aye, there's the rub

It seems paradoxical sometimes that he's so beautiful. But he is- both inside and out. I recommend the book The Boy Who Likes Windows for those interested in reading about a boy very similar to Dylan. The end isn't quite the same, but no child is exactly the same, afterall. Here is a link to more Oldham kid pictures. I tried e-mailing some, but I'm not sure if it worked. Anywho, here's the link. http://eshare.hpphoto.com/FilmStripHome.aspx?JobID=e9bdf9a7-1243-4a2c-b090-8489b7596abb&SKU=WalMart. Whoa, I din't know Wal-mart was involved. I just cut and pasted the link. Sorry, Vosse.

We didn't make to Stillwater. Sally was sick. The Record Exchange closed years ago. Sorry Dia, Ken died. The town has grown quite a bit. We will have to explore the new and improved Hastings another day.

Sarah made the most amazing chocolate cake. I know I'm not supposed to mention the d word, but when and if I know my number is up, that is the last taste I want in my mouth before leaving this life. Yeah, it's that good. I am writing this to make my official request known, just in case I forget.

Long embraces all around.

~g

sperm are single cells (dumbass)

I know shit about science. Caleb was trying to tell me today about cell reproduction and I had nothing to contribute to the conversation. He then proceeded to ask me about sperm and eggs and I misinformed him about haploids, diploids, and zygotes before telling him he should talk to Sarah. Later in the conversation, he told me he wanted to be like me. He said he wanted to dress like me, eat like me, and read the same books; he wanted to turn out like me. I know I should be flatered, excited, even- but I am not. I don't want that. I see him being so much more. I want to be like him.
I am glad to have these days off, to get things done, spend time with the kids, etc., but I am ready to get back to some level of normalcy. I do better with a schedule.
Tomorrow, we are off to see Sally in StilH2O and spend our Hsting's gift cards. Should be fun.
I saw the Wallace and Grommit movie today, at the $1 movies- it was really good. I am happy with the 2 movies I saw this holiday season. That's rare for me.
Alright, bonne nuit, mes amis. Je vous embrasse.
~g

les nouvelles photos

Here are some Christmas and zoo pix. The toy is a doggie doctor play-do set and it is sooo much fun. The other two kids at the zoo are my niece and nephew. I am showing off the new ultra-hip jean jacket (Mark is getting artsy with his pix, eh?)- and that is my lil sis w/ Dylan on her back @ the zoo... Enjoy.
~g

la vie

It has been a very nice break so far, and it is going by very fast. Mark starting de-Christmasing the house this morning, and I am kind of excited to move on and start thinking about 2006.
We went to the zoo yesterday, and the kids had a wonderful time. Most of the animals were out and seemed happy to have visitors. It was 75 deg, but very windy. I took many pix, but we can't figure out yet how to put them on the computer. Soon. very soon.
I saw the family Stone w/ ma mere et soeur on Monday, it was good. That night, we went to Lisa's for a little dinner thing and it was good to see Christine et son enfant. My guys love going chez Lisa's- they have the coolest shit. Ayway, it has been tres busy- but nice.
I am excited about getting the second half of this school year over with, so I can go to France and then move. I am ready to fix the house, get rid of 50% of our shit, sell the house and be ready to move. Even if I go to TU, we are selling the house, so we will be ready to move when necessary.
Well, alas- I need to do the dishes. That is one draw back of Mark's job, he is longer expected to wash all of the dishes. I know, it shouldn't have to be that way, but it was...
Me
XXX
ps this is the image mark used to make chloe and caleb's t-shirts...chloe's said "the arcade fire" and Caleb's said, "oh my God! the Pixies"

