For some reason, all the best Halloween stories involve NB.
The first year he went trick-or-treating, he was almost three. (The year he was almost one, he got sick on Halloween. The next year, he refused to put on his costume. His very cute, handmade costume. No, I'm not still disappointed. Whatever gave you that idea?) He and IM picked out matching pumpkin costumes. They were very cute.
Walking away from his first house, he beamed at me and said, "Mommy, it's beautiful! I say 'trick-or-treat' and they give me CANDY!"
When the Vietnam vet amputee opened the door, instead of saying "Trick-or-Treat" NB said, "What happened to your leg?" I cringed, because this guy always struck me as being a bit rough and cranky, but he was actually very good with NB.
At the next door, the woman said, "Oh, what cute pumpkins." NB leaned toward her and stage whispered, "I have something to tell you. I'm not actually a pumpkin. I'm a little boy, dressed as a pumpkin."
The next year, he picked out a Batman costume. It took some talking to get him to put it on, but when it came time to go to bed that night, he didn't want to take it off. "But I'm the real Batman!"
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Driving me somewhere
Tonight, while getting ready for dinner.
Me: LW, you are driving Mommy crazy!
LW: Me driving Mommy happy!
Well, maybe he didn't get it wrong after all.
Me: LW, you are driving Mommy crazy!
LW: Me driving Mommy happy!
Well, maybe he didn't get it wrong after all.
Books, books, books
Here is the run-down on October's reading.
Pope Joan
This is a novel based on the life of Pope Joan, who legend has it was pope in the 9th century. It's a well-written novel, with interesting insight into life in medieval France and Italy, especially in monasteries and the Vatican, and a strong female character (obviously). In the back of the book, the author includes a chapter on the evidence for and against Pope Joan's existence. My mother-in-law introduced me to this book. Thanks, Mom.
Austenland
This is a quick read about a single woman who is bequeathed a vacation to an English manor where everyone pretends they are in a Jane Austen novel. The book is entertaining, but there is nothing here to dwell on.
Becoming Jane Austen
I bought this book after seeing the movie in the theater because I was intrigued by how much evidence there was to support the assertion that Jane and Thomas LeFroy had a serious relationship. The author does a good job of supporting his claim. I thought he gave too much weight to the fact that all of Austen's novels include characters who share names with characters in Tom Jones (Thomas LeFroy's favorite book). But I do think he did a good job showing how Austen's letters and the rememberances of relatives of both Austen and LeFroy point to a relationship.
In addition to answering that question, the book provides an interesting look at how Austen's novels reflect situations in her own life and the lives of her friends and relatives and at how her publishing career developed.
Pope Joan
This is a novel based on the life of Pope Joan, who legend has it was pope in the 9th century. It's a well-written novel, with interesting insight into life in medieval France and Italy, especially in monasteries and the Vatican, and a strong female character (obviously). In the back of the book, the author includes a chapter on the evidence for and against Pope Joan's existence. My mother-in-law introduced me to this book. Thanks, Mom.
Austenland
This is a quick read about a single woman who is bequeathed a vacation to an English manor where everyone pretends they are in a Jane Austen novel. The book is entertaining, but there is nothing here to dwell on.
Becoming Jane Austen
I bought this book after seeing the movie in the theater because I was intrigued by how much evidence there was to support the assertion that Jane and Thomas LeFroy had a serious relationship. The author does a good job of supporting his claim. I thought he gave too much weight to the fact that all of Austen's novels include characters who share names with characters in Tom Jones (Thomas LeFroy's favorite book). But I do think he did a good job showing how Austen's letters and the rememberances of relatives of both Austen and LeFroy point to a relationship.
In addition to answering that question, the book provides an interesting look at how Austen's novels reflect situations in her own life and the lives of her friends and relatives and at how her publishing career developed.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
End of the soccer season
Yesterday was the final day of the fall soccer season. I was really looking forward to watching the games, since we missed the last two Saturdays due to our Branson trip.
