn how to read.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/04/03/dnt.elderly.student.kshb
The teacher's quote near the end (1:07) is the money quote.
Updated to add:
Here's a link from the original story: javascript:onVideoDayport('339360@kshb.dayport.com,339375@kshb.dayport.com,339377@kshb.dayport.com,339382@kshb.dayport.com,339303@kshb.dayport.com,339305@kshb.dayport.com,339307@kshb.dayport.com,339009@kshb.dayport.com,338998@kshb.dayport.com,338978@kshb.dayport.com,338933@kshb.dayport.com,338925@kshb.dayport.com,338921@kshb.dayport.com,338853@kshb.dayport.com,338851@kshb.dayport.com,338563@kshb.dayport.com,338555@kshb.dayport.com,338471@kshb.dayport.com,338463@kshb.dayport.com,338458@kshb.dayport.com,338406@kshb.dayport.com,338390@kshb.dayport.com,338364@kshb.dayport.com,338105@kshb.dayport.com,338348@kshb.dayport.com,339463@kshb.dayport.com,339456@kshb.dayport.com,339452@kshb.dayport.com,339429@kshb.dayport.com,339472@kshb.dayport.com',%20'4295',%20'2',%20'4',%20true);
It appears he's homeless and lives in a friend's laundry room, and the station is raising funds to help him.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/04/03/dnt.elderly.student.kshb
The teacher's quote near the end (1:07) is the money quote.
Updated to add:
Here's a link from the original story: javascript:onVideoDayport('339360@kshb.dayport.com,339375@kshb.dayport.com,339377@kshb.dayport.com,339382@kshb.dayport.com,339303@kshb.dayport.com,339305@kshb.dayport.com,339307@kshb.dayport.com,339009@kshb.dayport.com,338998@kshb.dayport.com,338978@kshb.dayport.com,338933@kshb.dayport.com,338925@kshb.dayport.com,338921@kshb.dayport.com,338853@kshb.dayport.com,338851@kshb.dayport.com,338563@kshb.dayport.com,338555@kshb.dayport.com,338471@kshb.dayport.com,338463@kshb.dayport.com,338458@kshb.dayport.com,338406@kshb.dayport.com,338390@kshb.dayport.com,338364@kshb.dayport.com,338105@kshb.dayport.com,338348@kshb.dayport.com,339463@kshb.dayport.com,339456@kshb.dayport.com,339452@kshb.dayport.com,339429@kshb.dayport.com,339472@kshb.dayport.com',%20'4295',%20'2',%20'4',%20true);
It appears he's homeless and lives in a friend's laundry room, and the station is raising funds to help him.
Monday, March 31, 2008
They grow bigger every day
A few weeks ago, little girl decided that she was done with pullups at night. Remember, this is a child that decided one day, shortly after she turned two, that she was going to make on the potty. And she did. With a few accidents, she basically potty trained herself - for the daytime. At one point, she was better day trained than her older sister. Because she was such a deep sleeper, I kept her in pullups at night. Once in a while she would demand a night without one, and we would try, but it always involved her pishing herself during the middle of the night. So a few weeks ago she fell asleep on Sky's shoulder during the shabbos meal and he put her into bed. I fell asleep, forgetting to put a pullup on her. She woke up dry. We praised her to the skies.
The next night, she announced that she was going to bed with underwear (She'll be four next month). I wasn't going to push her, since her sister was only night trained this past year (she's five). But she insisted on wearing underwear. And since then, we've made few adjustments (limiting liquids before bedtime), and she's had a few accidents, but bli ayn hora, ptu ptu ptu, she seems to have trained herself for night time. I couldn't believe it. Benign neglect accomplishes what a dozen anxious parents could not.
Since she moves around alot in her sleep, I've had this full length mesh bed rail on her bed since the day she moved into a bed (around age two). She's in the bottom bunk at this point, with big girl on a trundle next to her. She's been after me to take it down, she wants to be closer to big girl, she thinks she a big girl, etc. When we cleaned their room for Pesach yesterday, she asked me again to take it off. I agreed to try it, because I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to roll off and onto her sister in the middle of the night. So far, so good.
