Maybe I'm over reacting, but at this point, I've come to the conclusion that the digital age really isn't helping people be more aware of their own creepiness.
Our castle here in Mumpledom is a duplex--that means, for those too self-involved to notice, that it is 2 houses smack up against each other. We share a wall, and about 3 foot of my basement is actually under the other house. There is at least one way into the other side of this duplex (short of creating a new one through the shared wall) that remains locked, unless the drain backs up. The other side is currently vacant, awaiting new tenants.
Anyway, as I've previously reported, my yards (front & back) are generally filled with children--those who live here, nearby, and those who are bussed in.
My Sweetie & I are putting in a garden out front (was a garden years ago; was useless area of lawn; is now a garden again.) My Sweetie is actually out in the yard with the sundry children and I am on the front porch ignoring most of the commotion.
The Howler comes up to me and says, "Mommy, LOOK!" and point to the young couple walking down the alley/driveway. One is pushing a stroller, and the other is trying to contain a very excited by all the children running around golden lab. They smile, obviously seeing My Sweetie and I. She pulls out a cellphone, holds it up, and takes a picture.
Holy Hell, Batman! I don't know these people! And they're taking pictures of my house! I ask them what they're doing. (and no, I'm not very friendly about it) She says, "is this the house that's for rent" I tell her (still with the not friendly) to call the number listed on the sign. "oh, I'm going to" she says. "we just wanted to take a picture of it"
Still with the children running to and fro, and still with the not friendly, I basically tell them that it's rude to take a picture of someone's house without asking. She counters with, "oh, I didn't know it wasn't vacant." I tell her, "It is vacant, but that's not the point. It's rude to take a picture of someone's house without permission."
Now we're talking vacant--vacant stares of total incomprehension. I go further--"Would you like it if someone you didn't know walked up to your house and started taking pictures without talking to you first?" She said, "No."
She put her camera away, and they left.
I can't imagine approaching a house and just taking a picture--especially if I see children I don't know in the yard (you may find yourself arrested and explaining how you're not a child molester); I can't imagine approaching what is obviously someone's home, with them milling about in front of it, and just whipping out a camera and snapping a pic. I'd ask first--especially if there a children all over the place, much like a prison riot or lion breakout at the zoo.
Just because your cellphone has a camera does not mean that it's okay for you to take pictures of whatever-the-hell-you-please. It's called common courtesy, and it doesn't hurt when you do it. (and yes, with a yard full of children, any stranger is a possible danger)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
And I Quote...
Gotta love the things that come out of children's mouths (okay, not the arguements that involve 4 children, ages 6-9, all saying variations of "I did not call you a faggot" at the same time, and each saying it about a bajillionty times which comes out sounding like "faggot faggot faggot faggot" in surround sound at volume level 11--Sorry, I realize now that you didn't ask)
Anyway, totally out of context, Missy, of the Wolf Clan, tells us that, "when I was little, I didn't believe in midgets."
The Howler wishes to know when we're having another yard sale. I told her "when I get the urge to gouge my own eyes out, we'll have another one."
Me, explaining why Missy will never meet Jerkwood, "Because he eats children's souls." Which My Sweetie elaborates on with, "and that makes him a Soul Troll."
Anyway, totally out of context, Missy, of the Wolf Clan, tells us that, "when I was little, I didn't believe in midgets."
The Howler wishes to know when we're having another yard sale. I told her "when I get the urge to gouge my own eyes out, we'll have another one."
Me, explaining why Missy will never meet Jerkwood, "Because he eats children's souls." Which My Sweetie elaborates on with, "and that makes him a Soul Troll."
Insummerty
Summer makes me crazy in our neighborhood.
This year, Damien (one of the Damiens moved over the winter) has moved from the Barstools' home to the house immediately near my front yard.
The kids, generally, play various kinds of ball games across 3 front yards. A certain number of balls into the street is expected, and with few exceptions, the children understand that they are not to enter the street to get them. (It's a section of Rt 219 in PA, and at our house, the cars fly up a hill immediately before entering our residential 'hood.)
