I am an Aes Sedai

Isn't my daughter gorgeous? (You can click to make it bigger)

I'm crap at lying. I can't do it. Everybody would know if I lied...my body language will show it alone. However, I CAN evade. I'm the most evasive woman ever if I don't want to reveal information. It's a skill, really. I feel like I'm the finest of the Aes Sedai from Jordan's Wheel of Time series. They aren't allowed to lie; they ARE allowed to evade, and so the words out of their mouths are not often the straight truth.

An example of this behavior reared its head today when I was at an awards presentation for my daughter. Ariana received this award called the "Terrific Kid" award at her school. One child from each grade is selected. The word terrific is supposed to stand for: thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, inclusive, friendly, inquisitive, capable. She had no idea that we'd be there today, nor that she was getting the award. The ex and I received letters in the mail about it and told to RSVP (note: I had to force my ex to RSVP. He complained. He wanted me to do it. Well, the farthest I'll go is to tell you that if you don't, you can't show up! I think he called). I was upset at first because I have class at that time.However, my boss is great and she said to cancel class so I could attend. Yay! After watching this little ceremony, I had breakfast with the ex and an excited Ariana. We discussed future dates for him to have the kids. I stated that next Friday would be great because I had plans. "What plans?" he growled jealously.

I've had issues lately with the ex being very jealous of Alex, and it's made me uncomfortable. I didn't want to say, well on Friday I drive down two hours, fetch Alex, drive back. He stays the night. Then we go with Angie and Amanda to the Clemson/Duke game. Then I need Sunday free because I drive him home. We were having a lovely morning, and I had no desire to remove the focus from my daughter.

"Oh, going to the Clemson/Duke football game," I replied.

"With whom?" he said, looking at me suspiciously.

"Angie and Amanda!"

Note: there is no lie in that sentence. I just neglected the part wherein I also was taking Alex. Well, he assumed that the three of us were going on another Drunkfest 2005 escapade, so he grinned and then babbled about how great it was that I have friends to hang out with and how fantastic it is that I socialize more nowadays. Well, yes, I couldn't disagree with that one, dear ex! We discussed the tailgating aspect, and then the topic was switched. Whew!

*****

Tonight's wine review: Smoking Loon Merlot 2003, a California wine. It's my first taste of this wine, and I have to say I really am enjoying it. There's a berry flavor to it with a very faint hint of oak. Maybe vanilla oak? I dunno. I'm just adjusting to this "orienting my tastebuds and focusing" type of deal with wine. I was raised with occasional fine wines on my palate, and it's sort of like learning a language: the earlier, the easier it is from thenceforth. So, I KNOW I can learn. I just need to train *coughs* and drink more wine *coughs again* Anyway, it's a cheap bottle of wine really at approx. $8, and I rather like it. I seem to be very fond of merlot and shiraz these days. I love the rhone wines too, but that's a similar grape, so no surprise there. That is, the French label by region, not grape varietal, so if I say I like rhone wines, it can mean either white or red wines from that region (they have both). I mean reds, and the usual grape in the northern rhone region is the syrah for the reds, which is the same thing as a shiraz. I love that spicy quality the rhones and the aussie shiraz has! Mmmmm Rhones like hermitage or cotie rotie or chateauneuf du pape. Although technically, a chateauneuf du pape would be from southern rhone so there might be some grenache or mourvedre grapes in there with the syrah. YUM!

I don't drink alcohol that tastes like shit. What's the point?

******



So, wanna see the letter Ariana's teacher wrote to her for the award she received?

I chose Ariana Newton as Terrific Kid!

I look out over my classroom, and I spy a tossled-haired, brown-eyed child with an eager look on her face. Ariana is very interested in learning something new. And she always has important facts to bring to her classmates. She is kind and considerate. She's very smart but doesn't want to brag about it; she only wants to help others. She always thinks the best of others, too. Ariana makes a great "Terrific Kid!" She makes a great role model for her peers!

(then the teacher signed it)

Yeah, that's MY BABY! *struts to and fro proudly* OH yeah, OH YEAH! MY DAUGHTER!

******

I dropped by to see Jared in his classroom for a moment before I left the school since I was already there. He wanted to know why I was at school. I told him that I came to see Ariana receive an award. Jared's response?

"Where's MY award?"

HAHAHA! I told him, well, maybe next time, honey...