Yes, it’s another post about Harry Potter. Get over it.

I was talking to some folks at the Workplace the other day about the most recent Harry Potter book. Turns out, several of them immediately read the epilogue and then started reading the beginning of the book. This absolutely floors me. I honestly cannot comprehend “ruining” a book by reading it that way. But I guess I’m just weird like that.

Anyhow, I’ve also talked to a couple of people who just don’t get the whole “Harry Potter thing.” They’ve maybe read the first book or saw one of the movies and it just wasn’t their thing. I can relate. There have been books and movies that didn’t take my fancy. I actually hated the first Lord of the Rings movie. I thought it was too long and the ending pissed me off. I ended up seeing and enjoying the remaining two movies, though.

My take on the Potter phenomenon may be unique, but I’ll bore you with it share it with you nonetheless. I didn’t find the books to be terribly well written or extraordinary in any way. I just liked the story. I liked that it engaged my imagination and took me places I’d never heard of before. When I read a series of books, I become involved with the characters. Emotionally involved. If a book and it’s characters are truly brought to life by the author, I care about them. When a series ends, it’s like I’ve lost friends. Dear God, doesn’t that sound like the most pathetic thing ever? But you know what? I’m not deleting it. It’s true. That’s why I’m such an avid reader. I get swept away with a good book. No TV show or movie has ever done that for me. But, I’m not about to dress up in my Gryffindor robes and start shouting “Expecto Patronum!” on my front yawn. They’re stories. Not real life. Although, it would be wicked cool to be able to do some of that stuff. Personally, I’d really like to be able to shoot laser beams out my eyeballs and vaporize the retards other drivers on my daily commute. But, again, that’s just me.

I’ve also heard some people say that they have fundamental beliefs that don’t allow them to read the books. The one I hear more often than others is “I don’t believe in witchcraft. It’s evil.” First of all, that’s a contradiction. How can you tell me you don’t believe in something and then proceed to assign it a moral value? Then, there’s the issue of fantasy versus reality. Entertainment has been made up of fantasy for hundreds of years. Reality TV is a fairly recent advent. Most of us want to be transported out of our humdrum daily lives by entertainment. Movies, TV, radio programs… they’re all fantasy designed to take our minds off the bills, the kids, the car repairs, etc, for brief period of time. Secondly, these books are about the age-old story of Good vs. Evil. I’ll give you hint – Good wins most of the time, but not without collateral damage. Kinda like life, I guess. I honestly don’t get the mind set of parents who forbid their children to read the series. Do they honestly think they can “protect” their children from everything in the world that may clash with their beliefs? And, let’s face it, the more fundamentalist you are, the more things are going to clash. Isn’t it better to let you child either, A. decide what they believe for themselves, or B. expose them to things like fantasy books and let their imagination run wild being careful to explain how your beliefs fit in there? Growing up, my parents let me read anything I wanted, short of erotic material. When I was 16, we moved to St Louis and the first week we were there, I went to the library to get a card. Unbeknownst to me, their policy was to issue a “children’s card” to anyone under 18. This meant that I was only allowed to check out books that the library had deemed as appropriate for a child. Fairly shortly after getting my card, I tried to check out Imajica, by Clive Barker. DE. NIED. And the librarian was not budging. She explained to me about the children’s cards and directed me to the “teen” section to find a more suitable book. So, I took my indignant ass home and told my mom what happened. She drove me back to the library and proceeded to explain to the librarian that she was, in fact, my parent and she was responsible for deciding what I was allowed to read. She went on to explain that I was currently allowed to read any book in the library that I wanted to. She requested that I be issued a new “adult” library card immediately. Which, of course, I was. I checked out my book and loved every word of it. Clive Barker is still one of my favorite authors.