One of the smallest children, Cutie of the Wolf Clan, has yet to figure out that all the rules that apply to the taller, older children also apply to him. He is, apparently, under the impression that he is 6 ft tall and baseball bat proof. Today, he tried to retrieve a swiftly disappearing into the intersection ball from the road.
The loveliest part of this summer is that Damien's mother and her boyfriend allow Damien and sundry children to turn on the water to Damien's sprinkler water fountain. The fountain sits in my yard (their yard consists of a strip of green weediness about 3 ft wide.) Not really a problem, except that I end up being the supervision for the next generation at the fountain, AND my front yard where the fountain sits is now, literally, a mud hole. As in, HOLES dug into the lawn.
I don't think I'm so wrong in thinking that I should not have to babysit a child whose proper adult supervision is sitting inside, with the AC on, doing God-knows-what-and-I-don't-want-to-imagine (although, I do imagine that they are practicing at making more Damiens. Ewwwww.)
Damien Mama needs to bring her perky 34Bs & tight 22 year old heiney out into the sunshine and supervise her own child--and sundry others she allows to have access to gallons of water. I'm not getting paid for this gig, and I'm very soon (as in already today) not going to do it any longer.
This year, Damien (one of the Damiens moved over the winter) has moved from the Barstools' home to the house immediately near my front yard.
The kids, generally, play various kinds of ball games across 3 front yards. A certain number of balls into the street is expected, and with few exceptions, the children understand that they are not to enter the street to get them. (It's a section of Rt 219 in PA, and at our house, the cars fly up a hill immediately before entering our residential 'hood.)
One of the smallest children, Cutie of the Wolf Clan, has yet to figure out that all the rules that apply to the taller, older children also apply to him. He is, apparently, under the impression that he is 6 ft tall and baseball bat proof. Today, he tried to retrieve a swiftly disappearing into the intersection ball from the road.
The loveliest part of this summer is that Damien's mother and her boyfriend allow Damien and sundry children to turn on the water to Damien's sprinkler water fountain. The fountain sits in my yard (their yard consists of a strip of green weediness about 3 ft wide.) Not really a problem, except that I end up being the supervision for the next generation at the fountain, AND my front yard where the fountain sits is now, literally, a mud hole. As in, HOLES dug into the lawn.
I don't think I'm so wrong in thinking that I should not have to babysit a child whose proper adult supervision is sitting inside, with the AC on, doing God-knows-what-and-I-don't-want-to-imagine (although, I do imagine that they are practicing at making more Damiens. Ewwwww.)
Damien Mama needs to bring her perky 34Bs & tight 22 year old heiney out into the sunshine and supervise her own child--and sundry others she allows to have access to gallons of water. I'm not getting paid for this gig, and I'm very soon (as in already today) not going to do it any longer.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Krazy Kat
Yesterday and today I have been doing my ritualistic trashcanning the papers. (this means that we have Mumple-high stacks of papers threatening to drown us in our own packrattedness.) I started with the kitchen & the computer desk. Ahhh, clear space--the bonus of all the paper is that you don't have to dust--clear the paper and the dust goes away with it!
This morning I tackled the Toad's "in" box, and our mail cubby. Joy! I threw away the Toad's weight in paper in two days!
As an added bonus, I got a krazed furball leaping about the room, scattering papers hither-and-yon. And when I tried to shoo her away, she tried to bite me. Win-win in her book, I guess. everything on the table flying about the kitchen, and a blood letting.
Pig doesn't replace her, but she does get more like Large Marge every day!
This morning I tackled the Toad's "in" box, and our mail cubby. Joy! I threw away the Toad's weight in paper in two days!
As an added bonus, I got a krazed furball leaping about the room, scattering papers hither-and-yon. And when I tried to shoo her away, she tried to bite me. Win-win in her book, I guess. everything on the table flying about the kitchen, and a blood letting.
Pig doesn't replace her, but she does get more like Large Marge every day!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Ask Me For My Opinion
Won't always get you the answer you want, but it will get you something to chew on.
The other day, I was asked by another parent about 1st grade teachers. Her concern was that her daughter got a teacher who is "a yeller." Some children are unphased by "a yeller" but others don't handle it well. Her daughter was hoping to have another of the 1st grade teachers; Mom hadn't requested a specific teacher, and now she & her daughter were a bit worried about what 1st grade would be like.
