Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Don’t Peak in High School. Teenage girls, please don’t worry about being super popular in high school, or being the best actress in high school, or the best athlete. Not only do people not care about any of that the second you graduate, but when you get older, if you reference your successes in high school too much, it actually makes you look kind of pitiful, like some babbling old Tennessee Williams character with nothing going on in their current life. What I’ve noticed is that no one who was a big star in high school is also a big star later in life, except athletes. For us overlooked kids, it’s so wonderfully fair. I was never the lead in the play. I don’t think I went to a single party with alcohol at it. No on shared pot with me. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I even knew marijuana and pot were the same thing. My parents didn’t let me do social things on weeknights because weeknights were for homework, and maybe an an episode of The X-Files if I was being a good kid (X-Files was on Friday night), and on extremely rare occasions I could watch Seinfeld (Thursday, a school night), if I just aced my PSATs or something. I had a great time in high school, but it wasn’t the high school experience you seen on teen dramas, where people are in serious romantic relationships, and hanging out in parking lots or whatever (isn’t that loitering?). I had fun in my academic clubs, watching movies with my girlfriends, learning Latin, having long, protracted, unrequited crushes on older guys who didn’t know me, and yes, hanging out with my family. I liked hanging out with my family! Later, when you’re grown up, you realize you never get to hang out with your family. You pretty much only have eighteen years to spend with them full-time and that’s it. So yeah, it all added up to a happy, memorable time. Even though I was never a star. Because I was largely ignored at school, I watched everyone like an observant weirdo, not unlike Eugene Levy’s character Dr. Allan Pearl, from Waiting for Guffman, who famously “sat next to the class clown, and studied him.” But I did that with everyone. It has helped me so much as a writer you have no idea. I just want ambitious teenagers to know it is totally fine to be quiet, observant kids. Besides being a delight to your parents, you will find you have plenty of time later to catch up. So many people I worth with—famous actors, accomplish writers—were overlooked in high school. Be like Allan Pearl. Sit next to the class clown and study him. Then grow up, take everything you learn, and get paid to be a real-life class clown, unlike whatever unexciting thing the actual high school class clown is doing now. I think our class clown is doing marketing in Warwick, Connecticut.

Don’t Peak in High School.

Teenage girls, please don’t worry about being super popular in high school, or being the best actress in high school, or the best athlete. Not only do people not care about any of that the second you graduate, but when you get older, if you reference your successes in high school too much, it actually makes you look kind of pitiful, like some babbling old Tennessee Williams character with nothing going on in their current life. What I’ve noticed is that no one who was a big star in high school is also a big star later in life, except athletes. For us overlooked kids, it’s so wonderfully fair.


I was never the lead in the play. I don’t think I went to a single party with alcohol at it. No on shared pot with me. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I even knew marijuana and pot were the same thing. My parents didn’t let me do social things on weeknights because weeknights were for homework, and maybe an an episode of The X-Files if I was being a good kid (X-Files was on Friday night), and on extremely rare occasions I could watch Seinfeld (Thursday, a school night), if I just aced my PSATs or something. I had a great time in high school, but it wasn’t the high school experience you seen on teen dramas, where people are in serious romantic relationships, and hanging out in parking lots or whatever (isn’t that loitering?). I had fun in my academic clubs, watching movies with my girlfriends, learning Latin, having long, protracted, unrequited crushes on older guys who didn’t know me, and yes, hanging out with my family. I liked hanging out with my family! Later, when you’re grown up, you realize you never get to hang out with your family. You pretty much only have eighteen years to spend with them full-time and that’s it. So yeah, it all added up to a happy, memorable time. Even though I was never a star.


Because I was largely ignored at school, I watched everyone like an observant weirdo, not unlike Eugene Levy’s character Dr. Allan Pearl, from Waiting for Guffman, who famously “sat next to the class clown, and studied him.” But I did that with everyone. It has helped me so much as a writer you have no idea.


