We're Better Together

The newest members of our family

2009-11-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

Dining Room!

2009-11-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Better living room

2009-10-20T09:31:00.001-07:00

This thing is finally what I want it to be....I think!

Kitchen....yay!

2009-10-20T08:53:00.001-07:00

We still need counters, but the walls are done. Woo-hoo!

Catching up on life

2009-08-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

While vacation, moving, and life took up a lot of my time, I'm finally working on things I should have done six months ago. Like uploading photos. Here's what you missed:

The pinewood derby

Aspiring doctors

Birthday boys

Tough guys

Crying girls

Hot cocoa

Big hugs

First haircuts

Little League

Guitar Hero

Group reading

Bi Hawks

Ballet recitals

Six Flags

Paddle boats

Fishing

Long drives

New looks

Shooting guns

Crazy faces

Chickens

Capturing kittens

Visiting Grandmas

Swimming with cousins

Cool castles

Living Room....Check!

2009-06-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

We painted this weekend...the color is a little better in the close up. I really love it, so if you don't, too bad! It's called red pepper, but for some reason I thought it was chipotle, and that it was more brown/orange not red. Duh. Still love it!

Before:

After:

Today's accomplishments

2009-06-12T18:32:00.001-07:00

Now I'm really tired, but we made some unexpected progress. It started with the replacement of the back door knob, and ended with the wallpaper being down from the living and dining rooms. Curt found only one area in the stair well that was three layers deep, and worked on it the whole time I did the living room. He was not happy. Tomorrow is glue removal, as there is no way we are doing that tonight. It is going to be a pain since the walls are plaster, and every time they took old wallpaper off in the past they...well let's just say they weren't picky. Scrub scrub scrub. Wipe wipe wipe. But I am very excited that I won't ever have to take off paper in those rooms again, and soon we get to paint! Now if we could only agree on colors...

Yesterday's accomplishments

2009-06-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's nice to know that I actually get something done each day besides the 'norm'. Today was a slow day for sure, but we did have our first guests that I actually cooked a full dinner and dessert for. Nothing extravagant, just chili and southern banana pudding with Nutter Butters. Yum. Curt also found a spare sink fixture thing downstairs in the old workbench, since I gave the other one away to the guy who was wonderful enough to take my dishwasher, making one more thing we don't have to buy. No one wanted the blinds and valance I'm trying to give away, but tomorrow's another day. Oh yeah, the hedges got trimmed too. That's pretty exciting. Not.

Hidden Treasure

2009-06-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

I impulsively decided to start ripping carpet the other day, hoping to find something in decent condition. I did in the first two rooms, but then the living and dining rooms surprised me. The edges of the floor were all finished, but a square of about 8' x 10' feet in the center of each was totally unfinished, moving floors up to a much higher priority. Whoops. I am still working on getting up all the tack board or whatever it's called, but at least the dusty old nastiness is gone, and I think I am breathing a lot better. Here's the first room I did, the office:

New House

2009-06-07T17:57:00.001-07:00

Here's our new house. It does need some major updating, but it shouldn't be too hard. Just time consuming. It was built in 1920 and has some cool details like built in bookshelves in Winnie's room. The big tree on the right has already been cut down, as well as one by the back porch. Our outside plans for now are to paint the shutters and front porch white, and take down a lot of the overwhelming shrubbery and garage and put on a new roof. Oh yeah, all the stuff inside is NOT ours, just the previous owners.

Was it the gum?

2009-03-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

I love it when my daughter goes into my room, in which she is not allowed, and then goes into my purse, in which she is definitely not allowed, and eats all but three pieces of a brand new pack of strawberry gum, and I do mean eat. Then I really love it when she won't fall asleep because she took a nap, and sneaks into the closet to play with toys, and pukes all over all the zoo animals right when the new episode of The Office comes on, and makes her way downstairs crying and letting any residual puke fall where it may. The best thing is that I am so proud of her for trying something new for dinner, and eating it all, that I am not disappointed when I find three pieces of chewed gum in the drain of the bathtub- where her jammies were washed out- since it drains nice and slow because I have put off calling maintenance. It really thrills me when I am in bed about to fall asleep, and she is crying again and my wonderful husband is cursing and I go to wash the next round out of her hair and find that I have to cut a piece of puked up gum out because I am not getting the peanut butter at this hour with a cold and upset princess in my care. The crowning glory is really when that princess comes to sleep with me, and I am smart enough to grab a bucket first and then be on alert the entire night for any distressing sounds coming out of her, and get the next four pukes successfully contained in the bucket. Then I realize the real crowning glory is that I am eating the same thing for breakfast that we had for dinner last night.