I could sympathize: I stressed the entire year before the Howler started school because of problems the Toad & I had with the school. Sure, the principal, guidance counsellor, and all but 3 of the teachers were different, and, of course, 13 years had passed, but still, I stressed. I stressed, on general principle for 2 years, then stressed before this past year because 2nd grade was when things got f'ugly. (Quite honestly, there were issues when I went to this school, too. And yes, some of those came into my head also.)
So far, I stressed over nothing--while the majority of the staff had changed, but so had I. I knew the issues were mine, and this time 'round, I had my Sweetie to talk me down from the bell tower when I got particularly stressed. All my stress over nothing--no major problems, and since I had changed (and learned from my experience, believe it or not) the few things that did come up didn't turn into anything major.
Anyway, I was asked if I requested teachers, and whether I did or not, what would I do in this situation?
First, of the 19 classroom teachers in the Howler's school, I find I am only skeptical of one. A pretty good thing, considering how skeptical I am of most people in general. Second, I have come to believe that the only circumstances when a parent should specifically request a teacher is when their child(ren) have specific needs that will not be met unless the child(ren) has that specific teacher. (i.e. a learning disability that a specific teacher has better skills at addressing. Otherwise, requesting that a child not have a specific teacher due to personal relationships/prior recent negative parent-teacher interaction is acceptable.)
This year, I did the "due to personal relationship" thing. I did not request the Howler's 3rd grade teacher, although, luckily, she will have the teacher I believe will be the best one for her.
The honest answer to the "after the fact" question is harder to come to. Classes are assigned based on several factors, not the least of which is current year's teacher recommendation. Of the factors involved, there is class size to consider (not every child can be in the *best* teacher's class!) and other parents' requests. (in our state, parental requests are to be given as much, if not more weight than current teacher's recommendation.)
"After the fact" becomes harder to deal with. What if a parent discovers, after their child has been placed in a particular teacher's room, that this teacher may be "a yeller," and the child does not handle "yelling" well? Changing a child's classroom teacher at any point is a logistic nightmare, especially if the classes are already heading into crowded.
Several points to consider: if the child is expecting Mom and/or Dad to get them the teacher he or she wants, is it a good idea, regardless of other concerns, to do it? Will it set the parents up with the principal & staff as a problem parent with a problem child? Will the child, if the change gets made (regardless of reasons why) think that, in the future, Mom and/or Dad will swoop in and get the child what he/she wants, simply because he/she wants it?
I firmly believe that children should be expected to learn to cope with situations and people in authority that they do not necessarily like. While I believe that parents belong in the school, involved in their child's education, I do not believe that the parent should usurp or undermine the principal's or teacher's authority. (I'll add that if it's an extreme case of teacher-to-student bullying, everything the parents can do to protect the child should be done, up to and including kicking ass and taking names, removing the child from that classroom, going to the district admin, etc.)
My answer to the original question? First step: talk to the daughter about how all the teachers are good teachers. Second step: remind daughter that she'll still see the teacher she wanted to have during flexible groups. Third step: email the principal with my concerns, under the heading "just sose ya nose."
The Mom was hesitant to email the principal--principals love them some documentation. I told her that first, our principal may keep a copy of the email, but Mom could do the same--and if she sent it with the "reply requested" bit, she'd know for sure that the principal opened it, and probably read it. Saving copies of her original email, and the reply requested one could be in her favor also. Our principal is also smart enough to know that if you're requesting a reply response, you aren't going to let her off the hook, either.
Letting the principal know her concerns now could save her time and stress later, also. In choosing her wording carefully, she can avoid becoming labelled as a problem parent, have her concerns clearly noted and stated, and should her concerns become a problem, she would have the documentation to not hear "I had no idea!" later on. (Principals, even good ones, sometimes rely on that old standby, also. With nothing in writing, it's always a big surprise!) Flat out requesting that her daughter's teacher be changed now could cause hard feelings, and potentially cut her off from future concerns being addressed in a timely fashion.
