Favorites From the Holocron
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“Offhand, I’d say this mission is past the negotiation stage.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Because I know that you’ve all been losing sleep over the drama of my very exciting life, I’m happy to report that Dad Windu has received a job offer from a very good firm and will be starting within the month. Sadly, it will require a relocation several states away. Padawan Learner is, of course, taking this hardest as this is the only home he has ever known, but he is also being very understanding of the reason for this move. He has watched his dad do everything in his power to work a job search and keep us in the area, but he’s also aware that Michigan is just in a terrible state right now for DW’s line of work.
We’re trying to find all the different ways possible to keep PL in touch with his friends, and we have committed to traveling back to MI as often as practicable to see our friends and family. On FireFly Mom’s recommendation, we have given the task of hunting out interesting things to do and see in our new town to PL. I know he’ll do a wonderful job of it and is sure to find things that I would have never even thought twice about.
Initially, we’re going to be moving from a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1800 sq ft home to an 865 sq ft apartment. Have you stopped laughing yet? While DW works these last two weeks (he’s currently a contract employee for his old firm) getting things re-allocated to other staff members, tying up loose ends, and doing some last-minute training (and then coming home to do last minute home improvement projects), I’ve been culling the house for things that are not absolutely, positively necessary. Anyone interested in a 4-piece, king-size sleigh bed set with matching night stand, armoire, and dresser with tri-fold mirror? What’s that? Why, yes, they are all gigantic pieces! If only I could go back and have a talk with my younger self…
Han Solo: Hey, Your Worship, I’m only trying to help.
Princess Leia: Would you please stop calling me that?
Han Solo: Sure, Leia.
Princess Leia: You make it so difficult sometimes.
Han Solo: I do, I really do. You could be a little nicer, though. Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I’m all right.
Princess Leia: Occasionally, maybe… when you aren’t acting like a scoundrel.
Han Solo: Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that.
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
My scoundrel is in his 4th hour of interviews, as I type. I – obviously – have the better end of the deal here.
- Vanilla latte. Check.
- Squishy chair. Check.
- Chocolate croissant. Check.
- Scrolling around the internet. Check.
- Free lunch with Dad Windu and corporate representative. Check.
- Not having to answer hard, uncomfortable, or annoying questions that will dictate my future bread-buying power. Double check.
Yesterday after the plane landed, we covered all the basics – rental car, hotel, and office building reconnoiter. After stalking finding the company’s location, we checked into a nearby apartment building – extremely cool and 3 times as expensive as my current mortage payment – and then got a very late lunch. May I just take a moment and tell you how much I love, love, love a plate of Pesto Chicken Pasta done well? Holy distended stomach, Bat Man, that stuff was divine!
Oops, running out of battery. Time to go retrieve the charging cord.
“Oh, excuse me. So sorry.” – TC-14, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
I’ve been riding the job search and homeschooling-in-the-midst-of-the-unknown rollar coaster with Dad Windu and Padawan Learner these past couple of months, and, while it’s been going pretty well, it’s had its ups and downs. That’s the biggest reason this place has been so quiet. I’m driving 6 white horses, coming around the mountain, and – what the song doesn’t mention - there’s this cliff on the other side of the path that’s making me hug the mountain more than I’m used to. So homeschooling is keeping on, keeping on and going well. Marriage is going well. Blogging (my release and often-times entertainment), not so much.
At one point we thought we were going to be moving to almost the very northern-most tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In case you don’t know where that is, it’s waaaay the h*ll up there (technical term) and surrounded by Lake Superior on three sides. Average high of 78 F (25C) in July and 16 F (-9C) in January. 208 inches (528 cm) of snow a year on average. I know! There are two seasons up there, if you ask a local - ”winter’s here and winter’s coming.”
Yes, we were pretty sure we were going to be moving there after DW met with the group leader in the company’s Detroit-area office. Couldn’t have asked for a more encouraging guy. The group leader in the UP though, not so encouraging. Not being ‘a local’ was apparently a big point against DW; the two interviewers spent most of the meeting basically trying to talk him OUT of wanting the job. “No shopping to speak of up here.” “Winters are long and hard, so you can’t try to just wait them out.” “Everything’s a long way from here, so traveling other places doesn’t happen very often.” “We don’t have furniture stores to speak of.” You get the picture.
