Monday, September 14, 2009

Plumbed



When your counter guy says he will install the sink, he doesn't mean the faucets, but you can do that and connect the disposal, and the hot water heater and the drains. And it will be done well with help from the ten year old.

Except for one big snag. Removing the part from it's package. Not with a tool, not with a wrench, not even in a vice, no way.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Poisoned Potatoes Ruin my Day, One More Way

Poison in my potatoes? There I was, fist deep in my bag of Lays, in mid chomp and suddenly, shockingly, a rumor surfed by my internet stream.

Acrylamide, a cancer causing agent is 500 times stronger in potato chips and french fries? The United Nations FAO and WHO (World Health Org.) have issued warnings since 2002 about acrylamide in foods that are cooked at extreme heats, especially potatoes, and finally the FDA are issuing their report in October.

The studies from America will then be official and if my favorite chips and fries so show 500 times more acrylamide (the cancer chemical) you can bet that I'll have to add it to my big long list of NO's for me and my kids.

Picture me gobbling fries and chips 24/7 this month, just in case.

...and I was hoping that LA's attorney general's suit was just California freaking out again.
Sounds like we should all be a little freaked.

http://www.acrylamide.org

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

SNOORRRReeeeee

I'm writing an interactive discussion about homework for the fifth graders today and for it I just researched sleep.

Did you know giraffe's sleep the least of all mammals? 10 minutes to 2 hours in every 24 hour period.

Did you know children 9-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep. That means Aidan needs to go to sleep by 8 p.m. at night. Does he ever get that much? No! Did you know sleep depriv. causes ADHD, insomnia, risk for greater injury from small accidents, night terrors, binge eating.

SHOCK!!! I KNOW! Great studies online...

Did you know teens need 9.5 hours. Do you know 85% of teens are operating each day under the terms pathological exhaustion which means their sleep patterns (REM vs NREM) mimic that of narcaleptics?

So in honor of this study, I'm napping.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Anonymity is Underrated

I missed a call in Walmart today... didn't know who it was, unknown number, unknown area code. I hit redial. The anonymous person answered and said, "Just wanted to let you know the official birthtime was 8:08, and he has beautiful red hair. Everybody is doing great." I still didn't know who it was. There was a long pause, then he went on... "his name is Nathan David"... another long pause.


Then I opened my mouth and removed all doubt that I am an idiot.

What can I say? Dave talked to his brother last night and got the date for the scheduled c-section! I didn't know it was today!!!

Oh well, nice... It's a boy. 8-2 and 21 inches and I'm sure he's beautiful.

And I'm not at all confused

A Worrisome Thump

           What is that noise?             I’m jarred awake by a noise in the dark. Down the hallway—a bump or a thump. My action thriller b...