Why is it that we Americans see a long holiday as a chance to get done every home project we've been procrastinating on! Case in point - the garage... The dreaded garage - honestly the only thing I like about a garage is that fact that it keeps snow off my car. But it tends to become the dumbing ground of stuff that no longer has a right to live in the house. We have 5 PC monitors out there. Yes 5! But this wasn't about cleaning OUT the garage, but painting it. Which is about as much fun as a root canal with no Novocaine.
Now, I'm virtually covered in blue gray (Sorry James River Gray) paint and sore from my ears to my toes. 2 out of the 4 sides are done, and they're forecasting rain the rest of the weekend. (I'm secretly glad for rain) The other two sides can get done when I'm less sore. Now, it's past 8 and I'm waiting for dinner to finish baking. Not sure if I'll be able to actually get up once the timer goes off, we'll have to wait and see.
Tomorrow... clean out the basement. Ah fun! Can't wait! But really - what better way to spend the long weekend. I mean it's not like the temperature plans to get above 65 any time soon!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ah the joys of a hike
I've been inspired by Bill Bryson's non-fiction book "A Walk in the Woods". I'm an audio book fan (I have a long commute, remember?), and we bought this one from iTunes for our WI Dells trip. The book is Bryson's entertaining and funny narrative of his attempt to hike the AT or Appalachian Trail. His partner on this adventure is a hilarious fellow who snickers bars and little debbie cakes should suffice for nourishment on this hike. At any rate, I recommend the book if you're into travel/adventure type literature.
Listening to Bryson narrate his book as however, a good side effect. I've regained my desire to hike! Not that I ever really lost my desire, but business, suburbia, and my 4yr old's stride length have certainly had their impact on the love. None-the-less, I had a serious itch for a good solid hike, and that is what I requested for my Mother's Day activity.
Since tomorrow is Mother's Day, and we'll be spending it celebrating MY Mom - we choose today. I requested a park I don't remember having been to (although Craig insists I've been there before!). I, however, did not realize it was a 2.5 hour drive away (ok, more like 3 hrs). Lucky for me, Craig needed a road trip, and Emmett is usually happy to just be going somewhere. So 9am this morning, the whole family piled into the car (including Moby), and off we went.
We did 4 miles (which is quite an accomplishment for a 4yr old). Had perfect weather and got great pictures. A successful trip by all accounts. And as a bonus, we had the clear opportunity to exactly calculate our gas mileage. What a plus!
Here are some of the pictures from our own walk in the woods. It's not the AT, but heck, we couldn't get to the AT in a day!
See the blue lip effect? Lesson learned, never ever buy blue gatoraid. Looks like he's suffering hypothermia!
Ever had anyone ask you if you can touch your tongue to your nose? Moby can! And he carries all his own supplies. And NO that's not a muzzle, it's a gentle leader, it keeps my arm attached to my body while walking the dog.
Craig and Emmett climbed up to that cave. Emmett called it 'like a house'. He thought it was cool!
Heading back - only 1.5 miles to go! Catch up!
How is that comfortable? 4 miles will certainly make one sleepy!
Even Moby took a nap on the drive home!
Listening to Bryson narrate his book as however, a good side effect. I've regained my desire to hike! Not that I ever really lost my desire, but business, suburbia, and my 4yr old's stride length have certainly had their impact on the love. None-the-less, I had a serious itch for a good solid hike, and that is what I requested for my Mother's Day activity.
Since tomorrow is Mother's Day, and we'll be spending it celebrating MY Mom - we choose today. I requested a park I don't remember having been to (although Craig insists I've been there before!). I, however, did not realize it was a 2.5 hour drive away (ok, more like 3 hrs). Lucky for me, Craig needed a road trip, and Emmett is usually happy to just be going somewhere. So 9am this morning, the whole family piled into the car (including Moby), and off we went.
We did 4 miles (which is quite an accomplishment for a 4yr old). Had perfect weather and got great pictures. A successful trip by all accounts. And as a bonus, we had the clear opportunity to exactly calculate our gas mileage. What a plus!
Here are some of the pictures from our own walk in the woods. It's not the AT, but heck, we couldn't get to the AT in a day!
See the blue lip effect? Lesson learned, never ever buy blue gatoraid. Looks like he's suffering hypothermia! 