I also reminded Mom that her work with the PTA these past two years have given the principal an opportunity to know her as a mom. Our principal isn't going to blow off a parent who has, through her work on two different, time-consuming committees, proven that it's not just about her own kids. It has also given Mom a kind of name recognition because the principal isn't only hearing from her when she's complaining.
This Mom is right, though. There is a kind of politics that gets played out. And it's why I'm up to my ass in the PTA--at our school, if you're not a member of the PTA, you aren't supposed to even come in to help with the PTA sponsored parties, blah blah blah. Nobody really checks on that, except when it comes to chaperoning the field trips, but showing up to meetings, speaking up, and helping out with events makes a difference. The principal and the teachers get to see & know you, as a person and as a parent. If your school doesn't have that rule, great for you--help out, be in touch with the teacher, find ways to get to know them--even the ones your child doesn't have yet!) Teachers & principals talk to each other, and if your name & face have positive thoughts attached to it, your child benefits because if there is an issue you find needing addressed, and if you can be part of the solution, changes get made! (Remember: I started out mouthing off about stupidity, and ended up on the board)
This year, my gig with the teacher was as easy as offering (and then following through) with Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer during flu season--and those I got at the dollar store. Cost me about $4 to have a positive, problem solving rep with the teacher. That just added to the "how lucky we are to have Mrs Mumple at our school" comments the principal was deranged enough to be sharing with the Howler's 1st grade teacher last year.
In a nutshell: if the teacher & principal only hear from you when there's a problem, even if you have a solution to it, they aren't going to listen nearly as well as if they hear from you on the good things, too.
And what I desperately want to say to about 80% of the parents at our school: We're all busy and have a lot going on. If every one of us could manage to find a few hours a month (in 30 days people! Less time than most of us spend putting on makeup, fixing our hair, playing golf, talking with our friends...in every 30 days!) to help with an event, sell some crap so we can have programs come into our school, come to a meeting and tell us what's going on with your child's class, or whether or not something the PTA has done/is doing is working, then educational, fun things can happen at our school. Whether you're happy or unhappy with something, tell the PTA board, not your neighbor (or, at least, tell the board and your neighbor, but tell the board!) so that next year (or maybe even next month) changes can happen. Take it from the mouthy witch in the cheap seats speaking up can make things move in a better, brighter direction.
The other day, I was asked by another parent about 1st grade teachers. Her concern was that her daughter got a teacher who is "a yeller." Some children are unphased by "a yeller" but others don't handle it well. Her daughter was hoping to have another of the 1st grade teachers; Mom hadn't requested a specific teacher, and now she & her daughter were a bit worried about what 1st grade would be like.
I could sympathize: I stressed the entire year before the Howler started school because of problems the Toad & I had with the school. Sure, the principal, guidance counsellor, and all but 3 of the teachers were different, and, of course, 13 years had passed, but still, I stressed. I stressed, on general principle for 2 years, then stressed before this past year because 2nd grade was when things got f'ugly. (Quite honestly, there were issues when I went to this school, too. And yes, some of those came into my head also.)
So far, I stressed over nothing--while the majority of the staff had changed, but so had I. I knew the issues were mine, and this time 'round, I had my Sweetie to talk me down from the bell tower when I got particularly stressed. All my stress over nothing--no major problems, and since I had changed (and learned from my experience, believe it or not) the few things that did come up didn't turn into anything major.
Anyway, I was asked if I requested teachers, and whether I did or not, what would I do in this situation?
First, of the 19 classroom teachers in the Howler's school, I find I am only skeptical of one. A pretty good thing, considering how skeptical I am of most people in general. Second, I have come to believe that the only circumstances when a parent should specifically request a teacher is when their child(ren) have specific needs that will not be met unless the child(ren) has that specific teacher. (i.e. a learning disability that a specific teacher has better skills at addressing. Otherwise, requesting that a child not have a specific teacher due to personal relationships/prior recent negative parent-teacher interaction is acceptable.)
This year, I did the "due to personal relationship" thing. I did not request the Howler's 3rd grade teacher, although, luckily, she will have the teacher I believe will be the best one for her.
