I could not believe Mrs. Anderson, my third grade teacher did not choose me to Hula Dance to "Mele- Kaleki-Maka" for the Christmas program! April, Gaye, Kathy as well as my friend Katie were chosen, along with I think 2 or 3 other girls (?), because of their very coordinated and fabulously danced Hulas. They were also going to get to wear little bikini tops (really? I guess that was not really a big deal in 1971) with lays and grass skirts for heck sakes. I remember being seriously surprised that I was overlooked, and because I was full of confidence and of course full of myself I set out to show my expert "hula" every chance I got. I practiced at recess, in the hall, and at every moment I thought Mrs. Anderson might notice me. I remember thinking that once she saw me she would absolutely realize her mistake in not choosing me! She did notice me, thankfully, as I swayed like a born Hawaiian one day in the hall. What a kindness she did me to acknowledge and graciously invite me to join in the dance, not at all because I was a good dancer- but because of my exuberance. She seemed to be easily delighted and willing to be kind at every opportunity. I have known a lot of people like that and it's funny how many of them are teachers from my elementary school days. Mrs. Carr, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Nelson were complete darlings. Mrs. Nelson even had parties at her house for us which included being able to hike up the "H" rock behind her house.
Happily, thanks to Mrs. Anderson, that's what I think about whenever I hear Bing croon"Mele Kaleki Maka".
It's like the message from "It's A Wonderful Life" about how we all influence each other in small but meaningful ways. I'm thankful for good people throughout my life who have influenced me for good by sharing kindnesses and by just being who they are. It makes me want to try harder to not let a chance for acknowledging someone in kindess pass me by.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Marriage list for my children
In thinking about the news of Ms. Kardashian's recent failed marriage today I was considering the list I have made for my own children regarding what they should look for in a mate. I have never shared this complete list with them, only at times when for example we're hiking and I say something like; "Make sure the person you marry likes to hike." or about themselves; "Don't burp at the table or no one will want to marry you."
Here's the list I have for my children I hope they will think about... (In no particular order)
1. Don't marry anyone who says "I don't cook". I think everyone in a family should know and love to cook at least a few things.
2. Marry someone who reads and can tell you what their favorite books are.
3. Don't marry anyone who parks in a handicapped stall. ( Unless, of course they are a person with a disability)
4. Don't marry anyone who makes fun of anybody.
5. Don't marry anyone who takes longer than 20 minutes to get ready for the day.
6. Watch out for girls under 30 with fake nails. (Except maybe for special occasions)
7. Marry someone who loves dogs. (If someone is kind to animals-they are usually kind to everybody)
8. Marry someone only after you've hiked with them. The longer the hike the better. Do they complain a lot? What is the conversation like? Are they so focused on the heat, the bugs, messing up their hair or getting back to their video games that they miss the beauty of nature?
9. Marry someone who believes in the same God you do.
10. Find someone who will tell you what their faults are. They will usually admit when they are wrong.
11. Marry someone who's parents did not give them everthing they wanted.
12. Marry someone who thinks you're awesome and who does not tell you what to do.
Run fast and far away from someone who is critical and who wants you to change.
13. Look for someone who has a dog, and then see if they clean up their dogs poop. Don't trust anyone who won't clean up after their dog. I firmly believe that people who don't mind cleaning up after their dogs are not afraid to get messy, tend to have open minds and hearts, are willing to serve others, can weather life's storms without freaking out, and are okay with the fact that sometimes you have to put up with a little crap from those you love.
Here's the list I have for my children I hope they will think about... (In no particular order)
1. Don't marry anyone who says "I don't cook". I think everyone in a family should know and love to cook at least a few things.