Meanwhile, while he’s in his interview, I was scraping the local librarian’s brain clean about local homeschooling resources and groups and variety. I was getting more and more excited about the homeschooling opportunities in the immediate area. Oh, and have I mentioned that we found the cutest little house – with a cast-iron circular staircase connecting the main and upper floors – for $27,700? No, I didn’t leave a zero out. For approximately the same price of a new car, we could have owned a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home that was as cute as a button. (Just shoot me now). I was getting geared up and ready to go.
Just to make things interesting, of course, the reality of an impending move really hit Padawan Learner up there and … well, it wasn’t pretty. I’ll just leave it at that.
In the end, DW got a FOAD letter in the mail from the UP leader – as vague as can be, of course. The Detroit guy is disgusted. DW is confused and thinking, “WTF was that all about?” PL is feeling bad for DW but also guilty about feeling relieved that we’re not moving – yet. I’m exhausted about putting so much mental effort into finding ways to make sure this transition goes smoothly – for naught.
*deep breathing*
And now we’re hopping back on the maybe this is it train. Dad Windu and I are headed out into the heart of the great frozen midwest this weekend. (PL is staying with friends.) We’re quietly optimistic, but (truthbetold) we’re afraid to get our hopes up too high. There’s been a lot of “Oh, I’m just doing a little Internet surfing” digging by me. It’s what I do. The job appears to be a good fit for DW and the city looks like we’d be comfortable there.
So, happy thoughts everyone. *fairy dust, fairy dust* We’re going to need them.
Princess Leia: “I love you.”
Han Solo: ”I know.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
I’m going to apologize to each and every heart-shaped box full of waxy chocolate lover out there right now. I don’t like Valentine’s Day. There I said it; I admit it.
I think the whole entire thing is a waste of cocoa beans and card-stock. I should be an ardent admirer of the day, having a mother who still – even 40 years after first becoming a mother -makes Valentines a must-do event for all her kids and grandson. She gets her panties in a major twist if she can’t get those red boxes to each of us by the big day. It’s sweet that she does it, even though she knows I tend to forget that Valentine’s Day is even upon us again.
I was very relieved to find, early in our dating years, that Dad Windu is also a Valentine’s humbug. Padawan Learner, no doubt because of our ”yeah, whatever” response to the marketing buildup each February, is equally blase’ about the day. (My apologies to his future spouse.)
I love Dad Windu and Padawan Learner with every fiber of my being, every beat of my heart. I don’t want a heart-shaped diamond necklace or even an over-sized card in a red envelope each February 14th as proof of their love for me. The hand massage when my knuckles hurt showed me that. The hug and kiss before going to bed reminds me of that. Going vegan for a month because I asked you to, more than speaks to your devotion my beloved carnivores. The dishwasher unloaded without me having to ask, gives me proof of your affection.
Here’s to you, DW and PL. No red box. No sparkly bauble. No glitter. Just love forever more.
That said, if you’re an ardent Valentine’s Day fan, I say more power to you. Live the dream. Eat the chocolate. Tear up over the handmade or store bought card. I hope it’s all you ever imaged it to be. And I promise to understand if you’re not as crazy about Halloween as I.
Anakin Skywalker: (eyes closed) “Don’t go.”
Padme Amidala: “I don’t want to disturb you.”
Anakin Skywalker: “Your presence is soothing.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
We were all a little nervous about Dad Windu getting laid-off and being home all.the.time. Rightfully so, I think.
- Were we going to get on each other’s nerves?
- Would DW start channeling his inner professional and start managing the way I ran the house and our homeschooling?
- Would Padawan Learner get distracted having someone else walking around, talking, and moving in and out of our ’school’ space during the day?
- Would I begin to chafe at having to share the computer, the kitchen, and the teapot more than a few hours each night?
It has, thankfully, worked out very well this past month and a half. Dad Windu has his own routine going for large parts of the day, and he and I are getting out for a daily walk nearly each afternoon. PL has benefited from having Dad Windu right there for some of the math questions that I would normally have to go look up. I’ve enjoyed having another adult around to talk with during the day. DW helps with the house picking up, meal prep and chauffeuring tasks, freeing me from having to do all the day-to-day boring tasks myself.