No subject

2009-02-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

For more than one reason, waking up to find that the bottom of my spring form pan is missing, and knowing that the only place it could possibly be is at the Land is driving me crazy. Bringing up a slew of emotions and frustrations. Will it always be like this? Thinking of walking in the foggy morning up to the Peg House and having my heart ache because I can still smell the rain on the highway.

Cheap thrills

2008-12-17T08:04:00.000-08:00

We got our second snow last night. It wasn't much, but some rain came after which made for some lovely slush. I realized on my way home from another tedious trip to Costco, that there are few things in life I enjoy more than walking through slush- except maybe driving through it listening to classic rock.

Dead woman walking

2008-12-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

Walking pneumonia that is, and I wanted to die! Well, I went to the doc today after pain that was bringing me to tears. They gave me all sorts of good drugs, and I already feel much better. The pain in my right rib was really the most intolerable thing, seems the cartilage between my ribs got all crazy from coughing so hard/much. My cough has actually been much better, but it's going on four weeks, so I'm pretty over it. I want to have a Christmas without wincing in pain! I have high hopes. Thank God for pain killers :) Here's some sweetness:

Yay!

2008-12-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Rain

2008-11-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

I am very happy it is raining today. Finally getting some humidity in the air, which is helping my cough. I seem to have come down with bronchitis. It sucks. Sooo painful. I feel like I've done 1000 sit ups because my abs are so sore from coughing, as well as my head and throat. It's been just over a week, and can last 3 weeks! Probably even longer. It's weird when you're sick and all you can think about is how wonderful it would be to just be better, but when you're better you take it all for granted. Yup. I guess that's how it goes. Oh...if I could just stop coughing!

Trick or Treat

2008-11-01T06:13:00.001-07:00

Today and yesterday

2008-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Today I worked in my new chilly office. It reminded me of the Land- except I didn't have a little heating dish pointed at me.

Yesterday (or was it the day before) I ran over a squirrel. The little sucker was literally having a happy skip across the road, stopped in front of me, and looked deep into my soul (not really) before I heard the dreaded thu-thunk. I checked in my mirror and saw him make it to the side of the road, so I am hopeful he is not injured.

Suicidal Squirrels

2008-10-09T04:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe it's just me, but it seems every time I am in the car driving around town, at least one little gray squirrel has to throw itself before my car. What is up with that man? I mean there are squirrels in California, but here it's like there are so many they have to kill themselves off. Also I had the pleasure a couple weeks ago to see my first black(brown?) squirrel. That was the coolest thing. I was like a little kid all freaking out like I had discovered it or something. Seriously.

I have a feeling we're not in Cali anymore

2008-10-07T05:13:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I love here, and so many things I need to adjust to. Like wearing sandals while walking Jed to the bus stop in October. That was not so smart. I now have frostbite in my eight smallest toes. Well, not quite. In Sac, I could wear those beloved hippie slippers year round. Year round I say! I'll probably be the mom wearing her slippers down the street with a cup of coffee in one hand, hair unkempt, and jammies still on. 8:00 is just too early for me to care about things like hair and putting forth the effort to actually don socks and shoes.

Speaking of the bus stop, the time has also come for PDA's with my son to end. Apparently a friend saw Jed giving me a kiss as the bus pulled up one morning. Not good. Now as soon as the bus turns the corner, we have a quick hug and wave bye. Oh sad day! Hey, at least I still get the hug.

Onto things I love- well besides my wonderful little angel baby, who is so cute cute cute in long sleeve dresses and stripey tights, and trees changing gorgeous hues of my favorite colors- it's...the Red Sox! Every game is on tv, and they made it to the playoffs! Woo hoo! Though my best Red Sox moment was when we went to the Big E (kind of a state fair for New England) and they had a whole area set up as a bar with hay bales to sit on, and the game on. That was so cool, and everyone is a Sox fan here (almost). Well they should be. There's a wonderful kindredness about it. I've finally been able to get back into it all enough to know all the players, which is something I haven't done for over ten years.