NB and IM's team won their game, making them undefeated for the season. IM had an especially good game, with lots of contact with the ball and good mental focus. She's come a long way from kindergarten, when my parents got footage of her laying on the ground with her feet in the air in the middle of the game. Or from the beginning of this year, when she told me, "The job of defense is to tell jokes and wait for the ball to come to you."
The team had a post-game party in the pavillion at the park. One of the coaches handed out medals for each of the kids. LW really wanted a medal, but of course there weren't enough for siblings. Another younger sibling was busy explaining it to LW--"The medals are only for the kids on the team"--when NB walked up and put his medal around LW's neck, "For being the best baby brother in the world." The other little boy frowned, and left in search of his brother.
It was a great team in so many ways. Great coaches, great kids. Everyone was from the same school, so they knew each other well and really enjoyed being together. It feels like the end of an era. In third grade, the teams are split by sex and they try to mix up the towns more.
EM was scheduled to play in the afternoon. The last week of the season is a special jamboree, and he had two half-hour games. It was drizzling during the twins' game, but by 11:00 it was pouring. We were assured that the games were still on, and so at 12:45 we set out for the field, which is about a half-hour drive from us in rainy weather. Just as we pulled up, the organizers made the decision to cancel all remaining games. EM was pretty disappointed. Sixth grade is the last grade for the recreational soccer program. Except for second grade (the year we moved), he has played on a soccer team every year since he was four. It felt very anticlimatic to not have the games.
NB and IM's team won their game, making them undefeated for the season. IM had an especially good game, with lots of contact with the ball and good mental focus. She's come a long way from kindergarten, when my parents got footage of her laying on the ground with her feet in the air in the middle of the game. Or from the beginning of this year, when she told me, "The job of defense is to tell jokes and wait for the ball to come to you."
The team had a post-game party in the pavillion at the park. One of the coaches handed out medals for each of the kids. LW really wanted a medal, but of course there weren't enough for siblings. Another younger sibling was busy explaining it to LW--"The medals are only for the kids on the team"--when NB walked up and put his medal around LW's neck, "For being the best baby brother in the world." The other little boy frowned, and left in search of his brother.
It was a great team in so many ways. Great coaches, great kids. Everyone was from the same school, so they knew each other well and really enjoyed being together. It feels like the end of an era. In third grade, the teams are split by sex and they try to mix up the towns more.
EM was scheduled to play in the afternoon. The last week of the season is a special jamboree, and he had two half-hour games. It was drizzling during the twins' game, but by 11:00 it was pouring. We were assured that the games were still on, and so at 12:45 we set out for the field, which is about a half-hour drive from us in rainy weather. Just as we pulled up, the organizers made the decision to cancel all remaining games. EM was pretty disappointed. Sixth grade is the last grade for the recreational soccer program. Except for second grade (the year we moved), he has played on a soccer team every year since he was four. It felt very anticlimatic to not have the games.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Costume woes
Two nights ago, I explained to the kids that Halloween was a week away and if they wanted costumes, we needed to reach some decisions now.
NB told me a week ago that he wants to be Dracula. He needs teeth, a cape, and some make up and he'll be good to go.
IM dissolved into tears because I had already told her that her first idea (a grim from Harry Potter) would not work. I don't have time or skill enough to make a big black dog costume that would be recognizable as a grim to anyone. I also vetoed her next suggestion (a ninja mouse). One or the other, possibly. But not the combination. She vetoed all of my suggestions. She kicked things. She stormed upstairs to complain to Michael. I finally told her that she would not go trick-or-treating without a costume and I was going into town to buy costumes one day this week. If she wanted Halloween, she needed to come up with an acceptable costume now. She suggested a bat. Google helped me find a no-sew bat costume with a reasonable list of materials.
EM couldn't decide on anything either, and said he was fine with not trick-or-treating. (He's feeling that he might be a little too old for it anyway.) My conversation with him was calm and friendly, without the tears and drama of IM. Thank goodness.
