Back when GIRL was almost 4 years old, she suddenly developed a fear of Pinocchio. In her imagination, he could be anywhere. In her room. The hallway. Around the corner...
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Back when GIRL was almost 4 years old, she suddenly developed a fear of Pinocchio. In her imagination, he could be anywhere. In her room. The hallway. Around the corner...
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:10 PM
3
left their flourish
When all the pie comes to settle in the mid-section, it is to be noted that JCK reached for a bit of Pie in the Sky illusions this month. JCK appears to often set her sights a bit too high. Without the fun of actually being high. The eighties are gone. *sigh* Somehow in her dreamy little mind JCK imagined that this month of NaBloPoMo would accelerate her writing. Indeed...not.
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Notations by
JCK
at
7:56 PM
5
left their flourish
Labels: Miscellaneous, NaBloPoMo
The small moments are really the big ones. If you are lucky, you see them... They catch your breath and slow you down, capturing an imprint deep within your heart. It feels as if my children are on the cusp of being much older. Morphing before my very eyes.
GIRL wants to be a Kindergarten teacher. BOY, a Lego Designer. I wish for them to follow their dreams...
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Notations by
JCK
at
9:07 PM
3
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Labels: Family Life, NaBloPoMo
Notations by
JCK
at
6:00 PM
4
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Labels: NaBloPoMo
A friend of mine recently decided to participate in a community delivery of fresh organic produce. Every week you get a box of something in season. A huge box. So big that she offered to share some of it with us each week. She's lovely, my friend. One of the most generous women I know.
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Notations by
JCK
at
9:26 PM
5
left their flourish
Labels: Minutia of everyday life, NaBloPoMo

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Notations by
JCK
at
8:45 PM
3
left their flourish
Labels: NaBloPoMo
My son is blessed with a vivid imagination. This is both a blessing and a curse. He can create elaborate tales that weave in and out and go on and on AND ON...until you are not sure where the story begins and ends. And, sometimes I'm not sure he does either.
He struggles with writing. At first it was because he couldn't actually do it. Now he just doesn't like it. Someday I hope he decides to write down the stories that enter his brain somewhere left of outer space and beyond.
BOY finds the tales of ordinary school days too pallid for consumption. He likes to pad them a bit.
Yesterday he announced that they did an experiment to see how fast liquid travels down the esophagus.
55 miles an hour, Mom. FIFTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ESOPHAGUS!
Really....
Yes, Mom.
That sounds really interesting, BOY. I wonder how they figured out how fast liquid travels down the esophagus.
Well, first Miss C put gauges down our throat. Testers. And, then we drank the liquid and it was FIFTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ESOPHAGUS.
Really?
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:38 PM
4
left their flourish
Labels: BOY, NaBloPoMo, What children say
It's been JCK's personal experience that dentists tend to be a bit nerdy, dare she say...Goofy. As in the Disney character. For a while JCK had a dentist in Beverly Hills. He was very wooden in form, with big white teeth. But, still nerdy and goofy.
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:14 PM
6
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Halloween was a little different this year. JCK's husband was away, and JCK had to make all the important CANDY DECISIONS. You know the ones. How much candy do you allow your 6 year old children to eat on Halloween? How much after that, and... what do you do with the leftovers? A candy haul that screams of American Excess.
In past years, BOY & GIRL were allowed to eat the same number of candies as their age. Then last year, JCK was introduced to the concept of the Candy Fairy. Basically how it works is that your children eat some candy on Halloween, pick out a few pieces to save, and leave the rest to be picked up that night...while they are asleep, by the Candy Fairy. In exchange for the candy, the fairy leaves a small toy.
Why not? Too much candy, and the Candy Fairy takes it away. Saving young children's teeth and the ripening waists of their parents. All is well!
This year JCK considered her options. And surprisingly, the Candy Fairy didn't sit well with her. JCK started thinking about it, and decided she didn't want to have yet another time when fairies were flying into her home space. And, toys mysteriously turning up for her children who don't really need another toy. Especially not from a fairy who glorifies candy. JCK pondered... just what kind of relationship must this Candy Fairy have with the Tooth Fairy. Surely, they must battle each other to the death. Teeth or candy? CANDY OR TEETH?
Lest you think JCK was over thinking this a bit...well, she was. And, then she made a decision. JCK kicked the Candy Fairy to the Curb.
Instead, JCK decided to talk to her children. Explain that she thought they were old enough to decide how much candy they wanted to eat that night. But, to remember two things. If it looked like they needed help with that decision, JCK would step in. And...too much candy can make you throw up. Always good to throw in a little dramatic visual for good measure.
And, so... BOY & GIRL ate some candy. And some more. GIRL carefully chose each one, savoring every bite, and lining up the next choice. BOY figured that if he was allowed to decide how much candy he was going to eat, he would try everything. And, he did. Like a true candy aficionado, BOY took one bite of each one, and moved on. GIRL stopped on her own after several pieces. BOY needed a couple of prompts to wind down. Total consumption? Not extreme. And, then they were done. Teeth brushed, ready for bed.