Jed is making friends, and helping us make some too. He is such an excellent socialite, which also can make him hard to keep a leash on. He figured out how to ride a two wheeler in about five minutes, and is now more mobile than ever. I'm sure you can just imagine.

Oh oh oh! I almost forgot! One of the best things here is the food! I mean the Polish food! Fresh peirogies down the street...mmm...yummy. We went to a festival put on by the Nuns around here, and you could get a whole polish plate...peirogies, golabki, ( I always thought it was ga-wump-ki growing up- he he) rye bread and sausage. My dad even got a whole package of polish food for his birthday, which of course he shared, and I got to experience the wonder of Hunter's stew. It's just good. Well, I must get on with my day...missing you, and since pictures are awesome:

Happy Birthday

2008-09-22T11:04:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Today is my birthday, and I am so excited!

I'd better get dressed and do my makeup.

Here's a close up so you can see what a good job I did.

I have to take out my hog to go see my brother.

He just got a new jeep and is taking me to my party.

Here is my princess castle cake. I'm going to live there one day (not in a cake).

Oh, I'm sorry, how rude of me. Would you like some? It's delicious!

Oh! Don't forget presents!

What a long day. I'm getting tired and cranky. It's hard being three.

I guess I'll see you later....zzzzzzzzzzzzz......

merbaby

2008-07-08T19:10:00.001-07:00

friends

2008-07-08T19:07:00.001-07:00

These are the cupcakes...

2008-06-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

...that almost gave me a nervous breakdown. It all started as a cute picture in a magazine. Then came the need for cupcakes at a certain little boy's kindergarten graduation. Then the excitement, the buying of ingredients, and the night before coming all too soon. Realizing I had to make cupcakes for baseball the following day as well, I decided to nearly triple the recipe which I of course had to make from scratch. Then I discovered I could only do one batch at a time since I only had one cupcake pan. Okay, that's alright. Then I baked them. They were not 'kid-able.' I liked them, but they were dense, and not you average hostess cake. So after baking five batches, I ran to the store to get a box mix of stuff kids find palateable. Two batches later and an hour past my bedtime I had twenty four kid friendly treats. Unfrosted. They could wait 'till the morning. I neatly stacked them in a tupperware container, and went to bed. Upon waking early the next morning, I discovered the stacked cakes had stuck together. After carefully peeling them apart, I took to my next task- coloring the frosting. Whoops, there is no yellow coloring. Well who needs yellow sunflowers anyway? How about purple? Works for me! After an hour of tedious frosting, and catching up on Miss Guided, here's what I came up with:

Kind of cute, huh? We won't even talk about the batch of baseball cupcakes, with each players name neatly written on them, that a certain small girl decided to dig into five minutes before heading out the door, giving her brother a heart attack. I foresee many years of this same situation, and hopefully I can learn from my um...unpreparedness.

Toothless wonders

2008-06-01T18:28:00.001-07:00

Medic for a day

2008-05-06T12:26:00.001-07:00

This tater's for you!

2008-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Sara- that's what this was supposed to say on Monday, but since my body gets tired faster than I get all my wonderful ideas out on paper(screen), it is happening today. Four days after your birthday.

Today (Monday) I peeled my potatoes. I never peel my potatoes. As I did it I thought of you and all the shepherd's pie and peeled potatoes that went through your hands. And all that lovely fiber that went in the compost. (sigh) You are the peeler in my book. Potatoes, carrots, and I'm sure whatever other rooty veggies you could get your palm peeler on. I find it so fitting that this is the day I break my vow of skins staying on and put the peeler I ganked from the Land to use. As you can see, I left a little bit of peel on- because I'm a little bit rebellious. Happy Birthday Sara. I love you.

First Game

2008-03-30T15:10:00.001-07:00

What I'm made of

2008-02-25T17:09:00.001-08:00

44% Lithuanian

22% French

6.5% Irish

6.5% Scottish

6.5% English

6.5% German

3% Polish

3% Mohawk

1% Dutch

1% Swedish

Fun time

2008-02-21T09:19:00.001-08:00

Sometimes all it takes to restore my faith in man is a good trip to the snow. We found a lovely place to go sledding. So did a lot of other folks. The sun was shining, everyone was laughing and playing, dads were seeing how fast they could push their children down huge hills. We had a blast and finally got to take the trip I'd been anticipating since the snow started falling. Both our kids got hurt, but that's just part of the fun.

