Bring On 2009!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

Question of the Day ; )

How long did it take me to properly install the upholstery attachment to the carpet cleaner I borrowed from my mom?

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A. 2 seconds - I'm a whiz at these things

B. 10 minutes - it was a little tricky even though the simple 3 step instructions are clearly visible on the attachment

C. 30 minutes - I must have an undiagnosed installation disorder : /

D. still working on it - let you know when I figure it out... patience is a virtue : )

E. none of the above - that's why I married a mechanical engineer... he can figure it out.

***

Think it over. Feel free to share your answer in the comments section of this post. I will give the correct answer later in the day.

****Update: The correct answer is C.

'Leave' It To Boys

Cousins Evan and Alon spent quality time together yesterday at MeMaw and PaPa's place. They had a blast in PaPa's "leaf collection". The boys also had fun sleeping overnight in a tent set up in the living room. And I got to be a princess in a castle tower while Sir Evan and Sir Alon were the brave knights that guarded my lands with their tree branches... I mean shooters.

Evan buried in leaves

Evan swinging my Wreck This Journal book while Alon tunnels through the leaves

leaf confetti

What a wreck!

Wreck This Journal

To Create is To Destroy

http://www.wreckthisjournal.com/

instructions:
1. carry this with you everywhere you go
2. follow the instructions of every page
3. order is not important
4. instructions are open to interpretation
5. experiment (work against your better judgment)

I have only had my journal one day, but it is already looking pretty wrecked. I saw Linda's journal recently and hers is turning into a masterpiece of wreckness. I can't wait to take my journal for a walk (on a leash), run over it with the car, take a shower with it, and mail it to myself. I'm 100% serious people!

**check out the website to find out more**
http://www.wreckthisjournal.com/

Happy Boxing Day

We are celebrating our own version of Boxing Day. Just a fun way to honor (I guess I should add 'U' to the spelling of words?) the British side of our family. Evan thinks it's cool because he is part British and can celebrate a holiday that his friends don't celebrate. We are packing up old toys and books to give away, cleaning out the garage (a little) and boxing up things that need to go in the attic. Markas has been partaking of English cheddar cheese, crackers, and some special kind of sausage. And every now and then Evan and I ask him to say something in the Queen's English ; )

Have a bloody good day, everyone! Maybe with tea and crumpets (or is it scones?) and all that stuff... just to celebrate properly.

Christmas 2008 - a retrospective ; )

We had a super good Christmas. My folks came to hang out (along with their dog, Pascal).

Evan decided to flip the script (aka turn the camera on me) and take lots of pictures of me. I felt like a celebrity being stalked by the paparazzi ; ) (flash, flash, flash, flash...) He probably feels the same way when we all have cameras prepared to document his every move.

Besides the Wii and Wii games, Evan got a cool hovercraft, a new set of golf clubs and new golf shoes. And it took only 24 hours for him to become a video game junky! This is his first ever video game system. My first was Atari. My how far we have come in 20-25 years! Markas and I try to describe what the old games were like. But Evan's eyes just start to glaze over as if we are describing paint drying. The pixelated images and clunky single-button joysticks of days gone by do not compute in his high-tech world. I for one miss Pac Man! ; ) (click on image to enlarge)

A Wii Christmas

Santa ate the cookies!

Santa drank the milk!

Santa left a note!

Santa left a Wii little present for Evan!

Evan loves his Wii little present from Santa!

And I love seeing Christmas through the eyes of a five year old!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day!

This Eve

cookies and a note for Santa

silly shot

more silliness

'twas the night before Christmas

One of my favorite things about Christmas Eve this year was my child's willingness to help with anything and everything around the house and yard today. I know his kindness comes from the heart and has absolutely nothing to do with racking up more 'Santa points' before the big day.... yeah right! I'm no dummy ; ) But I am still thankful for the help.

