Yesterday my parents took my kids to Mt. Olympus in Wisconsin Dells. In addition, the kids slept over at the grandparent's house. So many opportunities opened up with the kids gone all day long (and all night). I could go shopping. I could clean the house from top to bottom. I could spend the day with my husband. The options were endless. What did I do?
I read. I relaxed. I scrapped. Then I did all that all over again. See, the husband thing when out the window because he wanted to spend the day at Road America with some friends - fine with me because I didn't want to be there. I used to work in a food stand at RA when I first began teaching. It was my summer job. It also sucked - as do most food service jobs. I REALLY didn't want to clean...I mean, who really wants to do that? Shopping? It will only let me realize that I am spending money I shouldn't be spending. Seeing my fat a** in a mirror is not my idea of fun. However, reading and scrapping - I do enjoy and I was able to do that without interruption. My husband and I did spend the evening together. That was great. We even treated ourselves to a late night at the movie theatre. Both of us were able to sleep in as well.
On the note of scrapping, I just received notification of a scrap weekend that will occur in October. I do this twice a year - get out of the house, get away for a 3 day/2 night weekend and scrap like crazy. It is almost spiritual. I seem to have these ephiphanic moments about my family and friends. When I get back home I am so in-love with them.
That is how I am feeling today. The kids were gone, getting spoiled by their grandparents and I was missing them. My husband was at the track, hanging out with the guys and I was missing him. I was at home, scrapping, looking at pictures of my beautiful kids and handsome husband and missing them. I also can't help loving the creative ways I display our pictures.
Now, what am I going to do for the next two weeks? Both of the children are going to be at day-camp for the next two weeks (from 8 am to 4 pm) and my husband drives full days for the next two weeks as well. Except for two days in which I am to be at school for some organization of the chemical supply room, I have a completely open schedule. I may get some more scrapping completed, spend time with my girlfriends or maybe begin preparing for the the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. I have to have some sort of plan or I will go nuts!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
I did it again...
So my husband did the IQ test and then showed me he got a 133. I needed to try it again (Alex says you can't change your IQ). Well I showed him (hee hee hee). Now I scored a 136! Better! This time my paragraph read the following:
"This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns. And that's just some of what we know about you from your IQ results."
So, first I am a mathematician and now I am a philosopher - either way, I do like how I am described. It makes me feel...
"This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns. And that's just some of what we know about you from your IQ results."
So, first I am a mathematician and now I am a philosopher - either way, I do like how I am described. It makes me feel...
For my amusement
I took an on-line IQ test today. This is what it said...
"Congratulations, Carrie! Your IQ score is 131" (is this poor? good? great? awesome?)
"This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Visual Mathematician. This means you are gifted at spotting patterns — both in pictures and in numbers. These talents combined with your overall high intelligence make you good at understanding the big picture, which is why people trust your instincts and turn to you for direction — especially in the workplace. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results."
At the end of the quiz, the site wanted me to purchase some stuff - which I didn't, but the test was cool to do! If interested, this is the site I went to, then at the end is all the advertisements. I just kept clicking "SKIP" and you'll get your results. http://web.tickle.com/tests/uiq/index-pop.jsp?sid=&supp=&z=
Have fun if you try it!
"Congratulations, Carrie! Your IQ score is 131" (is this poor? good? great? awesome?)
"This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Visual Mathematician. This means you are gifted at spotting patterns — both in pictures and in numbers. These talents combined with your overall high intelligence make you good at understanding the big picture, which is why people trust your instincts and turn to you for direction — especially in the workplace. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results."
At the end of the quiz, the site wanted me to purchase some stuff - which I didn't, but the test was cool to do! If interested, this is the site I went to, then at the end is all the advertisements. I just kept clicking "SKIP" and you'll get your results. http://web.tickle.com/tests/uiq/index-pop.jsp?sid=&supp=&z=
Have fun if you try it!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Women I admire
I just got back from a three day class that I took at UW-Oshkosh. It was about Women in Science, Math, Technology & Engineering. I am earning 3 credits by taking this class and learning a ton about women in STEM careers (and the need for more). There were some startling stats that I never knew about the importance of Math as an indicator of person's success in college - or even graduating from college! I learned even more statistics about the low number of women in STEM careers (by the way, medical careers are not included in STEM careers-they are considered allied health careers).
Now - to get to the point of my entry today. I have been talking to many women and listening to several speakers over the past three days. I have been "wow"ed! In addition, I have been reflecting on other women in my life and how much I respect and admire them.
Kim - my biking partner. She is a full time mom. She has a psychology degree and became a full time mom when her first child was born. She is no ordinary mom. Her unique impact on me is how avid she works on her family life and making sure her son has every advantage working for him - he has autism. Her constant research, planning, education, networking and involvement are what I admire. By the way, I do not think she knows all of this.
My Grandma - She will be 87 this month. About two years ago she fell down going into church and hit her head hard - very hard. Within a week she was having brain surgery because of the blood pooling because of the fall. She had some short term memory loss. She was tired. At one point she even talked about letting go, but she didn't. She prayed. She trusted. She got better. She's practically back to where she was before the accident - and that a strong willed, independent, social and lovable grandmother. I love you grandma!
Kate - I met Kate about 2 months ago. If you read her blog about her husband's battle with colon cancer you will learn as I did about her inspiring courage. I know of no one person who has shown as much bravery, fear, honesty and love. Her blog address is http://www.marventano.blogspot.com/
Catherine - my friend. She teaches math at the same school as I do. How she can raise three boys (four if you include her husband), teach, run a household and undertake a rigorous graduate program in two short years is what I admire. In addition, she is honest, caring and isn't afraid to speak her mind. I LOVE THAT!
