You can't put out a fire by peeing on it

An Omaha  guy lights his ex-girlfriend's house on fire using gasoline and says, and I quote: "As soon as I saw it....I tried to pee on it at first because I didn't know what to do." I thought it was important to 'double quote' this for reasons that may be obvious. This is really dumb and I do not want to misquote this human specimen.
First, if you're pissed (pun intended) at your ex-girlfriend don't go to her house carrying a gas can. Second, if you are so effed up that you choose to set her door on fire, you can't put out that fire by peeing on it. Third, get an attorney and don't talk to the news.
Maybe this story is indicative of our society today. I guess when people are angry they feel they are justified to respond however they want. Without thinking about the consequences for not only the person they are retaliating against, but also the consequences to them. Peeing on a fire is similar to saying sorry when you've purposely done harm. It does nothing to solve the problem and makes you look dumb for trying. Last, has the world learned NOTHING from Law & Order? Come on. Lawyer up and shut your mouth.

Aspiring Annies take the stage - Omaha.com

I meant to share this a couple of weeks ago...

Aspiring Annies take the stage - Omaha.com

Aspiring Schmoo

So, the youngest (aka Schmoo) has decided that she wants to try out for a part in a musical. Not an easy task, even on the local level. She's tried out previously at the community playhouse for a part, to no avail. She has taken dance for five years (and she's pretty good if I do say so myself). But this is a big deal. She is trying out for a part in Annie. Yes, Annie...on Broadway no less. 

She probably won't make it. It's literally like winning the lottery. Her hopes are so high. We've talked about the likelihood of making it. She knows the odds are against her. Yet, she wants to audition. I say, "Good for her." How easy is it for us to sit back and not even try to do the things that are out of reach? Pretty easy. She probably won't even get a second look when auditioning. That's o.k. because at least she is trying.

In our society of 'fifteen minutes of fame-ers' it is hard to want to be an ordinary person. Everyone is famous. And that's the irony, right? When everyone is famous no one is. So, while Schmoo continues to wish to be famous. To wish to be on Broadway. Or, to wish to be star in Hollywood. We'll hold her up as high as we can AND be there to help her get up if she falls. That's all a parent of an aspiring star can do. 

Think of us Sunday afternoon when we're waiting, with the other 800 (let's hope for way less) aspiring stars, and wish us well. Our goal for the day is to have fun and enjoy the experience. That sounds like a good goal for every day.

Wrinkles and Dog Look-Alike

Earlier this week The Boy innocently said I looked like the dog. At the time, I took it to mean that since he is obsessed with how cute and sweet the dog is, that he thought the same of me. I didn't think much about it. Well, I did, but not in an obsessive way. Besides, The Boy adores me...really. 

Then tonight, while tucking said Boy into bed, I laid down beside him and sang him a lullaby. When I asked him what he'd like me to sing he sweetly answered, "Sing anything you want. I just love your voice." What an adorable, loving, and caring boy. He loves me. Oh, what an exceptional child he is.

After singing him a lullaby (All Night, All Day if you care) he sincerely asked me to keep rubbing his head and hair. How could I say no? When it was time for me to leave he very tenderly said, "Mom, you should get rid of your wrinkles." I should have been hurt. I should have been surprised or shocked. I wasn't. I told him that I didn't think that I would be getting rid of the wrinkles. I did not tell him any more than that. Or I would have said that I earned each one by loving and having my heart broken. By living in excess at certain points in my life. By worrying about each of my children for whatever reason that moment. By caring about other people's children because they can't (or worse yet won't). By grieving losses that I wish my children NOT  have to experience, but know they will. The list of badges could go on at length here. I'll stop now. 

So, without telling him that, The Boy says, very sweetly and simply. "They have cream for that."

God, I love that kid. But, I am concerned now that he thinks I look like the dog. I don't care. Not much.

It's ba-aaack!