silent night

okay, so I am a little drunk on this Christmas night, but here I am just the same. Chloe took that pic. That is her hand. Sarah's friend, is about tio deploy to Iraq and I have to say I admire him. He doesn't 100% believe in the Bush administration, but he is a marine...and there , off he goes... It was a good Christmas for us at the Oldham household. We got a new digital camera- so be prepared for some pix. My family was as to be expected- not a word was mentioned of my law school aspirations...it was all about Heather's grad school choices. Oh well. It will hit 'em when the moving van shows up, eh? Well, good night.
~me

je vous aime

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5029368
Go to this link and click on second set: iron and wine. Then scroll the little thing until it's at about 31 minutes, 30 seconds. Then listen and enjoy. (the rest of the set is great- but there is a song I want you to hear)
me

you say it's my anniversary?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OKRYAN!!!

happy anniversary

I LOVE MY HAIRY MAN!!!

je pense donc...

Tonight I feel lucky, blessed, you might say. Tomorrow Mark and I will celebrate eleven years of marriage. I know what we have is rare. It's natural, sensual, and spiritual. Not to sound cliché, but we are soul mates. He is the most important person in my life. I would go on, but he would get annoyed... and then he would beat me.
I went to a funeral today. I have been dealing with death a lot lately. My grandmother, Dylan's case worker, and now a family friend. When I go to funerals, I always think about how I never want to put people through going to my funeral. They are so phony, so rehearsed. A catchy poem, a few verses, peppered with a few sappy songs. And voilà- your life in 30 minutes or less. It seems so cheap and unecessary. No one likes going to them and no one knows what to say. Take my organs and throw me a party. please. I want lots of dancing, eating, and drinking. It is a good excuse for people to get together. Someone will have to help Mark organize it, because he will expect me to do it, and I won't.
Tomorrow, Ryan will be 30. We can't trust him anymore. Now we can all play on the old people soccer league- and kick some ass. Have a good night. I wish I could get "Bridge Over Troubled Water" out of my head. They played it at the funeral today.
~g
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN

admire the simplicity

“Santa’s Tired Sleigh Day” by Chloe O.

Santa: Oh Miss Clause, I am so tired of my sleigh ride. Rudolph did a good time guiding my sleigh. Miss Clause, could you get me a cookie and some milk?
Miss Clause: Yes, I will honey.
Santa: Oh thank you, Miss Clause. Ho ho ho, check it yo.
Rudolph winks at Vixen.
The End

hark the herald...

We had our own very Merry Christmas special tonight chez Sarah. It was better than anything (except Charlie Brown) I've ever seen on TV. We decorated cookies, played games, and the kids watched Elf. Sarah made a yummy potato soup with some crusty bread. Sounds cozy, eh? Especially considering it's freaking cold outside. We also decided to send joint Christmas cards with all six kids and three dogs- but just to the bunko girls who send us cards with pictures of their kids. I never know what to do with those things. I can't through them away, but if I put them with the other pictures, I'll be like "Who the hell is this?" in a few years. Other Christmas cards can be recycled, or used as decoration- but not those. Oh well- so we are going to send them ours- with a simple "Merry Christmas from Sarah and Gretchen". So there.
I didn't mean to change my tone, I really had some good Christmas spirit flowing. Mark and I are going to try and finish up all of the shopping tomorrow. I need to find Chloe a "cool scarf" (her request) and a Pixie's t-shirt for Caleb. The rest is u-wear, socks, and candy(I think). Oh and Ryan's b.day, but I can't say what it is 'cause he might be reading this...
Did I mention that Sally got us a trash can, trash bags, 2 spirals (1 used), some pens, and 2 $50 gift cards to Hasting's? She wanted to be sure we would be coming to Stillwater soon. I am worried about telling her we are moving. Oh well, it's a cool (but strange) gift. Very Sally.
Good night, my friends. Big wet kisses all around.
~G

