Setsubon

I'm giving you a few days to think of how you can create this holiday within your daily lives - encourage your work place to make this a new ritual, convince your friends to give up their Friday night in return for soy-bean-enlightment. However you do it, you have until February 3rd.

In Japan, February 3rd is Setsubun, which is the day before Risshun, the first day of Spring on the lunar calendar. It is also known as Mame Maki for the many mame maki (bean throwing) festivals occuring on that day.

So grab your nearest handful of soybeans, or visit a temple where you and others born under the same Chinese Zodiace sign congregate, and watch some special bean throwers hurl soy beans either into the air or, better yet, at a Devil figure to ward off evil. Don't forget you have to shout "Oniwa Soto" (get out demons) when you do it and then follow that by "Fuku wa uchi" (come in happiness). Of course you have to make sure you don't have just any beans, they need to be fuku mame -- fortune beans. And you have to eat the same number of beans as your age -- you'll have to be honest with this one, the demons know the truth! If you can do that, then you should be happy and healthy.

Why doesn't the United States have more fantastic rituals like this? While it's not an official national hoilday in Japan, the research I've done sure looks like it's a fairly popular one. Perhaps if we all stepped back and threw beans instead of ogling a poor groundhog forced into unwanted stardom out of a warm winter's burrow, February would seem like a much better month. Because, even though it is the shortest month of the year, winter blahs and Valentine burnout prevail and to me, make February a completely useless month. Right up there with June....

Happy Setsubon everyone. And "Fuku wa uchi" to you all.

Update

9 month visit today, right on the 9 month b-day!  

Here are the stats:

25 inches long (only grew 4.5 inches so far -- that's 5th percentile!  Little shrimpy....)

16 1/2 pounds (10th percentile, I'm telling you, she's a peanut.)

I don't remember the head circumference, but the dr. said it was normal.

 

And, the piece de resistance -- ear infection number 5.  

Yes, 5 ear infections in 5 months.  So sad, even the dr. was disappointed.  Instead of an oral antibiotic, there was a pretty painful shot involved, and that is exactly how the nurse described it.  We have to go back to the dr. on Saturday morning to see if helped any.  If not, another shot and back to the dr. on Monday.  The next ear infection...we'll be talkin' tubes.  No wonder she's not sleeping through the night. 

On a lighter note, Greta is going for her first official "playdate" on Saturday.  We were going to stay with her, but I asked the mom if we could drop her off so Chris and I could both go to the dr.  Afterwards we'll all go over for lunch together.  We don't know the family all that well, but James is very nice and the mom is a teacher. Greta is pretty excited.  In a couple of weeks she also has her first birthday party to attend.  At first Greta said she didn't want to go unless it was a party for her.  Smart girl.

Flying High

I am going to let these pictures speak for themselves.

Pearly Whites

I had a dental checkup this week, and it was scheduled that I would bring Greta so she could start to see the whole process in anticipation of her first visit sometime before her fourth birthday. (Always a huge relief, I had a great checkup by the way.) Now, I am well aware that there are some people out there that may be amazed that this is Greta's first dental experience as it 'recommended' that children go to the dentist as soon as their first tooth makes an appearance. However, I do not agree, and so Greta will go this summer, after the insurance kicks in for her.

She was very interested watching the hygenist clean. She stood next to me, peering upon my gaping mouth on wobbly tiptoes. I had to do my best to stay relaxed as I was flossed -- an act that I have to admit I do not do regularly, and thus cringe at completely during the visit. Greta was allowed to pick out my color of toothbrush (I tried to encourage what color, but she ended going up going with orange. Better than yellow I guess.) Greta also received a new toothbrush -- and it was a princess one. She was very happy.

As the dentist came in to check over our mouths, Greta was a bit hesitant. She sat on my lap as the doctor checked my mouth and counted my teeth -- all their but the wisdom teeth -- and then did a great job letting the dentist look in her mouth. Greta has all 20 teeth, but I could've told her that, I remember the teething, and they all look good. Greta does a pretty good job brushing her teeth, so I was pleased that it showed. The neat thing is, they used a disposable mouth mirror for her and Greta was allowed to keep the mirror. How cool is that!

