Vocabulary Website

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

K, go play and report what level you get to!

I was as high as 42, but not for very long.

More from NaNoWriMo

"I hear a faint voice from the forest and start running towards it. The forest is dark and I switch my flashlight on. I walk more carefully so I won't trip. I hear a voice again and move more quickly towards the sound. Within a moment I'm sprawled on the ground, my flashlight is gone and everything is still and black. I try to stand up but my ankle is twisted in a tree root. Suddenly a faint glow begins to light the trees overhead and I hear eerie chanting. What's going on? Nanah maki oh hanari nanah maki oh hanari. I hear it coming from the ttrees getting louder and louder. Nanah maki oh hanari nanah maki oh hanari. Nanah maki oh HANARI. NANAH MAKI OH HANARI. The sound shatters my thought and pierces my brain. I cover my ears. I hear my self let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Hmmm

I was in the grocery store today and popped into the bathroom. All stalls were occupied, so I patiently waited my turn. From the end stall came the clear conversation of a mother and her child, which included phrases like, "Whew, that felt good to pee that all out!" (the mother) and "I hate toilet paper!" (the young child).

OK, that was weird.

So, the stall opens and they come out. And thankfully, went right to the sink to wash hands. I couldn't help but notice that the mom was quite tall and morbidly obese. No judgment here, I just had to move past her, so it couldn't be missed. The daughter was a different matter. I don't think she could have been older than 3, and with big brown eyes and sudsy hands, she turned to her mother and said, "Momma, why are you so very fat?"

Awkward for all involved.

Recipe Shift

The Recipes Column is getting pretty long, so I am moving it. It will take me a couple of days, but there is one new recipe (thank you Kris) already posted.

If anyone has recipes they love that they want me to post, just send them to my email.

Random Recipes

Another one Bites the Dust

Ellie just came into the room where I am working and asked if she could please start home school.

I was hoping I had a few more months. . .

'Tis the Season

. . .for Christmas shopping. While I quite enjoy noticing something that someone would like and giving it as a gift, I do not care for Christmas shopping for my kids.

First of all, there's all of the pressure. Every year needs the perfect gift for each kid. I didn't set this expectation. I guess society did, but in spite of my best efforts I cannot shake the feeling that Christmas should be special and magical.

Of course it should.

Which was really easy when they all loved the same things and a $5 Barbie under the tree was the most magical experience ever. It was even still OK when Legos were their favorite toy and we then spent 6 months cursing them when finding them with a bare foot. Christmas has been great at any point in the past 10 years when I have been able to get rid of loads of crap in the months leading up to this delightful magical day. But this year, I just don't have it in me.

I am just having real issues with what to get the kids for Christmas. We have toys and clothes and shoes coming out of our ears. There is enough paper in this house to warm a large family for years, should they choose to burn it. We do not need live animals, electronics, video games, or stuffed animals. We have all of those in abundance.

I can't spend enough money to take a great trip or even a not-so-great one for that matter. Last year, I was so evil, I wrapped a bunch of giftcards for them, except I put "To Mom, Love Rebi" and on down the line so that the cards were all mine to dole out as I wanted.

So, suggestions needed. What do you give the kids who want everything which is expensive, need nothing of value and store junk?