less than a week

Saturday morning I teach my first lactation class. I'm still working on my certification, but I feel confident in my knowledge. So, how to stay on track while teaching for 3 straight hours. I've been honing my powerpoint. The other interesting question is how I will do promoting this extremely healthy and normal method of feeding babies in mixed company.

Our society is one that is so full of sexual images. Women are definitely beautiful, but the emphasis on the female anatomy as sexual makes it a challenge for some folks to see that the female breast was created to feed her infant. I've always been modest, but I was also raised in a home where we were free to talk about our questions. I hope that makes for just the right mix for teaching this class.

One of the biggest roadblocks I see to women and breastfeeding is our individualistic society. I have actually heard several people in the last week mention this aspect of our society negatively...which was interesting. I see many women are anxious to be separated from thier children. Parenthood is indeed a shock to the system. I'm not saying that working outside the home is wrong...but I just see that even moms who are home are still looking for ways to be without their baby. I remember this feeling...and still have it sometimes. In other cultures, would this be a problem? Would women feel the need to leave their baby for a while just to get away? I don't know for sure, but I get the impression that this is cultural in so many cases.

How do I affect our society...where our culture touts bottles and women's bodies are seen as simply eye candy? I keep wondering, after I get some more experience, if teaching a basic lactation class in a health or biology course wouldn't do more to affect society than teaching pregnant women. Problem is adolescent boys...they need to be informed, but can they handle the topic? I spose about as well as they handle other biological topics.

Well, changing society takes time...and really my main focus needs to be "how will I stay on track...and not ramble for 3 hours?" this week.

Thwarted again

I was excited last night to be headed to my CPR class. I've been trying to take it for about 6 months. Roger was running late, so I got to kiss him on my way out the door. Ran by MickeyDs and decided to take University up toward the hospital. It looked like I was going to be a little late. I couldn't remember which room it was in, so I left a message for my bosses.

Well, I was almost to DU on University...its got pretty narrow lanes, so I'm trying to stay in mine when I see a pothole. I try to avoid it while staying in my lane. This pothole was big enough to swallow a whole car. I hit it, and immediately I wondered if I made it out. Well, my car sounded funny, so I took a right on Iliff and then unable to find someplace safe to stop, I took a right on Josephine...the first side street. I put on my hazards and get out...

Pancake does not even describe how flat the tire was.

I have 10 minutes til class. Maybe Roger can get there and help me, and I'll only be a half hour late. I call him. He loads up the kids and heads out to find me. I notice a scrape-off surrounded by a big fence. It seems like the only good place to get out of the street.

What can I do while Roger is coming? I get out and get the donut out. Easy enough. Where do I put it? there is ice and snow under the car...and mud. So, I put it in the front seat. Then the jack. Why can't I get the jack out? If my man wasn't around, I'd need to do this, so I'm determined. I talk to him again on the phone. I get it out just before he arrives...triumph. We'll get this done quickly, and I'll be off to my class.

He arrives, and so I go hang out with the kids to keep them company in the car. Things seem to be going fine until he tries to take the tire off. It won't budge. Roger is no wimp...why won't it come off? He tries and tries. I know I won't do any better. We call his dad...wondering if there is something different to know about Hondas. He gives us some ideas. Still no movement. Roger gets out the car manual...at this point, its 6pm...I'm already an hour late for my class...and the realization comes. I'm not going to make it to my class. *sigh*

I call and leave a message for my bosses. Dejected, frustrated, resigned. The kids haven't eaten yet. Its dark. We head for Wendys which is a block or two away. Everyone gets refreshed, and we drive back. Another half hour, and Roger gets it all taken care of. The donut is on, and we head back home.

Since University is busy, we head down the side street a couple of blocks to where we know there is a stoplight. The sidestreets are HORRIBLE. I have been four-wheeling, and really I've never felt worse, ruts and bumps. Just as we are about to turn, Roger puts on his hazards. He gets out. The donut has come off the rim.

This is why we have 2 Hondas. Roger quickly changes his donut for mine. He calls his mom for extra prayer that we make it the half block to University and all the way home on this donut.

Finally, home! Its 8pm. My class should be finishing up. And I'm home...still not certified...but perhaps certifiable.

Balmy weather

Its been in the mid 40s this week! And I was ecstatic to take the kids out to play in the snow yesterday. I don't mind the snow we've been getting if it gets warm enough to really have fun in it. So, we got suited up and out we went. We threw snow balls (Pow! says Alex), played hide and seek behind the big mounds, and even sledded down the hill in the courtyard! I had a good run even with Katrina on board with me. Takes me back...

Oh the days when me and my friend Muffie would spend the extra 5 minutes getting our snow suits on before heading out for recess while our friends headed out with just coats. We had less time, but made the most of what we had. I can still picture us doing somersaults in the soccer field and generally enjoying the snow. I can also remember sledding down the hill by her house. I can't remember if we sledded in the cemetary accross the street from her house...I know she and her brother often did.

What I've determined is that I really need my own snow pants. Its harder to get into the snow and craziness when you are wet so quickly. I don't snowboard or ski, but I need to go to SNIAGRAB and get me a snowsuit. Anyone know when SNIAGRAB is?

That is so early 90s

Well, its amazing I'm sure, but we don't have cable or satellite tv. We're just plain broadcast folks. We don't have the $$ to spend on it...and we really don't need more media time. I don't hate TV...and I know I'd find tons to watch...but I guess we just don't need more to worry about. I read a lot...even about tv and movies, so I can at least have an idea what's going on. Its funny because Katrina still doesn't get the idea of commercials.

Well, we got a new TV and its digital. The clarity is so great. No snow! But until they get the digital tower on Lookout mountain, we have challenges with low digital strength whenever our neighbor gets up and moves. If only he would stay still on Saturday mornings and during the football games. I guess I shouldn't request it though.

"Excuse me, could you sit still, so we can watch tv next door?"

I've been....not...everywhere

Somehow...I don't know how...but I've missed New Mexico and Oklahoma...both of which touch Colorado. I obviously haven't spent much time east. I guess this will help me plan that vacation in Summer of 08.
create your own visited states map

The liberals are coming...the liberals are coming

Roger...time to get going and book tickets....for anywhere but home in the summer of '08

Denver to host Democratic National Convention. Scary!

Please

Please Lord, don't let this upcoming storm cancel my class again! Please let it be delayed or not as bad as they think. I want so much to meet these ladies...and its been 3 weeks of cancellation already. If we meet, please keep every mom and baby safe. Amen

Jane, I miss you!

In case you were wondering...I've only gotten to see 2 parts of my Jane Eyre miniseries. Jane hasn't even left Lowood yet...although when I left she was finally ready to leave.

So, why haven't I watched it yet? Its not for lack of desire. Somehow, my lactation certification papers and catching up with chores and my husband's obsession with Lego Star Wars II just keep thwarting my efforts. Tonight, I'm observing a lactation class, so tonight won't be any better.

I'm glad I own this miniseries...I just hope I get to see it all before next Christmas rolls along.

The spirit of giving

Katrina told me recently that she thinks we should donate our Christmas tree (which really needs to come down this weekend) to some kids who don't have a Christmas tree.

Perspective

I was down yesterday night when the Broncos lost in overtime to knock them out of the playoffs. Today...the perspective...Broncos' cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting. The loss and the loss of the playoffs...not such a big deal.

I had this happen before with my home team. Eddie Mac's leg was broken Sept 10, 2001. Out for the season...I was so bummed. But in the morning, Sept 11, 2001. Broken leg...not such a big deal.

I love my hometeam! But life...life is so much more than football!

Thanks God for my life...and thanks for the life everlasting!