And then... the dentist said... "Well, I can tell she's a thumbsucker". Well, duh. She was doing it as you came in the exam room. Her teeth do not match up right here, showing me the gap, albeit small and unnoticable to us non-dental folks. As I told her yes, she does, blah blah blah, somehow -- and this really ticks me off -- somehow the dentist just HAD to get in there how HER 2 year old doesn't suck her thumb or take a pacifier. It didn't relate to anything at all within the conversation, and to me was a slap in the face. Good thing I'm not a quick thinker as far as comebacks are concerned, in fact I still can't think of what I 'would've/should've' said, but boy I hope I teach this woman's child someday! We'll see who's who then dental lady!

Fortunately, that comment did sting Greta a little. She didn't suck her thumb the rest of the evening, and even took it out when she inadvertently started to and said "the dentist said noooooo thumbsucking...." It took a little longer to fall asleep that night, and I think she eventually did suck her thumb, but it's all about baby steps right? Yesterday she was complaining much of the evening "I want to suck my thumb. I need something to suck on. I really need someting to suck on Mommy." I thought it was such an interesting comment and observation of her own needs and desires.

So, it's a work in progress, but the seed has been planted at least. And no one has any cavities.

I used my new orange toothbrush this morning and you know what? It really doesn't matter what color your toothbrush is, it brushes just the same.

Your info. needed

My blog looks differently on my home computer than my work computer. Please tell me if something I post does not show up, or looks odd on your computer, as my work computer blocks some things too. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Okay, so, I'm not sold on the way I have the blog set up, but it's a work in progress, right?  

Nothing interesting to say, it's a pleasant albeit cloudy Saturday.  Greta is on the couch with a throat that feels "yucky".  Not sure if it really does, or if I planted that seed because I asked her if it hurt because it sounded a little scratchy.  If Greta sees the opening for an opportunity to sit and be pampered, she's not one to pass that up.  So, of course I have her on the couch, with a cuddly pillow, her favorite blankets, and t.v. show.  

Clara is on the mend though she still has a nasty cough.  She was also up an absurd amount of times last night, and up at 5am this morning (as was Greta, complaining of hunger.  I can't seem to get her to understand that when you don't eat ALL day, you feel like crap!)  

Chris is going to put some steaks on the barbecue this evening, and I think I will even enjoy a beer with that.  Can't wait.  

Meltdown

Looks like all is back to normal now.  The snow is just about gone, it's supposed to be almost 60 tomorrow, and I will probably have a full load of students and their Science Fair projects to contend with tomorrow.  Glad it will be Friday.

Snow Day part two

We had another great day today, although we pretty much stayed inside.  Chris tried to head out early this morning, but had to turn back and return home due to the ice.  There are just too many small rural roads around here.  We headed out to return our rented Wii games, and a McDonald's lunch and the roads were nice and dry at about 11.  We popped into a game store, and found Mario Kart -- a must have.  I don't need to tell you what we spent the rest of the day doing...well, not all day. Forget the weekends -- give the Nolls some snow days and watch us accomplish things!  We had a looming pile of laundry that needed to be put away - check; we hung a pair of new curtains in the living room as well as a picture frame in the kitchen.  We have a table that we are going to put in Greta's room that I needed to paint -- started it!  (I'll blog more about that in a few days, documenting it's journey from plain pieces of wood to beautiful play table.)  Not to mention, we really had a lot of fun together in the house.  Yesterday we played outside quite a bit, but today with the ice around, it really limited the fun so we stayed in. ( Greta did a lot of dancing and mommy joined in to get a good workout for the day. )  Tomorrow there is no school for students, but I have to go in for a teacher workday, although we will be on a two hour delay, so I will not go in until 9:30.  The girls will go in at that time as well, though Clara still isn't the picture of health so we'll see if she can last the day.  I am privileged enough to be allowed to rub Greta's back before bed tonight, so off I go.  She gets a special treat to stay up until 8 since she doesn't have to "get up early" (she's up before us anyways most days - and that's early!) so it's time to move.  

Good night.

Okay, this is where it starts getting ridiculous.  The snow is done, yes it's going to dip into the teens, yes the roads will refreeze and could be bad considering we don't have things to take care of that, I figured we'd have a two hour delay tomorrow...but cancelled completely?  That's two days of school to make up now!

