Part of my 1-19-2008 diary entry, writes Ribonuff

I took an hour-long nap with K3 (kid three) this afternoon; it was blissful. K3 was behind on sleep due to American Idol having started this week. (I was tired from the new exercise schedule.) I think we might have to change how we watch that show. K1 wants to watch it when it's on so as to be "in the know" the next day at school. But it's too much for a real youngun.
I got into the trees Saturday afternoon again and the younger two helped me gather up branches, which was pleasant and useful. We had fun out there.
K2 led the basketball team to victory today with many, many baskets. They hadn't won the last two games so that was probably good for morale.
K1's math contest went from 10 to 6:30! Too long. K1 didn't win an award. We came and went all day. K1 didn't want us there because of the perceived pressure. We watched the awards; they gave out a lot of trophies, and it took a real long while before there was a white face on the stage. Virtually all the winners were of just one ethnic group. I told the spouse it would be good if there was an award for blonds; the spouse laughed. I didn't think the spouse would laugh over that, actually. Even K1 said something like, "Not to be prejudiced or anything, but I really felt like a minority in there". K1 was in a really demanding mood after the long day -and really hungry too, even though lunch had been provided. K1 and I and the other two watched the second half of the movie "Sisterhood of the traveling pants" and then K1 was calm and nice again; I enjoyed watching that with K1, and it reminded me of summer 2005 when I took K1 to the theater to see it - all the thoughts and feelings in my head back then, like about my dad's health. We rarely go to the theater.
The math contest won't be during K1's February break after all - I'm glad - I think K1 might be turned off on math contests after today (?). Many of the other students really trained seriously for it; K1 and classmates didn't. I don't want K1 necessarily to train for math contests unless K1 really has the motivation to do it for self. There's more to life than geek tricks - writes the geek.
I was reading a book last night called "Toxic Parents" and I cried over it - until 2 a.m.! I was so moved by what I read that I asked God to send me or guide me to some comfort, so I can get over some of my hurts and move on to be a better parent. Then I had a really great, really comforting dream this morning about feeling really loved and cared for (by some unknown person or entity). In the dream I felt that person (?) was always with me, wanting the best for me, even if sometimes in spirit only. It was so nice. When I woke up I said to myself, I'm going to try to slip back into that dream; I don't want to let it go yet - and I did manage that! It was so lovely. It was a great gift to get from Upstairs and I was so grateful ... Next I had to tell myself: This sounds like a line from a Smiths song - "Last night I dreamt ... that somebody loved me ..." and I smiled. I told myself not to dwell on that and instead somehow that song "I came to wish you an unhappy birthday" got stuck in my head for hours and I had fun singing it to myself. :-)
© January 19, 2008 Ribonuff All Rights Reserved.