The glow is off…

It’s official.

The teenager no longer thinks we’re cool.

Truth be told, he’s been feeling this way for some time.

Now, he’d rather not be seen with us either.

No need to go to his basketball games after school…verboten!

No need to hang out at the Rec center. He’d prefer to be dropped off.

Watching movies, or our favorite shows, together?

Forget it.

“We have another TV,” he tells us.

I knew this was coming.

So why is it so hard to accept?

Coming up for air…

The required treaded discussion posts are submitted.

The reading response articles have been read (and mostly understood).

The corresponding reading response summaries and commentaries were posted by yesterday’s deadline.

It’s amazing to me (and more so to the Legal Dude) just how diligently I worked, and how long it took me to complete the assignments, for just one class!

The Legal Dude told me, “You’re obviously spending too much time on the assignments.”

So just what does that mean!

That I’m over thinking?
That the assignments don’t warrant my in-/out-put?
That I shouldn’t worry so much?
That I’m slow!

I think it means one and three.

But the Legal Dude isn’t around to confirm.

He left for Atlanta Thursday night.

So last night, I watched the Hope for Haiti telethon and started in on next week’s reading assignments.

Who knew I’d be spending Friday evenings doing homework?

Thankfully, at least, the cobwebs of my mind seem to be clearing up.

The Legal Dude is...Harsh!

The Legal Dude has been reviewing some of my written class work. Grudgingly, I might add.

Boy is he harsh.

He’s a wordsmith.

I am not.

He doesn’t like silly (stupid) mistakes.

He can’t understand how students can get to law school and not know how to write.

I’m not a law student.

I am, however, old enough to know better.

He doesn’t like ellipses. He hates them.

I love ellipses and yes, I overuse them.

Proper punctuation has never been one of my strong points. I’ve never been able to keep the rules in my head.

Ellipses also help with run on sentences. Or so I tell myself.

Also, I’m one of those who think ellipses proffer a more relaxed, conversational tone.

Excuses, I know, for sheer laziness.

But I also like the way they look…even though I know it’s wrong.

Plus, the auto correct on my computer seems to like ellipses. It never auto corrects when using them.

But back to the Legal Dude…

He’s gotten into my brain (just like he wormed his way into my heart).

“Cut it out already with the ellipses!”

Sigh…

Well, Maybe? Just at the end of the very last sentence…

Tweet - Go Cowgirls!

Busy with school work.

But for the moment I'm taking a break to watch the Cowgirls, my favorite UWYO team.

They're playing BYU, a higher ranked, national team...and winning 56-46!!!!

The Legal Dude and I both had too much work, so we decided to watch it on the tube.

They don't usually broadcast the Cowgirl (or any UWYO) games but BYU is a national team and so lucky for us, we get to watch while we work.

GO Cowgirls!

Back...

The teenager got back from the Teton Science Camp around 11:30 pm...

The jury is still out on whether it was a good experience (according to him)...

He said it wasn't, but I keep hearing all these stories...about seeing Bison, coyotes, moose, elk, a wolf...and playing poker every night.

There’s talk on the street…

it sounds so familiar…

Great expectations, everyone’s watching you…

A new Sushi restaurant opened this week.

There’s the “Teriyaki Bowl,” which serves sushi and which the Legal Dude and the teenager tried once and said was okay.

Also, the University Library is supposed to serve sushi during the lunch hour, but we’ve never tried it.

So Mizu, the only full-fledged sushi restaurant in Laramie, opened on Wednesday. (They also serve Vietnamese dishes.)

I ate there last night with the Little Tyke and his family…the Legal Dude was on his way back from D.C.

Now that the Legal Dude is back, he couldn’t wait to check it out and so we ate there this evening. The place was packed.

I forgot to take "before" photos so this is what was left…



I’ll probably have an opportunity for more photos tomorrow…

The teenager returns from Teton Science Camp at midnight tonight and we're pretty certain he’ll want to check it out…tomorrow night.