The honest answer to the "after the fact" question is harder to come to. Classes are assigned based on several factors, not the least of which is current year's teacher recommendation. Of the factors involved, there is class size to consider (not every child can be in the *best* teacher's class!) and other parents' requests. (in our state, parental requests are to be given as much, if not more weight than current teacher's recommendation.)
"After the fact" becomes harder to deal with. What if a parent discovers, after their child has been placed in a particular teacher's room, that this teacher may be "a yeller," and the child does not handle "yelling" well? Changing a child's classroom teacher at any point is a logistic nightmare, especially if the classes are already heading into crowded.
Several points to consider: if the child is expecting Mom and/or Dad to get them the teacher he or she wants, is it a good idea, regardless of other concerns, to do it? Will it set the parents up with the principal & staff as a problem parent with a problem child? Will the child, if the change gets made (regardless of reasons why) think that, in the future, Mom and/or Dad will swoop in and get the child what he/she wants, simply because he/she wants it?
I firmly believe that children should be expected to learn to cope with situations and people in authority that they do not necessarily like. While I believe that parents belong in the school, involved in their child's education, I do not believe that the parent should usurp or undermine the principal's or teacher's authority. (I'll add that if it's an extreme case of teacher-to-student bullying, everything the parents can do to protect the child should be done, up to and including kicking ass and taking names, removing the child from that classroom, going to the district admin, etc.)
My answer to the original question? First step: talk to the daughter about how all the teachers are good teachers. Second step: remind daughter that she'll still see the teacher she wanted to have during flexible groups. Third step: email the principal with my concerns, under the heading "just sose ya nose."
The Mom was hesitant to email the principal--principals love them some documentation. I told her that first, our principal may keep a copy of the email, but Mom could do the same--and if she sent it with the "reply requested" bit, she'd know for sure that the principal opened it, and probably read it. Saving copies of her original email, and the reply requested one could be in her favor also. Our principal is also smart enough to know that if you're requesting a reply response, you aren't going to let her off the hook, either.
Letting the principal know her concerns now could save her time and stress later, also. In choosing her wording carefully, she can avoid becoming labelled as a problem parent, have her concerns clearly noted and stated, and should her concerns become a problem, she would have the documentation to not hear "I had no idea!" later on. (Principals, even good ones, sometimes rely on that old standby, also. With nothing in writing, it's always a big surprise!) Flat out requesting that her daughter's teacher be changed now could cause hard feelings, and potentially cut her off from future concerns being addressed in a timely fashion.
I also reminded Mom that her work with the PTA these past two years have given the principal an opportunity to know her as a mom. Our principal isn't going to blow off a parent who has, through her work on two different, time-consuming committees, proven that it's not just about her own kids. It has also given Mom a kind of name recognition because the principal isn't only hearing from her when she's complaining.
This Mom is right, though. There is a kind of politics that gets played out. And it's why I'm up to my ass in the PTA--at our school, if you're not a member of the PTA, you aren't supposed to even come in to help with the PTA sponsored parties, blah blah blah. Nobody really checks on that, except when it comes to chaperoning the field trips, but showing up to meetings, speaking up, and helping out with events makes a difference. The principal and the teachers get to see & know you, as a person and as a parent. If your school doesn't have that rule, great for you--help out, be in touch with the teacher, find ways to get to know them--even the ones your child doesn't have yet!) Teachers & principals talk to each other, and if your name & face have positive thoughts attached to it, your child benefits because if there is an issue you find needing addressed, and if you can be part of the solution, changes get made! (Remember: I started out mouthing off about stupidity, and ended up on the board)
This year, my gig with the teacher was as easy as offering (and then following through) with Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer during flu season--and those I got at the dollar store. Cost me about $4 to have a positive, problem solving rep with the teacher. That just added to the "how lucky we are to have Mrs Mumple at our school" comments the principal was deranged enough to be sharing with the Howler's 1st grade teacher last year.
In a nutshell: if the teacher & principal only hear from you when there's a problem, even if you have a solution to it, they aren't going to listen nearly as well as if they hear from you on the good things, too.