Ever had anyone ask you if you can touch your tongue to your nose? Moby can! And he carries all his own supplies. And NO that's not a muzzle, it's a gentle leader, it keeps my arm attached to my body while walking the dog. 
Craig and Emmett climbed up to that cave. Emmett called it 'like a house'. He thought it was cool!
Heading back - only 1.5 miles to go! Catch up!
How is that comfortable? 4 miles will certainly make one sleepy!
Even Moby took a nap on the drive home!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Oh come on... Really?
I admit, I'm a catalog hound. Genetically inherited from my mother, I relish the delivery of any new catalog. I don't often order anything, but I love to look. It's like recognisance shopping without lifting a muscle.
But I must confess sometimes the products listed in these catalogs are just down right ridiculous.
Exhibit A:
Bottle Pets (imagine a stuffed animal with middle hollowed and the nose of the animal left as a hole, all so that you can jam a bottle in there).
Catalog description: Turn feeding time into cuddle time with a plush bottle cover. Choose from Emma the cow, Left the turtle or Pablo the monkey. Polyester fiber; Infant-safe. Phew I'm sure glad it's infant safe, I couldn't figure out why I'd need the bottle pet for Craig. AND - can the marketing genius on this one get back to me on why you'd want to turn bottle time into cuddle time? I never once heard my parents say "Sure, no problem, play with your toys AND eat!" Is this what you want to teach? I know plenty of new parents who struggle to keep their newborns AWAKE for a feeding!
Exhibit B:
Pee and Poo Dolls - How did the grade-school-aged children of the world get potty trained without these dolls!?!?
Catalog Description: These stuffed toys absolutely reek of fun. But potty humor aside, their friendly personalities and plush exteriors can educate your child about the body, help with potty training and are sure to make everyone laugh.
I didn't realize how very important these dolls were! I mean I need a pee-yellow droplet shaped and poop pile shaped doll in my house. If I'm looking for a laugh for the potty humor - I'm pretty sure I know a few 5-9 year olds who can keep a room snickering for a while. I don't need to spend $38 dollars on them!
Just tell me what parenting has come to that we're looking for every gimmick a company can give us?
On another topic - I'm highly annoyed at my beloved NPR. Heard a great story on my morning commute. It was about the psychological health of adopted versus non-adopted teens. The study was conducted by interviewing and studying about 700 15 yr olds. The study found that both adopted and non-adopted kids were all relatively psychologically healthy. There is however, an "adoption effect" in that adopted children were 2x more likely to have ADHD or ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) than non-adopted kids. Scary thought, right? Study went on to say that this adoption effect was not as much a sign of adoption, but of conditions that were more probable prior to the adoption. I thought the interview was excellently handled with sensitivity and that the researchers were quick to explain that the higher occurrence could not be attributed to the teen's adoptive or non-adoptive status. So much so that I thought I'd find the written article on NPR's site and send it to my social worker. Might be helpful for future adoptive parents. So why am I annoyed? Because the title of the article was "Adopted teens at a higher risk of ADHD" Really? I mean really? That title doesn't give a good idea of the article! It makes it seem as though adoption is the CAUSE of the higher risk of ADHD. Shame on NPR for taking a respectfully honest and well researched study, and giving it an 'eye-catching' if not misleading title. I thought I knew you!
But I must confess sometimes the products listed in these catalogs are just down right ridiculous.
Exhibit A:
Bottle Pets (imagine a stuffed animal with middle hollowed and the nose of the animal left as a hole, all so that you can jam a bottle in there).
Catalog description: Turn feeding time into cuddle time with a plush bottle cover. Choose from Emma the cow, Left the turtle or Pablo the monkey. Polyester fiber; Infant-safe. Phew I'm sure glad it's infant safe, I couldn't figure out why I'd need the bottle pet for Craig. AND - can the marketing genius on this one get back to me on why you'd want to turn bottle time into cuddle time? I never once heard my parents say "Sure, no problem, play with your toys AND eat!" Is this what you want to teach? I know plenty of new parents who struggle to keep their newborns AWAKE for a feeding!
Exhibit B:
Pee and Poo Dolls - How did the grade-school-aged children of the world get potty trained without these dolls!?!?
Catalog Description: These stuffed toys absolutely reek of fun. But potty humor aside, their friendly personalities and plush exteriors can educate your child about the body, help with potty training and are sure to make everyone laugh.