Festivus Fun

Holiday Express 2008

It's that time of year again. Time to ride the Holiday Express and then have hot chocolate. It has become a yearly tradition that we share with our good friends. The temp was in the mid-20s with a windchill close to 10 degrees. We persevered in our many layers of clothing. At least this year (unlike last year), we didn't have to contend with sleet.

Evan checking out the steam engine in the train depot.

park lights

The gang getting ready to ride.

Playing with my camera settings while the train passed by.

Matthew & Evan taking a break from their hot chocolates to pose in front of the Christmas tree.

The Outline of God

An excerpt of a conversation Evan and I had yesterday.

Evan: "God is always around. Everywhere. But you can't see him." (short pause) "Well sometimes you can see his lines."

Me: "Like an outline?"

Evan: "Yes. Sometimes you can see his outline when he forgets to make himself invisible."

Another excerpt of the same conversation.

Me: I explained how different people believe different things about religion. And how that is okay. We talked about several different religions.

Evan: "Kind of like some people believe in Santa and some don't?"

(Can you tell he's got Santa on the brain?)

Me: "Yes"

Evan: "You believe in God and Jesus, don't you?"

Me: "I'm really not sure that I do, but that doesn't mean that you can't believe in them or in other things."

Evan: "But you believe in Santa Clause, don't you?"

(Concern breaks out across his face.)

Me: "Yep. I think the whole Santa thing is super cool."

(Evan takes a breath of relief.)

Markas and I are still formulating a game plan as to how we will handle religion with Evan. For right now we tread lightly, try to keep discussions upbeat and open, and follow Evan's lead. I feel to not address religion in some way, especially because it is so immensely prominent in society, is harmful. I don't want Evan to have this void of knowledge or understanding about such a huge issue. However I struggle with the idea that kids should be taught to follow a specific belief so early in life. I just don't want his meaning and purpose in life to come prepackaged for him. Doesn't that take the life out of life in some way?

List Love

My friend Linda knows that I have a thing for lists. The framework that holds me together would come unglued without them. So she got this book for me.

"The ultimate fill-in journal for every list you'll ever need!"

I am in list heaven! Thanks, Linda!

http://www.amazon.com/Listography-Journal-Your-Life-Lists/dp/0811859088/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229892040&sr=8-1

Well apparently I am not the only list maker around because Linda presented me with this list. It's her 2009 list of things to do. I couldn't help but notice that they all involved me. I guess that would make it not only Linda's List for 2009, but by default also my list for 2009.

Looks like we are going to have a fun 2009. Although the youtube video concerns me... : /

(click on image to enlarge)

Moms Gone Crazy

It was moms night out tonight. I haven't gone in quite awhile and was ready to have girl time. Since we are wild and crazy women, we started the night off with dinner at Olive Garden. I even had a strawberry daiquiri because I am just that wild. Then things got really out-of-control... we went to Books-a-Million to peruse works of fiction and non-fiction. I know it is hard to believe, but wait... it gets even more crazy... we went to Target and shopped without a list. Boy we really know how to live on the wild side. Someone hold us back. Next moms night out we might even venture to TGIF, but go on a Saturday (rebels we are) and then hang at Hobby Lobby until closing time. You just never know what we will do next. Watch out world! LOL

{heart} art

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

-Pablo Picasso

Evan's friend Shelby made this picture for him.

Evan's drawing of a cat, Shelby & himself, and... some orange things ???

Evan's drawing of a moose and a boy in a house... I think ; ) I love his moose! It just makes me smile!

This is Evan's version of a jet/spaceship he saw in a book. He was very proud of how it turned out. I think it is neat because it also looks a lot like a bat or a bird. He was also proud because he spelled artistic on his own by sounding it out. Pretty great job if you ask me.

Wednesday Wrap Up

'tis the season for music programs

Evan's first Kindergarten music program was this afternoon. It was sweet to watch the kids sing Christmas songs and at times have no idea what they are singing about. ie "bring us some figgy pudding"... I mean really... geez... poor kids ; )

Evan is in the back row in the middle. I told Markas after the program that our child is going to spend his life on the back row ; ) Part of being a tall kid is always being relegated to stand in the back of everyone else.