2. Marry someone who reads and can tell you what their favorite books are.
3. Don't marry anyone who parks in a handicapped stall. ( Unless, of course they are a person with a disability)
4. Don't marry anyone who makes fun of anybody.
5. Don't marry anyone who takes longer than 20 minutes to get ready for the day.
6. Watch out for girls under 30 with fake nails. (Except maybe for special occasions)
7. Marry someone who loves dogs. (If someone is kind to animals-they are usually kind to everybody)
8. Marry someone only after you've hiked with them. The longer the hike the better. Do they complain a lot? What is the conversation like? Are they so focused on the heat, the bugs, messing up their hair or getting back to their video games that they miss the beauty of nature?
9. Marry someone who believes in the same God you do.
10. Find someone who will tell you what their faults are. They will usually admit when they are wrong.
11. Marry someone who's parents did not give them everthing they wanted.
12. Marry someone who thinks you're awesome and who does not tell you what to do.
Run fast and far away from someone who is critical and who wants you to change.
13. Look for someone who has a dog, and then see if they clean up their dogs poop. Don't trust anyone who won't clean up after their dog. I firmly believe that people who don't mind cleaning up after their dogs are not afraid to get messy, tend to have open minds and hearts, are willing to serve others, can weather life's storms without freaking out, and are okay with the fact that sometimes you have to put up with a little crap from those you love.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Throwing up is not dangerous
It sometimes starts with someone who laments "I don't feel good." Early on, you can try acidophiles or chamomile tea, but if it progresses to the "crying stage" you know you're in for some action. After all these years I can spot a kid who's going to throw up a mile away. Mine or someone else's, actually, it's a gift I have. Also, after all the sickness I've encountered, I have an iron stomach and am lightening fast with a garbage can. I'm pretty proud of that fact and am trying to figure out how or where to list it on my resume. Nothing makes me queasy anymore, and I've pretty much seen it all from boogers wiped on walls, moldy mysteries in the fridge to vomit on the carpet. I can easily clean up, diaper or "cath" a kid at school while taking about the weather. I'm also good with feeding tubes and drool management.
Sometimes, if the throwing up thing is not an absolute I can talk someone out of it with a little coaching. If they can lie still in the "corpse position" and breath deeply, sometimes with a good foot rub and relaxation the nausea will pass. If it's imminent, then you bring them a bowl and give them the "throwing up is not dangerous" speech. For a few of my kids the fear of it is the worst. Once it happens it's better.
I hardly ever throw up anymore. I'm pretty sure it's because I've lived through 5 pregnancies where I've barfed my guts out for the first 13 weeks and I'm pretty sure that used up all my barf allotments. Really, I just spell-checked that word and I can't believe that's how you spell allotments.
Sometimes, if the throwing up thing is not an absolute I can talk someone out of it with a little coaching. If they can lie still in the "corpse position" and breath deeply, sometimes with a good foot rub and relaxation the nausea will pass. If it's imminent, then you bring them a bowl and give them the "throwing up is not dangerous" speech. For a few of my kids the fear of it is the worst. Once it happens it's better.
I hardly ever throw up anymore. I'm pretty sure it's because I've lived through 5 pregnancies where I've barfed my guts out for the first 13 weeks and I'm pretty sure that used up all my barf allotments. Really, I just spell-checked that word and I can't believe that's how you spell allotments.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Old Movie Treasure
It's 31 days of Oscar this month on TCM and I'm in heaven!
I love old classic movies and what I feel and learn when I watch them.
What I also love is that I still havn't seen a lot of these old, great movies, and every time I'm introduced to a new old movie I'm completely blown away.
It reminds me of this dream I have every once in awhile about our old house. It was a tiny two bedroom, late Pioneer era house by the Capitol that we loved. Because of the "historic" nature of the little house our plans for additions were repeatedly refused by the city. They don't like the idea of making anything "bigger" over on Wall Street.