I didn't realize how very important these dolls were! I mean I need a pee-yellow droplet shaped and poop pile shaped doll in my house. If I'm looking for a laugh for the potty humor - I'm pretty sure I know a few 5-9 year olds who can keep a room snickering for a while. I don't need to spend $38 dollars on them!
Just tell me what parenting has come to that we're looking for every gimmick a company can give us?
On another topic - I'm highly annoyed at my beloved NPR. Heard a great story on my morning commute. It was about the psychological health of adopted versus non-adopted teens. The study was conducted by interviewing and studying about 700 15 yr olds. The study found that both adopted and non-adopted kids were all relatively psychologically healthy. There is however, an "adoption effect" in that adopted children were 2x more likely to have ADHD or ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) than non-adopted kids. Scary thought, right? Study went on to say that this adoption effect was not as much a sign of adoption, but of conditions that were more probable prior to the adoption. I thought the interview was excellently handled with sensitivity and that the researchers were quick to explain that the higher occurrence could not be attributed to the teen's adoptive or non-adoptive status. So much so that I thought I'd find the written article on NPR's site and send it to my social worker. Might be helpful for future adoptive parents. So why am I annoyed? Because the title of the article was "Adopted teens at a higher risk of ADHD" Really? I mean really? That title doesn't give a good idea of the article! It makes it seem as though adoption is the CAUSE of the higher risk of ADHD. Shame on NPR for taking a respectfully honest and well researched study, and giving it an 'eye-catching' if not misleading title. I thought I knew you!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
It's all about perspective
It has been tactfully brought to my attention that I'm a slacker. A blogging slacker. It's been 2 whole months (well almost) since I last wrote, and you're all right. I am a slacker!
My excuse is lame, but I'll give it anyway. Right after writing my last post, which was all about work/life balance, Craig was laid off. Well now, don't that change a persons perspective? It's fine to say that I will work to live, and not live to work when you're not looking for a job! But now, I have to admit I look back at that posting, and have to shake my head at my naivety. Oh how perspective changes things...
So that's the major change since my last post. A few highlights of the last couple months. The weekend after my last post, we enjoyed the last sledding of the year. Pics to follow when I get my act together and charge the battery enough to actually post the darn things. Can you believe we got a little sun burn from the day? It was so beautifully warm. Speaking of warmth - did the start of spring get permanently delayed? Cause it was 42 degrees here on May 1. And that is just wrong wrong wrong! I refuse to pull my winter coat out of the closet after April 1st. At least until next October. So I'll probably catch my death running around in a light weight orange trench coat with a polyester cheetah liner! But the coat is SO cute - rarely am I such a slave to fashion. (ok - rarely is a bit strong of a word) But I'm giving winter it's notice - it's got 2 weeks to clear out or... or... well I'll be angry. And we all don't want that!
Mid April we escaped the area and went to WI Dells. Ah the joys of good friends and water parks. Although I did have to give Emmett a T/O for NOT having enough fun. You can imagine the parental moment. "You're going to sit at this picnic table until you decide to have fun!" I know, only my kid would rather go back to the condo than risk getting 1000 gallons of water splashed within 50 years of him. Forget the fact that a loud warning bell sounds for, oh... I don't know... something around 5 minutes before the water is actually dumped. By the end of the three days, he'd come around. To the point that we actually got him on an inner-tube water slide. Shocking, I know! Where are the pictures, you ask? Oh, well, I was a dork and forgot the camera. Yet another thing left for my memory to recall.
Lastly, I cut about 12 inches of my hair off to give to Locks of Love. So drastic was the change that co workers walked right by me without noticing it was me. (Now THAT's a reaction). I've enjoyed it being shorter (nothing like holding a baby, and not worrying that she'll get a chunk of hair and DNA in her little fist), but I think I'm having phantom sensations. Sometimes, for example, when I'm at work, I swear I feel my hair on my shoulders and I still try to lift my hair out of my coat. It's as if I've lost a limb! I like the shorter cut, although I wish that I could do my hair like my stylist! Maybe if I had a detachable head, I could make it work, but I can't figure out how I'd make my arms function and see the back of my head if my head were not connected. Disturbing, I know - but hey - you're all the ones on my case for not blogging in a while. THIS is what you get!