Now I just had the little guy to outfit. I figured I'd pick up something from Wal*Mart--either from the costume section or the dress-up section. Silly me. The dress-up section was gone. It seems to have been eaten by the Christmas decorations section. There were only a few costumes left. I help up a dragon and Batman. LW wanted to be Batman. We picked up what we needed for the twins (except for vampire teeth, which I couldn't find), grabbed a cheap Grim Reaper outfit for EM, and headed for the cashier.
LW was so desperate to try on his costume that he pulled the cardbord off the hanger, so I handed it to the cashier and she scanned it first. "Sale not allowed." What? She scanned it again. "Sale not allowed." The supervisor came over. "Oh, that costume has been recalled." I mentioned she might want to pull the three other identical costumes on the rack.
Grrr. No, I don't really wish they'd sold it to me anyway. (Although the thought did cross my mind.) But LW really, really wanted to be Batman. And when he's sad, he's very, very sad.
But I must say, he makes an awfully cute dragon.
NB told me a week ago that he wants to be Dracula. He needs teeth, a cape, and some make up and he'll be good to go.
IM dissolved into tears because I had already told her that her first idea (a grim from Harry Potter) would not work. I don't have time or skill enough to make a big black dog costume that would be recognizable as a grim to anyone. I also vetoed her next suggestion (a ninja mouse). One or the other, possibly. But not the combination. She vetoed all of my suggestions. She kicked things. She stormed upstairs to complain to Michael. I finally told her that she would not go trick-or-treating without a costume and I was going into town to buy costumes one day this week. If she wanted Halloween, she needed to come up with an acceptable costume now. She suggested a bat. Google helped me find a no-sew bat costume with a reasonable list of materials.
EM couldn't decide on anything either, and said he was fine with not trick-or-treating. (He's feeling that he might be a little too old for it anyway.) My conversation with him was calm and friendly, without the tears and drama of IM. Thank goodness.
Now I just had the little guy to outfit. I figured I'd pick up something from Wal*Mart--either from the costume section or the dress-up section. Silly me. The dress-up section was gone. It seems to have been eaten by the Christmas decorations section. There were only a few costumes left. I help up a dragon and Batman. LW wanted to be Batman. We picked up what we needed for the twins (except for vampire teeth, which I couldn't find), grabbed a cheap Grim Reaper outfit for EM, and headed for the cashier.
LW was so desperate to try on his costume that he pulled the cardbord off the hanger, so I handed it to the cashier and she scanned it first. "Sale not allowed." What? She scanned it again. "Sale not allowed." The supervisor came over. "Oh, that costume has been recalled." I mentioned she might want to pull the three other identical costumes on the rack.
Grrr. No, I don't really wish they'd sold it to me anyway. (Although the thought did cross my mind.) But LW really, really wanted to be Batman. And when he's sad, he's very, very sad.
But I must say, he makes an awfully cute dragon.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Bye, Mommy
I was a little nervous today when I dropped LW off at preschool. Michael said LW was pretty upset about going last week, and he felt we should give the preschool our two weeks' notice.
LW seemed fine when we walked into preschool, so I set him down and asked him to walk with me as I went into the other room to sign him in and put his lunch in the fridge. Partway there, he got distracted by a train that he wanted to show me. As we walked back into the larger room, he turned to me, waved, and said, "Bye, Mommy." I just managed to hand him his bottle before he headed off to explore some toys at the other end of the room. My departure was entirely anticlimatic.
He was fine when Michael went to pick him up after lunch. This afternoon on our walk, he was insisting "Play Lily, James, 'morrow!"
I'm guessing he was just anxious last week because the other kids and I were in Branson and because Michael dropped him off instead of me.
LW seemed fine when we walked into preschool, so I set him down and asked him to walk with me as I went into the other room to sign him in and put his lunch in the fridge. Partway there, he got distracted by a train that he wanted to show me. As we walked back into the larger room, he turned to me, waved, and said, "Bye, Mommy." I just managed to hand him his bottle before he headed off to explore some toys at the other end of the room. My departure was entirely anticlimatic.
He was fine when Michael went to pick him up after lunch. This afternoon on our walk, he was insisting "Play Lily, James, 'morrow!"