We even played with the idea of converting the attic to a sort of small community bedroom for all the girls, but it just felt like a real challenge to try to undergo construction w/ all our little kids, and that didn't solve the one bathroom, tiny kitchen problem. Our family had exploded from three when we bought the house to seven in just a few short years we were quite busting at the seams, and resigned ourselves to the fact that we had to look for a larger house. Over the years we remember our old little house fondly and wonder what our lives would be like if we had stayed there and tried to make it work. I think that it the basis for the dream I have, which is this; I dream that we are in that house, or that we have a chance to go back to it, or like it's a very lucky circumstance that somehow we "remember" we have this house we can go live in. In my dream we are there, very happily unpacking or reaquainting ourselves with the rooms and sweet charm of the place, when all of a sudden we realize there is a hidden door leading to other rooms, a whole lot of new space we just didn't realize we had before. All our problems are solved and we find there is plenty of very delighful space.
The idea is like "Wow, I didn't know that room was here!" or "How could we not have noticed this room before?" It's like discovering you've really always had something...you couldn't quite appreciate or "see" before....like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ.
I have this dream pretty often these days, I guess especially now that we have all these kids who are becoming teenagers, complaining about sharing rooms and having to navigate around each other in our current house that sometimes feels just too darn small. It's funny how huge four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an unfinished basement felt ten years ago, when we were used to our tiny Pioneer Cottage.
Anyway, that's how finding an old movie feels to me. I can't believe I have lived all these years w/ out ever seeing The Inn of the Sixth Happiness with Ingrid Bergman! I saw it for the first time on Saturday and now I think It must be my new favorite movie! Maybe it was significant because there seemed to be some very definite messages in it for me at this time in my life. I doubt I would have appreciated those messages before. I'm also in love with The Best Days of our Lives, Pygmalian, Captains Courageous and about a million others. There are a few weeks left of 31 days of Oscar, so I'm excited about what other "old movie rooms" will be added to the little cottage in my brain.
I love old classic movies and what I feel and learn when I watch them.
What I also love is that I still havn't seen a lot of these old, great movies, and every time I'm introduced to a new old movie I'm completely blown away.
It reminds me of this dream I have every once in awhile about our old house. It was a tiny two bedroom, late Pioneer era house by the Capitol that we loved. Because of the "historic" nature of the little house our plans for additions were repeatedly refused by the city. They don't like the idea of making anything "bigger" over on Wall Street.
We even played with the idea of converting the attic to a sort of small community bedroom for all the girls, but it just felt like a real challenge to try to undergo construction w/ all our little kids, and that didn't solve the one bathroom, tiny kitchen problem. Our family had exploded from three when we bought the house to seven in just a few short years we were quite busting at the seams, and resigned ourselves to the fact that we had to look for a larger house. Over the years we remember our old little house fondly and wonder what our lives would be like if we had stayed there and tried to make it work. I think that it the basis for the dream I have, which is this; I dream that we are in that house, or that we have a chance to go back to it, or like it's a very lucky circumstance that somehow we "remember" we have this house we can go live in. In my dream we are there, very happily unpacking or reaquainting ourselves with the rooms and sweet charm of the place, when all of a sudden we realize there is a hidden door leading to other rooms, a whole lot of new space we just didn't realize we had before. All our problems are solved and we find there is plenty of very delighful space.
The idea is like "Wow, I didn't know that room was here!" or "How could we not have noticed this room before?" It's like discovering you've really always had something...you couldn't quite appreciate or "see" before....like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ.
I have this dream pretty often these days, I guess especially now that we have all these kids who are becoming teenagers, complaining about sharing rooms and having to navigate around each other in our current house that sometimes feels just too darn small. It's funny how huge four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an unfinished basement felt ten years ago, when we were used to our tiny Pioneer Cottage.
Anyway, that's how finding an old movie feels to me. I can't believe I have lived all these years w/ out ever seeing The Inn of the Sixth Happiness with Ingrid Bergman! I saw it for the first time on Saturday and now I think It must be my new favorite movie! Maybe it was significant because there seemed to be some very definite messages in it for me at this time in my life. I doubt I would have appreciated those messages before. I'm also in love with The Best Days of our Lives, Pygmalian, Captains Courageous and about a million others. There are a few weeks left of 31 days of Oscar, so I'm excited about what other "old movie rooms" will be added to the little cottage in my brain.
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