Kiss My Knits!

Em decided not to go see Coraline, as it looked “spooky.” I, however, still wanted to see it, so I talked my friend into seeing it in 3D. We made arrangements to meet at the theater for the 1:45 show. Turtlegirl76 said she might be able to join us, but she got tied up and couldn’t make it.

Of course, I didn’t know this until later, because one of the local megachurches had some big event ending at just the moment I was passing by. I got stopped by traffic cops three times at three separate exits and wound up arriving at the theater at 1:55. One look at the five minute line for tickets and it was clear that the Coraline boat had sailed.

Universe: 1 Tvini: 0

There was a bloodmobile in front of the theater. Donate blood, get a free movie ticket. Well, why not? I hadn’t donated in a while, and I knew I still wanted to see Coraline at some point, so I queued up to give blood. Unfortunately, I was still so peeved about missing the show and standing up poor Illiane that my blood pressure registered as too high to donate. The coffee I chugged before heading out might have had something to do with it too. Yes, I’ll be seeing a doctor, just in case.

Universe: 2 Tvini: 0

But I am known for making lemonade out of lemons! Ballantyne Village Theater is showing all the Oscar-nominated shorts for this year. They’ve got one theater for animated, and one for live action. Ballantyne was right on 485 and I could make the 3:10 showing with no trouble. Well, no trouble if I’d gone the right way on I-485. Instead I wound up in Matthews. This is exactly the same boneheaded mistake I made when Turtlegirl and I went to go see Snakes on a Plane. I missed the show.

Universe: 3 Tvini: 0

Fortunately at this point it tipped over from inconvenient and irritating into ridiculous, so I could laugh about it. I came home so that my family wouldn’t worry when Illiane called to ask what the heck happened, and then I went running because the weather was nice, and exercise releases endorphins, and apparently I need to watch my blood pressure anyway.

Congratulations, Universe, you win. But I’m ready for a rematch, anytime!

I’ve got an ancient Nokia 3390 cell phone. It’s busted. I have no idea where to take it to get it fixed. I’m with AT&T, if that matters.

Any ideas?

Yesterday I was in traffic behind a guy with a license tag reading GORRAM and a “Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don’t you think?” bumper sticker. I wanna party with that guy!

Whedon fans, remember that tonight is the premiere of Joss Whedon’s new show, Dollhouse, at 9pm on FOX. It’s already gotten negative and positive notices. We’ll hope FOX has a little more faith than they did with Firefly and gives the show a chance to succeed.

I know I’ll be watching. And I’ll be knitting Jayne hats while I do.

This morning, Em asked me if she had to wear leggings. She favors short skirts for school, and when it’s cold out, I want her to have something on her legs. We checked the weather forecast. 47 right now, warming up to the high 60s in the afternoon. I said that while it was going to warm up later, it was cold this morning, so yes, she needed leggings. I could see that she was bummed but would comply, being a sweet child.

A few minutes later I found her standing in her room wearing her leggings, but no skirt yet. She looked up at me.

Em: Sometimes some other kids don’t wear something on their legs.
Me: Aaaah, I see, so some of the other kids don’t so you don’t want to either?
Em: Yes.
Me: Hm. Well, as long as you understand that you may be cold at playtime, then I think you can do without leggings today.

I didn’t even have time to finish before she shucked them off. We were ready to go within five minutes. Kids are not big on considering consequences.

This marks the first time I’ve gotten the “but everybody else is doing it!” argument and I could not be more thrilled. For most parents, this would seem like no big deal, but it took tremendous effort it took for her to express a thought of that complexity. Those thoughts are rolling around in there, mind you, but it’s easy for us to forget that when she’s not able to share them.

So yes, I am happy to roll over and acquiesce once in a while as a reward for her effort. Besides – she’s still got a sweater and a jacket. I’m only a little crazy.

I had a great day yesterday. Many thanks to all of you for your well-wishes. The weather was beautiful in the afternoon, so after leaving Em in the capable hands of one of her “experts,” I went for a run while she was working. I shaved two minutes off of my two mile time from Saturday. That wasn’t my goal, but I can’t deny being pleased. For dinner, we ordered out and Mr. Tvini brought food in for us to enjoy while parked in front of the TV. I stayed up far too late playing games on my Mac, something I haven’t done in a long time. Decadent.