Good thing for me that I like sushi…and that the restaurant is good!

Just doesn’t seem right…

That my life (and life in general) moseys along while so much suffering is happening in Haiti.

Of course, one could argue that so much suffering is (has been) constant in Haiti and so many other places while my/our good life continues to mosey along…

But then that’s another topic…

Just had to take a moment to acknowledge what’s happening...as I continue to drivel on about all things trivial in my life...

And to say that the Haitian people are in my thoughts and prayers and to hope that we continue to help those who have survived as the initial horror of this horrific disaster passes and that as we mosey on with our lives...we don't forget.

Peace and love to all...stay safe, please.

Comfort Food…

My boys are gone.

The Legal Dude drove off to Denver after classes this afternoon…back to D.C.

I know I’ll regret it in the morning…

The small print…

What’s with the small(ish) print on reading handouts?

I have two, and let me tell you…I need a magnifying glass to read them!

What gives?!

I thought I was going to an equal opportunity school.

Not when it comes to “semi-geriatric eyesight,” I guess.

Reading glasses, here I come!

Class No. 2

My 8:10 am class meets two mornings a week.

This morning was the first class.

This is a large lecture class vs. the round table class of last evening.

Not sure which is more intimidating…the smaller (oh I see you there so let’s call on you) or the larger (with more people to embarrass oneself in front of) class.

The Prof seems fairly laid-back and approachable, and is willing to let me record if needed.

Had a chat with the Legal Dude last evening about cobwebs…

Cobwebs of “my mind” that is.

I’m afraid it’s going to take a while to get my “academic” “quick-on-my- feet” portion of my brain revved to its full potential.

I can see that I my “parent-ness” and lack of academic study these past three decades is getting in the way of student and academic “speak.”

Oh well…

Let’s hope I can keep my mouth shut until then, but I don’t know…

Phew…

So…I managed to make it through class.

Even managed to ask a few questions and make a joke (and everyone, including the professor, laughed. Thank Goodness!!!)

There were two other “close-to-my-age” types.

Professor is nice, and definitely not boring.

He walked out of class with me and asked how I’m adjusting to Laramie.

Nice guy (until I get my grade).

Class No. 2…tomorrow morning.

We shall see how that goes…

Nervous...

says it all.

My first class is this afternoon...3 to 6 pm.

I already embarrassed myself in an e-mail to the Prof who teaches this class.

I wanted to get a head start on any readings, and asked for a syllabus, etc.

Prof wrote back, “I don’t know which class you’re referring to (I teach several)”...

So...I'm red faced even before the first day of class.

[I’m suddenly reminded of those...”Boy was my face red” stories/column I read in some newspaper or magazine when I was a kid].

Again, nervous...

No news is good news…

Cell phones were locked up last evening after the bus arrived at TSC.

Of course, the teenager never called us...even though another mom told her daughter to tell him to call us...three times!

No calls...
No communication...
No checking in...

I guess that’s a good thing...for me!

Deja Vu

I’ve been here before...



We may have even used this same text...



It was more than 3 decades ago, but I remember.

The question(s) now, however, are...

Do I remember how to take notes?
Will I be able to follow the lecture and take notes?
Am I able to follow the lecture, take notes AND keep up?
Am I capable of all of the above AND be able to make heads or tales of what I wrote…in those notes?!

Aah…I remember.

I HAVE been here before...

The bus has left…

Last minute luggage change...



Packing the bus...

They’re off...

Taking deep breaths...

Just being a parent…

The teenager leaves in the morning, to attend Science Camp at the Teton Science School in Jackson, Wyoming...a 6 hour drive across the state (although with stops, it will take his bus 8.5 hours to reach the school).

That’s practically in Idaho!!!!

For purposes of this post, let’s just call the teenager what he really is…a 13 year old boy.

My boy...

My little boy...

My little boy...who has never been to sleep-away camp.

My little boy... who has never been away from home for more than 2 days at a time.

