Land of the Living

Today is the first day I have felt energetic in a week. As my mom would say, I'm "back to the land of the living." I think it's interesting how our language is influenced by those around us. When I teach language arts courses we talk about the language systems which include phonology, morphology, syntax, etc. Mine has changed over the years. If you heard me when I was say 6 years old you'd have heard quite a strong southern accent as we lived in AL and TX when I was in K-3rd grade. When we moved to MD in 1981, the word "y'all" was eliminated from my vocabulary. People in Texas couldn't believe we were moving up to "Yankee territory," although technically Maryland is south of the Mason-Dixon line, LOL. I find it interesting how our language differs across the US. Some call it soda, others call it pop, and in Texas they called ALL of it "Coke" (even Pepsi). Before I laugh too hard at that one, I must admit I call all tissues "Kleenex" even if they're made by Puffs. At the age of 6 we moved to TX in the middle of 1st grade. I told the teacher I didn't have any Crayolas (not sure what I I was looking for) and was very embarassed when by the laughter of my classmates I figured out she meant crayons. I'll never forget that one!

Of course the differences between MD and PA are not as distinct as MD and TX, but still I had to learn a few expressions when I moved to PA in 1996. I remember being really confused the first time someone said they were going to go pick up a pie and they came back with a pizza. I was expecting cherry, pecan, or something like that! I also wasn't sure the first time my secretary said she was going to give (a person's name) "a buzz" (call them on the phone). The word which REALLY annoys me that some people say up here is they make the plural of "you" "yous" which of course is NOT a word! Paul has already influenced my vocabulary some. It used to annoy me when he'd say he was going to go get washed (take a shower). I would use the word "wash" to refer to cleaning the car or dishes or my hands but not my whole body. Now I say that myself sometimes, LOL. It will be interesting to hear which of our expressions Nadia uses herself. :-)

It turns out I've been denying my daughter a great pleasure. I usually clean the house while she's napping. It turns out she finds it VERY amusing to watch her Mommy sweep and Swiffer the kitchen floor. She was flapping her arms and squealing with delight! I can only hope she finds cleaning to be soooo much fun when she's big enough to help some day. :-) It is nice to be able to get more done while she's awake and not feel like I'm running around like a mad person during her naps. I gave her an empty pasta box to play with while I was cooking dinner, and she was happy as a clam!