The room the girls is in is very small. So small that it basically holds a bunk bed, the trundle that sits next to it, and a one foot deep bookcase that sits parallel to the beds - the trundle doesn't fully roll out either. We bought the bunkbed used and cheap off of craigslist when we got married. We already had the trundle from before. But after we assembled the bunkbed, we discovered that the trundle wasn't going to fit underneath with a regular mattress. So for almost a year now, Big Girl's bed has been sitting next to the bunk bed - it's a big ol' pain in the butt. To get to the bookcase and all the toys, you had to climb on her bed. I had saved some money slowly to buy a thinner mattress and yesterday a friend was going to ikea so I went along and bought her a thinner mattress for $69. Look, it's not amazing, and I certainly couldn't sleep on it long term, but she's a pitzel, and she was excited for it. Little girl however, dissolved into tears at the sight of it. All the mattresses were off the bunk bed frame so we could clean them and the frame, and I put Big Girl's new mattress on the trundle and rolled it under to make sure it fit. Little girl came in, saw it, and started crying - she asked where her new mattress was and I told her she didn't get a new one, she was going to use her old one. She misunderstood and thought that she was going to have to sleep on the metal frame (lol). We patiently explained to her that no, she was not going to have to sleep on the frame. I rolled Big Girl's bed under, and when I went to drag little girl's mattress back into place, she told me defiantly she didn't need a mattress. I asked her where she was going to sleep and she insisted that she was going to sleep on the metal frame. I told her to try it, but I didn't think it was going to be comfortable. She laid down and declared that she liked it. I told her if I let her sleep that way she was going to have a criss cross pattern on her tummy. She laughed and got off. She was still crying when I put on the mattress, but when I whipped out the princess sheets directly from the dryer, and reminded her that we were not putting the bed rail back on, she started to get excited. I also showed her that now with Big Girl's bed rolled under, I could sit on her bed with her. She seemed quite happy at that thought. Both girls were excited by the idea that now there would be room in their room to play (thank G-d). So I made up the beds and they went to sleep happily (now if I could just do that everyday).
Even though they make me crazy, I love them dearly. They are each turning into such beautiful girls - kind, aidel, strong, sensitive, loving, and protective of one another. Bli Ayn Hora, I don't know why I merited such wonderful children. Now if I could just get them to brush their teeth more often...
The next night, she announced that she was going to bed with underwear (She'll be four next month). I wasn't going to push her, since her sister was only night trained this past year (she's five). But she insisted on wearing underwear. And since then, we've made few adjustments (limiting liquids before bedtime), and she's had a few accidents, but bli ayn hora, ptu ptu ptu, she seems to have trained herself for night time. I couldn't believe it. Benign neglect accomplishes what a dozen anxious parents could not.
Since she moves around alot in her sleep, I've had this full length mesh bed rail on her bed since the day she moved into a bed (around age two). She's in the bottom bunk at this point, with big girl on a trundle next to her. She's been after me to take it down, she wants to be closer to big girl, she thinks she a big girl, etc. When we cleaned their room for Pesach yesterday, she asked me again to take it off. I agreed to try it, because I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to roll off and onto her sister in the middle of the night. So far, so good.
The room the girls is in is very small. So small that it basically holds a bunk bed, the trundle that sits next to it, and a one foot deep bookcase that sits parallel to the beds - the trundle doesn't fully roll out either. We bought the bunkbed used and cheap off of craigslist when we got married. We already had the trundle from before. But after we assembled the bunkbed, we discovered that the trundle wasn't going to fit underneath with a regular mattress. So for almost a year now, Big Girl's bed has been sitting next to the bunk bed - it's a big ol' pain in the butt. To get to the bookcase and all the toys, you had to climb on her bed. I had saved some money slowly to buy a thinner mattress and yesterday a friend was going to ikea so I went along and bought her a thinner mattress for $69. Look, it's not amazing, and I certainly couldn't sleep on it long term, but she's a pitzel, and she was excited for it. Little girl however, dissolved into tears at the sight of it. All the mattresses were off the bunk bed frame so we could clean them and the frame, and I put Big Girl's new mattress on the trundle and rolled it under to make sure it fit. Little girl came in, saw it, and started crying - she asked where her new mattress was and I told her she didn't get a new one, she was going to use her old one. She misunderstood and thought that she was going to have to sleep on the metal frame (lol). We patiently explained to her that no, she was not going to have to sleep on the frame. I rolled Big Girl's bed under, and when I went to drag little girl's mattress back into place, she told me defiantly she didn't need a mattress. I asked her where she was going to sleep and she insisted that she was going to sleep on the metal frame. I told her to try it, but I didn't think it was going to be comfortable. She laid down and declared that she liked it. I told her if I let her sleep that way she was going to have a criss cross pattern on her tummy. She laughed and got off. She was still crying when I put on the mattress, but when I whipped out the princess sheets directly from the dryer, and reminded her that we were not putting the bed rail back on, she started to get excited. I also showed her that now with Big Girl's bed rolled under, I could sit on her bed with her. She seemed quite happy at that thought. Both girls were excited by the idea that now there would be room in their room to play (thank G-d). So I made up the beds and they went to sleep happily (now if I could just do that everyday).
