It’s probably because his mom didn’t read “Goodnight, Forest Moon” to him as a child.

Noah Dziobecki adapted my son’s long-ago favorite bedtime book, Goodnight Moon, to the Star Wars universe for a friend’s son’s birthday. Kindly though, he’s made his version [...]]]> Obi-Wan Kenobi: “You look tired.”
Anakin Skywalker: “I don’t sleep well, anymore.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

It’s probably because his mom didn’t read “Goodnight, Forest Moon” to him as a child.

Noah Dziobecki adapted my son’s long-ago favorite bedtime book, Goodnight Moon, to the Star Wars universe for a friend’s son’s birthday. Kindly though, he’s made his version available for download with assembly instructions for the rest of us – for free. The Force is with us all.

Hat-tip to Eileen Cook for sending this along.

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 [...]]]> “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…

There are so many wonderful homeschooling moms that I rely on for homeschooling ideas, crazy kid commiserating, humor, and the occasionally much-needed kick in the pants [...]]]> “You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

There are so many wonderful homeschooling moms that I rely on for homeschooling ideas, crazy kid commiserating, humor, and the occasionally much-needed kick in the pants reality check. I want to give a big and public thank you out to all the homeschoolers and homeschooling supporters that have helped to smooth the way along this sometimes Belgium Block bumpy road that Padawan Learner, Dad Windu and I are traveling.

Sometimes you just need to know that there are others out there that have been there, done that, and lived to tell about it – people that you can call on (or type at) when you’re most feeling like you’re a) on the brink of tossing it all in; b) about to make either the best or worst decision of your life; or c) absolutely over-joyed at the complete un-spectacular-ness of the day. I know some of your faces, many of your names, and even a couple of your kitchens. You mean the world to me.

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 [...]]]> “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.

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 [...]]]> 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.

What happens when the highway engineers of the world get a little punch-drunk? Highway Engineer Pranks. My favorite is the Rotary Supercollider.

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.

Ever wonder how the weather outside your door compares to weather in the Star Wars universe? [...]]]> “Toogi! Toogi! Greetings! Toong mee cha kulkah du Boonta magi! Tah oos azalus ooval Podraces. We have perfect weather today for the Boonta classic. The most hazardous of all Podraces.” – Fode & Beed, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

Ever wonder how the weather outside your door compares to weather in the Star Wars universe? Come on, admit it. You know you have.

Well, wonder no longer. Tom Scott has linked the varieties of weather here on lovely planet Earth to the weather you’re likely to experience in such interesting places as Tattooine, Kamino, Yavin 4, Endor, Hoth and Naboo. And if, like me, you’re currently experiencing the weather of Kamino, be sure to carry your best manners and a very large pocketbook around today.

Amy, over at The Foil Hat, has this up today, and I thought it was too brilliant not to, like ya know, share. Take back your right to an opinion.

Typography from [...]]]> “I will not defer…I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now.” – Queen Amidala, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

Amy, over at The Foil Hat, has this up today, and I thought it was too brilliant not to, like ya know, share. Take back your right to an opinion.

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.