Snow day

This is the second part of the day, Clara enjoyed it minimally

since she has some kind of cold or something.  The streets

are a little slick, and we are concerned they will ice up badly tonight.

We actually saw a snow plow on the main road, but they won't come

down our cul-de-sac.

We put Greta to work!
  We went for a nice walk in the neighborhood. 

Greta made a snow ball, and tried to roll it

all the way home....

This was from the morning.  You can see the 

snow was really falling down.  It was lovely.

It's here!

Stay tuned for pictures and winter fun!  Both Chris and I have snow days today, so it will be a fun day.  Clara has a bad cold type bug, so she might not be up for too many winter festivities, and naturally we left the pair of boots Greta did have -- and her snowsuit -- in Michigan as we haven't seen measurable snow here in years.  Oh well, we'll toss her out there anyways.  We might not make any snow angels, but for sure there will be a snowman at the Noll house today.  We have about 3 - 4 inches so far, and will probably get a little bit more before the end of the day.  Can you tell I'm excited!

Just so you know, it's okay to comment on these posts, and be a 'follower'....Sometimes they're fun to read, and add to the blogging excitement!!!!!!!

Precipatation?

It's no secret, I like the cold.  I like my pizza cold, I like leftovers cold, I like cold drinks (I do like hot soup).  I like snow, ice, and being out in it (safely of course).  I love my winter clothes (although I only own about 2 or 3 sweaters now days) and would love to buy a pair of winter boots, if there was real need.  However, I live in North Carolina, where during the winter the saying is "you're always about 10 days from 60 degrees" and that really isn't far from the truth.  Yes, it makes 'winter' more bearable -- January through June is pretty nice down here -- but I won't even go into June, July, August, September...you get the picture.  ANY how... you can imagine I am intently watching the forecast with wide-eyed anticipation when I hear SNOW tonight and tomorrow.  And not just flurries, which excites enough people down here, honest to goodness sticking at least 2 inches (yeah right) of snow!!!!  I'm surprised they haven't closed down the state just with the thought of that possibility.  How great for Greta to see snow, after a dramatic ride from the airport in Michigan, we seem to have melted the snow up there at Christmas time, so she didn't get to experience the wonder that is... snow.  I just checked again, to make sure it was still in the forecast, and it sure is.  I can't wait.  As I'm up throughout the night, I will surely be watching out the window.  That pinky glow in the sky...the fluttery whiteness as it floats down... I hope to be sharing pictures tomorrow of our version of a winter wonderland. And, just to 'keep it real', it will be 55 by Friday and nearly 60 a week from now.

Saturday Morning

It is in the single digits in Michigan right now, but it is only 12 here.  A warm up from 10 about 6:00 this morning.  (Ah yes, I was up at that time on a Saturday.)  I look outside and think of all of the things I would like to accomplish -- cleaning out some flower beds to change what's in there, fixing a bird/squirrel feeder, raking up pinestraw, etc.  I wish it was warmer so I could go out and do those things...I feel in the mood.  Then again, I wonder -- because I know myself -- am I just in the mood because I know ithat there is no way those things would be accomplished in the cold?  I'd like to say no, but....

So, I settle for vacuuming the living room and doing a load of laundry.  yuck.  Oh, and then a game or two of Mario Kart that we rented at Blockbuster last night...and of course now I'm blogging.  The laundry is calling to be put in the dryer, Clara is crawling around my legs fussy but won't sleep with an ear infection that I think is probably not being helped, teething.  Wait, she's rubbing her eyes.  She IS tired, I knew it.  Bye, wish me luck.  Then maybe I'll wash the kitchen floor.  Or, I could get on Facebook....

Severe Cold Alert

Directly from weather.com:

Severe Weather Alert:

The coldest temperatures in several years to affect central North Carolina tonight through Saturday...

By Friday morning temperatures will drop into the low teens....breezy northwest winds will persist through much of the night allowing wind chill values to drop into the single digits and lower teens.  The prolonged cold will result in below freezing conditions for more than 36 hours...until temperatures rise marginally above freezing Saturday afternoon.

Extended exposure to these cold temperatures can be dangerous for those not dressed for the conditions.  If you have to go outside...limit your time in the cold and wear a heavy coat...hat...and gloves.  