I will be that kind of parent to Maddie. I consider it my job to instill good morals and values in her that cannot easily be dissuaded by a book about a magic school and kids who fly on broomsticks. I want her to be able to read a book, or watch a movie and still be secure in her beliefs. There will be times when something she reads or watches may force her to question her beliefs. I know this and welcome it. She’ll be challenged every day to stand for what she believes and she’ll need all the practice she can get.

What’s love got to do with it?

So, here I am, thinking Maddie’s got a cold. I sent her to the babysitter’s yesterday and went to work. Last night, she was miserable. Crusty-eyed, puffy-faced and pissed. I took her to the pediatrician this morning and it turns out her “cold” is really a sinus, ear and double eye infection. Three prescriptions worth of sickness.

I feel terrible. If I had taken her to he doctor when she first got sick, she’d be almost better by now. Just when I think I’m getting the hang of this parenting thing, life pulls an Ike Turner and bitch slaps me right across the mouth.

Dorkness Confirmed

Gerald and I saw Order of the Phoenix while my dad and his wife watched Maddie. Is it just me, or did anyone else think Daniel Radcliffe is turning into quite the little hottie? And I hear he’s legal now. Of course, I heard this from my husband, so that kinda put a damper on the news, you know?

I was pretty happy with the movie, in general. I mean, they left out an awful lot, but what can you do? I sort of feel sorry for the people that haven’t read the books and are only seeing the movies. They’re missing out on a lot more story.

Speaking of stories, I finished Deathly Hallows last night about 11:00. My dorkness was confirmed by the tears I shed. I was very happy with the book and the ending. Good on you, J.K.

Maddie seems to be on the mend. She’s still a little congested and has a bit of a cough, but she’s not acting sick at all. A little sleepier than usual, but that’s all. Today, I was supposed to take her to have her portrait taken, but I thought it might be best to wait until this weekend when she’s back to her old self. So, we took a trip to Target today, instead. Nothing exciting, but it was nice to get out of the house with her. She’s interested in the things she sees, now, so shopping trips are a bit more fun than they used to be.

I may be 10 steps behind you other moms and dads out there, but I discovered something that may prove helpful to you. I’ve had a problem with Maddie’s bibs ruining things in the laundry. The velcro doesn’t stay together in the washer or the dryer and the tabs end up stuck to other clothing items. They’ve ruined some lace edges, three pairs of tights and some ribbon trim. Well, I finally got a clue and bought a mesh lingerie bag. Now, I put all of Maddie’s bibs in the bag when I do her laundry. The tabs still come apart, but they only stick the inside of the bag. And at $.97 a bag, I don’t care if I have to replace them. Pretty nifty, huh?

Only four more weeks left at the Workplace. I’m getting very excited. I’m going to get to be home with Maddie just as she’s starting to hit some major milestones. Crawling, pulling up, cruising and walking. Not to mention talking! Oh – on the “mama” front…. It’s a no. She’s stopped saying it entirely and has gone back to blowing raspberries as her favorite form of communication. She still babbles, but no more “mama.” I’m not worried, though. I know it’s coming sooner or later.

Check out the suspicion here. Like I’m offering her a nice, cold glass of anti-freeze.

Yes, I am a dork

Today’s the day. Will Harry die? Will we find out where Snape’s loyalty truly lies? Will Ron and Hermione get together? Will Harry FINALLY be able to tell off the Dursleys?

Instead of sitting at home, anxiously awaiting the delivery of my Amazon box, I will be at the movies. Seeing, you guessed it, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Perhaps when we get home, there will be a box waiting for me.

When the sixth book was released, I read it straight through in five or six hours. This time around, I have a baby. Not only a baby, but a sick baby. Something tells me it’s going to be more than five or six hours before I get this one finished. Therefore, I’m avoiding all news sites, news channels or anyone else talking about the book. I do not want spoilers. I will not be turning to the last page first to find out Harry’s fate. I want the pleasure of reading the book from start to finish not knowing what’s going to happen.

I hope those of you out there who are anxiously awaiting your own box, or who might already be reading your copy, have a great time on this last adventure with the Hogwarts gang.

