Black Friday Posse

My brother and sister in law took Miss M and Miss J shopping for black friday -- this is the result

Sick

We're both home sick today

that happens sometimes -- I'm recovering from my surgery -- and the kiddo? She's got a terrible cold.

Being a first time Mom -- I don't know much about what the kiddo wants -- so I give her what I want instead.

To be left mostly alone -- followed by periods of being forced to eat or drink something -- I think I have everything I need to make some chicken soup (which she will hate -- she likes beef -- but I'm not going to the store for beef)

We had a conversation once about sick food -- she asked me what Americans eat -- I told her about chicken soup

I asked her what Mongolian's eat -- she said "black soup" -- which seems to be just horse meat, water, garlic and salt.

I'm fresh out of horse.

Being a Mongolian kid -- I think she responds well to the "let her stay in her cave and bully her into eating things approach" -- I think it matches her Mom's approach to things

God help me if I had someone who wanted pampering -- I don't think I'm that sort of Mom.

So our house will be quiet today -- this isn't all sunshine and puppies --sometimes it's coughing, and runny noses and kleenex.

You shouldn't blog stoned

HA! -- THAT got your attention.

I'm pretty out of it -- I had to have some girl surgery this week (or surbery as I just typed) and did that this morning -- the best friend in the world Amy took me and is hanging out with me as I come back to my senses.

I needed to explain what was happening to Miss M last week.

I started off by saying that I needed to have some very minor surgery -- that they wouldn't cut me and I would only need to miss one maybe two days of work.

I started to draw a triangle with some balls on two of points and an opening at the bottom --

"this is a uterus"

She looked at me with teenage eyes

"I know what it is"

Sometimes I forget that she's not stupid -- she's just got a language barrier

She heard me out -- and asked if it would hurt -- I told her about as much as the worst period you've ever had.

She nodded and moved on.

So I had it this morning -- and other than feeling pretty out of it (I spent about 5 minutes trying to understand a cartoon sent to me by a friend -- it had 2 praying mantises having tea -- the first one said, "My husband keeps disagreeing with me" and the second one said, "Try and antacid, dear")

but otherwise I have every reason to think that I am going to have an outstanding outcome.

I expect Emma will fus over me tonight -- and you know what -- I think I'm going to let her.

ow.

Miss M made the team!

Miss M got word on Friday that she's on the Winter Guard team -- which is like color guard -- but different in some way she can't quite explain

doesn't matter

She found something she wanted to do

signed up for it

and did it

without any of her friends doing it with her

I am so proud of her!!!!!!

In other news -- it's clear that she is now thinking in English instead of Mongolian

She will say a sentance

and then another

and her brain will go back and correct the first sentance and she'll correct herself.

I remember this from my time studying abroad (is Mexico really abroad? -- nevermind)

There's a backslide that happens with your language when your brain shifts into thinking in the new language -- you slow down and the brain forms those new paths

but it's a brilliant moment

THINKING IN ENGLISH!!!

Story writing

Miss M and I Had fun last night with homework.

nope

Not Chemistry

ENGLISH!

She had to write a story -- and she chose to write a scary story.

I won't put the details of it here -- but let's just say it has a twist

my favorite part was when she referenced a list of word's she looked up in advance -- all words for different kinds of laughing.

guffaw
giggle
cackle
snicker

I had to demonstrate each of them for her -- which gave us both giggle fits.

Her story shows her growth in the language

later on -- she was working on something else and I was watching Glee -- Sue Syvestree was laughing evilly

and I heard a voice from M's room

"Is that a cackle?"

Good Girl

She's a sponge

I am Thankful for Passive-Aggressive Emails

The following was in my inbox a few days ago:


Hi Guys,

The exchange students are supposed to have a Thanksgiving potluck and game night on Nov. 20. The are scheduled to host it, but I just found out that they are not hosting because they "have other plans". I'm wondering if you guys still want to have a get together, and if so, is there some place north where we can have it so it's closer for more people? would like to get together with the other students.