Are you kidding me--I mean, should we now look to the weather channel to figure out how to dress ourselves?  Now, granted I do have students who still wear shorts and short sleeves, and granted I could easily find any kind of sleeveless dress or snappy short and tank top outfit in the stores down here right now, AND I know kids who I do not think even own a heavy coat let alone a "winter" coat, but I find this funny.  

And cut to a silhouette of Adrienne gazing out the window hearing "A Whole New World" playing in the background as she shivers against the competing warm of her hot chocolate mug and the chill in the air....

Sorry for the attempts at sarcasm.  I realize it is now in the single digits back in good old MI and many other places "Up North" and I wish you all the warmth I could send, but I don't have a lot right now.  Bundle up, wear YOUR hats, coats, mittens, and an extra pair of thermals.  

The good thing?  Perhaps this will finally kill off the mosquitos, because about once a week I still find one buzzing around the house....

yummy

I always thought it strange when Greta decided she didn't like strawberries anymore, but now bananas are the newest fruit to be moved to the yuck list.  This morning I was bringing a banana to work, and Greta was asking me about it.  Did I like bananas?  Where was I going to eat it, etc.  After I answered the Banana Inquisition, I asked her if she liked bananas.  "Nope" she quickly replied.

"What do you like?" I asked, hoping to find something that I can actually put on the sopping list that she will eat.

"I like chocolate."

Well there you go.

Speechless.  

Sisterly Love

I thought I'd pink things up a bit, Valentine's Day is around the corner, why not share the love.

In the spirit of love, I have to laugh as I share this story of Clara and Greta's first "fight".  

I sat Clara down on the floor after dinner to go get some things done, and it happened to be near some of Greta's toys...go figure.  Out scattered around the floor were the cards to her Memory game.  Clara promptly began looking at some cards, turning them around and over, every now and then giving one a little lick...and just giving them the detailed Clara inspection.  Greta, continuing the great mood she was in all day (proven when I picked her up from school and she was sitting in the "Thinking Chair") decided that she did not want Clara touching any of her cards.  Naturally, I suggested the obvious, 'pick up your cards then', however, that idea was promptly rejected for any number of reasons (it came from mom, the bad mood day, or just feeling like it was time to start picking a fight with the sis, you decide).  So, instead Greta decided to take the cards away from Clara.  Clara is a happy baby.  Even when sick, you would hardly know it.  She has a quick honest smile for anyone, and has an intense enjoyment in learning and looking at the world around her.  It also so happens, that Clara doesn't want to take any crap from her sister.  Like the shot heard 'round the world, Clara did not agree with that and after some short wails, decided to take matters in to her own hands and go get more cards.  So after a short crawl to the card mess, she sat down and enjoyed investigating some more pictures.  Greta's turn to squash that action, she decided to start grabbing as many cards in her arms and hurling them in another direction.  The funny part was, and I'm chuckling as I am remembering this, as fast as Greta could move the cards somewhere else, Clara would screecb and then move around her, crawl to the cards, sit down and start playing again.  I let it go on for just a few minutes until I had to stop it, but boy was that funny.  Both girls share an honest determination, but in two different ways, and the hard-headedness they have inherited from every direction in their family tree will probably cause many headaches, but I also hope it comes to serve them well at some point in their life.

A few early morning shots of Clara first thing.  

There's nothing like plucking her out of her nighttime nest,

holding her close,

feeling her warmth...like bread fresh from the oven.

Watching her come to life and stretch herself

to morning time.

Stretch 

stretch 

stretch,

and then a big smile as she realizes

another day is ahead of her

and it's bound to be as great as the last

if not better.

I wish I could hold that 

warm bread moment

for just a little while longer 

each day and savor

the smell, the softness

and the spirit 

greet life.

The Weekend

Greta always wants to help out her sister whenever she can.  Clara eagerly 

gobbled up the food, and most of it made it into her mouth.

Clara is on her 4th ear infection in as many months, and

after a day of hardly napping, she finally gave in

while I was making dinner....

I think Putter secretly enjoyed this.  He really loves the kids and is so

good with them, and he really loves sleeping, and he really really loves

sleeping on our bed.  So this was perfect.

The inquisitive side of Clara.

Arabesque!