Evan with one of his neighborhood friends, also in Kindergarten.

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Scrap Happy!


stock photo

I am definitely feeling a little scrap happy today. There is now a cute scrapbook shop in my municipality! It is in a great historic building with hardwood floors and fabulous old doors. No longer will I have to venture to a nearby city to get my crafty fix at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. And they have goodies that you can't get at the chain crafty places. The picture above is a stock photo. The actual shop isn't this cutesy... or pink. But I thought it gives an idea about what I am talking about.
From this point on I might as well call this place Cheers... because everyone there is going to know my name! LOL I am going to need an intervention. I can tell already ; )

Let's Be Friends

I am considering creating an imaginary friend. (Try not to think of me as mentally unstable... although I could very well be LOL. Just think of me as quirky or interestingly irreverent.) I don't remember having one as a kid. I would have to ask my folks to make sure. Wouldn't I remember if I had one though? Anyway, I'm not sure how one goes about creating an imaginary friend. Probably a kid wouldn't research how to create one... only a grown up would... bad start indeed : / Am I too old and imagination impaired to take this on? ; )

Nah. This will be easy peasy lemon squeezy... and fun. Maybe I will name my friend Lucy? Lucy wants to be an Opera Singer/Shoe Tester/Zookeeper. She won't eat anything that smells bad. And she never leaves home or sleeps or takes a bath without her most favorite princess wand... because it's very magic she says.

Oh, I think Lucy and I are off to a lovely start as friends... If you don't have an imaginary buddy, you are missing out!

Imaginary Friends, Revealed

check out this magazine article link:

http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/imaginary-friends.html

Putting Myself to Work

Here's my latest plan. Isn't everyone excited?! ; )

I am going to treat taking care of myself like it is a job... a very important job. My theory behind this idea is that when you have a job you have to do stuff even if you don't want to. You have to report back to someone regardless of the outcome. You have to show up and work even when you feel really crappy. So I hope to use my work ethic as a weapon against myself.

New Job Title: Quality of My Life Controller

Job Description: Continue with the things that promote my overall well-being, discard the things that don't help improve my quality of life, incorporate new things to help my body and mind be stronger and more energized, keep a record of daily progress, hold myself accountable, have fun.

Benefits Package: monetarily - nada

health and energy - hopefully way more

time off/sick leave - very little

casual work attire and work environment

flexible hours

fabulous boss ; )

Okay, I am looking over this and wondering what have I gotten myself into! uugggh! focus. focus. regroup. positive attitude. You gotta love my inner dialogue or maybe not. But I crack myself up sometimes. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, today is the start of my new job. Not the best day to start considering I am feeling under the weather and therefore craving comfort food and lounge-around-the-house time. I have to remind myself that if I had a 'real world job' I would still have to go to work today. That is the approach I must take with my Quality Controller position... I still have to go to work today. Geez, I wish I could tell my boss where to stick it! lol

gotta go clock in for the day... wish me luck.

We'll Always Have Paris

Okay, so not exactly "The City of Lights" Paris. Rather another Paris a little closer to us. We attended a work-related dinner at a beautiful new lodge built on the highest area in the state... just under 3,000 ft. Small potatoes as mountains go, but considering the state isn't known for mountains it was quite a beautiful treat.

the great room near the entrance of the lodge

zooming in on cabins near the lodge

view from our third floor balcony

another balcony view

view from inside our room as we packed up this morning

Other than me sounding pretty froggy the entire time and having to be on my best (okay, almost best) behavior, it was nice. I enjoy meeting new people, but when it is an event related to Markas' work I always feel like I have to present a slightly different image of myself. More 'refined' I guess. I don't really do 'refined' in my real life! lol When in doubt, I just wear pearls... 'cus pearls scream refinement. I don't know which fork to use, but look I'm wearing pearls! lol

Showing My True Colors

The Ultimate Color Test

Your Colors Say You Are Caring

When you are at peace, you are: Energized and innovative

When you are moved to act, you are: Giving and warm

When you are inspired, you are: Spontaneous and adventurous

When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Totally in the moment

Your life's purpose is: To change the world

quiz from www.blogthings.com

"I don't know about you..."