I'm guessing he was just anxious last week because the other kids and I were in Branson and because Michael dropped him off instead of me.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Traveling light
Yesterday morning, halfway to the airport to board a plane with my three oldest kids for a week's vacation with my in-laws, I realized I didn't have my purse.
I didn't have my purse. Driver's license, credit card, iPod, cell phone.
We were too far away to make it back home and get to the airport on time. Michael quickly helped me take stock.
Fortunately, I had the ticket confirmation in the backpack I was using as a carry on. And for some reason, when I grabbed the kids' passports to use as ID (I know they don't usually ask for it for kids, but I like to have it just in case), I picked up mine as well. And they were also in the backpack. So I could get on the plane.
I was supposed to rent a car so the twins and I could go visit friends in St. Louis on Monday. Maybe the car rental place would accept a faxed copy of my license and credit card since I had my passport? If not, maybe I could visit later in the week, so Michael would have time to mail the ID to me.
In the meantime, how to pay for our expenses? The big costs were being picked up by Michael's generous parents, but I would need to buy food at the airport and cover some expenses during the week. Michael selflessly handed over his ATM card, credit card, and all the cash in his wallet.
So far, it has all worked out surprisingly well, aside from the humiliation. The airline worker who wanted me to use the self-checkin kiosk did give me quite the look when I said I did not have any credit card on me that was in my name. And the car rental place confirmed that they could not accept a faxed copy of my license and credit card.
But we made it here. And Jessica said it's ok if I come on Wednesday instead. And my in-laws are being gracious about rearranging things to accommodate us being gone later in the week instead of earlier. And I just sent Michael the mailing address for the resort.
Whew.
But I'm going to be neurotic about checking that I have every thing on my next trip.
I didn't have my purse. Driver's license, credit card, iPod, cell phone.
We were too far away to make it back home and get to the airport on time. Michael quickly helped me take stock.
Fortunately, I had the ticket confirmation in the backpack I was using as a carry on. And for some reason, when I grabbed the kids' passports to use as ID (I know they don't usually ask for it for kids, but I like to have it just in case), I picked up mine as well. And they were also in the backpack. So I could get on the plane.
I was supposed to rent a car so the twins and I could go visit friends in St. Louis on Monday. Maybe the car rental place would accept a faxed copy of my license and credit card since I had my passport? If not, maybe I could visit later in the week, so Michael would have time to mail the ID to me.
In the meantime, how to pay for our expenses? The big costs were being picked up by Michael's generous parents, but I would need to buy food at the airport and cover some expenses during the week. Michael selflessly handed over his ATM card, credit card, and all the cash in his wallet.
So far, it has all worked out surprisingly well, aside from the humiliation. The airline worker who wanted me to use the self-checkin kiosk did give me quite the look when I said I did not have any credit card on me that was in my name. And the car rental place confirmed that they could not accept a faxed copy of my license and credit card.
But we made it here. And Jessica said it's ok if I come on Wednesday instead. And my in-laws are being gracious about rearranging things to accommodate us being gone later in the week instead of earlier. And I just sent Michael the mailing address for the resort.
Whew.
But I'm going to be neurotic about checking that I have every thing on my next trip.
Friday, October 12, 2007
You can take the girl out of Oregon . . .
It's a beautiful day today--gray and rainy. I can hear the drumming of the rain on the roof. Rainy days are so cozy. I want to curl up on the couch and finish Pope Joan. Instead, I'm sipping my coffee and listening to "Walking in Memphis" on the iPod before returning to work.
Of course, rain is not good for business at any time of the year, but I'm going to ignore that for the moment.
Of course, rain is not good for business at any time of the year, but I'm going to ignore that for the moment.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Any chance you could make me some tea?
I was in the breakfast room, sneaking some of my granola for an afternoon snack, when the door opens and a man walks in.
Me: May I help you?
Man with British accent: Cup of coffee?
Me: Excuse me?
Man: Could I get a cup of coffee?
Me: I'm sorry, we didn't have anyone in for breakfast this morning, so I'm afraid we don't have any coffee made.
