Modern Family

OK - another great TV show we love to watch!
The episode where Mitchell dances in the "Flash Mob" was awesome!
Cam seemed so offended that he wasn't included since he's the creative one.
There are so many hilarious characters on this show.
I love how inclusive & multi-cultural it is too.
The families represent/reflect a range of experiences, including 2 gay men adopting a baby.

Private Practice

It's a known fact that I watch too much TV. I don't remember who, but someone seemed surprised that I watch this show. It didn't get great reviews, at the beginning or even now I don't think, but I don't always pay attention to reviews.

However, I like the cross-over from "Grey's Anatomy." I really like the concept of this comprehensive wellness practice. It includes the whole range of care (pediatrics, OB/GYN, fertility, therapy, alternative healing, internal medicine) & I wish there was something like that here. I wish I worked in a school with everything in one place!

The episodes related to the character Charlotte's rape were so good! It was awful to watch what happened to C, then the aftermath of coping with a traumatic experience for her & her co-workers & loved ones. I was so proud of her for identifying the rapist & the support she has.

There is good television - I just need to watch less TV in general! : )

Talking to your parents

When was the last time you tried to talk to your parents? It was difficult, wasn't it? They don't get you and you don't get them. Is it generational? Sure. Is it vocabulary? Sure. Or is it just a battle of wills? Sure, it was all of that. Now, imagine if you are almost 2 years old and you only have a few sentences at your command. You see, your troubles are nearly as bad as you think they are. You have the ability to drive away when you get in to it with your parents. All I can do is scream like a banshee of spit my newest words of defiance..."No WAY!"

I'm getting there, really. Everyday old words roll off my tongue better (constant repetition of the words I know helps) and new words join my vocab list. My parents still read to me and they talk to me like I understand but we all know I don't. For instance, yesterday I woke from my nap distressed. I was asking for mommy in a kinda pitiful way and Daddy shows up at my door with a concerned look as asks whats the matter. I couldn't say. He then asked me if I had had a bad dream and I said, "yes", in my most confident of voices. I guess it was the way he asked the question b/c I really don't know what he meant by bad dream. So, there is a lot of guessing that goes on but we get by pretty well.

Its been a while so let me catch you up a bit. I still love my books and I like to sing songs but my favorite things to talk about are trucks and buses; our friends Jessie, Michael and India, Grandma Bonnie's cats, especially Alpha and Omega and HOOOOORRSEEESSS! I love horses. I've met a couple this year and they are the best things ever. Dogs and cats are great but horses, wow!

Recently I've been spending more time talking to Mommy b/c Daddy goes to work on Saturday (I love saying Saturday, its a great word). I still eat all sorts of cool stuff although I have kinda grown out of oatmeal. Red Onions have to be one of the newest cool things I eat. We eat salad almost everyday and I usually just pick out the red onions but if there is enough vinegar or mustard nearby I will eat almost anything. Not that that was a problem. Food is good.

The most dramatic thing that has happened is that I fell and busted a tooth. Actually, I just shoved one of my front teeth back up in the gum and can you believe that we won't know if there's a problem until I'm about 7 years old! That is a long time away.

Now that I have sufficiently wandered off topic let just say that I think if I keep trying to talk to Mommy and Daddy and they keep listening we will have a great relationship as I get older.

Sima's Underpants for Women

Another post about another book I finished reading - miracle in itself.
Great title isn't it?! : )

I borrowed this book from my friend, Anne Marie, & this time read it slowly, almost reluctantly despite AM's recommendation. It has an interesting premise, hence the great title! Sima owns her own shop in her basement walk-up (walk-down?) of her NYC apartment where she sells women's lingerie.

The novel tells the story of Sima & her husband's life together from dating to 20+ years of marriage, attempts to procreate & sadness at not having a child, as they drift apart over the years. This is juxtaposition-ed with the customers who come to Sima's shop & a new worker she hires, a young woman from Israel whose life seems glamorous compared to Sima's apathetic & older one. I enjoyed the descriptions of the underwear, bras, camisoles, gowns & the women's pleasure in trying them & spending time together in this community of women.

The story of Sima having her own business in her home was appealing also. I have a fantastical idea of self-employment, especially the convenience of location close to home. Both my mom & step-dad own or owned their own businesses which started in the home. Bonnie still has her healing practice in the garage outside my childhood home. I like the idea of being able to walk outside & be at the office.

However, I know there are other considerations ... health insurance/benefits, privacy ... that's a big one for me, actually both of those are important to me. Working for a large institution like the school system has some perks, comforts really. I'd like to be a chef, baker really, own a really cool place that makes baked goods made with organic local ingredients & spelt flour. I don't think I'm going to be a 30 years lifer with MNPS. This is year 11 which is a LONG way until retirement plus I suspect I might have to work past 60! It is nice to have a Plan B.

It is nice to consider moving to Spain - they have better family-friendly leave plans anyway. We love the food & language, too!

Sima's Underpants for Women by Ilana Stanger-Ross - good read!