we are the herdman's

I really want to post about all the gross stuff that happens around my house, but I 'm not sure anyone except Ryan would enjoy it. I would love to tell you about Liam throwing up on his plate at lunch (bad gag reflexes) , and how he ate the "clean" part of his sandwich (I got him a new plate) or how I hacked up a heart shaped lugie this morning, or how Chloe says she "peed out her butt", but I don't want to gross anyone out. never mind Dylan licking his toe jam, or last night- when he put a bean bag in the rear of his diaper, then took it out and chewed on it. That would be wrong to write about such filth. Someone might call DHS if they knew Caleb went to stay the weekend with a friend and didn't brush his teeth from Friday to Monday. Gross. Alright, well guess I'm off to pick up the diaper my dog just chewed up. Then I'll light a candle so no one will notice the smell.
~g

thanks lisa

now hear this

Today at 1pm est. NPR's All Songs Considered will countdown the best music of 2005. Go to this site and vote for your favorites. Good clean fun.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5054194

feliz navidad

So far so good on this Friday morning. The last day of school before Christmas break. My classes are watching Christmas movies and bringing yummy treats, and everyone is in a good mood. I sent all 22 teacher gifts with my own children this morning.. a little Christmas bribe if you will.
To add to my bonheur, I received a nice Christmas greeting from Amélie par e-mail this morning, and the doll I had ordered for Chloe (that was on backorder) arrived at my mom's yesterday. Hastings sent me a message confirming that they had received my ap, and even gave me an account number to check my status. Not an admittance, but recognition is good.
Two days ago, I received a box of Godiva chocolates in the mail from a parent of one of the girls I took to France last summer. I love random acts of kindness.
Speaking of France, I met with parents on Tue. about next year's trip- it looks like I'll have 3 from Sapulpa. Which means 11 students total. I'm getting excited.
We have our teacher pot-luck luncheon today. It's bar-b-que. So, I am going to run home to make a salad (it's my planning period right now) so I'll have something to put on my plate. Have a very merry morning and a happy afternoon.
It is supposed to snow tonight.
Ciao.
~g

un cadeaux pour vous

Humanity i love you
by ee cummings

Humanity i love you
because you would rather black the boots of
success than enquire whose soul dangles from his
watch-chain which would be embarrassing for both
parties and because you unflinchingly applaud all
songs containing the words country home and
mother when sung at the old howard
Humanity i love you because
when you're hard up you pawn your
intelligence to buy a drink and when
you're flush pride keeps you from the pawn shops and
because you are continually committing
nuisances but more
especially in your own house
Humanity i love you because you are perpetually putting the secret of
life in your pants and forgetting
it's there and sitting downon it
and because you are forever making poems in the lap
of death Humanity
i hate you

j'aime jouer au football

You know, I really don't mind watching soccer. And I think I should learn Italian, just in case. It could come in handy. I like to be prepared.

visions of sugarplums

Here is the recipe for the yummy goodies I make every year for my kid's teachers, friends, and co-workers. I stole it from Sarah a few years ago, and never looked back. Tonight, Iwill make a double batch. I counted the people on my list, and Liam alone has 7 different teachers. I enjoy it, though and it is super easy and sooo tasty. Have a happy hump day.

Christmas Snow
3 cups Cheerios
6 cups Crispix
2 cups pretzels
1 # M&M's (red and green, of course!)
1 # white almond bark
Mix the cereals, pretzels and m&m's (last). Melt the white almond bark in the microwave, watching carefully so it won't burn. Mix the cereal mixture with the melted bark and spread on waxed paper or sil-pat until set. Break into small pieces and store in an airtight container. Enjoy.
~g

Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. -Nathaniel Hawthorne

holiday greetings from iraq

Merry f@#!ing Christmas America.

