Tonight I took the kids to the German Settlement Heritage Society’s Barn Dance in Hudson, WI.  Zisixi didn’t come, as he was literally sick and tired (after getting up at 4:30am to go in to work – blech.)  It was sort of a mini  family reunion, as many of the attendees were descendents of the original settlers. 

One of my uncles played in the first band, and my mom worked selling bratwurst and apple strudel.  My sister came from Minneapolis, and cousins came from Illinois and California. 

The highlight of the night for the girls wasn’t the music, food, or relatives.  It was the cats and kittens.  Daughter3 tried to pet the gray cat in the barn, but it scratched her.  There were at least 3 other cats that the kids played with, and 3 kittens that were “FREE to a good home.” 

Daughter1 met a couple of girls her age, and they had a good time talking.  Daughter2 spent much of her time with the cats and kittens.  Daughter3 mingled and danced.  She also found a friend her age, and they went around with the “Free Kittens” sign, asking everyone in a British accent, “Would you like a free kitten, sir?/ma’am?”

Daughter3 and the ”feral barn cat”  

(Just watched “The Office” last night, where Dwight gives the barn cat to his girlfriend.  My mom, growing up on a farm, has nightmares about feral barn cats. I think one jumped on her once.)

  Daughter3 dancing with California cousin

  Mom and sis

I have a list of “Morning Songs” on my mp3 player.  While my morning coffee jump-starts me into consciousness, music keeps me going until I am fully awake.

My search for the perfect morning song began last year whenlistening to a local radio station that had a delightful combination ofannoying people talking and annoying music. It was an incentive actually get out of bed and not just hit the snooze again and again.

Every day, I would wake up to the song “You Had a Bad Day,” by Daniel Powter.  I just looked at the lyrics, and it repeats “you had a bad day” 11 times.  Enough already. 

My criteria for what makes good  morning music is difficult to define.  I have a pretty good idea, but I don’t knowfor sure until I hear the song in the morning.  It has to be in a major key, have a good beat,and have positive lyrics.

The first 5 songs on my morning playlist:

Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers
Philosophy – Ben Folds
Who Needs Sleep? – Barenaked Ladies
Do You Wanna Dance – The Ramones

On the way home from zisixi’s Lasik surgery Wednesday, I found myself singing “Suddenly Seymour” from The Little Shop of Horrors.  I assumed that it was because it was on my morning song play list. Then I realized it was the perfect song for someone whohad just had Lasik.  (At his appointmentThursday, his vision was 20/15!) 

This morning, shortly after 6am, zisixi and I were on the road to Minneapolis for his Lasik eye surgery.  We were up too late the night before, and didn’t stop for coffee before we left. 

We were listening to The Current (89.3), and the morning djs often play music I consider inappropriate for morning music.  Sure, it is very folksy and sometimes obscure music.  But today I found myself yelling “No! You can not play that song at 6 am! The first one was an oldie by Pete Seeger – “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy,” a Vietnam protest song.  The radio guys introduced the song, saying how Seeger was supposed to sing the song on the Smothers Brothers Comedy show, but it was considered too subversive. 

I happen to enjoy a good sad song once in a while:  “Billy, Don’t be a Hero,” “Seasons in the Sun,” Johnny Cash, and the blues.  Just not at 6 am.  My semi-conscious mind absorbs the negativity and sets a sour tone for the day.

The next song was even worse…”Headdy Down” by Woodie Guthrie.  It was a LULLABY.  I am imagining Subarus, Volkswagons and Volvos (all with 89.3 The Current stickers) crashing all over the metro area, as their drivers fall asleep at the wheel. 

Zisixi’s Lasik went beautifully.  The procedure itself only lasted about 15 minutes.  He came home and slept much of the day (thanks to the Valium.)  He woke up to eat lunch, and then again to pick up Daughter1 from her wonderful 10-day field trip.

(She reports “It was amazing!”  Big sigh of relief.)

Daughter #2 came downstairs whining that she couldn’t sleep. “My eyes just aren’t drowsing.” 

We sent her back upstairs, and thought she was throwing a temper tantrum – it sounded like she was stomping around.  It turns out she was just jumping rope.

I have been upstairs twice now to sing Chi-baba (a Perry Como song my
mom used to sing) to her.  It usually works on the first try.