Man: Could I get a cup of tea?
Me: I'm sorry, which room are you in? I could have sworn we were empty both last night and tonight, so who is this guy?
Man: Oh, we're not guests. We're just thirsty travelers driving by.
Me: I'm sorry. We only serve to guests.
Me: May I help you?
Man with British accent: Cup of coffee?
Me: Excuse me?
Man: Could I get a cup of coffee?
Me: I'm sorry, we didn't have anyone in for breakfast this morning, so I'm afraid we don't have any coffee made.
Man: Could I get a cup of tea?
Me: I'm sorry, which room are you in? I could have sworn we were empty both last night and tonight, so who is this guy?
Man: Oh, we're not guests. We're just thirsty travelers driving by.
Me: I'm sorry. We only serve to guests.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Finn
I finished Finn by Jon Clinch this week. Eh.
It was certainly well written, and the premise--the story of Huckleberry Finn's father--is interesting, but when it comes right down to it, Huck's father is not a pleasant man, and I didn't enjoy spending time with him. Nor do I feel there was really anything to take away from the book.
If you do decide to read it, I'd recommend reading Huckleberry Finn first. It's been many years since I've read it, and I think I would have enjoyed the moments of overlap between the two stories more if Twain's story had been fresher in my mind.
It was certainly well written, and the premise--the story of Huckleberry Finn's father--is interesting, but when it comes right down to it, Huck's father is not a pleasant man, and I didn't enjoy spending time with him. Nor do I feel there was really anything to take away from the book.
If you do decide to read it, I'd recommend reading Huckleberry Finn first. It's been many years since I've read it, and I think I would have enjoyed the moments of overlap between the two stories more if Twain's story had been fresher in my mind.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
You snooze, you lose
Columbus Day weekend is a busy time for New England. Yesterday, we filled our two remaining rooms pretty early in the day with referrals from one of hotels in the city and directed callers to other inns in the Valley that were still showing availability. Pretty soon, we were getting calls from people at the city hotels saying, "We know you are full, but we heard you know of someone who has a room?"
When Michael checked in the foreign couple who had taken our last room, he recommended they go ahead and make reservations for wherever they wanted to stay tonight, as places were filling up fast. They looked dubious. After all, hadn't they found a room with us?
This morning, in the middle of an insanely busy breakfast, the man told me, "Yes, we'd like to stay another night." I told him I was sorry but we were all full. He looked confused, so I added (in case my wording was hard for him to understand) that we had no more rooms. He said, "But the man yesterday told me you had a room for tonight."
Well, yes. Yesterday afternoon at 3:00 we still had one room left for Saturday night. Oddly enough, we filled it later yesterday afternoon.
Here is some unsolicited traveling advice if you want to go leaf-peeping in New England: On the weekend, most inns have two-night minimum stays. And they fill up early. Honest. It is possible for there to be no rooms left.
When Michael checked in the foreign couple who had taken our last room, he recommended they go ahead and make reservations for wherever they wanted to stay tonight, as places were filling up fast. They looked dubious. After all, hadn't they found a room with us?
This morning, in the middle of an insanely busy breakfast, the man told me, "Yes, we'd like to stay another night." I told him I was sorry but we were all full. He looked confused, so I added (in case my wording was hard for him to understand) that we had no more rooms. He said, "But the man yesterday told me you had a room for tonight."
Well, yes. Yesterday afternoon at 3:00 we still had one room left for Saturday night. Oddly enough, we filled it later yesterday afternoon.
Here is some unsolicited traveling advice if you want to go leaf-peeping in New England: On the weekend, most inns have two-night minimum stays. And they fill up early. Honest. It is possible for there to be no rooms left.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Room service?
This morning, I received a call at 7:35 from one of the rooms asking me what time breakfast was. I said our normal hours for midweek are 8:00-9:30 but we had actually opened at 7:30 this morning. She asked if it was at all possible to get coffee before breakfast. I said no, but we were open now and would be opening at 7:30 on the weekend.
Later, the same guest came to get ice. As I handed her the ice bucket she said, "So you don't deliver coffee to the rooms in the morning?"
