Numbers are Colors

It's called color-graphemic synesthesia, and it's the most common type of synesthesia. I think my daughter has it. Lately she's been saying the strangest things. Yesterday she told me that February was her favorite month. I asked her if it was because of Valentine's day. She said no to that and told me that she likes February because it makes her think of the number 16, and she loves that number. I didn't ask her what color 16 is to her, because I didn't know she was associating months with numbers and colors...but it just seemed like one of her autistic-like behaviors so I went on and didn't think about it. Today she was doing her math and 750 was the answer. She was happy about that because apparently 750 is also one of her favorite numbers. She told me that it made her think of her favorite colors, blue and orange, and that they are complimentary. I think 50 is blue and 7 is orange. 16 is hot pink and so is February, naturally. I don't think I want to tell her that other people don't think of colors when they see numbers or hear the name of a month. I'll continue to investigate it covertly, without her realizing that she is different in some way, and I don't want her to start making things up for attention. That's not part of her personality though.

If You Love A Geek

These dudes may sound familiar.

Whoops.

If it's an anti-capitalist summit, why are they charging starving people $7 a plate? I guess if you want some evil capitalist pig to donate his dirty money to your cause you have to have some starving children around, you know, some really desperate ones.

Tell me. Who paid for the seeds that grew into food? Who bought it? Who processed it? Who prepared it? I would bet there was a merchant involved somewhere. The same evil capitalists that donate to causes all over the world to help these kids...while socialist elites congratulate themselves over wine and cheese.

Dissection Kit

This set only costs about $40! I thought this kind of thing would be way more expensive. You get a fetal pig, frog, perch, crayfish, grasshopper, clam, starfish, and whatever a Grantia is, you get one of those too. The kit includes the book and all of the tools for dissecting. There is a set of nine animal specimens for about $14. I know some kids who would love to come over for a creepy little science party at my house.

Letters to Any Soldier

These are the things we sent yesterday. The soldiers like getting drawings and handwritten letters and I figured the kids would really enjoy this project. I wrote a little page of rules for writing letters to soldiers -giving them ideas on what to say and what not to say. On Monday we sent some drawings and Josie made a little card that has little flowers with smiley faces that pop-up when it's opened. I sent a lot of hygeine products to one unit that had only a few women and were suffering from a lack of these necessary things. It also gave me a chance to explain to Josie what they were for, which, not surprisingly, she took in stride. To another unit we sent a bunch of snacks and candy and fitness magazines. Next time we do this, I'll have the customs forms filled out before we get in line at the post office. It was a feel-good project we will do again.

Cringeing Through American Idol

I admit to never having seen American Idol before this season. Not a big admission, I admit. Anyway, I've discovered that I am a nervous eater. The way my kitchen is laid out makes it possible for me to stand behind the pantry door and eat Doritos and I can still peek around the dividing wall in the kitchen and catch half of the TV screen. That makes the train wreck a bit less gory. Now I need to figure out how to half-plug my ears while eating Doritos and poking my head out occasionally. This is also the method I've begun to employ when watching State of the Union addresses.

Roomba

Well, it's official. When it warms up a bit, I'm shaving my dog bald. The roomba works really well on hardwood floors. So far we could build about three medium sized bunnies with all the hair we have had to dump out of the thing, even with me brushing the dog every day and discarding at least two handfuls. My kids look like Yetis and I can't keep a lint remover roll for more than two weeks.

Today's Project

Today I am going to get two addresses from anysoldier.com for lessons in following directions, writing, math, and social studies.

1.We'll find out what items our soldiers need and want, go to the store and get boxes for mailing.

2.For math, we'll estimate how many items we can fit in that box, then we'll add up the weights of the items with a calculator to come up with how many ounces we have, divide by 16 to get lbs, and go online to print postage.

3.For writing, the kids will think up some nice things to say to their soldier and do a little art.

4. For a bit of logic, we may do a little study in understanding by helping them figure out why our soldier may want particular items like baby wipes, foot powder, or water flavoring packets.

5. For some geography and social studies, we'll locate on a map the country in which our soldier is stationed, then later today when they are doing other things I will try to find out about the positive things that are being done by our military and civilians in that area, and at dinner tell the kids what I've learned.

Update: Can't print the postage online. Have to fill out a customs form at the post office. This little project is taking us all day. I'm not complaining though, there are worse things than standing in line at post offices and filling out forms.

Brooms Make Good Kindling

Yesterday I was complaining about all the pet hair in the house. I told Ray that I had resigned myself to vacuuming twice a day, and brushing the animals once a day. This morning he went to Sear's and got me an early birthday present. He couldn't wait to give me my gift, so I allowed this. Yay! I got me a good man. It's charging. I'll be letting you know how it's working. Maybe we'll have a broom-burning party!

Little Miss Sunshine

So I rented it and watched it in bed. What a great movie. The soundtrack was so intriguing, I bought it. Here's the site for the soundtrack. Listen to "'Til the End of Time". Devotchka is from Denver (I wonder if my Colorado cousin has been to see them?) The other song that I heard on Amazon is called "Dearly Departed" and it's on another album How it Ends ( which I also purchased). It's number 8.

Anyway, forgive me if I'm late discovering this band. Too much talk radio.

Okay, it's late, and I'm sick, and I need to go to bed. I have been getting my fluids though, if 32oz of Afrin counts as water.

Just Cause You Got Money, Don't Mean You Got Taste

If I had a bunch of readers, I would open a competition to name these butt ugly jeans. I think the name Butt Ugly Jeans would be fitting. You should see the butt on them. I didn't think Nordstrom would thrust these abominations on an unsuspecting public.

Maybe the zipper hooks to your bra? Or you cut some holes in the pockets and put your arms through for quick DIY overalls? Or maybe they're made like that to protect you from wedgies. There's just no way they can go any higher.

"We at Nordstrom do not want to give our customers the impression that we actually like these jeans, or that our model enjoyed wearing them, so we paired them with some nifty geriatric tan flea market mocs. We also made sure to choose the can i go now? pose for the model as if she were planning to run away at any moment, leaving the jeans behind her. We are selling them for 130 dollars a pair though, because we figure if you're fool enough to like them, you probably shouldn't be responsible for too many big bills."

Photos by Carie Thompson

Our kitty Sammy

Me and my Jake

Nellie the family dog.

Petey the Rat. He's cute. You just have to get past your prejudices and quit being so narrow- minded.

Moi et Petey.

Mi Amore.

I'll let you see my darling daughter's hair.

Dancing.

A flower for you.