Even though they make me crazy, I love them dearly. They are each turning into such beautiful girls - kind, aidel, strong, sensitive, loving, and protective of one another. Bli Ayn Hora, I don't know why I merited such wonderful children. Now if I could just get them to brush their teeth more often...
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sick of it all
You know how some days it all just adds up?
Sky is without a job for a few weeks now. And the job market sucks. I know that he'll get another job soon, but with his ex screaming about the money it's hard to deal with it.
Pesach is coming and I am far behind. I have to finish the dining room tonight, sunday is the two bedrooms, and the next sunday is the kitchen. G-d help me.
We are getting help with groceries, but I am concerned about matzah. I don't want to over buy.
Big Girl has been saying her front bottom tooth is loose. She's five, so I figured it was probably tooth-loss envy - a bunch of girls in her class have lost teeth. I discouraged her from wiggling the tooth, because it didn't seem loose to me. I didn't want it to fall out because she was wiggling it - I wanted it to fall out because it was actually time for it to fall out.
Surprise, surprise, this morning I was tickling her and I happened to see in her mouth. Her baby tooth has indeed cut through the surface, but it is behind the baby tooth - yeah, two teeth in the same spot, and it's coming in crooked. The baby tooth is not anywhere close to being loose enough to fall out. I called the dentist and asked if we should do anything. Because the baby tooth is not loose, they said to bring her in ASAP to have it pulled. She has an appointment Monday morning. $140 right there. The dental plan we have requires us to pay up front and they will reimburse us 60%, but she has a $50 deductible. That means AT MOST, I'm going to get back is $54 - which I don't know how long it will take to get back.
I have all manner of insurance claims which are up in the air and I can't documentation from the flipping doctor's insurance people so that I can file the claims. More money just in limbo.
Sky's glasses broke last week. He finally got around to bringing them in today and they told him it couldn't be fixed - they offered to sell him new frames for $80, but the truth is that he needs new glasses. I will send him to foreyes.com for new glasses and with their two pairs for $99, it's a better choice than $80 for frames with the same lenses.
I am feeling a little stretched when it comes to money - can you tell? I have been trying so hard to keep us on track - spending as little as possible - budgeting, and I just feel frustrated that everything has to be so friggin' complicated.
I wish sometimes I could just wipe the slate clean and start my life all over again knowing what I know now. I need a vacation, but I can't even afford a babysitter for a hour out with my husband.
Whatever. I'm just going to be poor for the rest of my damn wretched life.
Sky is without a job for a few weeks now. And the job market sucks. I know that he'll get another job soon, but with his ex screaming about the money it's hard to deal with it.
Pesach is coming and I am far behind. I have to finish the dining room tonight, sunday is the two bedrooms, and the next sunday is the kitchen. G-d help me.
We are getting help with groceries, but I am concerned about matzah. I don't want to over buy.
Big Girl has been saying her front bottom tooth is loose. She's five, so I figured it was probably tooth-loss envy - a bunch of girls in her class have lost teeth. I discouraged her from wiggling the tooth, because it didn't seem loose to me. I didn't want it to fall out because she was wiggling it - I wanted it to fall out because it was actually time for it to fall out.