I just want ambitious teenagers to know it is totally fine to be quiet, observant kids. Besides being a delight to your parents, you will find you have plenty of time later to catch up. So many people I worth with—famous actors, accomplish writers—were overlooked in high school. Be like Allan Pearl. Sit next to the class clown and study him. Then grow up, take everything you learn, and get paid to be a real-life class clown, unlike whatever unexciting thing the actual high school class clown is doing now. I think our class clown is doing marketing in Warwick, Connecticut.


Excerpt from Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?




(via rufustfirefly)

Monday, May 30, 2011



Y’all are so sweet. We’re heading out of Iowa and back into reality. I have my doubts about this calling… the last time I worked with teens was not fantastic. They thought I was a hipster doofus. Or just a doofus. And there are two active girls. Two. Then there are all the meetings and planning. You know, just because I’m immature does not mean I will relate well to teens.



Okay, the non-Mormons are probably lost right now, and I’ll explain later when I’m not typing with one finger on a cell phone. All you need to know is I am in WAY over my head. And it’s mostly Heidi’s fault.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

heaven save me

because I’ve been called as Young Women’s president. I’m currently hiding in Iowa, which I hear is close to heaven. I thought it might help. Seriously, I am trying not to vomit.

Monday, May 23, 2011



This was from an episode for 30 Rock a while back.  You Georgia-ites will get the humor, easy peasy.  I’m writing up big smarty posts for my treblemaker blog this week of how typical lesson/practice times go for us.  Brain fried.

Friday, May 20, 2011


I wrote a post that is featured on ww.icanteachmychild.com today.  WonderGirl made a cameo, of course.  You can look at it if you like.  No pressure.  No need to fawn all over my greatness or anything.  It’s cool.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011



GPOYW - Maybe I’m in such a good mood because I kind of dressed up for no reason today - edition.  I’m on the fence about this top.  On one hand, it does hide my mommy belly, on the other hand it does absolutely nothing for my upper torso.  Thoughts?



(this picture was taken a month ago or so.  I had to post it because I am about to gush about how awesome teaching her violin is.  SO AWESOME.)


I just had the best violin lesson with WonderGirl.  I started trying to teach her before the Dude was born, but it was just really hard - on both of us.  It turned out she needed a different size violin, as well as I needed to learn how to teach my own child (I started teaching her piano and that REALLY helped us both) - but we’re hitting an awesome rhythm.  


I realized a while back that I couldn’t expect a full lesson out of her, but I should take advantage of the fact that she has a professional violinist for a mother ALL THE TIME, so we have the luxury of not needing to meet that expectation right now.  Every day or so, we sit down together and do a few exercises and try to have fun together, building up strength emotionally and physically.  It has taken SO much patience on my part - but after a few months of not pushing and just doing, her bow hold looks nice and - she played on the string today.  Really strong, fabulous sound, too!  And at the end of every lesson we hug and snuggle and I tell her how lucky I am to have her for a daughter.  I mean, it’s AWESOME.  SO AWESOME.  I FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST MOTHER ALIVE RIGHT NOW.


Oh, and as I type this, she’s practicing piano.  YEAH.  LIFE IS SO GOOD.

Monday, May 16, 2011

in which wisconsin is our unlikely hero

It got cold this weekend.


Curse you, weather gods!!!


On another note, I’m feeling good.  We had the therapyiststserts come and have a look at the Dude, and it was aDORable.  You’ve never seen a happier child than the Dude, going from lap to lap of these women who wanted to touch him and give him attention.


Note to self:  the Dude will not be allowed out of the house once he turns 13.  AK.


Anywho, the consensus is that he’s just a crazy physical boy.  The nice ladies are coming back to show me how to teach him to enunciate, as well as how to play with him so he feels fantastic so he’ll WANT to pay attention when I try to do those speech-y exercises.  And all the things they told us to play are so much dang fun - if you thought he was happy before, you should see him after you play a rousing game of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.