Oh, and a big, strawberry filled CONGRATULATIONS to the B&J twins. Talk about perspective! A year and a half ago, I was on my knees that they'd survive being born way way way too early. Today, seeing them on the anniversary of their homecoming, chowing down on strawberries, giving big bright grins, and cooing to anyone who'd listen, I realized that this perspective is what I need. From this perspective, these little boys have jumped leaps and bounds ahead of where they've been. They're survivors, they've experienced a real fight for their lives, which makes things like hair cuts and joblessness seem trivial. They are special little boys regardless of your perspective, but from my perspective they're two little miracles with tireless parents (at least they fake it like it's tireless) and all the spunk they can fit into their little bodies. I've seen my friend become an amazing, awe inspiring mom, who knows what her kids need, and will get it - through persistence alone! Whatever the growth charts say - they're 100% above average in stamina, way over standard on cuteness, and off the charts on loved. Congrats again!
So from whatever your perspective is to my first post in two months - whether you call me a slacker - or too busy to write, enjoy! Who knows when I'll post again. ;)
My excuse is lame, but I'll give it anyway. Right after writing my last post, which was all about work/life balance, Craig was laid off. Well now, don't that change a persons perspective? It's fine to say that I will work to live, and not live to work when you're not looking for a job! But now, I have to admit I look back at that posting, and have to shake my head at my naivety. Oh how perspective changes things...
So that's the major change since my last post. A few highlights of the last couple months. The weekend after my last post, we enjoyed the last sledding of the year. Pics to follow when I get my act together and charge the battery enough to actually post the darn things. Can you believe we got a little sun burn from the day? It was so beautifully warm. Speaking of warmth - did the start of spring get permanently delayed? Cause it was 42 degrees here on May 1. And that is just wrong wrong wrong! I refuse to pull my winter coat out of the closet after April 1st. At least until next October. So I'll probably catch my death running around in a light weight orange trench coat with a polyester cheetah liner! But the coat is SO cute - rarely am I such a slave to fashion. (ok - rarely is a bit strong of a word) But I'm giving winter it's notice - it's got 2 weeks to clear out or... or... well I'll be angry. And we all don't want that!
Mid April we escaped the area and went to WI Dells. Ah the joys of good friends and water parks. Although I did have to give Emmett a T/O for NOT having enough fun. You can imagine the parental moment. "You're going to sit at this picnic table until you decide to have fun!" I know, only my kid would rather go back to the condo than risk getting 1000 gallons of water splashed within 50 years of him. Forget the fact that a loud warning bell sounds for, oh... I don't know... something around 5 minutes before the water is actually dumped. By the end of the three days, he'd come around. To the point that we actually got him on an inner-tube water slide. Shocking, I know! Where are the pictures, you ask? Oh, well, I was a dork and forgot the camera.
Lastly, I cut about 12 inches of my hair off to give to Locks of Love. So drastic was the change that co workers walked right by me without noticing it was me. (Now THAT's a reaction). I've enjoyed it being shorter (nothing like holding a baby, and not worrying that she'll get a chunk of hair and DNA in her little fist), but I think I'm having phantom sensations. Sometimes, for example, when I'm at work, I swear I feel my hair on my shoulders and I still try to lift my hair out of my coat. It's as if I've lost a limb! I like the shorter cut, although I wish that I could do my hair like my stylist! Maybe if I had a detachable head, I could make it work, but I can't figure out how I'd make my arms function and see the back of my head if my head were not connected. Disturbing, I know - but hey - you're all the ones on my case for not blogging in a while. THIS is what you get!
Oh, and a big, strawberry filled CONGRATULATIONS to the B&J twins. Talk about perspective! A year and a half ago, I was on my knees that they'd survive being born way way way too early. Today, seeing them on the anniversary of their homecoming, chowing down on strawberries, giving big bright grins, and cooing to anyone who'd listen, I realized that this perspective is what I need. From this perspective, these little boys have jumped leaps and bounds ahead of where they've been. They're survivors, they've experienced a real fight for their lives, which makes things like hair cuts and joblessness seem trivial. They are special little boys regardless of your perspective, but from my perspective they're two little miracles with tireless parents (at least they fake it like it's tireless) and all the spunk they can fit into their little bodies. I've seen my friend become an amazing, awe inspiring mom, who knows what her kids need, and will get it - through persistence alone! Whatever the growth charts say - they're 100% above average in stamina, way over standard on cuteness, and off the charts on loved. Congrats again!
So from whatever your perspective is to my first post in two months - whether you call me a slacker - or too busy to write, enjoy! Who knows when I'll post again. ;)
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