It turned out to be a lovely weekend.  I left the house once today, the phone didn't ring, it was quite peaceful.  I will try and post some more interesting things tomorrow.

Going through some old emails and saw this....  Feel free to copy and paste in an email and tell me about you.

Your hair:  a work in progress

Your dream last night: thankfully, I don't remember

Your dream/goal: finding a new career path

Your favorite thing: hmm...maybe the computer

Your favorite drink: water is pretty high up there

The room you're in: big room other than kitchen,bedroom or bathroom

Your hobby: blogging, photography, reading (when possible)

Your fear: being killed

Where you want to be in 6 years: closer to family, bigger house, not working.... I could go on.

Where were you last night: here at home

What you're not: looking forward to work Monday

A wish list item: hmmm, I'm not sure!

Time: flies by

Last thing you did: picked up a lot of toys

Favorite weather: anything under 72 degrees.  Yes, anything.

Favorite book: Just one? No way

What are you wearing: sweater, jeans

Your tv?: is nice

Your pet: Again, just one? George, Putter, Paisley (dog, dog, cat)

Your computer: is awesome

Your mood: hungry (is that a mood?)

Missing someone: Chris (should be on his way home from a conference)

Your car: is dirty, but a nice ride

Something you're not wearing: underwear.  JUST KIDDING. dumb question

Favorite store: so many that are NOT here....

Favorite color/shade: blue, in a variety of shades

Last thing you ate: a piece of Halloween candy

What are you thinking right now: I should be vacuuming

What are you doing at this moment: not vacuuming

What do you do when you can't sleep? That's crazy!

Last time you laughed: this morning

Don't be surprised if you see things change around here.  I have two days left of break...Chris is in Myrtle Beach over night for a conference...the kids are at daycare...and I don't feel like organizing any more stuff in the house (even though I need to make room for the rest of the Xmas presents that should be delievered today).  AND, since my arms are sore from playing Wii tennis with Chris -- who kicks my butt every time, I should be practicing while he is gone -- I will waste as much time as I can playing around on here until I simply must go back to work.  Tell me what you like and don't like!

Positively Preschool Part one

I'm starting a new section, dedicated entirely to some of the hysterical things that I hear about from Greta's school.  Most of them, center around Greta. 

Greta has a boyfriend.  Okay, not really.  Well, he's a boy and he's a friend, but it's not like the other boys who are friends in her class.  It is amazing how naturally this just happens!  Fortunately, this little gentleman is just about as cute as can be, and his mother is a teacher.  Go figure.  I'll start knitting him a Christmas stocking with his name on it and cooking his favorite brand of mac and cheese -- kidding people!  However, Greta and James are cute together.  They often play together.  Together they were at the 'bean table' scooping beans and laughing together.  Their teacher has a rule that there can only be a certain amount of students at each center.  She says when James is playing at other centers, he usually doesn't care about how many people are supposed to be at a center, but when he and Greta are playing together, he will tell the other people to go away and find somewhere else to play, and that he's playing with Greta.  Isn't that just so cute!  Young chivalry.....Maybe.

Last week when Greta went back to school she announced to her teacher that since she was in Michigan for awhile, it should now be her turn to be "Line Leader".  Finally today, Greta was in the coveted position, which includes being first in line, and passing out papers.  I'm not sure, there could be more too, but this is what I know for sure.  SO...today Greta is passing out papers.  Her teacher's rule is, you get what color is given to you.  SOOOOOO... naturally Greta the Enforcer is going to make sure kids follow this rule.  SOOOOO  when kids ask for a different color of paper, Greta reminds them:  "You get what I give you or you can sit there and do nothing."  HONESTLY!  And people call me a strict teacher!  Luckily her teacher find this pretty funny, and is sure Greta is going to be a teacher when she grows up.  Gosh I hope not.  Maybe I need to buy her another doctor's kit.  Or some law books, or something!  GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN GRETA!

Ahh, my girls.

Do you see this ?  

This silly, lipstick loving, purse wearing, dancing beauty?  

This princess playing, Barbie carrying, girly girl?

All of the sudden, out of the blue, the things that are the funniest,

are bodily fluids, bodily functions and body parts.

Where did this bathroom humor come from? 

Sure, I'll go ahead and blame one of those

neanderthal children in her preschool class.