I know, I know, I wept and yelled and gnashed my teeth and all that, but I’m starting to realize how lucky I am.  He’s no different than any other kiddo and has certain strengths and weaknesses, and if he hadn’t acted like he was a possessed howler monkey during his 18 month appointment, I wouldn’t have known there were things I could do to help him be more well-rounded physically and verbally.  The doctor didn’t think there was any reason to refer him, but did it on a whim.  Something about the image of the Dude rolling around on the floor shrieking because he wasn’t allowed to eat the hospital gowns made the Doctor think it couldn’t hurt.


Honestly, I was really mad.  Send someone into my home to tell me why my son says 4 words instead of 5??  You MONSTERS!!  But then husband did some looking around and it turns out that the best state in the US to have autism is Wisconsin.  No joke.  Not that the Dude has autism, but Wisconsin has such aggressive early intervention programs that I’m getting extra help that by all rights, I wouldn’t ever have gotten and wouldn’t have been the wiser of it.


You win this round, Wisconsin.  Grumblegryumbleroksjdfsd.  Really, every time I have to put on snow boots or a hat, I scream to the powers that be to PLEASE have some kind of crazy miracle happen and have the husband’s job suddenly decide to relocate to Florida.  Except it turns out the worst state to live in for early intervention is Florida.  Jerks.


Okay, this time I actually mean it.  Thank you, Wisconsin.

Saturday, May 14, 2011



Just played two sets and almost fell asleep during the last song. My ability to play anything after 8 pm is almost completely gone! This French silk pie is in charge of keeping me awake for the drive home.

Thursday, May 12, 2011



We went to the dollar store today specifically to get these glasses for the G video.  Totally worth the stress of “MOMMYCANIHAVETHISCANIHAVETHATPLEEEEEEAAASSSEE.” 


That is all.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011



GPOYW - Me last summer edition. I am SO excited!!! I am gonna tear this summer UP, yo! Starting with discontinuing the use of “yo,” effective immediately. Squeeee!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011



Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing women out there!  I had the most marvelous day - partly due to my amazing husband and wonderful children, and partly due to the most awesome weather.  It’s HEAVENLY!!  I did the math and it looks like I should be in a decent mood for at least the next 5 months.  Seriously, just a few more weeks until Circus World reopens!  I even broke out the flip flops today.  Although they were kind of gross, I need to buy new flip flops.  Yay, I get to go shopping!!!  It just doesn’t get any better than this.


(for more blurry pics of me and the chilluns, check out the family blog)

Friday, May 6, 2011

a brief list of things i currently am pleased with

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH, it appears the Dude’s shingles are on the way out.  Poor WonderGirl has been so lonely and bored -as have I.


Tickets have been purchased for a summer vacation in the deep South.  A beach is likely to be involved - huzzah!!!


I’m getting guacamole again tonight!


WonderGirl is registered for 4K for next year.  I’m not thrilled about the choices, but now that’s one thing off my to-do list.


The OT came and checked Forster out and it was AWESOME.  I’ll do a post on it soon, but the just of it was that he’s a normal, healthy boy who is very kinesthetic.  As long as he gets all the snuggles and wrestling that he wants, he’ll start talking when he’s in the mood.  *INSERT HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF HERE*  (although that’s assuming he’ll ever decide he wants to… blagh)


WonderGirl just asked if we could have a violin lesson and then a piano lesson.  YEAH SHE DID!!


My hair looks fairly decent.


We managed to write and post the F video on atreblemaker FINALLY - although now that I watch it, it’s freakishly similar to the E song.  G needs to get creative.


You’re reading my blog!!  That makes my heart super happy!!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

what a delightfully random happenstance

Yesterday husband returned, and I high-tailed it to the store to pick up some bread for dinner, sans children (heaven!).  As I was walking by the produce, I noticed the avocados were on sale.  Score!  Maybe if I got some cilantro the husband would consider making me some guacamole, I thought.  And lo and behold, the cilantro was on sale!  Then, I thought I should get some tomatoes - also on sale!  Tortilla chips - on sale!  Limes?  On sale!  The onion wasn’t on sale, but at that point I didn’t care.


I burst through the door and declared the fates had decided that husband should make me guacamole, which he did and it was AWESOME.  I went to bed praising the fates (and husband).