In the end, we’re enjoying each other’s company on a day-in, day-out basis, and truth be told, I’m going to be a little sad to see him go away for 9 hours each day once he’s back working someplace.
Princess Leia: “Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder.”
Han Solo: ”Who’s scruffy-looking?”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Well, at present I am.
With Dad Windu off relaxing at his brother’s house, it was just Padawan Learner and I hanging out this afternoon and evening so we decided to have a Star Wars movie marathon in the basement. We ran through Episodes I, II and IV. For some reason PL decided to skip III, which surprised me, but perhaps it was just to be kind. I think he knows that’s my least favorite one.
As any self-respecting movie marathoner knows, that means nothing more pulled together than comfy pants, piles of pillows and blankets, and those fine lunch/dinner/snack combos of What’s in the fridge? and What’s left in the cupboard? and Do we have any extra Christmas goodies still in the freezer?
I hope you all had a good weekend, too.
Yoda: “Yes, run! Yes, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.”
Luke: “Vader. Is the dark side stronger?”
Yoda: “No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.”
Luke: “But how am I to know the good side from the bad?”
Yoda: “You will know… when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
I’m feeling that way today. Calm, at peace, passive. I’m doing what I can and letting the rest slide.
Dad Windu is officially unemployed, and that’s ok. We can meet our basic bills – home, utilities, food – on his unemployment benefits and that’s about 3 steps further than many families right now. Chalk one up for common sense, frugal living, and good luck over the years.
DW’s getting some (long overdue) things done around the house. We’re keeping Padawan Learner’s life as normal as possible, with both trampoline class and piano lessons for the time being. We’re surprisingly relaxed about the whole process, one of the side benefits of waiting for this to happen for.months.now, and taking our time enjoying the holiday season, our families and friends. We’re entertaining job postings from all over the U.S. and DW is working his network here at home.
We bought Padawan Learner some new snow boots today, nothing like a winter storm to highlight the need. He got off easy from shoveling snow the last 4 days, “I’d love to help, but I don’t have any boots. Bummer.” How a kid that wears a EEEE width can just walk in and find boots that fit, several pair no less, is beyond me. I think there’s a widespread athletic shoe conspiracy in force every six months when he’s outgrown yet another pair of shoes.
Luke: ”I’m endangering the mission. I shouldn’t have come.”
Han Solo: “It’s your imagination, kid. Come on. Let’s keep a little optimism here.”
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
Padawan Learner threw his first snowball (more like a snow-lump) yesterday morning before the sun could melt the wee bit of white away. This morning brought more rain and a bone chilling cold that very clearly told us that winter will soon be here. We headed north not knowing if we would be able to stop for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL. Fortunately, the rain slacked to a gentle mist so we were able to enjoy a stroll through the 4 block area and take the Lincoln home tour before watching one of the two visitor center movies. I would have liked to see the second one, but we had pushed PL’s lunch needs too long for that.
When a 14 year old boy is really hungry, he’s REALLY hungry. After a quick lunch at The Feed Store restaurant (adequate but, like all places catering to the tourist trade, over-priced) – which sits right across the street from the Old State Capital - where Lincoln gave his famous “A House Divided” speech. We took the tour inside the Old State House (which isn’t really old, but a reconstruction with only the exterior limestone being original to the 1800’s). The tour guides were informative, seemed pleased to have questions asked, and didn’t make the usual “So, no school today” comment which tends to lead to either a “super-genius” or “uber-fundy” expectation of PL – neither of which he tends to enjoy.
The National Surveyor’s Museum, also across the street from the Old State Capital, which was scheduled to open this spring appears to be on perpetual hold due to a lack of funding. Too bad, DW was looking forward to seeing it. DW and PL are continuing to watch WWII in HD (a multi-night program) and it is just breaking my heart to hear it. I frequently have tears in my eyes, but last night was worse. Perhaps I just know what to expect now, because the content is no less heart-breaking. I wonder if FireFly Mom’s family has been watching it as well. I know her son has a passion for WWII history.
Tonight is our last night on the road. We’re all a little sad to see our trip come to an end, something we looked forward to for so long. But we’re also glad to be getting back to our own beds, our cats, our friends, and our usual routine. Dad Windu is getting apprehensive about what awaits him next Monday, and I must admit that I am as well. He has been watching the schedule from the road (nothing like tech giving you the opportunity to fret while on vacation), and it isn’t encouraging.
