I wanna be a 60s child

Jennifer is pretty frustrated she was born in 1993, making her 16 this next Saturday.

She'd rather the birthday read something like 1943, making her in her 20s during the love, sex and rock and roll 60s.

We had just finished watching the History Channel's take on Woodstock, and we were both impressed, both with Woodstock and the 60s in general.

But I had to remind her, that one of the reasons that Woodstock came together was that little "police action" known as the Vietnam War. And then there was the assassination of the Kennedy brothers, racial violence, war protests and the Manson family.

True, it was the era of change, of shaking things up, of when all things (including walking on the moon) were possible and I think that's what appeals to her most.

Birthday plans

They keep a changing for her 16th.

First it was going to be a full blown party, then a party with 2-3 friends, and now one friend, with a day trip planned to seattle. No play, no makeup party, just a trip up to shop, eat and while the day away.

Oh, and can I have a car?

You've been watching reality TV too much (those sweet 16 parties that the very rich throw is one of her faves) and no, you're not getting a new jag rolling up to the front door of our 1968 rambler.

But grandma has donated $500 toward the cause. We have about $2000 saved up from Gary's retirement check and an uncle may donate some more. So maybe late this fall she'll get her car. A used car with prob. a lot of miles on it. No jag. Unless we win the megamillions this friday, and still then, prob. no jag (too much maintenance)

She got on the jv volleyball team

Yeah. I was hoping she would.

Of course, as she explains it, it sounds like they will call her in for a specific spot (digging in the back) and then she's out again.

Oh well, if she's happy, I'm happy. Although I still wish she'd take up soccer instead of v-ball, given her 5.2 height. With soccer, there would be no question she'd be on varsity. But she's just not going that route. Even her dad as given up with the argument.

Checks, and more checks

It was registration day at my daughter's high school yesterday, and all I seemed to be good for is writing the checks.

Yearbook...$60. $63 if you wanted a name plate

ASB card...That will be $130 please. $50 for a replacement if you lose it.

Sports card...(yes, there is a difference) $30

PTSA...$15

And if we want a discount to all the games all year long, a family pass if you will that will be $180.

And this doesn't count the $$ for the school clothes shopping and the school supplies.

That sucking sound you here is my bank account.,

What a grouch

Waking up the daughter is hazardous business, esp. when you're asking her to do her chores (in this case, clean up the dinner dishes).

So she comes out and gets it down, grumbles when I try to give her a hug and stomps into the TV room to switch the tv off my program (had to take the dog for a walk anyway) and watch Miami...social, or some such reality tv show where people with way too much $$ and time are followed around by camera.

Touch phones

Gary and Jennifer were busy arguing over which new upgrade to get on the I-phones last night. She actually had poached the upgrade I was supposed to get,and transferred it to her phone. Thanks. What if I want apps someday?

But transfer she did, and now she has a phone that can have apps (she'll have to pay for them out of her allowance) and pay an extra $20 for the upgraded phone, which still has keyboard for her texting fetish.

However, surprisingly, she's getting tired of texting, she said. She just likes talking on the phone now.

Blah, blah blah

You know the Charlie Brown cartoons, where the adults are talking to the kids and it's all "blah, blah, blah"

There's some truth to this I learned.

My entirely honest daughter, as I was gushing on about some History Channel flick, finally turned from her computer and said "mom, I've tuned you out. I have no interest in what you're saying."

So I cut to the chase, and her eyes showed a flicker of interest, before she turned back to her Zune downloads.

Over lunch today (we split a cheeseburger) she mentioned that when people yammer at her too much or nag, she tunes them out. Happens with her dad alot, she added.

Seeing my look she said "I know it sounds mean, but it's the truth, that's what I do."

Well, at least she let's me know when she's about to flip the switch.