Evan's friend Shelby told him that Santa isn't real.

Evan responded, "Well, I don't know about you, but Santa comes to my house!"

Her declaration apparently not even chinking his 'I believe in Santa armor'.

I feel a little bad for my parental deception, but glad that he was able to handle this situation well. Minor crisis avoided for the time being.

Would you like handcuffs with that order?

An Overview of My Day

• back to the dentist. still no luck with getting my crown finished up. maybe the third time will be the charm. To quote the great Charlie Brown "Good grief!"
• applied to be a volunteer at a children's emergency shelter in the area. maybe a day or two a week. I feel the need to get back into my social services work.
• watched a lady get arrested at Chick-fil-A this evening. it was quite a scene. come to find out the lady was the ex-wife of the owner and was threatening the current wife... thus breaking a restraining order. And we got a free dessert out of the deal. nothing like dinner and a show ; )
• wasn't feeling too well earlier tonight. I fell asleep on the bed and woke up nose to wet doggy nose with a sleeping Price (the P-Dog). such a sweet dog we have.

Tuesday Tidbits

Something I just can't wrap my head around.

The Duggar family. They have a show on TLC (called something like 17 kids and one on the way). I don't get it at all. They have planned to have this many kids... and probably will plan for more. I wonder if this could be considered morally irresponsible. Really having more than 8 kids (barring of course situations of multiples) is in the the realm of animal husbandry. And providing a home for children through fostering or adoption is also an entirely different situation. But to give birth to that many children "because each was is like a flower"...??? I don't get it. I mean it is a choice (and not mine to make for them). They do seem to care and provide for their family. However the older kids carry a large responsibility for raising the younger kids. Is that healthy? I keep thinking that eventually they will run out of names that start with "J" and will have to stop having kids. Even the mom's OB/GYN refused to deliver any more of her children after #16 I think. Well, I didn't mean to ramble on about this. I saw part of the show last night and it left me shaking my head and worrying about the mental health of the parents. It felt a little creepy and cult-like I have to say. Mixed with a little freakshow-esque appeal. Unsettling for sure.

***

The Religious Case for Gay Marriage

Another interesting and thought-provoking article in Newsweek.

Our Mutual Joy by LIsa Miller

check it out here:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653

I truly, truly can't not fathom why this issue is so threatening to so many people. I often joke with my family and friends that one day I will likely be thrown into water to see if I will float (like the witch-hunting days). And when I do (because I float well without even trying), I will be burned at the stake. But even so I will promise you I will still not understand why this has to be such a huge, hateful battle. In my mind (and heart) the choice to marry or not to marry is a human right. Love takes many forms. And it is just that simple... at least to me.

Okay, I am off to practice my back stroke now...

Sharing Some Funny ; )

WWMD?

Maybe it's just my warped sense of humor, but I thought this was funny.

design found at www.cafepress.com by Plastic Earlobe

They're Grreaat! (think Tony the Tiger)

Earn Your Stripes!

The mascot of Evan's school is the tiger. Each nine week period the students have a chance to earn stripes. Evan got 4 for the first nine weeks (blue, white, orange & black). I can't seem to get a clear consensus as to what stripe is what. I know one of them is for perfect attendance, but can't tell you which. The others are a complete mystery as of yet. More research is needed...

Evan didn't want his face in the pictures. Not uncommon lately. But he did want to point to each stripe and have four individual pictures taken. "Because each one is different, Mom." Oh, now I get it... (not really) lol