I take it back. Tonight is just as horrible as last night. I can’t take listening to it anymore. I’m off to take a bath, with the fan running (loudly I hope) to drown out words that break my heart. I hate what we animals are capable of doing to ourselves and others in the name of power and greed. Safety and peace to you, my military friends and family. May our children, or at least our grandchildren, find a better way to a better world.
“These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
We left our hotel this morning in a steady rain. Having stayed in the nicest hotel room of our whole trip, I hated to leave it. Just so you know, if you find yourself on I-70 west of Kansas City, KS, we highly recommend you check into Hyatt Place. $99 got us this adorable suite:
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2 double beds
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shelving under giant TV
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sink & drawers
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Even the soaps were cute!
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excellent couch in sitting area
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DW making use of the bar and work area
Being in Topeka, we simply had to visit the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. It would have been wrong for any peace-loving, why-can’t-we-all-just-get-along, American not to go. It was… It was… It was so much more than I thought it would be. Than any of us thought it would be. Maybe a plaque on the wall. Perhaps a bit of literature and some pictures. A reminder that allowing segregated schools and facilities was beneath the dignity of a free nation.
I had no idea that segregated schools, public services and facilities were mandated in many states; I had assumed it was just tolerated. Kansas was one of states that allowed each school district to decide for themselves regarding segregation policies. Among the five cases, Topeka was chosen to be the lead in the class action lawsuit because, despite having segregated schools, the two school systems were pretty uniform in the quality of the teachers, instruction and buildings. This was important, because it forced the focus away from the normal complaint of merely damaged buildings to the damage that segregation inflicted on the children themselves.
I admit that segregation had always been a “those states” issue in my brain, up to today. *puffs my chest out* I’m from the Great Frozen Midwest. We didn’t have drinking fountains with Whites or Colored signs hanging above them. Poll taxes were not collected when my grandma was registering voters. Neither bus and train seating nor waiting rooms were assigned by race in my state, thankyouverymuch.
Then I started to read the signs, watch the videos, listen to the recordings filling the room. I heard about riots in “integrated” Northern and “progressive” East and West Coast cities, when desegregation was put into action. I read newspaper headlines about school districts across the country, including states that never officially allowed segregation, being closed in protest. I saw clean cut teenagers with crisp Midwest accents spewing hate, promising violence and wishing death on other teenagers simply because they were goingn to be bussed to their school. I thought about my mom, going to high school in Michigan, and Dad Windu’s father, going to university in Arizona, and I wondered what they had thought about it. Were they afraid? Were they welcoming? Did they spew polite venom in the form of, “Schools just work better when they’re filled with only their own kind.”
It is really a remarkable museum, and I haven’t been able to get my brain around it all yet. Since it was once a school, a letter grade is probably the most appropriate way to evaluate my experience. I give it an A++.
“This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops.” – Darth Sidious, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
We had rain today. Rain! It took us a few moments to realize what it was when it first hit the windshield. It’s been so hot and dry the past two weeks that we’d kind of fallen into expecting desert weather for our entire trip. Alas, it was not so. As we neared the Oklahoma boarder, the tap, tap, tap of rain began. I guess it was letting us know that we’ve officially entered our third week of the trip, and our time is winding down.
We had planned to visit Dodge City and Fort Larned today, making a wide detouring curve from I-35 at Witchita to I-70 near Salina. With the pouring rain, however, we pressed on straight north toward Salina instead as all the things we wanted to do in both places are outdoor activities. We ended book 4 of the Percy Jackson series yesterday and started book 5. PL warned us that 5 was pretty much a non-stop battle; he wasn’t kidding. I feel slightly battered just listening to it.
We decided to stop in Salina, KS for lunch and to see the animated A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey. Unfortunately, the theater’s computer system crashed while playing it earlier in the day, so there would be no movie for us there. We did the only reasonable thing, we got back in the car and drove 102 miles further, to the next theater on our route, which was in Topeka. We’ll see A Christmas Carol after dinner.
Just to prove the nicest of random strangers, here’s a picture taken of us back at Bandelier that was emailed to me today.
UPDATE: A Christmas Carol far scarier than I was expecting (DW agrees) – please pre-watch if considering for young or sensitive children.
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