My little boy... from whom we have never been away for more than 2 days, and never so far away.

Well, there was the time he went to NYC with his Hebrew School.

But that was practically over night, and not so far away.

He doesn’t’ want to go.

I don’t want him to go.

Actually, I do. But I don’t.

I want him to go, but I worry.

I want him to have a good time.

But still I worry.

Will he be warm enough?

Will he dress warmly enough?

Will he wear all the layers we got him...the protective under garments, the wool socks, the snow pants?

We are talking about Wyoming, after all...and in January for goodness sakes!

But I think I have a right to worry.

I’m his mom and moms have this right.

But he doesn’t’ know any of this.

And I plan on keeping it that way.

At least until later...

Much, much later, when he’s a parent and HE understands that I wasn’t...a complete and total neurotic.

Not completely.

I was just being a parent...his parent.

Parking lots…

This is pretty much what they all look like around here.

[Empty lot early on a Saturday morning]

That’s frozen icy stuff packed on the asphalt.

Makes one sort of walk like a Penguin...to keep from slipping.

I hear tell it might be here till next spring...whenever that comes.



Yes...



We do have a Staples here…thank you very much.

Just the one store though...

Where I bought my school supplies this morning.

Ordinance 8.16.050

Didn't know there was an ordinance for trash can size...but then again, Arlington Country provided our trash cans.

Here, most people put plastic bags out front...during the morning, not the night before.

Otherwise, we might find leftovers strewn about the neighborhood due to the local wildlife...or tossed about by the wind.

Always something new to learn...

Happy Friday...

Happy to report that the wind chill for today is only -17...and the wind chill warning is only in effect until 11 am this morning.

The Sun is also big, bright and strong today!

Chicago peeps...hope you're staying safe and warm.

My friends on the WC say that an Arctic blast is now following the snow of yesterday. Stay warm my friends...folks.

Washington, D.C....so the kids got only a partial respite from school.

Got a text at 3:02 am telling me that schools were opening 2 hours late. I just can't seem to get myself off the APS text alert. Have to work more seriously on that.

We have family in Atlanta...have you seen the news report on their weather?! The streets are all sheets of ice!!!

Happy I'm here and don't have to travel far today...just to campus, the food store and then downtown to meet a (new) friend for lunch.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Yes…I’ve posted a LOT today.

I’ve been stuck at home all day…and not because we had severe negative temps today.

I would have gladly gone out…actually had errands to run on campus and at the grocery store.

Alas…I was stuck at home because we had service technicians here and then I needed to finish the job they started.

So in between working with the service technicians---and shooting photos of them while they weren’t looking---taking care of what needed to be taken care (the reason they were here), and cleaning house…I took time to post.

I was feeling particularly…"narrative like" today.

Hey…I like amusing myself.

The bill is in the mail, Lady…

I know.

The saying is really…”The check is in the mail.”

But here in Laramie, Wyoming…it’s the reverse.

I don’t remember the last time I had my home/appliances serviced back in Northern, VA where I wasn’t required to hand over a check for services rendered…when the services were rendered.
Okay…there was Moran’s Heating and Cooling when they put in the mini-split in the back tv/game room.

They billed us for the second half of the payment.

And, yes, if you pay for an “annual” check-up (i.e. HVAC), then you only pay once, but…you pay before your appliance is serviced that first time.

More often than not, the mantra is: we service…you pay (you being the homeowner).

Here in small town Laramie, the response is always the same…”Oh no. We’ll send you a bill.”

Or…the bill is in the mail.

And twice I’ve had to call to be billed.

I find this phenomenon…interesting.

How does that saying go…

‘Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.’

I made the teenager an after-school snack.


(Clip Art)

One of my favorites...Mexican hot chocolate and crusty bread that has been toasted in the oven...perfect for a (well-) below zero day!

The teenager also loves this snack and was waxing and waning how tasty it was, especially the crusty, oven toasted bread.