Nope.
Of course, she's here for five nights. Up for a wedding. Apparently she was expecting a more high-end establishment. (Which means she didn't do much research, because that is not how we market--or price--ourselves.)
Sigh. I wish people would mention expectations like room service when they make the reservation. I would much rather steer them to a place that has room service than put up with dissatisfied guests for the weekend.
Later, the same guest came to get ice. As I handed her the ice bucket she said, "So you don't deliver coffee to the rooms in the morning?"
Nope.
Of course, she's here for five nights. Up for a wedding. Apparently she was expecting a more high-end establishment. (Which means she didn't do much research, because that is not how we market--or price--ourselves.)
Sigh. I wish people would mention expectations like room service when they make the reservation. I would much rather steer them to a place that has room service than put up with dissatisfied guests for the weekend.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Tissue shirt
LW has a cold, and in the time-honored tradition of kids everywhere (or at least my kids) he likes to wipe his nose on my shirt. In fact, if he sees me reaching for a tissue, he will hurriedly wipe the mucus on my shirt before I have time to wipe it off his face.
When I scolded him this morning, "That is not a tissue; that is my shirt," he grinned cheekily at me, patted my shoulder and said, "Tissue shirt."
When I scolded him this morning, "That is not a tissue; that is my shirt," he grinned cheekily at me, patted my shoulder and said, "Tissue shirt."
Monday, October 1, 2007
Problems I can't solve
Usually unhappy guests are very clear about what they want me to do to solve their problem. Sometimes, however, I am at a loss. Take the phone call I received tonight:
Guest: Yes, I'm trying to charge my cell phone.
Me: Is there a problem?
Guest: The charger doesn't seem to be working with the outlets.
Me: Are you having trouble getting the plug to fit?
Guest: No, it fits. But the green light on the charger goes on and then turns off right away. The phone isn't charging.
Me: *puzzled silence* What does he expect me to do about this?
Guest: I thought maybe you had a control on the outlets.
Me: No. One of the outlets is controlled by a switch, but if your bedside lamp is on, the outlet is working.
Guest: No. The outlets are all working. They just don't work with the charger.
Me: Well, I'm not sure what I can do if the outlets are working.
Guest: Well, my charger works! I might have to change hotels because of this.
Me: You could bring your phone down to the lobby and try using one of the outlets here . . .
Guest: Maybe I'll try that. *click*
He called back in a few moments, sounding somewhat sheepish, and said, "The problem has been fixed."
I'm mildly curious about what he did to solve the problem. I'm much more curious about what he wanted me to do to solve it. He admitted that the outlets were working. Does he really think I have a switch that could prevent his cell phone from charging even with power going to the outlet? Or does he think our power isn't of a high enough quality to operate his charger?
And he's here for four nights. Lovely.
Guest: Yes, I'm trying to charge my cell phone.
Me: Is there a problem?
Guest: The charger doesn't seem to be working with the outlets.
Me: Are you having trouble getting the plug to fit?
Guest: No, it fits. But the green light on the charger goes on and then turns off right away. The phone isn't charging.
Me: *puzzled silence* What does he expect me to do about this?
Guest: I thought maybe you had a control on the outlets.
Me: No. One of the outlets is controlled by a switch, but if your bedside lamp is on, the outlet is working.
Guest: No. The outlets are all working. They just don't work with the charger.
Me: Well, I'm not sure what I can do if the outlets are working.
Guest: Well, my charger works! I might have to change hotels because of this.
Me: You could bring your phone down to the lobby and try using one of the outlets here . . .
Guest: Maybe I'll try that. *click*
He called back in a few moments, sounding somewhat sheepish, and said, "The problem has been fixed."
I'm mildly curious about what he did to solve the problem. I'm much more curious about what he wanted me to do to solve it. He admitted that the outlets were working. Does he really think I have a switch that could prevent his cell phone from charging even with power going to the outlet? Or does he think our power isn't of a high enough quality to operate his charger?
And he's here for four nights. Lovely.
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