Almost Nothing About the Toilet Ring

Thursday, 01 September 2011

Owen’s school hosted an orientation this afternoon. I had not planned on attending but, as luck would have it, I spent my early afternoon at my employer’s other location – the one closer to my home(s) – and, finishing early, I found myself done with work about a half hour before the orientation began and only 10 minutes from home(s).

Owen’s first grade teacher is new to his school. She’s been teaching in the St. Paul area for most of my life, but according to the dossier she supplied, this is her first time teaching at this particular school. We arrived with Owen’s school supplies and, to our delight, the teacher allowed the kids to select the place they wanted to sit. Owen chose a spot near the teacher’s desk by the window, and Jennifer helped him put his supplies inside his desk.

The teacher asked Owen what his favorite subject was. Math was the answer. After talking with him and my my wife for a couple of minutes, the teacher showed them the course curriculum for math and they all agreed he’s already above that.

So, I’m not sure what to do about that. If Owen ends up bored in his favorite subject, that’s not good, is it? Maybe he needs to skip ahead; I don’t know. When I was in first grade, the teacher met with my parents and suggested that I skip 2nd grade. My parents, in their infinite wisdom, declined this offer because I was too small. (Yeah…that’s always baffled me. I mean, I’m no line-backer, but I’m not freakishly tiny either.)

In a later conversation, Jennifer and I again bemoaned the constant trial that is the Education of Owen (a phraseology we often use to hearken THIS FILM – featuring another case of educational difficulty). Basically, we agreed that it’s tough to know what to do with a kid who excels in some areas, is right on target in other areas, and is behind in still other areas.

Friday, 02 September 2011

Once again, I feel like I’m on the eve of some very busy, stressful times.

We are moving in about a week. Well, we’ve kind of been moving for a week already, but next weekend is when we’re renting a truck and loading up the stuff that makes a place a home – beds, toiletries, clothes, and food.

But before that happens, Owen will be beginning first grade and I will be starting up another semester at Hamline.

I’m also being transferred to a new cube at my job. After over four years in the same cube – during which time absolutely everyone around me has come and gone – I will be packing up and relocating to building #3. It will be my fourth cube since being hired. It will also mean that, for the first time ever, I will have cubed in all three buildings here at my job.

Two weeks from now, Jennifer, Isla, and I are taking off for Atlanta, too, so there’s that to think about.

Fretting about all the activities coming up is very taxing. That’s why I enjoyed when a friend sent me a link to this video today:

Saturday, 03 September 2011
Today, my parents-in-law came over to our house and helped us get things ready for the big move in.
My father-in-law showed up with a bizarre torture device that can amputate vines from 10 feet away. This allowed me to prune the rose bushes that are growing up the side of our house. I like the look of plants growing on the home (and I know it helps with heating and cooling), but Jennifer and I wanted to trim them away from the windows so as to let in some light.
We also swapped out the wax ring on the upstairs toilet, which wasn’t nearly as satisfying as it sounds.
Then we ordered pizza.

Sunday, 04 September 2011
Today we spent the day at Jennifer’s uncle and aunt’s house in Forest Lake. Ostensibly, the event was a baby shower for the newest addition to the family, but the gift opening took up about 8 minutes of the 8 hours.
Speaking of the baby: she’s the daughter of my wife’s brother and his wife. She was born in late July – just before Isla’s first birthday. Today was my first time meeting her. It’s funny, I keep referring to her as Isla’s cousin. She is Isla’s cousin, of course, but she’s also Owen’s cousin, too. But, in my brain, it must seem like a little baby belongs with Isla, whereas my five year old nieces seem like they go with Owen even though they are just as much Isla’s cousins. Very confusing.
I talked with my other brother-in-law while at the shower today, too. I asked him for an update on Pop Fizz, which is some here’s-what’s-cool-today website and daily email that he has co-created. He said they are looking for more advertisers. So, you know, if you need to advertise your services, you might want to think of advertising with Pop Fizz. Or just sign up for their daily emails and help my brother-in-law earn a living.