I jokingly told him…”I don’t make these snacks for you because I love you…I make them so that you’ll have nice memories,” which, in-fact, is partly true.

I do want him to have nice memories.

But I make them because I love him.

He shot back…”So that I’ll put you in a nice nursing home?!”

Yowza!

Such stingers…from one so young!

I’m glad, though, that he has such quick come-backs.

A quick wit = a quick mind.

Hurt feelings…

My news channels are MSNBC and the Weather Channel.
(I guess the first one says something about my politics…)

Occasionally I’ll watch Good Morning America or some other morning program…but usually it’s the Weather Channel.



I haven’t found a local channel (in fact, there are no local channels for Laramie) that I really like and the WC provides day long info on Laramie weather.

I’ve noticed however, and this is where the hurt feeling come in, that no one…I mean no one…ever comes to Laramie (or Wyoming) to report on the weather or to interview the locals on…”how are you coping”…no matter how fierce the weather.

I mean…Detroit gets the newscasters, as does Minnanopolis, as does Iowa City as does NY, Boston, D.C., Okalahoma, Texas, Atlanta and…

Are getting the picture?

I realize that Wyoming is the least populated state, but…

Come on WC…we’re people too!

Or…maybe Wyomingites are just too hardy a folk to be bothered with trivial questions about weather.

I’m liking that perspective...

Who knew…

We didn’t...



that we had this access panel in the ceiling of our garage.

It’s up in the ceiling of the middle bay, which hasn’t gotten much use.



Has someone been living up there?!?



Nah…we had some workers at our house this morning…more on that later.



Am I becoming camera happy?!

Saying “Unlce”…

I gave in and hired the plowing company to come shovel our driveway.



Don’t know how often the winds will blow in from the North, but that’s the side the garage is on and the drifts just pile up against the doors.

Too much for little ‘ole me to handle while the boys are at school…and by the time they come home, well, it’s too late to tackle it all.

And this is the second time it’s happened in 2 weeks…and winter just started.

So we hired the guys who have shoveled before…nice guys.

One more bill to pay…

Word for the day…

Fu•tile
Pronunciation: \ˈfyü-təl, ˈfyü-ˌtī(-ə)l\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin futilis brittle, pointless, probably from fu- (akin to fundere to pour)
Date: circa 1555
1 : serving no useful purpose : completely ineffective
2 : occupied with trifles
(Courtesy: Merriam-Webster on-line)

We are having some winter-weather today…weather that is heading your way, my peeps.

So sorry…

Earlier this afternoon the junior high was obscured by the falling snow.

Tiny light flakes…the kind that gives the air a grey and misty, swirly look and …if you don’t have to shovel…very Grandma Moses pretty.

But…I’ve been out twice this afternoon and this second time…futile.

Completely and totally ineffective against the blowing Wyoming Winds…

Drifts over a foot…where I had shoveled just an hour ago.

Drifts…filling in behind me, even before I can shovel away the snow in front of me.

Futile.

Wish I could capture it for you…but I think I need a better camera.

But…maybe you can get a glimpse from this site, WDOT Web cam

And you know what?

The locals say that the real snow fall doesn’t come until after February.

I think this will be a winter to remember…for a lot of us around the country.

I know I shouldn’t...

But I do.

Then I feel yucky...having known full well I would feel this way.

But it calls to me.

I can’t seem to help myself.

Or turn away.

Or turn a deaf ear.

Afterwards, it’s more than just yucky that I feel...it’s like my body knows better.

It knows it doesn’t want it.

And yet, I can’t seem to stay my hand.

It’s as if it has control...

of my mind

my brain (are they one and the same?)

my body.

I can’t stop thinking about it...till I have it...even if I try and hum to myself.

I know I’m the only that can stop the cycle.

The yucky feeling afterwards.

The knowledge that I shouldn’t have it.

That I should have stayed away from...

The candy bar.

The frosted cake.

The cookie.

The ice cream float.

