http://helmericks.net/Blog2 Anything can be news. It all depends on your definition. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:14:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en By unscientific estimate these are currently my most-used mom-phrases: Low voice. Swallow before you talk. Knees under the table. I love how they are examples of the economy of language, and the extra elements that come from having story and/or experience behind them. ~ "Low-voice" came out of a conversation I overheard in high school. The ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/497 Well, I was feeling twinges of guilt about packing up (nearly) all the children's toys, but no more. I sat next to Melody for a huge chunk of time yesterday afternoon while she made up an entire fantasy with... (...wait for it.....) ...A cribbage board. And its little colored pegs. And we're talking epic fantasy ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/492 The children are "ice skating" to their self-created music in the nook normally used as the dining area. Jay is filling out some huge survey, occasionally trying to engage me by asking questions. I am trying to cruise through my reconceptualized novel despite the activity, and Jay reads from the survey: "Do you ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/489 Well, I learned more about me than the kids, but what I learned about me explains why I wouldn't have noticed it in them. What we will clear out of our house, and not buy any more: Oatmeal. Sort of a bummer and requiring a level of awareness I haven't needed before, but ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/483 This has been the most peaceful trip Jay's ever been on. And that was with the 7-years-old birthday party with crafts, donuts and snow-in-the-house. I can't imagine it being this peaceful if we had to keep a schedule with the outside world (school, outside work, playdates), but slowing down and doing everything ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/480 Sorry it's been so long since I've written here. A lot's been going on, but I've waited because none of it "stable" enough for me to write about it; to set in stone as "reality." But now I figure if I wait till it's all at that level I might not remember ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/469 In two weeks... And I hope it's my last for a long time. Today, for the first time in two weeks, I didn't walk upon waking. Yes, I felt less-tired tired, but not in a restful way.  I felt agitated, and wondered (not for the first time in this two weeks) if ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/466 Monday: last chance to walk if I want to meet my 4x/week goal before my WW meeting Tuesday: 3 extra kids from 7:30 - 4:30 Wednesday: my kids visiting friends in a.m. while I work a to-do list for my mom-- finish getting her house ready for long-term guests Thursday: p.m. the long-awaited ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/462 The girls are in ecstasies: we are having a Fairy Party this Saturday, complete (Lord-willing, and mom-capable) with things like a fairy cake, fairy games and fairy crafts. If I'm *really* together I'll have adorable pictures (that may or may not end up on the blog...) of the ladies in their ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/459 That's how long it took me to get from I'm *freezing*! How will I survive winter missing 20 lbs. of insulation? to  *Man* it's been a long time since I went walking! When's Jay going to be home? I took the dog out for a walk to Cold Spot Feed for ... http://helmericks.net/Blog2/archives/456