If you guys think it's too short of notice, or too close to Thanksgiving, or that we should just wait, no problem. Just wanted to get something in the works if we want to get together.

Happy Friday!

Ok the Backstory -- the Mom writing this hosted the Halloween party (we'll call her CAROL) -- you remember -- we're the only ones who showed up......

apparently the Joneses were planning to come as they live down the street from Carol -- but they called right at the last minute to say they weren't going to come because they "don't do Halloween"

Carol was pissed -- because they were originally hosting this party together and now there's some sort of falling out

plus -- they're all hyper religious -- so the "We don't do Halloween" is sort of a 'more-born-again-than-thou' slap in the face.

I didn't mention to Carol that I had a FB conversation with Mrs Jones early on that same day and knew for hours and hours that they weren't going

why throw gasoline on the fire.

so -- I LOVE LOVE LOVE this email -- that was sent via our group to God and Everybody as my mom would say -- the 'quotemarks of derision" are awesome.

I can't believe I haven't been an exchange mom before - this is better than General Hospital.

pass the popcorn......

Halloween

I was hoping to have some photos to post -- but I took most of the photos with Miss J's camera -- and she hasn't posted photos yet.

It was an exchange student event night -- and I felt obligated to take Miss M -- since the old Mom for Miss J never takes her anywhere -- I arranged to pick up Miss J.

Miss M went as a bunny -- I made her add jeans to her super short pink dress because she tends to get so cold -- and when we picked up Vampire Miss J she was wearing one of those teen-slutty short costume skirts -- we had to vow not to post any full photos of her on FB so her Mom didn't freak out.

We might be slow learners
but we learn

We headed out for the drive to the other exchange student house -- close to 40 miles away -- complete with pot luck food -- home baked cookies and costumes (them -- not me -- Alice is retired)

The girls are continually surprised at how long we have to drive to get just about anywhere -- there where a lot of "when will we get theres"

We were the first to arrive

Miss M lamented "We are always first"

"I know sweetie -- I'll try to work on that"

The party was at the home of Miss W from China -- she was excited that someone had arrived -- the girls had fun handing out candy to the little ones as we waited for more guest to arrive.

The Coordinator was allegedly bringing 5 kids -- but by 7pm (2 hours into the event) it became clear that we WERE the party

Thank God we went -- how horrible for Miss W if no one came to her party

Finally -- it got dark enough -- and we all headed out to trick or treat -- the neighborhood went all out -- haunted houses -- goblins -- pumpkins -- even a chainsaw wielding maniac.

There were screams -- and laughs -- and the girls (who originally thought this would be childish and a drag) -- had an amazing American experience

sort of a 1970's Halloween experience -- that I haven't seen in decades.

Next up -- trouble in Exchange Parent Land (see you next blog)

All Roads Lead to Nascar -- again

sigh

How much do I hate Nascar weekends

(previous post from April)

Emma and I tried to go to Walmart last Thursday -- and gave up -- you couldn't even get through the parking lot.

What was I thinking -- WALMART???? on NASCAR WEEKEND?

MADNESS!

So we're off to go shopping and see a movie with my cool friend Amy (she's that cool Aunt that every girl loves -- Miss M's psyched to see her) -- and

I'm ashamed to say it

buy a space heater

because we're cold

Miss M's room is freezing -- it's about 6 or 7 degrees colder than the rest of my cold apartment -- something we never seem to be able to rectify... time to put in another work order.

******************

oh -- on the Miss J front -- she's moved to her new family -- well sort of -- the new family had a trip planned for this week -- so she's staying with friends of the new family

it's all so fucked up.

I feel very bad for her -- and I'm helpless to do a darn thing

Clarification on Miss J

I've received a few questions on this

Miss J has a new home

but so far -- they haven't bothered to tell her:

when she is moving
does she have siblings
Is there a Mom and a Dad -- or just a Mom

just that she will stay in the same school.

so she's struggling with this

it's frustrating -- but I'm also keenly aware

that it's not my business.

sigh