I Can't

Potty training in reverse. Lately, this adorable little monster has been afflicted with the "I-Can't"s .

Crossing her legs and grabbing her crotch in a dramatic display of the classic pee dance, she yells, "Mom, I have to go peeeeeeee!"

"Well, go to the bathroom then."

She looks exasperated, as if she has never displayed an umpteen amount of times that she CAN proceed through all steps of doing her business all by her capable little self. "But I CAAAAAN'T!"
By this time, hopping up and down has been added to her writhing repertoire.

This argument continues with both sides simply repeating their case.

I've tried to play hardball, insisting she would unfortunately have to release her bladder onto the floor. But she goes on with her dance as she fills the house with her shrieking. I suppose I should just stick to my guns because when I give in, choosing to preserve my hearing and sanity, and accompany her to the bathroom, she goes about putting her seat on the toilet, positions the stool, steps on, pulls her pants down, does her thing, wipes her thing, pulls her pants up, and flushes...all by herself.

I stand there with my hands on my hips, "See, you CAN do it by yourself."

She looks up at me, big ole eyes brimming with innocence, and shakes her head, "No, I can't."

New Read

I loved this.

"There was a time when he woke gently, rising through the layers of his own soft darkness until his consciousness emerged, whole and round and perched on the radiant horizon of his day."

A story of a man coping with the tragic loss of his wife while raising their young son, a woman struggling to find her feet in an unhappy marriage, and the eventual occurence of their worlds colliding. There was so much quiet anguish on each page, I could feel my heart breaking with each word. I almost quit on this novel, thinking it was too sad. (I like happy endings.) But I saw it through and although the ending isn't the conventional loose strings being tied deal, I still felt satisfied at how it came about. I don't want to give too much away, it really is worth your time to witness what happens.

Skype Book Club!

I am SO excited about this! A dear friend and kindred spirit in subjects of books, Christmas, parenting, and home decor has extended an invitation of a book club to be conducted through the cyber channels of Skype. I love that I don't have to tiptoe around issues that may be considered offensive/touchy/off-limits when it comes to a good read. Technology sure has come a long way, hasn't it? With Nooks and Kindles involved...this is as electronic savvy as a book club can get!

Junior Ranger

Every time Team Och ventures out for an adventure, we usually find ourselves in a park...national or state...and discover that it hosts a Junior Ranger Program. We had first become aware of this genius idea when the fam camped out at Bryce Canyon National Park with the base's outdoor recreation group last year.

At each Ranger Station or Visitor Center in the park, young visitors can pick up an activity book (some parks offer it for free, some for a small 2 or 3 dollar fee). The activities have great information aimed at children about the park itself and encourages conservation. Upon completion, a ranger reviews the book, swears the new junior ranger into the corps, and hands the little one a certificate and a badge.

We had started out with Dylan and Sophia participating, but since our boy is advancing into the "I'm too cool pre-teen" age, Sophia has been the key Junior Ranger of the family. She loves the challenge of the activities, and especially loves the shiny badges or colorful patches she receives as reward.
So far, she has earned junior ranger badges from Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bear Lake, Antelope Island, Garden of the Gods, and Mount Rushmore.

It is a great way to enrich a child's experience in these wonderful places. To this day, Sophia can still explain how a mesa gradually transforms into a spire (like the ones seen in Bryce Canyon). So hopefully, when she is older, she just won't shrug and say, "Yeah, I went to the Grand Canyon when I was a kid...it was big."

Prepping for the Nipply Cold

Since returning from the uber-fun (and drama-filled) mini-vacay, days have been filled with intermittent bursts of internet browsing in preparation for the below freezing temps Fam Och will soon be living in early next year. I've heard a bunch of stories from various sources and have since confirmed or debunked them one by one.

Myth 1: Alaskans need to keep their cars plugged into a heater overnight.

---I thought this must be an exaggeration. Ummmm, no. Engine block heaters, currently retailing for 150 a pop, are a necessity in the land of ice. We'll take two of those, please.

Myth 2: The sun does not rise during the winter/The sun does not set during the summer.

--Not so much. Maybe if you live in Barrow. But in Anchorage, the day of the winter solstice is when there is the least amount of sun. And during then, the average is five and a half hours of sunlight. During the summer solstice, there are 24 hours of sunlight. (Hello, midnight golfing!) I don't think this concerns me so much. Nothing like halogen lamps and blackout curtains can't remedy.

Myth 3: It is sweater weather all year long.

--This I am happy dancing about. Not so much a fan of the sun and epidermis-searing heat, nothing is more comfortable than lounging in hoodies. And it's always cute to layer clothes when you wanna look extra spiffy for the day. No sticky icky sweat. Hooray!

--On the other hand, when the cold winter months roll around, it's more layers of base layers, polar-tec fleeces, puffy down jackets, hats, gloves, wool socks, boots, and in extreme weather...face masks. LOL. Base housing better have big closets!

Fam Och has been gifted with yet another exciting adventure. We can't wait to start it!

The Issue of Punctuality

Many years ago, as I was pouting and grumbling about having to get ready for an appointment two hours before it was set, my father said,"Being late is inconsiderate of others. Being inconsiderate means you don't care about the other person you set up a time with. Being inconsiderate means you are selfish. Selfish people are the worst kind of person."

I don't think I was late ever after that....well, give or take a few instances in which I couldn't help. But I was never ever late to a time I had previously agreed upon on purpose. My father lectured about the issue of punctuality from that moment, during the drive over, and during the drive back from the appointment. Let's just say it stuck.

I will go to great lengths to ensure I meet every appointment, or meeting, or what-have-you...from mentally running through the next day's timeline to ensure I can successfully accomplish everything to the most minute detail (to include bathroom breaks) AND still avoid being late. I am especially hard on myself when it doesn't work out as planned, and I am genuinely shamed. And so, I expect the same courtesy of others.

My husband, all too aware of my hypersensitivity to this issue knowingly refrains from committing to a time if it means he cannot 100% guarantee he will be there at least five minutes early.

So...if you agree to a time with me...don't keep me waiting in the car with the engine running after I had stayed up late the night before packing and showering and preparing just so we can keep the schedule. Because then, I'll just think you inconsiderate, and therefore, selfish, and therefore the worst kind of person.

Alaska Bound!

Yes, folks...we are Alaska bound in a little over five months! Happy Dance time!