diorama mama

Those lumpy things in the bottom right hand corner are split pea "stones".

excess of cardboard+ paint+ mom who is almost done with her paper+4 yr. old who is too fidgety to go see a musical w/his pops and older brother+duct tape +glue= diorama

whoa Nelly

I think if I could make music. I mean REALLY sing and make music, I would do it this way, in my dreams. And on weekends I'd be Maria Callas. But seriously, Nellie Mckay's new album is so wonderful. Thanks to Matt for the heads up. My beloved Andrew's Sisters needed some competition. And although this is a slightly different taste, it somehow satisfies me in the same way.

all ova the place, sheesh

I know of no one who is purely autistic or neurotypical. Even God had some autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin.

-Jerry Newport, Your Life is Not a Label

Why does he have to make so many little pieces of the stuff?

In the midst of writing about the CDC's most recently published prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders, I thought I would take a break and play with my neglected (ha) 4 yr. old.

And speaking of ASDs, Temple Grandin is speaking at THe UMass School of management (right across form visitor parking) Tuesday at 9:30 am and if I can't get off work for the morning I may have to quit my job. She is an astoundingly important person in so many ways.

Play dough

• 1 cup flour
• 2 Tbsp cream of tartar
• ½ cup salt
• 1 to 2 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 cup water
• food coloring
Mix flour, cream of tartar, and salt in a pan. Mix desired coloring with water, add with oil to dry mixture. Cook over medium heat until thick. Mix in coloring later if preferred.

I usually double this and add a ton of food coloring and some essential oil. This time, peppermint. I really should have bulk lavender essential oil in my house. What is up with that?

Today I treated myself and Ezra to a lunch at Freshside. We have not been in awhile. Hot Thai tea and ginger rice with tofu was a perfectly soothing antidote for what felt like a super frenetic week. Why frenetic? Other than the fact that it is nearly mid term? and everything is starting to be due, it has been raining/sleeting/slushing for days now. Disgusting. Warm, delicious food makes these things more acceptable.

What I love about today and other quotidian ramblings

The laundry lines make me want to run outside and see if I can slide my hands along and scrape them clean of snow.
Chocolate, grapefruit and espresso. For some this may spell heartburn. For me this spells heaven.

It's a snow day. The snow is wet and thick. H. and E.'s snow gear is dripping on the drying rack by the heater. When they came in from outside, I kidded with them that they hadn't gotten permission to go swimming. They were soaked!

I love how the snow makes the whole apt. a bit brighter.

I have a little time to get a jump start on a paper due next week.

I may even read a bit of a novel that has nothing to do with school. But probably not.

I am starting a new health regimen. I still walk to work every day and walk to class and walk all weekend but I need to step it up a bit if I am going to keep up with my chocolate habit (as if that will ever be questioned) so...My friend who is a marathon runner recommended this site and with my new pair of sneakers and Matty making/helping me to me lift weights, maybe I will get a bit more fit.

If only weight lifting would lengthen my legs. I love retro suits like this one below, (on sale at J Shrew) but it doesn't do much for my German/Scotch farmer gams.

And now to write a paper...

Henry's Birthday Weekend

In mostly pictures, because this vacation has completely exhausted me. I want tea, bed and a movie, ten minutes ago. Oh, and a bowl of steaming soup with dumplings and vegetables.

Caliber, Henry's new Husky pup.
Thinking of a wish...
A huge peanut butter cake. I am soo over sugar right now.
Birthday party frenzy. At one point I had to ask myself why I had 8 kids in my miniscule apt. but it turned out just fine.
The kids took time out to decorate their canvas goody bags...One kid was too busy playing and asked me to decorate his with his favorite toy...

7 and 8 yr. olds can be very silly. And very

awesome.

I am excited about this?

I always have mixed feelings about a beloved book becoming a film. But this might just be very good, and something to look forward to in March when Spring and Winter still haven't made up their minds. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo... . Check out both trailers.

my vampire boys

And no I am not talking about Edward, Bill or Eric...