The donut.

Sugar...my Nemesis.

It wasn’t always this way.

I’ve always had a sweet tooth.

I used to be able to eat the frosting and toss the cake.

But now...Yuck.

Eat the cake and toss the frosting.

My mind wants the sweet stuff though (oh how it craves the sweet stuff), but my body no longer likes it...

Mind...body...body...mind.

Mind over body? Nah...

What I need is "mind over mind-over-body."

Came across this phrase in this NY Times article from a while back.

It doesn't really apply, but I like the concept...push my “mind over mind-over-body” when it comes to sweets.

Mind over mind-over-body…

Maybe if I say it enough...

Nope...I’m off to have some graham crackers!!!

5… maybe 6…

That’s the amount of fat I brought back home to Laramie…"on" me.

I thought the “protective layer” of winter fat was supposed to emerge in the cold climes…not in the warm, balmy climes of Georgia.

Then again…I downed tons and tons of sashimi with a few brewskies while in Atlanta.


[Courtsey of Clip Art]

Then while in Chicago…Italian Beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs (both with fries, thank you very much); Mexican food; ham and turkey with all the trimmings; and a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs…every-single-morning!


[Courtesy Clip Art]

I might have to try that Paleo Diet.

You know…what the caveman/hunter/gatherers ate before the agricultural boom of the Neolithic period.

I hear tell our Paleo ancestors were pretty lean and trim.

Really! I just read about this diet…in The Washington Post no less.

No grains, legumes, or starches…just meat, fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts.

Sounds a bit familiar...no?

Except for the grapefruit diet in college…remember that, girls?...I’ve never really been big on diets.

So I guess I’ll have to learn to snowshoe and cross country ski.

Hmm

Maybe I should try the diet after all…

Calling…Home

Back in early November, we had dinner at the Little Tyke’s house.

After dinner, the four of us (adults) sat around sipping wine and chatting.

I made a reference to “back home” in Arlington…Washington, D.C.

Little Tyke’s dad gave me a quizzical look and asked, “So when are you going to stop saying…back home?”

Little Tyke’s family is most recently from the east coast also, but his parents have lived in many places…around the world.

I have since given his question a lot of thought and wondered “if” and when I would be able to stop referring to our home in Arlington as “back home.”

The answer came quite unexpectedly…quite naturally…and quite uneventfully.

I was in Chicago when I told my family…”I’d rather take the weather back home than what you have in Chicago.”

And I wasn’t talking about Arlington.

It’s nice to have a place to really call “home” again…and to feel like I’m really “at” home, which is how I felt when we pulled in to Laramie after our travels over the winter break.

Hope you’ve all made it safely back to your home…if you traveled over the holidays.

Just one of the many reasons…

Why the Legal Dude is a keeper and I’m glad he’s mine.



Yesterday, while we were at the store, he picked up a package of Pillsbury’s Crescent Rolls.

He wouldn’t say what he was making…just that it was something he saw on the Food Network Channel on one of his flights in or out of D.C.

He was bummed to discover the tube of Almond Paste that we packed from VA was rock hard.

I gave him the microplane zester.

It worked…sort of.

This is (what was left of) the end result.



The Legal Dude wanted more of the almond flavor.

They were tasty, but I agree about the almond flavor and would add toasted, shaved almonds and maybe some fancy sugar before baking.

Legal Dude would try it again…if he has the right kind of Almond Paste.

The Legal Dude is the better cook in our family and he usually does all the cooking on the weekends and for a lot of our dinner/parties.

But he doesn’t bake.

So I think it’s cute that he saw this recipe, kept it in his head and decided to give it a try.

Like I said…just one of the (many) reasons to be glad he’s mine…

So very honored…

Our littlest guest on New Year’s Eve…a soon-to-be 3 year old…has bestowed upon me the highest honor.

But first, a little background.

The little tyke and I bonded almost immediately when we first met back in September.

His parents are also recent east coast transplants to Laramie.