I think the second time’s the charm.  At least I don’t hear any more jumping rope.

Still getting things done.

My mother-in-law filed for bankruptcy in 2005, and I couldn’t find a copy of the paperwork to give to the current estate lawyers.  I finally found some paperwork with the names of the lawyers she worked with.  When I tried to call them, their number had been disconnected.  It turns out they no longer work together. 

In my Google search for new contact information, I did find out some other interesting information.

I’ll never look at mesh laundry bags the same way. 

Yesterday, I spent a fun day running around and doing errands.

1. My mother in law died in May, and I have spent much time dealing with her stuff, paperwork, bills, etc. I spent about an hour on the phone with her mortgage company. I sent them a certified check last month, after verifying the amount needed, and their mailing address, and for some reason, they returned the check back to me.

2. I dropped off my homeschool reporting information to the school district office (due Oct. 1, nothing like waiting until the last minute.)

3. I drove across town to deposit payroll checks.

4. Drove back across town, and dropped off a carload of STUFF at the Goodwill. They wouldn’t take my Christmas tree until Nov. 1st.

5. I stopped at Sears to pay the Sears bill. The guy ahead of me was returning a router and buying some other things, and an older gentleman wanted to get a replacement owner’s manual for his gas grill.

6. I dropped off three extremely overdue library books (I found 2 under the couch, and one in the kids’ room.) I also got a chai and a muffin at the library coffee shop. Because, hey, I deserve it.

7. I went to the bank to get another certified check to send the mortgage company. I had to write them a check from our personal account, because there isn’t any more money in the “estate” account to pay my mother-in-law’s bills.

When I wrote the check, she asked for ID. I renewed my drivers license at the end of July, and promptly lost it. I’m sure I will find it someday soon, but in the meantime I am using my old expired license. I have to carry a yellow receipt that proves that I did actually pay for a renewal. Sometimes they don’t ask for the receipt, but I had to dig it out of my purse.

8. I decided it was time to stop by the DMV and get a replacement license.

9. I went to the post office to express-mail my mother-in-law’s mortgage payment. That should have been easy, but I also had to check on the package I sent to our eldest daughter a few days ago.

She is on a 10-day class trip, and after she left, I realized that she had left her deodorant at home. At least I think she did, as she may have packed a different deodorant, but I’m pretty sure the one I found was what she intended to pack. I tried to send it to her hotel, (along with a note and a card made by her youngest sister.) Apparently, the post office in Virginia determined that the deodorant was undeliverable, and for some inexplicable reason, forwarded it to Chicago.

These are the kinds of mundane things (along with many others) that run through my mind when I’m trying to relax. So I’m hoping that by doing some of this crap it will free up some much needed mental energy.

State Fair Free Anti Smoking Picture:  “It looks just as stupid when you do it.”

I had plenty of time to cruise the Education Building for FREE STUFF
(my State Fair addiction.)  I am a champion free stuff getter.

1. Purple St. Thomas bag – Since I got there when the Education Building
   opened, I didn’t have to wait in line. Otherwise people start lining
   up a 1/2 hour before they start handing the bags out.
2. Enough pens and pencils to last 3 kids an entire school year
3. Rulers
4. Luggage tags
5. An anti-smoking poster that shows all kinds of animals (cows, pigs,
   cats, dogs, horses, monkeys…) smoking cigarettes.  It says “It looks
   just as stupid when you do it.”
6. A hat shaped like the Minnesota State Capitol, and an educational
   coloring book from the Minnesota House of Representatives  You can check out this year’s State Fair poll results (http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/Fair/pollmain.asp)
7. A bookmark with the sign language alphabet.
8. “Art on a stick” – paper fans with works of art from the Minneapolis
   Institute of Arts.
9. An Anti-Discrimination pin
10. My name written in Hebrew
11. A map of Canada.

You’re probably thinking “Wow, I can’t believe you got that free stuff,”
either in the sense that “Wow, that’s really cool!,” or “Wow, what a
bunch of crap!”  I kind of have mixed feelings myself, but mostly, it
is “Wow, free stuff.”