I paid for staying up late last night when I woke up this morning feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. Apparently I need to remember that I’m 40 years old now and not 18. I also may have overdone it with the running lately. The weather’s gorgeous, but I can’t go overboard. My lymph nodes are a little swollen and there are little twinges all through my legs and back when I rather ungracefully get to my feet. It’s like my warranty ran out yesterday, and now that I’m no longer covered, parts will begin falling off.

It’s still a good day, though. When my family went to the grocery store to get me a cake, they also brought home these lovely yellow tulips. I am surrounded by thoughtful people. In spite of the twinges, it’s a good start to the next decade.

Here’s what Em bought yesterday, wrapped in the Sunday comics, and stashed in the back room.

The two-disc Special Edition of Howards End.

According to Mr. Tvini, she scanned the shelves and without hesitation, selected the 2002 remake of “The Four Feathers” and this. On her own, she quickly picked this as the better of the two. She’s very decisive. Also, Mr. Tvini says the reason she picked up “The Four Feathers” was that she misread it as “The Four Fathers” and had to look at it more closely to figure out what the heck that meant.

I LOVE Merchant Ivory dramas, and believe it or not, I’ve never seen Howards End. It’s been on my list forever, but somehow I’ve never gotten around to it. Also, I’m a sucker for special editions, and eagerly pore over every little extra that’s included. How did she know? Wouldn’t you expect a kid to pick “Elmo in Grouchland” or something? The girl’s uncanny.

She and Mr. Tvini are at the grocery store, where she is selecting a cake for me. When you are nine, all birthdays must have a cake. I predict another home run selection – there are no bad birthday cakes.

It’s my birthday today. I’m 40. Go me!

To celebrate, I’m giving a little of the birthday money coming my way to Donors Choose. It’s a good cause, and my daughter’s school has another proposal up. It’s for literacy materials. The teacher included a line that I have to say makes me smile. She’s requested two cassette players. “They’ll replace the two currently in use in my classroom, which were manufactured in the 1960s and are very large. It’s tough for my kids to lug them home on the bus each week.”

Can’t you picture some little 50 pound child struggling home, decked out like Edward R. Murrow on assignment? I may have to do another Jayne hat fundraiser.

If you find yourself with a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket and want to donate, here’s a link that will take you to the challenge. There’s also a “math wrap-ups for autism” proposal listed, which isn’t from my school but which is still worthy. Take your pick.

While I am the Nicest Lady on the Internet I will not be spending all my money on others. Have no fear, I will pick out something nice for myself. And I believe my daughter may have something for me as well. She and my husband went out yesterday and when they came back, my daughter came into the den, saying “DON’T LOOK DON’T LOOK!!” I turned away as she went into the back storage room and then came back out. I can’t be sure, but I suspect that may have had something to do with my birthday.

I’m off to go to brunch with my mom. I look like I peeled everything BUT my shoes off of a sleeping hobo, but it’s my birthday. I’m pretty sure I’m allowed.

The weather yesterday was so perfect that I went out and ran along the Greenway. I only went two miles, but it’s been more than a month since I’ve gotten out there and pushed it at all, so that was enough for me to feel it a little in my thighs and chest today. But today, it’s even more beautiful! It’s sunny and 68 degrees. Just gorgeous. I may go out again late this afternoon, after my husband is done with his brewing. We’ll see.

Today I’m putting together some ClosetMaid storage cube type furniture that I got from a going-out-of-business sale at the local ritzy Home Depot Design Center. Home Depot definitely picked the wrong time to expand their business to begin offering high-end home furnishing and designer products.

Also on my to-do list: buy new shoes. Don’t fear for my feet too much. These aren’t my running shoes, they’re my walking-around shoes. Tomorrow I turn 40, so maybe it’s time for me to start wearing shoes that don’t look like I peeled them off of a sleeping hobo.

The weather’s beautiful, wish you were here. I hope you all have a wonderful day. I sure will!

The dance went great. Story and pic below cut.

Apparently Em’s school is having a dance tonight, and Em wants to go.

There will be pizza and drinks and a small prize, and I assume, dancing. Parents will drop off their kids.

So tonight Em goes to her first dance party. My baby, my baby!