The little tyke has captured my heart and we’ve bonded over crackers…dinosaurs…building locks…and now, smoked salmon.

On New Year’s Eve, his mom informed me that the little tyke will soon have a birthday party.

He said he wants to invite three guests…

J and W (from pre-school) and…me!

So cute!

I can’t wait!!

A Bubbly Cocktail...

Came across a recipe for this cocktail while flying back home on Frontier Airlines...

Sparkling Cranberry-Orange Cocktail

I love sparkling wine and this recipe sounded tasty plua I wanted to try and "channel" some dear friends back East who make excellent cocktails...

The last tasty-sounding recipe I tried, however, didn’t make the “it’s a keeper” cut.

So I was a bit wary to try a new recipe on our guests last evening.

But I did…and I’m glad to say that it was a hit.

I found this cosmopolitan rimming sugar and decided it would create a nice decorative look as well as with the fresh cranberries.

Obviously I don’t know how to cut orange strips for garnish…



In my defense…I was in a hurry to get the drinks to our guests as they walked in the door.

Had a “duh!” moment this morning…realizing that I can make a batch and chill before the guests arrive…rather than making each cocktail individually.

Guess this is why I’m not a mixologist!

Flummoxed and a bit miffed…

Remember these photos?

Someone shoveled…pushed…all that snow onto our lot while we were traveling over the winter break.

Great for playing…but what happens when it all melts?

It’s got to ebb and flow…somewhere.

So I chased down a city plow truck driver who happened to be plowing the streets in our neighborhood the other day.

Nice guy.

He said he’d come take a look.

Alas. My new friend said, “The city didn’t do it…we would never plow a huge mound like this onto someone’s property, even when we have nowhere to put the snow.”

[He was blowing the mounds from the streets onto the Jr. High field across the street.]

He also said it was a much smaller vehicle that did the deed…

He doesn’t think the city can help us…that we’ll have to hire a private company to come plow it away.

My new pal was also surprised that “no one asked” if they could plow the snow onto our lot.

Hmm

Such are the surprises that await the unwary homeowner while they’re away…

The mice come out to pl(ow)ay!

A bittersweet New Year’s Eve…

Yesterday evening was New Year’s Eve...

Like you, we celebrated…and bid adieu to...a year gone by as we welcomed in the New Year.

In reality though, our “New Year” began nearly 5 months ago...when we drove into Laramie, Wyoming, and started this new chapter in our lives.

I’m glad I can say that it’s been (mostly) a good 5 months...adjusting to a new home, new friends and a completely different way of life.

This morning, though, I’m feeling just a smidge melancholic.

Hard to say why...but then I always feel a bit this way every New Year.

Maybe it’s the residual after-effect of celebrating.

You know...with the bubbly stuff.

Maybe it’s because I’d forgotten that we’re so far from home...and from friends with whom we’ve celebrated so many a New Year’s Eve.

Last night we celebrated with some new friends...neighbors who live up the street.

There were six of us plus two kid-lets and, of course, the teenager.

It was very nice and pleasant sitting in front of the fire-place, eating tapas-like finger foods and a slow cooked chicken madras dish by the Legal Dude, all the while chatting and laughing.

Even though it was all pulled together at the very last minute, we were organized and ready and I had an opportunity to really visit and chat with our guests...something that I missed at our parties back in Arlington.

It was nice...but different. But definately a nice different.

The Legal Dude and I talked about it this morning.

We determined what was different, and what we miss, is the “activity”---the planning, the preparation, the cooking and the execution of the party...and for me, the decorating and setting up---and of course, all our friends.

So while we had a great time and enjoyed celebrating in our new home with some new friends, it was a bittersweet occasion as we miss what we used to have...and do...every New Year’s Eve for the past 4-5 years.

But hey! There’s another new year...next year.

Who knows?

We might just have to start a new tradition here...

Wishing you all the best as you start your New Year.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful and peaceful New Year...