Today, they had one piece of candy after dinner. And, have not asked where JCK has hidden the great stash. Fortunately, some of that stash has been devoured by JCK. It goes well with a little whiskey on a November evening...
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JCK is participating in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month), writing 30 blog posts in 30 days.
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:59 PM
11
left their flourish
Labels: NaBloPoMo
The abode where JCK resides might well have become known as The House of Farts had there been any witnesses outside JCK's own tribe. Tremendously fumy farts. Casa Fartus de Motherscribe it should be called. Tis' true. Imagine if you will, 3 flatulence bearers. BOY gets a pass as his odorous phase has now ...well, passed. With 3 other rootin tootin TOOTERS to take his place. The plague has thrown open the door and left, but his black cape tails are trailing behind breaking much wind. My GOD, the aroma. Perhaps best if social engagements are cancelled for another day.
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:56 PM
13
left their flourish
I so wish my ending pieces on NaBloPoMo could be on a high note, but as of this morning I woke up with the flu.
And now E is getting the stomach flu.
GIRL threw up in the car on the way home last night. She has appeared to have bounced back. Aah....youth. And I'm glad as I can barely take care of myself at this point.
Here's to healthier days. The flu bug just won't let Casa de Motherscribe alone...
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Notations by
JCK
at
5:00 PM
13
left their flourish
Labels: NaBloPoMo
In which she would love to yell FUCK, but it appears unseemly due to Thanksgiving being tomorrow. Nothing really VALID to yell FUCK about, but it would feel good. Yes. It. Would.
Diarrhea. Not mine. Yet. But, poor little GIRL. Although...you'd never know there was something wrong by the way she's been today - other than taking a 2 hour nap this afternoon.Can we say it again? FUCK. Let's hope that's all there is and it's done by tomorrow. So far, very minor. But, there IS the night to get through.
Today I built a Lego bulldozer with my son, took my daughter to ballet and have been making cornbread stuffing tonight. I've based it on a recipe, but have thrown in my own pizazz. If it's good tomorrow, I'll share the recipe in a post.
For now...I'm off to bed, once again hearing the rain on the roof, but too tired to read.
NaBloPoMo. Driving JCK to write poorly at best because she's such a friggin' goody two shoes...
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Notations by
JCK
at
9:59 PM
8
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One of my very favorite things is curling up in bed with a good book, snuggled under the covers and listening to the thrum of rain on the roof. It's been too long since I did that.
I've been off the computer for the last two days, except for a quick catch-up on email at the end of the day and my dutiful posting for NaBloPoMo. Next year...remind me not to do this again. It is a great goal, to post every day for 30 days, but man...is it grueling. I miss, most of all, having time to read all the wonderfully talented bloggers who are out there.
I've got posts coming up about my latest foray into becoming Betty Crocker, the wonderful tips I got on managing meals, and yes...I've got a post about raising girls in today's society brewing. So...stay tuned.
For now, I'm off to read a book... the rain is coming down and my bed is calling to me. California dew...indeed.
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Notations by
JCK
at
9:39 PM
6
left their flourish
Labels: Letting go, Miscellaneous, NaBloPoMo
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Notations by
JCK
at
7:52 PM
14
left their flourish
Labels: marriage, NaBloPoMo, relationship issues
Looking at the jubilant crowd in Chicago last night was truly awe inspiring. The number of young people participating was incredible. Never in my lifetime have I seen something like this, and I have never been prouder to be an American.
Today dawned a new day. A day in which we look ahead to the inauguration of our first African American President of the United States of America. The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly.
Barack Obama is the future and I hope he’ll be a great President. He’s got an incredibly challenging job to do, but his willingness to seek advice and his openness to hear others will serve him well.
Our children have been born into an historic time. A time of change in a world that appeared stagnant. A time of hope when we had become hopeless.
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Notations by
JCK
at
8:46 PM
16
left their flourish
Labels: Glorious moments in time, Hope, NaBloPoMo, Politics
I was so exhilarated, but then... I looked over and he
was gone. And I was left with this memory... Him. Emerging from the sea, shirtless. Water dripping down his long torso, hair flung back, azure blue eyes crinkling up from the sun. And that smile...or was it a smirk? I still don't know. I will have to wait 6 long months before seeing him again. A bloody difficult thing to do when you're a stay-at-home mom, and don't get out much. Halloween comes once a year, but that kind of candy...well, it was weekly and it was good. 13 weeks of candy for this Mamacita. 13 weeks of Lost. Of. Delish. Worth waiting for
. He was.
Until 4 weeks ago...
When Candy for the Mamacita became Candy for Big Girls. Ahhh HonUH.. You got it! Candy for Big Girls. A new man is in town and I will never be the same. His name is Sam.... *SIGH* 
SAM, I AM!!! He looks good in leather.