Free stuff I didn’t get:  John Deere tractor hat, pig ear hat, yard stick, U of M backpack…, UCare bag, bike helmet

 I did get to go to the State Fair twice this year.  The first time was sans kids.  I volunteered at the MHA Homeschool booth.  We had our fair share of the usual visitors:  grandparents/aunts/uncles whose grandchildren/nieces/nephews are homeschooled, homeschool families looking for resources, and people wanting to debate the legitimacy of children learning at home. 

Best comments: 

• A woman who worked in a local community college who said that they had a lot of homeschooled students participating in the PSEO program (Post-secondary education,) and that they did very well.
• A woman who taught classes at the Science Museum of Minnesota said the homeschool groups were always engaged and knowlegeable.

Worst comments:

• “So what credentials do parents have to teach their children?  I have a graduate degree in education, and I don’t think that people without credentials should be allowed to teach.”
• “Homeschooling…does that mean teachers come into your home to teach?  Oh, you teach your children at home?  What a shame!”

Hank Green  is so HOT!!!

I just can’t get this out of my head! 

The top 10 “Its Too Hot” lyrics that I can’t stop singing to myself:

10.  “I’m gonna fall out of my chair if i have another ice cold beer.”
9.    “I don’t want to drink your iced tea, i want to take a bath in it instead.”
8.    “Sprayin myself with an upside down air can”
7.    “There’s sweat trickling down my thighs, and a fire between the mattress and my butt.”
6.    “Silk boxer shorts and a washcloth are the only things i’ll let touch my skin today.”
5.    “The united nations says 11,000 people die of hotness each year.”
4.    “Hopin the mailman doesn’t look in today.”
3.    “I’m an endothermic organism and thats why I perspire.”
2.    “Its too hot, and I’m doin a funny dance, cause I went and got some ice cubes and put them down my pants…
1.    “Making love with that window fan.”

Its Too Hot by Hank Green, Brotherhood 2.0

My eyes snap open its 2 o’ clock
I rip of my shirt my pants my socks
Somethings wrong but i don’t know what

But then i finally realize
There’s sweat trickling down my thighs
and a fire between the mattress and my butt

Its too hot, its too hot in here
I’m gonna fall out of my chair
If Ii have another ice cold beer
I forgot how much it sucks to sweat in bed
I don’t want to drink your iced tea
I want to take a bath in it instead
Its too hot

Layin on the floor with my clothes off
Silk boxer shorts and a washcloth
Are the only things i’ll let touch my skin today
Sprayin myself with an upside down air can
Making out with the window fan
Hopin the mailman doesn’t look in today

Its too hot
Its too hot in this town
My will to live is melting
And thats whats got me down

Its too hot, and my state is on fire
I’m an endothermic organism and thats why i perspire
When its to hot

The united nations says 11,000 people die of hotness each year
But the burning sun, it wants 11,001
But its not going to get me you hear
No its not going to get me.

Sitting in my basement all alone
Watching hotness prevails by the WineKone
Sympathizing with my favorite UTube star

How could anyone be so deranged
To not believe in climate change
When its 102 in montana in the dark

Its too hot and I’m doin a funny dance
Cause I went and got some ice cubes and put them down my pants

I’m probably gonna pass out
But please pass my beer
Its too hot.
Spraying myself with an upside down air can
Makin love with that window fan.

In a recent effort to reduce sibling blood-shed, whining, and tears, I have instructed all 3 sisters to immediately seek mediation if they are unable to solve their differences in a peaceful manner.  (This is a change from previous laissez-faire – work it out amongst yourselves  policy.)

Thing-Three came up to me and whispered, “Thing-Two slapped me with a banana peel.”

I usually hear opposing testimony, but since I was tired, I simply told Thing-Two “Tell your sister you are sorry for hitting her with a banana peel.”  When Thing-Two was 3 years old, she sat in time-out for an hour, rather than say she was sorry.  Her response then: “I not.”  Her personal code of honor does not allow for insincere apologies.

Thing-Two: “All I said was, ‘could you please pick up my banana peel, and she stomped and hit the floor.  So I picked up the banana peel and slapped her with it.”

I reminded her that slapping someone with a banana peel would fall under the general house rules of “No hitting, pinching, biting, scratching, pushing, spitting, etc.”  I told them that if I needed to get more specific, I could add “no banana slapping.” At that, Thing-Two and Thing-Three burst into giggles.  Still no apology, but peace was restored.