So, it's back. My on-again, off-again relationship with insomnia. I've had trouble sleeping since I was a kid. My mom would vouch for that. Anyone who has ever lived with me can attest to it...or maybe not because they all seem to SLEEP! It's not just that I have trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep, it's that sleep is always so close yet so unattainable. I sound like a commercial for the butterfly pill where you're not supposed to operate heavy machinery. Here's my point: I want to be able to lie down in bed and not think of the 100 things I need to complete tomorrow or 99 I did not complete today. I want to lie down, close my eyes and go to sleep like when I was a ki...oh, right, I've had these issues all my life. Maybe it's because I couldn't sleep as a kid that I have trouble sleeping as an adult. I do some of the right things. I have a routine that I use on occasion. I do yoga at least once a year. I don't drink before bed, except when I've been out drinking.
Here's the cruel irony: I love sleep. The one thing I miss most about my life before kids (& now the dog) is sleep. I miss being able to sleep in until it hurts to stay in bed one minute longer. I would relish an uninterrupted nap while a predictable yet highly entertaining Lifetime Movie plays in the background. I think sleep is underrated by those who come by it easily.  Maybe it's that we we want we can't have. I don't know, but sleep is an amazing thing.
My biggest issue is with others who can literally fall asleep sitting in a chair in the middle of a room full of people. What the hell? I can't sleep in my own amazing bed, with great sheets, in perfectly controlled comfort, with not a lot of noise. And you can fall asleep while I'm talking to you? In a room with other people? In a wooden chair no less! Seriously? Most annoying is my own life partner. Is it necessary to flaunt that you can sleep anywhere at any time? Apparently so.
Here's my point. I love sleep. I want sleep. I need sleep. I can't sleep. I don't see this getting better anytime soon.

Builds Character

Builds character. That's my standard statement to my kids when they're dealing with something difficult. It could be a hard situation at school, it could be dealing with people they don't care for, it could be cleaning up dog poop or puke or pee, it could be loading the dishwasher. It's kind of a joke around here. Anytime the kids start complaining about having to do something or a trying situation they'll say, "I know. It builds character."
I guess I didn't really expect them to display the character building until later in their lives. I imagined one of them in or after college would display some character in dealing with not getting along with a professor, changing majors and following their heart, dealing with a relationship and coming out of it having learned something. I didn't expect I'd get to see it in the way it unfolded tonight.
During dance recital all was going swimmingly (a term I think is ridiculously underutilized). All was in place, running smoothly, the dancers looked great. I was enjoying Copelia and watching the oldest on pointe in front of 1,000 people. And she looked good! She knew her dance. She was in sync with the other dancers, all in all a great performance. And at half way through, she fell. Hard. And I worried that she may be hurt. But I was more worried that she hurt her pride. The easy way out would have been to lie there or run off stage. I think I may have. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I would have.
But my oldest, fell hard and without missing a beat got up. And danced. Even got back on pointe the very next step. And I couldn't have been prouder of her. She's a good kid. I need to remember that. And tell her that. She definitely has built character over her lifetime.
I was proud of myself as well. I didn't rush to her aid, because I'm pretty sure we both would have fallen apart. And when I did see her backstage a few songs later and she asked, "Did you see me fall?" I told her, "No. I saw you get up."
I guess we built a lot of character tonight.

Two words or less

Well, I don't know what you'd call my life right now. Crazy. Busy. Off the chain. Out of control. Whirlwind....You choose. Feel free to leave me a comment so I can accurately describe it two words or less.
I continued to work this week. I was able to take Friday off. While the oldest was still in D.C. partaking in the sights and sounds of our nation's capitol from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The boy had to get to swim lessons (thank goodness for my mother-in-law for this and just because she's good people and loves me and my kids). The youngest had horse camp all day every day (and we threw in having a friend spend the night) and recital practice three nights this week (ok, only two but I accidentally took her when she didn't need to be there, better than not taking her when she was supposed to go, right?). The oldest had dance rehearsal when she returned. Then, today was dress rehearsal. Did I mention I help back stage for two shows? I like it, except for the heat, the noise, the less than positive attitudes (more from parents than kids), the people not following instructions (both parents and kids), the hunger, the running, the headset digging into my ear...But, don't misunderstand, I wouldn't do it if I didn't like it. I like knowing that I can help to run the amazing show our studio, and my kids, put on. I like that I have some experience and can share that, if you're willing to listen. I like that, even though my own kids don't always listen to me, other peoples kids tend  to listen and I'm good with them. In fact, I'm better to other people's kids than my own. I need to work on that. I like, that in this environment, I've made some really good friends.
And that, dear reader, is the least of it. I start my first class in Educational Leadership, a three-week class, starting Monday at 8 a.m. I won't get home from recital until after a 12 plus hour day which will start about 9. Well, 8 if you count getting the girls ready before I leave. Back to the class. I have an assignment due the first day. Have I done it? What do you think? Of course I haven't! And I don't know how I'll have time now. That's why I'm adding blogging to my day. I needed one more thing to do. Also feel free to comment on what the *mmmm my artifact should be that reflects my philosophy on education. Good grief! How am I going to pull this one off?
Tell me, please. In two words or less.
*The boy told the oldest this week: "What the mmmmm? I say mmmmm because I don't know any cuss words, hence the mmmmmmmm."