Love,

Mr. President

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,80320,00.html

http://www.moveon.org/

we so deck

Here are the other two more neglected, but just as photogenic, children of mine.They are from the parade pix. I just returned from a Christmas "dinner" at Mexicolindo with the Spanish and French clubs... I had 3 students show up. Poor dears, their time is so much more precious than mine, oh well. Avant ca, I was at a theatre board meeting. It is so hard for me not to blatantly doodle and stare off into space. But really, get a room full of theatre people together, and you have a lot of people who LOVE to hear themselves talk. I always feel like the kid in the room. I'm the one who eats the candy in the bowl in the center of the table. I make jokes, but other than that, I just try to look interested. I love being on the board, I just don't care for the meetings, I guess. One more reason to leave- I am the current president-elect... So next year, I would be president- which means I would run the meeting. Scary thought. I would never know when to get a second...Stress. Sent my 26 page Hastings ap today, hurray! We'll see what happens next- before August I hope. Alright- I'm off to do flash cards with Sarah. This is her finals week. Send her smart vibes. My music choice today- Elvis' Christmas Album. It's a classic. Has anyone seen Chronicles? I've heard good things. I am curious.
~g
PS The girl w/ Caleb is Emily- she's Ryan's wife. She is awesome and I hope she leaves me a comment.

party pix

Although some of these pictures may look as if they were taken at a funeral, we actually had a nice celebration last night at Simple Simon's pizza- celebrating the big 3-1 for el marco...

dance your cares away

So I am home again today. (Chloe is having tummy issues) I have a huge list of things to accomplish, and this wasn't one of them, but eh-oh well. I know I have mentioned this before, but Liam says the craziest things. I am considering writing a book on the subject, but I'm not sure I should profit like that from his disorder, so I'll just entertain my friends in the mean time. Yesterday morning- we are at the table and he says, "Mom, the monkeys are jumping." So I say, "Oh yeah?" and he responds, "Yep, monkeys like to jump." Outta nowhere. Then today, on the way to school, he yelled from the back of the van, "The moon is shaped like a circle, except when it's shaped like a cresent." Chloe felt she had to tell him about the various stages of the moon, but then he added, "...and roofs are triangles, except when they are trapazoids." To which Chloe also felt complelled to list other possible shapes of roofs. In fact, she is almost as random as he is. She wrote two plays this week, and told me that until I find her a play to be in, she guessed she'll have to keep writing her own parts. Never dull here- even without cable. Alright- to my list. Have a fatabulous day, mes amis. Je vous embrasse. Btw, I found a Fraggle Rock dvd for $3 in a bargain bin- and Chloe loves it. I can't help watching it with her- I am a sucker for those muppets.
~g

green christmas

“Two more weeks!” my kids yell as they ran in our room and jumped in the bed to wake us up this morning. “Oh, and happy birthday, dad.” they added as an afterthought. Poor Mark, every year his birthday gets lost in the craziness known as Christmastime. People are always asking, “Are you ready?” as if anticipating a hurricane to blow through Oklahoma. Do I have a choice? It makes me feel as if I should do more, buy more, cook more, and have more to wrap. Is there a list to check off?
#1 Go caroling with the kids…Nope, I would scare people
#2 Buy more presents than you can afford… Yes, I DO have a list for that one
#3 Bake and decorate cookies…hmm. I think I’ll let my mom get that one
#4 Drive around and look at lights… and waste gas?
#5 Give to the needy… well, I took 2 angels off the tree- maybe I should add them to #2. #6 Wrap…tried that and Dylan unwrapped, so that one will have to wait.
Did I miss something? I can see how people feel stressed and overwhelmed at this time each year. I’ve always loved Christmas, but as we are trying to simplify our lives, it seems especially difficult this time of year. So, I am making a conscious effort to make this year about making memories: spending time together doing the things that need to be done, and enjoying it. I’ve decided that if it’s not fun, and we can live without it, it doesn’t get done. For example, I am going to take the kids shopping with me to buy the toys for the kids from the angel tree. So that’s it. It took me way to long to figure out that the holidays don’t have to be so complicated. Then again, I have always been a late bloomer.
G

You say it's your birthday!?