Then I woke up and realized it was Cinco de Mayo today.  I’m going to go ahead and just assume it was a coincidence.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011



librarianpirate:



My mom bought me the COOLEST PAJAMAS EVER for Mother’s day! They say Super Mom and they have a seperate cape. Let me tell you - I think capes should always come with pajamas. It’s like I’m wearing a blanket.



LOVE!



OMYGOODNESSTHIS!!!!!!!! Where does one find this?? I think I’m going to go ahead and sew myself some jammie capes. Must own immediately!!!!!!!



What do you do when you are stuck in the house?  Me?  I take two men’s t-shirts and turn them into a dress.  And then take absolutely awful pictures because hey, I’ve been stuck in a house all day and forgotten how civilized society looks.  (Also husband has been gone for days so I also forgot how to groom myself.)


Don’t ask me how I made it, it’s a whole trainwreck of thread and scissors, and I don’t know if I’ll ever wear it in public.  Back in college, a dear friend gave me a $20 guitar he’d picked up at a pawn shop so I could write angry chick music.  One of the best gifts anyone has ever given me.  This $50 sewing machine is a close second, though (I sent husband out at midnight on Black Friday… SO worth it:) I’m having a BALL!  I can’t do anything but sew a straight line - can’t read patterns - but somehow I’m managing to have fun without breaking something or stabbing myself in the eye with a needle.  I don’t think any of us saw that one coming!

Monday, May 2, 2011

almost

Husband has been gone since Saturday, and I have at least another day to go. Good thing I had a killer day planned tomorrow! Playdate, teaching music lessons (a playdate in itself), dinner with friends, it was going to be awesome!



Enter amused reality. The Dude - the 20 month old Dude - has shingles. Huh?? Is that even possible?? He had the chicken pox vaccine so it’s a mild case, but it’s still contagious. I actually tried to get the doctor to say I could still go play with friends - I mean, it’s so mild, right?? But he does have this habit of licking everyone and everything he sees, so the doctor said no. Humph.



So, we’re quarantined. Lepers. I was so looking forward to it all. Soooooo looking forward to it. If you pity me, you should do something nice like leave a comment. I won’t even tell you what to say, surprise me.

mamaguru: Attn: Dads: How to plan the PEFECT Mother's Day

mamaguru: Attn: Dads: How to plan the PEFECT Mother's Day

mamaguru:




Please reblog, print and distribute this post widely in the interest of making all mamas happy next Sunday.



Let’s face it: mamas are the holiday planners in most families. We shop, we bake, we plan, we organize, we record, we everything. The rest of the family bumbles around and…



Ahem. I was asked for Mother’s Day ideas yesterday and I drew a blank. This list sounds about right.

Angels and Airwaves : Everything’s Magic Bring it on, Monday!! The sun is shining, A&A is playing andthere’s something wonderful about NOT being under 10 feet of snow… also, since the husband is off in Seattle, I put my sewing machine in the kitchen and I’ve been making and experimenting while the kids are playing together. Or just wrestling together. Whatever it is, they sound ridiculously happy about it and I am choosing to be happy about it, because it should be enjoyed. Since in about 4 minutes one of them is going to clock their head on the tile and the other is going to bite their own leg and hugs will be required to stop the screaming that has just taken a turn for the mad. I IS HAPPYS!!!!!!! (via)

Angels and Airwaves : Everything’s Magic


Bring it on, Monday!!  The sun is shining, A&A is playing andthere’s something wonderful about NOT being under 10 feet of snow… also, since the husband is off in Seattle, I put my sewing machine in the kitchen and I’ve been making and experimenting while the kids are playing together.  Or just wrestling together.  Whatever it is, they sound ridiculously happy about it and I am choosing to be happy about it, because it should be enjoyed.  Since in about 4 minutes one of them is going to clock their head on the tile and the other is going to bite their own leg and hugs will be required to stop the screaming that has just taken a turn for the mad.  I IS HAPPYS!!!!!!!



(via)

HEAR YE. I need to document the fact that I ran 3 miles and didn't feel like death.  So just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, I did...