But you know what,

most of the time,

it is really funny.

It was a good walk.  I'm beat.

Is it wrong to send your child out into the world 

looking like a character from a Dr. Seuss book?

You have seen these pictures before, I'm just trying something new that I didn't know I could do!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Fur Family

  Perhaps some of you have never seen the furrier part of our family before.  So here it is.  This is Carmen-Paisley.  We have chosen, in true southern fashion, to call her by her middle name.  We don't know why there is a first name then, but for some reason that's okay.  
  Here are Putter and George.  I tried to get a picture of them seperately, but in his old age George has developed an intense fear of the camera flash.  He comes running to me anytime there is a camera flash and just freaks out.  So, this is the best I could do.  

What's New -- the first 4 days

So where has 2009 brought us so far?  4 days into it, and here is what is going on.

The tree and all decorations are down!  Hooray!  Next year, if we are not in here for Christmas -- meaning we are visiting Mi -- we are just going to get a small table top tree.  Even though we put it up at Thanksgiving, I feel like it just didn't serve its purpose and took up much needed space.  Not to mention that it looked silly underneath since the cat continuously rolled up the tree skirt in all kinds of configurations to make it either her newest hideout, or most comfortable nap spot.

We had a great impromptu thunderstorm this morning.  A couple of flashes of really bright lightning brought thunder that shook the windows for quite a while.  Needless to say I had one of the dogs and Greta glued to my side until it was completely over.

Even though Clara is still up minimum 3 times at night, she has put some more pleasant consistency to it (it will probably change since I bring it up...).  She is up for the last time at either 3 or 4 and then has not woken up again until 7:07 (3 days in a row of that exact time).  It's great, because even Greta has been playing in the other room and letting me sleep in a little bit.  

On the down side, our house has decided to make things difficult for us.  As I type I am sitting here listening to the dishwasher sound like a jet engine in the next room, please don't give up the ghost....  The garage door has become demonic and needs several pushes of the button to decide it actually is going to close all of the way.  AND, of course the piece de resistance -- the heating unit needs to be completely replaced.  After seeing an electric bill 3 times what it has ever been last month, we knew something was up, and the house just didn't seem to be warm.  After monitoring the thermostat, and calling out the company on Friday, they let us know -- in a severe southern twang -- that we would need to replace the whole unit.  UGH.  Guess we won't be seeing Mickey Mouse this year after all....Luckily I am still off of work this week, so Monday or Tuesday workers will be here ALL day putting in the new unit.  Hopefully all other appliances, etc. can just hang in there.

Let's hope the rest of the year -- or at least January -- brings nothing but boring regularity.  It's cheaper that way.  

It sounds like there are still some awful bugs going around the U.S. right now, I hope you are all staying healthy.

New Year Girls

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Year

Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to 2009!

A new look for a new year!

I do not make new years resolutions, but do have a few a few long range goals we are all working on, in case you're interested.

(Incidentally, this isn't a goal but I can't WAIT to get this Christmas tree down....)

I am enjoying packing away baby clothes as Clara grows out of them getting ready for a big baby garage sale in the spring....It's time to get rid of some of this baby stuff we don't have room for!

Now that Time Warner cable has taken the ONLY t.v. station Greta ever watched off the air (actually, that was Viacoms' doing -- that along with Nickolodeon, Nick Jr, MTV, VH1 and a few other channels) those quiet down times are going to be a bit different.  I feel so bad that Greta isn't going to be able to watch her favorite show -- Max and Ruby!  I am tempted to boycott anything Viacom...I just haven't figured out what that would entail yet.  

Tomorrow we have to get a repairman out to look at the heat.  Something is definitely wrong here....

We are trying to decide if there could be a Disney trip within 2009.

Of course, Clara has something she is going to be working on immediately -- sleeping through the night!  Yes, 8 months old and she is STILL up about 3 times a night.  To eat.  The nurse at the doctor's office finally gave me some suggestions, so it's time to get to work!

At some point we would like to sign Greta up for a dance class -- tutus and leotards, here she comes!

I continue to play around with outlets for my creative energy, though not always (usually) successfully.

Well, everyone, sorry for the boring post.  Let's all keep in touch, and hope you had/have a spectacular New Year.  I can't wait to reflect on what this year has brought this time next year.