Happy Birthday, Baby.
You'll get yours later... (or at least that's what Ryan told me)
love,
~g

n'importe quoi

Although I am still not well, I am in a good spirits. Maybe it's the Tylenol cold, but I feel all cozy inside. Snow is still on the ground and it is bitterly cold outside (-2), but my classroom is warm. My students are making holiday cards in French for teachers while we listen to Carla. I missed breakfast at home, but the cafeteria stayed open late, so I scored a plate of biscuits and gravy. (sans meat) I just sent my grades for the week, and now I get to finalize my Christmas list, pay some bills, and send my Hastings ap. (finally) Today, I am going to Tulsa to get Dylan's med. It's a special compound cream that we had to get through an apocathary shop. I hope it works. Then off to speech/occupational therapy and finally the store. Caleb has a show at 8 tonight and Mark will be at work, so I will brave the traffic and ice sans help. (Chloe, Dylan, and Liam aren't much help in the way of pushing the van, though it might be fun to try) It's another busy weekend ahead, especially with the new job. Mark's birthday is on Sunday, so I hope he's off. (hint hint Ryan) Sat., Liam has a friend's b.day party and he's sooo excited. I hope he's well. Poor kid, he has had so much trouble lately with his asthma. It scares me when he can't breathe. I think no matter how old he gets, I'll always be extra cautious with him. He will always be the one who almost died. Sat. night, I think we're going to the annual bunko Christmas party. yip-wee. I'll try to have a good attitude. And Sunday, we are all going to Caleb's show and celebrating the b.day boy apres. busy busy. I think I'll pay Brandi a visit tonight. But now, my tea is cold...
~g
ps i'll always love rothko
i wish i had antony here with me.

a window into my soul

After eleven years of marriage bliss, Mark and Gretchen finally found a common pastime. Secretly, Mark is thinking he hopes that Gretchen will enjoy the halter top he's knitting and Gretchen is wondering if Mark's hat will fit over his unusually large melon. After hours of knitting foreplay, they merge their efforts and create the longest scarf ever made. Then they wrestle in jello and call it a night. Ah, young love.

we got spirit, yes we do...

• No Jordans on the mantle...yet.

Antony is on Letterman tonight.

It's snowing...and Mark's wearing a red vest.

• Sarah- go map your plasmids.
• Recognize the art?
  ~g

six degrees of donald

Donald Trump keeps sneaking into my life. First of all, check out this story on the Apprentice.http://www.naar.org/news/render_pr.asp?intNewsItemID=330 .I'm sure the fact that the president of NBC's grandson is autistic did not influence the Donald at all... In unrelated news, I have been listening to Carla Bruni (who once dated the Donald) today in class, while I keep my students busy, as I have no voice with which to teach. We are meeting with Dylan's case worker today. I can't wait to see what services he gets. Here's hoping for free diapers and swim lessons! Here's a link to Carla...http://www.paroles.net/artis/2549
Ciao!
~g

eat my shorts

Church smurch. If truth be told, everything my kids learned about life is from the Simpsons. I have to go now, Chloe has written a play and I am the queen. Mark's a robot. On a side note, Caleb created a pooper-scooper from a plastic water bottle today. Dylan just opened all the presents under the tree, and Liam is wearing six shirts and singing "Feliz Navidad". Life is good. If I didn't have a rodent in my chest, it would be perfect.

White flag?

