To Be Right or To Not Be?

The most aggravating conversations or arguments are usually those that are based on something that is a matter of opinion or faith. You could spend hours debating whether or not there is a God or when life "begins." Ultimately neither is an argument that anyone will likely win in this lifetime.

Before I explain the next part let me explain that like most people, I don't enjoy being wrong and try to avoid it, but I will admit when the fault in logic is mine. I am in no way saying that I am a perfect being, ask anyone who knows me and they will confirm my long list of faults.

The last couple of years I have been foolishly engaged in another kind of aggravating conversation, the one where there is a clear correct or incorrect answer or it simply has no bearing at all. However, the opponent through ignorance, obstinacy, or delusion, refuses to concede. The most annoying thing about this is that the subject matter is usually something with no relevance to important things in life. Once it was which container may be used to water plants. In the end does it really matter? I doubt you will see greenery protesting because I used a large pitcher instead of a small one. I like the big one because I don't have to fill it as often and I get done faster.

For some reason I continue to try to reason with my opponent in a rational manner, even though as I do it I know my opponent is not rational. I have had the most meaningless arguments. A few of my favorites:

• English toffee does not taste the same if the almonds are on the bottom rather than the top of the toffee. (I suggested just turning it over if it would make them feel better)
• Drinking any sort of beverage in the car is strictly verboten because it is against the law. I am even talking about water here. (I asked why there where cup holders and never got an answer)
• Laundry must be watched. Soap does NOT go in until all the water is in so you can determine the exact amount of detergent. (I just put some in and turn the thing on my clothes have always gotten clean)
• If something is on sale you must buy it, because who knows when it will be again. (I disagree because I don't see the point in buying cream of chicken soup when you already have 42 cans, some dating back to the early 1990's)
• Bathroom tile is to be covered in wall-to-wall carpet because it is easier to clean. (Really?)
• Married people should not be associating with people other than their family and spouses, EVER. (I have some married friends that I spend time with occasionally and this always seems to be scandalous.)
• A hotel does not exist if someone has never heard of it. (This was one of the more ridiculous as it is not difficult to prove that a hotel exists.)

I admit that even though I know it is useless to engage in these conversations I still find myself trying to defend a decision that with anyone else would not have been questioned. I think that I keep hoping that one day, just maybe, rationality will strike like lightning and save me from discussing ad nauseam how best to open a box of cereal. A girl can dream, right?

Christmas 2010

This year for Christmas I went to Belgrade Montana. It is a suburb of Bozeman and is now home to two of my favorite adults and definitely my three favorite little ones. Is there anything better than watching kids open presents? They are so excited! I can't remember the last time I was so excited about getting a present that I screamed.

This was also the first time I had been to my sister's house in 7 years. It sounds insanely long, but every time I have seen her and the family they have been visiting us. She has a beautiful home and I was glad I got to see it. Montana is also pretty great. To get there we had to drive through Yellowstone since it was pitch dark, snowy and foggy I missed the view. Luckily the return trip was a daytime trip so I got to see the scenery. But the best part was just hanging out with my family. We played cards, laughed, ate and relaxed. It was something I really needed and I am glad I got to go even if it was for only 3-1/2 days.

Evolution

I would like to discuss for a moment, evolution. Not in the "did we descend from monkeys" kind or even my favorite "music's evolution through the ages" kind. No, instead I speak of relationships. I foolishly thought that as I matured and so did the people around me, that relationships would be easier. Man was I wrong! Even at 29 and 3/4 of age, dating still makes me feel like an angsty teenager. Instead there is a whole NEW level of worries. Instead of the normal worries about making a good impression I now have the added worry of not scaring someone. At this point in my life I know what things are important to me in a mate and have to admit that I am getting a little impatient. I want to meet someone and fast forward to the part where we both know each other well enough that it would be "easy" to tell if the relationship has lasting power. So I have to reign in my natural tendency to leap before I look, to spill everything about me all at once and allow things to progress at a more "normal" pace. It would be great if there was some kind of scientific formula. Just think about how great that would be! It would look something like this:

Age of Male + Age of Female divided by 2, multiply Male's longest relationship + Female's longest relationship (in months) divided by the median of how many children the two want.

The end number would be a relationship score, kind of like a credit score and the higher the number the more positive the outcome. So maybe I have oversimplified and taken some liberties but at the moment I am feeling pretty frustrated. I would love to think up a formula for first contact to dating to marriage timeline, but I am all thought out right now.

Dog Love!

Fishy

Soda

Rosie aka Marley aka the Beast

Penny

Diesel

Road Trip!

Keys to a successful road trip:

1. Go with people you can stand to be with for hours. It is helpful if you are comfortable enough with your travel partners to have long periods of silence and not feel awkward.
2. Layer your wardrobe, that way if you don't like the temperature the driver has chosen you can add or subtract as needed.
3. Don't over pack the car with luggage OR people. Even if you are not claustrophobic hours at a time in a confined space can get irritating .
4. Bring something to do. If you don't get carsick bring a book. I get carsick so I knit, that way I don't have to take my eyes off the road but still keep my hands occupied.
5. T-U-N-E-S are vital. There should be some kind of agreement over who controls them. Usually it is the driver. This also means that you may have to suffer through some music you don't like. Deal with it or bring an iPod so you can tune it out. I have found that classic rock is usually universal. Who doesn't love some classic Hall & Oates or Queen?
6. Snacks. Even if you buy your own prepare to share, it is common courtesy. Beef jerky is always a favorite because it is substantial and staves off hunger between stops.
7. Drinks. The key is moderation because you don't want to stop unless you have to. So if you get a big drink, pace yourself.
8. Car games. You can do the license plate game where you find different states, the billboard game, and I Spy. My new favorite one is as you pass cars that have the built in DVD players, try and figure out what movie they are watching. It helps if you know a lot of children's movies by sight.

New School Year, Belated Edition

Yay for having a job! This summer was not the best because I didn't have a job and I was going a little stir crazy, so when school finally started I was very ready. I knew things in my classroom were going to be very different this year because we hired someone new to work with us and some of our stronger personality students had moved on to junior high. The first week of school was amazing! And the second, and the third, and the fourth. I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Some of these students will have been with me for now going on their 3rd school year. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to this kind of arrangement. But so far we were having none of the behavior problems or classroom dramas. I was almost uncertain what to do. I knew eventually that would have to change and it has. I do have some new students and figuring out how they fit into everything has been interesting. The dynamics of a classroom can change so much just based on one person, teacher or student.

As we head into Thanksgiving I wonder where the time has gone. It seems like not too long ago that I was sweating profusely because our classroom was so hot. Now I have to worry about the kids throwing snow at each other! Kids still say the darndest things so more of those posts to come later.

Busy, busy!

Okay, I have been busy since June. My sister and her family moved from Ohio and I was so excited because my niece and nephew were going to be close enough to visit regularly! And then on September 16 I got a new nephew besides. I have loved having my niece and nephews so close. I don't think there is anything greater than a small child being excited just because you walk through the door. And is there any way to describe how delightful it is to hold a brand new baby?

Now for the bad news. They have moved again! My brother-in-law was offered a job in Montana and so after only 5 months they are gone. :( I will miss seeing them whenever I wanted to but I will always remember these months fondly.