And what I desperately want to say to about 80% of the parents at our school: We're all busy and have a lot going on. If every one of us could manage to find a few hours a month (in 30 days people! Less time than most of us spend putting on makeup, fixing our hair, playing golf, talking with our friends...in every 30 days!) to help with an event, sell some crap so we can have programs come into our school, come to a meeting and tell us what's going on with your child's class, or whether or not something the PTA has done/is doing is working, then educational, fun things can happen at our school. Whether you're happy or unhappy with something, tell the PTA board, not your neighbor (or, at least, tell the board and your neighbor, but tell the board!) so that next year (or maybe even next month) changes can happen. Take it from the mouthy witch in the cheap seats speaking up can make things move in a better, brighter direction.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Gluttony
I am a glutton for punishment. Remember how I keep saying that I don't like kids? Remember how I say that my own children get on my nerves?
So what do I do to combat the infinitely stretching OPK hours of summer?
I invite them to my house! Yes! Insanity at its finest!
I invited my niece, Posy to come for the afternoon. Posy and her younger sister, Butterfly, loooooooove them some Aunt Mumple's house. Why? Because I am FUN. (It's one of life's many contradictions--I don't like OPK, yet OPK love my house, and me, by proxy, because it's FUN to be here. Go figure.)
(Butterfly doesn't always warm up to me, or my Sweetie, although she knows my house is chock full o'little girl toys. She usually has nothing to do with me, just plays quietly in the corner.)
Anyway, we invited Posy to spend the afternoon. Butterfly decided she wanted to come too--and since she is potty trained, ol' Auntie Mumple's got no reason to say "no." (What's a little insanity in the family?)
They're here. Posy is, at 5, a tattle tale. I presume that this has as much to do with being 5, as it does with being a girl. Butterfly is perfectly content to make her own fun.
Lunch was interesting: Posy & Butterfly are just a bit choosy. Of course, we know why, but that's not the point. When asking them what they'll eat while at my house, I was informed that they both just loooooooooove Uncle Jimmy's Pizza. (no, it's not called Uncle Jimmy's pizza. It's Uncle Jimmy that owns and operated the pizza place) Uncle Jimmy's pizza is so good because he puts, and I quote, "6 pounds of cheese on EVERY ONE!"
My brother duly corrected this, it's 6 kinds of cheese, but somehow, I like Posy's version better.
So what do I do to combat the infinitely stretching OPK hours of summer?
I invite them to my house! Yes! Insanity at its finest!
I invited my niece, Posy to come for the afternoon. Posy and her younger sister, Butterfly, loooooooove them some Aunt Mumple's house. Why? Because I am FUN. (It's one of life's many contradictions--I don't like OPK, yet OPK love my house, and me, by proxy, because it's FUN to be here. Go figure.)
(Butterfly doesn't always warm up to me, or my Sweetie, although she knows my house is chock full o'little girl toys. She usually has nothing to do with me, just plays quietly in the corner.)
Anyway, we invited Posy to spend the afternoon. Butterfly decided she wanted to come too--and since she is potty trained, ol' Auntie Mumple's got no reason to say "no." (What's a little insanity in the family?)
They're here. Posy is, at 5, a tattle tale. I presume that this has as much to do with being 5, as it does with being a girl. Butterfly is perfectly content to make her own fun.
Lunch was interesting: Posy & Butterfly are just a bit choosy. Of course, we know why, but that's not the point. When asking them what they'll eat while at my house, I was informed that they both just loooooooooove Uncle Jimmy's Pizza. (no, it's not called Uncle Jimmy's pizza. It's Uncle Jimmy that owns and operated the pizza place) Uncle Jimmy's pizza is so good because he puts, and I quote, "6 pounds of cheese on EVERY ONE!"
My brother duly corrected this, it's 6 kinds of cheese, but somehow, I like Posy's version better.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Apples and Trees
They say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You be the judge:
Friday night, the Howler & I were taking her friend home after spending a few hours at the cheezy first bash of summer carnival at the city park. The girls had fun, but were VERY extremely ridiculously exhausted.
As we headed out of town we approached the intersection before the interstate ramps. There's a Sheetz on one side, and a Pilot gas station & fast food restaurant on the other. Half of the food place's sign was burned out, and the Howler announced, "Well, I guess there's a new restaurant in town and it's called 'ARRRR'"
She is her mother's daughter, n'est pas?.