Here's a little something to make you smile. I think Liam and I are now going to take a nap. bises
G

Judge not lest ye be judged

Although I have several friends who claim to have all of the answers concerning religion I, my friend, do not. (gasp) I was raised by a very liberal southern Baptist (single) mother. I know the Bible pretty well. I believe in good and evil. I believe in people, and yes- I believe in God. That does not make me less smart or more gullible. I am open-minded. I feel those who claim to be accepting of others, yet who look down upon believers are not open-minded. (at all) I also feel this incredible burden of how much exposure my children should have. I want them to know the Bible. It is a major part of our (moi et Mark) families' histories. It's a major part of our culture. When children read literature, I want them to understand Biblical archetypes and imagery. The Old Man in the Sea without symbolism is just an old dude in the sea. Most importantly, I want them to appreciate the moral standards upon which most religions are based; do unto others, reap what you sew, etc. (without the guilt- aye there's the rub)

Personally, I enjoy the comfort and tradition of attending church. No, we don't expose them to Temples or a Synagogues. That's not what we believe. Most Jews and Buddhists don't hit all the Protestant and Catholic churches, either. People find what they are comfortable with. I know I'll never have all of the answers. For me, it's about learning. Seeking knowledge. Instilling compassion and discernment in my children through example. (whether it be through biblical stories or through our actions)

Sending my kids to church once a week serves purposes beyond religion. It is a time for them to see friends, play games, and get out of the house. What I don't understand is how and why people judge a parent's decision simply because they themselves don't like church? The church experience doesn't have to be negative. Occasionally, we attend the Presbyterian church in town. The people are very kind, the building is beautiful, and their music is very calming. It's similar to the feeling I get when I practice yoga and meditate.
Admittedly, I have problems with organized religion. Nevertheless, to say that we should avoid it completely is unfair and biased.

Peace be with you.
~g

j'ai froid, mais ca va

Listening to Sigur Ros, I feel colder than normal. My hands are nearly blue and this music takes me to a vast region in my head surrounded by snow. I'm standing in the cold. It's okay, though. A sense of calm rushes through me. Snow flakes are falling all around. It is so quiet, I can hear the snow flakes landing. Enormous flakes, like cotton balls from the sky. Some hang on my lashes. I am cold and alone, but I am not afraid. A sense of quiet peacefulness guides me through the cold. The world seems mysterious and magical. For the moment, I am the only person here. The purity of my surroundings is overwhelming I am breathless, but I continue. I am happy. I have found contentment. For the moment, I stop thinking about where I am going, and appreciate the journey. I have never been more at peace.

Come on Baby don't say a Word...

It was such a relief to unload the van at the goodwill drop-off tonight. After cleaning out my closet, the kids closets, and the kitchen cabinets, I needed it to be GONE (now). Slowly, little by little, we will get to the point where I will finally be comfortable with the level of crap in the house. maybe.
Tonight, I decided that my resume is incomplete. For there is no mention of my hair cutting skills (I gave 3 haircuts today), my short-order cooking abilities (i made 5 different dinners tonight) , or my get down and funky dancing talents (I'm ALWAYS tearing it up). Maybe, if I get in, (as a display of gratitude) I will offer to cut their hair, make them dinner, then proceed to cut a rug. Those are all imperative skills in the legal community, so I hear. (eh? LA law?)
2 MORE WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS BREAK! (was that too loud? sorry.)
There is a sign in town that reads, "Santa Claus is a myth. Jesus Christ is real." That makes me really angry. First of all, it's not true. Santa was a person (St. Nick and Kris Kringle existed) just as much as Jesus. Plus, my 6 year old daughter (who can read) strongly believes in the existance of Santa. She would be crushed to read that on a sign. Or, she would say, "They are getting coal in their stocking." ( I heard her tell that to a friend who questioned the existance of Santa) Anywho- it's wrong. Just like the little boy I saw pissing on his little sister in the Wal-mart parking lot yesterday. A demain, mes amis.
~G
Xo
PS I love Elliot. I hope he found peace. His tribute album is out. I also want the thumbsucker soundtrack. check it out. http://www.elliottsmith.com/

The land of the misfit toys

After seeing the boy with the Christmas colored mohawk hanging out of the mustang, Lloyd wiped a lone tear and thought to himself, "Jesus truly is the reason for the season. Thank God I live in the best place on earth, where camels, doon buggies, and sugarplum fairies can gather in one place to celebrate this magical time. God bless America."