Misery

Maddie has a cold. Therefore, last night was filled with misery for everyone in our house.

Today is filled with sneezes, watery eyes, runny noses and drool. It is not a pretty picture.

Please, try to enjoy your snot-free weekend. Don’t give a second thought to those of us that are suffering so mightily. *cough cough*

Six Months

My Dear Maddie,

Excited. Also, Conflicted

One month from today will be my last day at the Workplace. I’m very excited, as you can see from the way I’m counting down the days. But, there is a whole slew of other things I’m feeling about this change.

First, there’s the inevitable worry. Are we making the right decision for our family? Will Gerald resent having to work so hard while I’m home with Maddie? (Which looks easier than working outside the home to people who have never done it.) Will we be able to pay the bills? A person could drown in all the worries, and that’s pretty much expected with this type of decision. I mean, I expected these worries, at least.

What I was totally unprepared for was the feeling of left-outedness. (Yes, I just made that word up right now.) One of my best friends is in medical school and she was telling me about her new rotations the other day and all I could think about was the enormous step back I’m taking. Which is weird, because I’ve never really been career minded. Sure, I work and I’m good at what I do and I get raises and promotions, but I’m pretty much working to pay for my life. Not out of some desire to fulfill myself. Work doesn’t do that for me. I don’t identify myself as my job. So, why the sudden sadness about not having one? Am I afraid that people will look down on my decision to stay home with Maddie? Will they think I’m just lazy and will sit around blogging while Maddie cries for attention? I mean, um, will people call me “unemployed” simply because I work 24/7 for no paycheck? Do I care what other people think? Yeah, I do. Not so much that I’m going to let it stop me from doing what’s best for my daughter, but I do care. I don’t want to be looked down upon. I don’t think any of us does.

Two of my other very good friends just left our Workplace for a new Workplace. Together. So, I’m also jealous of them starting out on a new journey together while I watch from the sidelines. I’d love to be in there with them, if only I could bring Maddie with me.

And then there’s the fear of no friends. I make almost all my friends at the Workplace. I even stay friends with most of them after one of us has moved on. But now how will I make friends? What if I go crazy from loneliness? What if the other moms at the playground don’t like me? What if they make fun of me because I’m fat? What if they won’t let their kids play with Maddie? It’s like junior high all over again, people!

So, there you have it. I’m betting you’re pretty sorry you asked, aren’tcha?

PS – Gratuitous baby por vouz.

Maybe a milestone. I’m not sure.

I think Maddie is saying “mama.” I mean, she’s saying it, but I think she might be calling me “mama.” I’m not sure, though.

She’s only done it few times, but she looks right at me at smiles and says “mama.” Not the older version that was “mamamamamamamamamama,” either. Just two little ma’s.

I’ll be experimenting to see if she calls Gerald mama, too. Last night, while he was getting her undressed for her bath, he asked her if she was ready to go see mama. She replied, “mama.” I don’t know if she was mimicking him, addressing him, or answering.

I’ll keep you posted, dear readers.

In the meantime, look at these letters my mother-in-law made for Maddie. She decoupaged them and I added pink ribbon with which to hang them. I used thumbtacks to hang them, so I can move them without pounding a hundred nail holes in the wall. (That part was Gerald’s idea. I would have totally pounded a hundred nail holes in the wall if left to my own devices.)

Here they are on the kitchen counter before I hung them.

Here they are on the wall. Pretty, huh?

Sippy Cup Help Required

Since Maddie will be six months (six??!!) old next week, I’m considering offering her a sippy cup with some juice with her meals. Can you recommend a good brand?

I know, I know

I should be blogging substantial things. But you, know what? I don’t feel like it. Sure, there are plenty of things to blog about; like our weekend trip or how I’m feeling about the sahm thing (in a word: conflicted) or how work is beating my ass with a hard stick, but nah. I’m just not in a blogging mood right now.

So, consider this a short hiatus until I get my act together.