Sorry to hear that, Cash. Damn.

I just feel terrible for Christopher. I came downstairs this morning and found our wedding album on the table. He was up late going through it. He's being all stoic, but I think he's pretty shaken.

Erin --

I take Seroquel as part of my regular meds and it's supposed to help me sleep but that sometimes depends on how keyed up am. After barely sleeping Saturday night and only taking a brief light nap on Sunday I figured that I'd sleep well last night (especially after I got all emotional yesterday). I took Benedryl as an extra measure, went to bed at 9 (with a headache) and the last time I looked at my alarm clock it was midnight. So I'm working on empty today as well.

I was taking Ambien at one point, but I stopped taking it for several reasons. I started taking half a pill (don't know the dosage) and ended up taking 1 1/2 -2 and still had trouble falling asleep. I tried Trazadone, but that screwed up my vision slightly. I don't want to take another med, especially not one that will be expensive as Ambien -- it will push my monthly copays closer $130 (for three meds) , and while I realize that's not a lot compared to what some people pay I really don't want to pay that.

My big problem is falling asleep - once I'm asleep, but I've been like that since I was a child.

Deena -- your kids are such cutieheads!

I did nothing for Easter. Dad was very tired and said that his "I'm fine! I can do most things!" attitude for the first week after his heart attack caught up with him and wiped him out. So we got take in and watched Sharpe's Regiment. However, when I got back to Dad's around 8 ish he was gone and didn't get back until 10 ish. Which means he's being stubborn.

Cahs, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

askye, I'm glad your dad is okay, if tired. I think the body is smarter than the brain a lot of times (and almost always smarter than the ego). I'm glad he's started listening to it.

I just feel terrible for Christopher. I came downstairs this morning and found our wedding album on the table. He was up late going through it. He's being all stoic, but I think he's pretty shaken.

Poor Christopher. I can't even imagine. This is going to sound like I'm taking the piss, but I'm not. Sex is a great antidote to death.

(As far as I know, sex is not a great anecdote to death, as I originally typed, but a case could be made...)

...

Long story, X-posted in Natter: Topic!Cindy "Natter 34: To Be Named Later" Mar 28, 2005 5:59:18 am PST

QUESTION for teachers:

Ben starts State-mandated standardized testing, tomorrow. It's the sort of standardized testing which counts (in the higher grades--he's only in third) for/against the student, teachers, and school districts.

He'll be tested on reading. He's a good reader, and has done well on the objective questions in practice exercises. He understands the open-ended essay questions, but is loath to provide detail on his, even when it is asked for. Talking to him has made it clear to me that he knows, understands, and retains the detail. It's just not his nature to give it voluntarily. He just doesn't respect it. Maybe I took home the wrong baby.

Can you recommended any strategies or have any advice for me, or advice I can pass to him? He's mostly an A student. He's bright. He loves school. The errors he makes are almost ALWAYS because he glosses over directions, or is rushing, and makes the school work equivalent of a typo. Maybe I took home the right baby, after all.

Anyhow, what do you have?

Cash, much peace and strength to your friend's family, to Chris and to you. That's a terrible thing.

We're on our way to the Museum of Natural History to meet Flea and family. I'm sure there will be more pictures after this. We're running late, as usual. Later!

Not a teacher Cindy, but I'll give my thoughts anyway. State mandated testing has become a huge stressful event for students and teachers here. A crazy amount of time is devoted to test taking skills and preparation for these tests. At least 5 entire weeks Bobby had no homework so that the children could focus on either the practice or real testing. The teachers are frustrated with the lack of time to teach required curriculum, and zero time for anything enriching.

Like anything else the students, including my boys, do better on these tests with practice. The test taking tips and tricks that apply to SAT tests are pretty much the same tips for the younger kids. Look for the tricky almost right answer. Read all the answers, etc.

Also, I feel your pain. Kids shouldn't have to stress over these things. There is plenty of stress later in life.

Cindy, Ben is me. Try to impress upon him that he should read the directions at LEAST twice. As for his writing, I'll be willing to bet that his bare-bones style is more effective than adding flowery detail. *shrug* I hate standardized testing because I think it does a great disservice to individual style when it comes to writing. Tell him I said good luck.

Deena, the Natural History Museum sounds wonderful. Taking note of it for a future trip up there.

Boy's taking a nap and I gorged on a GIGANTIC (I'm not exaggerating, it's 6 in. in diameter) sugar cookie we bought at a local bakery in DH's home town.

I have some pictures from this weekend.

[link]

Nothing exciting happended, there are just pictures because I felt like taking pictures. Leif drank some purfume, scaled our wooden fence and went into the neighbor's yard, and dumped a bunch of mud on his head, so it was a pretty ordinary day.

Gud's kids are ADORABLE. And now I want a popsicle. I hope you're happy.

And now I want a popsicle. I hope you're happy.

My evil plan has worked. Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha hee hee.