Friday night, the Howler & I were taking her friend home after spending a few hours at the cheezy first bash of summer carnival at the city park. The girls had fun, but were VERY extremely ridiculously exhausted.
As we headed out of town we approached the intersection before the interstate ramps. There's a Sheetz on one side, and a Pilot gas station & fast food restaurant on the other. Half of the food place's sign was burned out, and the Howler announced, "Well, I guess there's a new restaurant in town and it's called 'ARRRR'"
She is her mother's daughter, n'est pas?.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
So, Who's She Like?
We've been hearing this question about the Howler since she was born.
Unfortunately for her, she's very much like a lot of people: her mother, for one. Won't go into details, but the worst is the stubborn attitude. And it's not just from her mother, although too many people 'round here didn't know her father *back in the day* so they don't see it. (Oh, yes, but I can, and do. He ain't no easy-to-deal-with-once-he's-got-some-crazy-idear-inteh-his-noggin guy, either--but few believe me.)
The Howler has my hair. And I apologize for it every blessed day--she's got at least 2 cowlicks and her hair refuses to be tamed. That makes her look like me.
But, certain expressions are my sister all over again. And I can't blame my sister, because she doesn't live near enough for the Howler to have picked 'em up honestly. It's got to be genetics.
Same goes for her striking resemblance to one of Kevin's sisters. She is a Mini-Me for her aunt. One time, Aunt J showed pics of herself and the Howler to some newer acquaintances. They were surprised that she had never mentioned her daughter before. My mother-in-law also got out Aunt J's kindergarten portrait, and we all smiled as the Howler paraded around showing every one this bee-ooo-tee-full pitcher of herself...until she showed it to me, and caught sight of it from upside down. Then, even the Howler realized that the picture wasn't her.
Why am I tell you all this? Because last night an almost creepy resemblance thing showed up about 11pm. The Howler was sleep walking. You may thing this is no big deal, but it was scary, because she was talking, as coherent as she normally is, and walking around. I had to lead her back up stairs and get her into bed. I had to keep talking to her to keep her awake enough to not topple back down the stairs.
My Sweetie, after she was safely in bed, asked me what was wrong. He couldn't believe it--he didn't believe that she was sleep walking.
My sister sleep walks and talks. And when she does, it's really creepy sometimes, too.
Unfortunately for her, she's very much like a lot of people: her mother, for one. Won't go into details, but the worst is the stubborn attitude. And it's not just from her mother, although too many people 'round here didn't know her father *back in the day* so they don't see it. (Oh, yes, but I can, and do. He ain't no easy-to-deal-with-once-he's-got-some-crazy-idear-inteh-his-noggin guy, either--but few believe me.)
The Howler has my hair. And I apologize for it every blessed day--she's got at least 2 cowlicks and her hair refuses to be tamed. That makes her look like me.
But, certain expressions are my sister all over again. And I can't blame my sister, because she doesn't live near enough for the Howler to have picked 'em up honestly. It's got to be genetics.
Same goes for her striking resemblance to one of Kevin's sisters. She is a Mini-Me for her aunt. One time, Aunt J showed pics of herself and the Howler to some newer acquaintances. They were surprised that she had never mentioned her daughter before. My mother-in-law also got out Aunt J's kindergarten portrait, and we all smiled as the Howler paraded around showing every one this bee-ooo-tee-full pitcher of herself...until she showed it to me, and caught sight of it from upside down. Then, even the Howler realized that the picture wasn't her.
Why am I tell you all this? Because last night an almost creepy resemblance thing showed up about 11pm. The Howler was sleep walking. You may thing this is no big deal, but it was scary, because she was talking, as coherent as she normally is, and walking around. I had to lead her back up stairs and get her into bed. I had to keep talking to her to keep her awake enough to not topple back down the stairs.
My Sweetie, after she was safely in bed, asked me what was wrong. He couldn't believe it--he didn't believe that she was sleep walking.
My sister sleep walks and talks. And when she does, it's really creepy sometimes, too.
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