Surprise, surprise, this morning I was tickling her and I happened to see in her mouth. Her baby tooth has indeed cut through the surface, but it is behind the baby tooth - yeah, two teeth in the same spot, and it's coming in crooked. The baby tooth is not anywhere close to being loose enough to fall out. I called the dentist and asked if we should do anything. Because the baby tooth is not loose, they said to bring her in ASAP to have it pulled. She has an appointment Monday morning. $140 right there. The dental plan we have requires us to pay up front and they will reimburse us 60%, but she has a $50 deductible. That means AT MOST, I'm going to get back is $54 - which I don't know how long it will take to get back.
I have all manner of insurance claims which are up in the air and I can't documentation from the flipping doctor's insurance people so that I can file the claims. More money just in limbo.
Sky's glasses broke last week. He finally got around to bringing them in today and they told him it couldn't be fixed - they offered to sell him new frames for $80, but the truth is that he needs new glasses. I will send him to foreyes.com for new glasses and with their two pairs for $99, it's a better choice than $80 for frames with the same lenses.
I am feeling a little stretched when it comes to money - can you tell? I have been trying so hard to keep us on track - spending as little as possible - budgeting, and I just feel frustrated that everything has to be so friggin' complicated.
I wish sometimes I could just wipe the slate clean and start my life all over again knowing what I know now. I need a vacation, but I can't even afford a babysitter for a hour out with my husband.
Whatever. I'm just going to be poor for the rest of my damn wretched life.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Okunov
Levi Okunov gets a lot of trash from Orthodox jews and Lubavitchers in specific.
This week he's being featured this week at the Jewish Museum's "Off The Wall" Exhibition. Below is a video of Mobius (of Jewcy & Orthodox Anarchist) interviewing Okunov.
I have to say, that Okunov definitely still has that Jewish spark in him. Is there plenty of shtus in there too? Yes. But is he still a chassidishe neshoma - yes.
An interesting video nonetheless.
Levi Okunov discusses his residency at the Jewish Museum from mobius1ski on Vimeo.
This week he's being featured this week at the Jewish Museum's "Off The Wall" Exhibition. Below is a video of Mobius (of Jewcy & Orthodox Anarchist) interviewing Okunov.
I have to say, that Okunov definitely still has that Jewish spark in him. Is there plenty of shtus in there too? Yes. But is he still a chassidishe neshoma - yes.
An interesting video nonetheless.
Levi Okunov discusses his residency at the Jewish Museum from mobius1ski on Vimeo.
So so so REAL
This video won YouTube's 2007 award for Best Short Film. It's about living with someone with Alzheimer's. But I watched it without knowing that. I thought it was clearly about living with a mentally ill parent - bi-polar, schizophrenic, or any other scary mental illness diagnosis. For those of you with a history of a mentally ill parent, this might be too much to watch. For the rest of you, this is what life is like with a mentally ill parent. This is real, as about as close as it gets. Watch it. Maybe then you'll understand how hard it is (or was).
There is a second video, in which the director answers questions regarding the film. What probably haunts me the most is where he talks about how the film became more real when they put in the scenes where lisa comes home every day and doesn't know what to expect - is it going to be a good day or a bad day? Yeah, that's the truth. You don't know if you're going to walk in the door and get punched or walk in the door and get hugged.
If you're a fellow blogger who knows me and what I'm talking about, please send me a hug. I need one after that video.
There is a second video, in which the director answers questions regarding the film. What probably haunts me the most is where he talks about how the film became more real when they put in the scenes where lisa comes home every day and doesn't know what to expect - is it going to be a good day or a bad day? Yeah, that's the truth. You don't know if you're going to walk in the door and get punched or walk in the door and get hugged.
If you're a fellow blogger who knows me and what I'm talking about, please send me a hug. I need one after that video.
Monday, March 24, 2008
I gained
I got slammed with a killer sinus infection this past week. It basically ruined Purim for me. I am still feeling $hitty, even after being on antibiotics for six days already.
I gained 1.2 lbs. Not bad for a yom tov. Wish I had lost, considering I didn't really eat for at least three days last week when I was at my sickest...
Gam Tzu La Tova, right?
I gained 1.2 lbs. Not bad for a yom tov. Wish I had lost, considering I didn't really eat for at least three days last week when I was at my sickest...
Gam Tzu La Tova, right?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
You know it's Purim when...
...Your child comes home from a half a day of school, and you ask, "What did you eat for lunch today?" and their response is, "Winkies."