And he's Irish...in real life. He shows up late, after the kids have gone to bed. He's not
particular about what I'm wearing, just that I am there. And I am...baby, oh yeah. If this is Life on Mars...where's the launch pad?
It's good to have a variety of delights, no?| Tweet |
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Notations by
JCK
at
9:00 PM
17
left their flourish
Labels: alleged boyfriends, Miscellaneous, NaBloPoMo
I come from a long line of artists. Painters, on my mother's side. My grandfather was an artist, as was his mother, and two of his daughters - my aunts. (My cousin, Charles Reid, drew the header for my blog above. Pen & ink first, and then he added color and digitized it.) Although my mother is not an artist, she has a gift of perceiving skin tones and seeing the nuances and variances in color. There is no blue, green, red or orange. She sees magenta and crimson...scarlet lake and blue geranium. My sister has inherited the family gift. Her eldest son appears to have the gift as well, which brings it to 5 generations. That I know of.
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Notations by
JCK
at
6:12 PM
20
left their flourish
Labels: Infertility, NaBloPoMo, painting
Today is the first day of NaBloPoMo 2008. NaBloPoMo stands for National Blog Posting Month. The goal is to blog every day for the month of November. 2007 was my first year participating in NaBloPoMo. It is a wonderful way to find out about other bloggers, introduce them to your blog, and challenge yourself to complete the goal of 30 blog posts in 30 days. Today is the last day to participate, so go on over and sign up!
For those of you who are new to Motherscribe, last year I told the story of how my husband E and I became parents. After years of infertility, we were blessed to adopt our son, BOY, and several weeks later I found out that I was pregnant at 42. Enter GIRL... They are 10 months apart in age, if you round it up... At the present time, they are both 4 years old. I am a stay-at-home mom.
One of my favorite bloggers, whom I met through NaBloPoMo 2007, is the delightfully witty ...Mrs. G of Derfwad Manor. Once you read a post of Mrs. G's, you will be hooked for life. There is no substitute for your fix of Mrs. G. A few months ago, she had the creative idea of giving her readers an opportunity to leave questions in the comments section of her blog. This month, I would like to borrow her idea, plus add a dash of something else.
If you have any questions for Motherscribe, please leave them in the comments. I will write a post answering your question.
I want to challenge myself to write about things that I don't necessarily write about, so if you have any topics that you'd like me to try, please don't hesitate to put it in the comments.
You can also leave a sentence trailing off... and I will finish it with a post around that.
There are no rules other than that I will honor the privacy of my children and husband.
So, please, leave me your thoughts, ideas, questions and...whatever else you like, and I will attempt to write about it.
If you have a blog, I will link you in the post. If you don't have a blog, please still feel free to participate!
We've got 29 days left in the month. It's NaBloPoMo 2008, what would you like me to write about?
Note: Please let me know if you are participating in NaBloPoMo this year and I will come by and support you as well!
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Notations by
JCK
at
1:42 PM
23
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Labels: NaBloPoMo
GIRL made her appearance on a September evening in 2004. She was 10 days late. I pushed her out in 12 1/2 minutes. It was the day after my 43rd birthday. I missed having two children at 42 years old by 1 day. Our children are 9 months and 27 days apart. We like to round it up to 10 months so that it seems a little saner.
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Notations by
JCK
at
2:03 PM
17
left their flourish
Labels: adoption, Family Life, Glorious moments in time, Infertility, NaBloPoMo, pregnancy
Late January 2004
BOY is doing great! It's been a couple of weeks since his cleft lip surgery. He sailed through it. The hardest part was handing him to the nurse and watching her walk away ...down the hall, holding our BOY and hearing him screaming for us. The surgery took several hours. When it was done, the nurse came and got us and we were in the recovery room just as he was waking up. He was thrashing around, confused with all the wires and tubes attached to him. I had a bottle handy and he guzzled it per his usual style. The surgeon told us that they used to do tube feeding and not let the babies use their bottles or nurse right away, but they found that the stress on the baby and the crying was far worse on the healing process. The first night was hard. He was really hurting. And the pain medication seemed to bother him. But, after that it has been fine. The surgeon saw him last week and may want to do another surgery as the lip is pulling up a bit. We think he looks perfect. But, then we did before the surgery. He is our little treasure. Our long awaited child. Our miracle.
I am so...exhausted. I'm up with BOY every 2-3 hours, joyfully for the most part, but I feel tired much of the day. I'm sure it is the combination of having a newborn and also the stress of his having to go through surgery at 7 weeks old. Our birthmother, T, signed the final papers yesterday! The birthfather signed his papers a couple of weeks ago. We only await the court finalization in 6 months, but it is done. We are the legal parents of this amazing, adorable and lovable baby. But, most importantly, he became a child of our heart the night he was born and placed in our arms. We are his forever family.
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Notations by
JCK
at
2:24 PM
14
left their flourish
Labels: cleft lip, Infertility, NaBloPoMo, pregnancy