My daughter - I know, I know...she is only 8 so she is not a "woman", but she will be. What I admire about her is she is my future. She is kind - to her brother and her friends. She has so much energy and enthusiasm for everything she does. She amazes me at every turn in her development. She's smart (I know, I know... we say that about our own children all the time). She picks up on the smallest detail and retains that knowledge for, well, ever (again, she's only 8, so forever is 8 years now). She loves to read! She loves to learn math! She loves that I know and teach science and she is willing to learn from me! I would love to see her be one of those success stories I heard about this past week at UW-O Women in STEM careers.
Dr. Bonnie Bassler - I heard her speak at UW-O. WOW!! She is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University. She spoke so well and with so much passion for her work. She mentors many of the best researchers of today. Her research and discovery seems so simple, now, (as she puts it) but was far fetched and absurd when she began. Now, there are hundreds of labs doing what she is doing and trying to find ways to apply what she discovered to anything from new ways to treat bacterial infections to learning how cells within our own bodies communicate to each other. Here is an excerpt about her discovery. "Bonnie Bassler has discovered that bacteria communicate with a chemical language. This process, called quorum sensing, allows bacteria to count their numbers, determine when they have reached a critical mass, and then change their behavior in unison to carry out processes that require many cells acting together to be effective."
I need to stop now. My list is not complete. My friends - they are all awesome! I just picked out some characteristics that I do not feel I possess and that is why these women are ones I admire. I thank each of them for showing me their personalities. I thank my friends for being there for me and I hope I am there for you as well.
Now - to get to the point of my entry today. I have been talking to many women and listening to several speakers over the past three days. I have been "wow"ed! In addition, I have been reflecting on other women in my life and how much I respect and admire them.
Kim - my biking partner. She is a full time mom. She has a psychology degree and became a full time mom when her first child was born. She is no ordinary mom. Her unique impact on me is how avid she works on her family life and making sure her son has every advantage working for him - he has autism. Her constant research, planning, education, networking and involvement are what I admire. By the way, I do not think she knows all of this.
My Grandma - She will be 87 this month. About two years ago she fell down going into church and hit her head hard - very hard. Within a week she was having brain surgery because of the blood pooling because of the fall. She had some short term memory loss. She was tired. At one point she even talked about letting go, but she didn't. She prayed. She trusted. She got better. She's practically back to where she was before the accident - and that a strong willed, independent, social and lovable grandmother. I love you grandma!
Kate - I met Kate about 2 months ago. If you read her blog about her husband's battle with colon cancer you will learn as I did about her inspiring courage. I know of no one person who has shown as much bravery, fear, honesty and love. Her blog address is http://www.marventano.blogspot.com/
Catherine - my friend. She teaches math at the same school as I do. How she can raise three boys (four if you include her husband), teach, run a household and undertake a rigorous graduate program in two short years is what I admire. In addition, she is honest, caring and isn't afraid to speak her mind. I LOVE THAT!
My daughter - I know, I know...she is only 8 so she is not a "woman", but she will be. What I admire about her is she is my future. She is kind - to her brother and her friends. She has so much energy and enthusiasm for everything she does. She amazes me at every turn in her development. She's smart (I know, I know... we say that about our own children all the time). She picks up on the smallest detail and retains that knowledge for, well, ever (again, she's only 8, so forever is 8 years now). She loves to read! She loves to learn math! She loves that I know and teach science and she is willing to learn from me! I would love to see her be one of those success stories I heard about this past week at UW-O Women in STEM careers.
Dr. Bonnie Bassler - I heard her speak at UW-O. WOW!! She is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University. She spoke so well and with so much passion for her work. She mentors many of the best researchers of today. Her research and discovery seems so simple, now, (as she puts it) but was far fetched and absurd when she began. Now, there are hundreds of labs doing what she is doing and trying to find ways to apply what she discovered to anything from new ways to treat bacterial infections to learning how cells within our own bodies communicate to each other. Here is an excerpt about her discovery. "Bonnie Bassler has discovered that bacteria communicate with a chemical language. This process, called quorum sensing, allows bacteria to count their numbers, determine when they have reached a critical mass, and then change their behavior in unison to carry out processes that require many cells acting together to be effective."
I need to stop now. My list is not complete. My friends - they are all awesome! I just picked out some characteristics that I do not feel I possess and that is why these women are ones I admire. I thank each of them for showing me their personalities. I thank my friends for being there for me and I hope I am there for you as well.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
TENET
Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough, is the key to a more satisfyig and balanced life.
- Ellen Sue Stern
- Ellen Sue Stern
Friday, August 3, 2007
Eleven years today!
Happy Anniversary to my hubby and me!
This picture was taken last year on our 10 year anniversary. I had a bunch of friends over for a scrapping-type party so they were able to see my man give me an extraordinary gift.
How do I plan to spend this anniversary? It started with my husband singing to me "Happy Anniversary" as he was getting ready for work. I am going to meet up with several of my friends today at the Plymouth Aquatic Center so our kids can all play and I can hang out with the girls. When my man is done with work, we hope to take the whole family out to eat. Tomorrow is our date night. Our girl child has a Girl Scout sleepover and our boy child will have a sleepover and grandma and grandpa's house so then my man and I can have our own quiet date night. Yeah, a two-day celebration for our anniverary! Yeah, a man who loves me more each day and I feel the same way about him! Yeah, we have two totally awesome kids! Yeah, my friends can help me share my joy today! How lucky am I?
VERY!
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