All ready!

Faster Daddy! Faster!

Up on a roof top...

This it actually near the top of the tree because the snow is so deep.

My Little Deflock

2008-02-19T06:41:00.000-08:00

Here are two deflocks I recently undertook. They already had a few spots where the flocking was rubbed, and both has some weird pony disease that made tiny flocking hairs come off every time I held them. I look at deflocking as the only option left for these ladies, but I think ponies look much better without all that furry fuzz anyway, when you can actually see their cute little faces. Unfortunately it is a very painstaking, chemically job, but I wanted to give it a go at least a couple times. I am also working on a very stubborn North Star, but her glue is proving much more steadfast than I am, so it's taking me a while. The first pony I did was Bouncy.

Before:

After:

The second deflock I did was Wind Whistler. I had a hard time not keeping her, but eventually decided to let her be the free spirit she is.

Before:

After:

Twilight

2008-02-18T09:55:00.001-08:00

Powder

2008-02-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Valentine Baby

2008-02-14T20:14:00.001-08:00

Baby Sunribbon

2008-02-09T21:46:00.001-08:00

This is Baby Sunribbon. I really like her because I can make believe she is Moonstone's baby, and just hasn't gotten her horn yet (he he he). She is a G1 Rainbow Baby Pony from 1990-1991. Her symbol is a rainbow on top of a cloud surrounded by stars and dots.

Weekly project

2008-02-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Not that I really will have a weekly project, but it would be cool. I got this great set of chairs for a super deal the other day. The down side was, they were pretty stained and nasty. The upside was that they matched, were sturdy, and had plenty of potential. After giving them the once over in the store, I decided they would be an easy reupholstery job. I'd never done anything like that before, but I'd watched enough episodes of Clean Sweep and other home makeover shows to have a general idea of what to do, plus my new hobby of figuring things out came into play perfectly. Well, it took about four times as long as I'd predicted, and my hands are still hurting from that darned staple gun, but I am happy with the finished product. The vinyl does seem a little old ladyish, but so far it's been awesome for spills from the munchkins.

Here's what I started with:

Here's the finished product:

T-Shirt of the week

2008-01-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

So what's rocking my world this week? This sweet T and the British show How To Look Good Naked. I feel a new phase for women coming on. Just remember I said it first! (Well out of everyone I know at least!)

Moonstone

2008-01-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

This is Moonstone. It has taken me forever to remember her name. I'm always thinking 'Moon something... star?... beam?... light?... rocket?' She is a Rainbow Pony, a G1 unicorn from year two(1983-84), and her symbol is a sparkly blue and silver ringed planet surrounded by it's moons. She is one of the ponies I am keeping. I had her when I was little, and she has a very special story. She stands out from the other ponies I had because of a certain little incident. My mother was going through her 'Charismatic' phase, and any imaginary creature was evil. This, of course, included unicorns. I came home from school one day to find poor little Moonstone had been dehorned! Imagine the horror! Turned into a perfectly normal horse...with a huge hole in her forehead. I have since gotten over this, and hold no hard feelings- really, and my mother feels just terrible whenever I mention it. It was really a wonderful suprise when I found her a few weeks ago for a mere .69 cents! She is in really great shape, just a tiny bit of wear on her symbols, and on the end of her horn and hooves. I love her. She is beautiful.

Figuring it all out

2008-01-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

I have decided to make up for my lack of friends in Sacramento. Aren't you just sitting on the edge of your chair wondering what I will do, and wondering if you can do it too? Do you find yourself wanting someone who will listen to you, who's bum you won't be wiping later in the day? Maybe a close pal who would hang around whenever you wanted her there, would always take your advice, and let you do her hair just the way you like it? I know, I know, sounds fabulous- too good to be true. But it's not. I have discovered the world of My Little Pony. Or rather rediscovered. Okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit, but I've had some fun with these girls I found in a bag at Thrift Town. They were some dirty little ponies, but after some research, I learned how to clean them- and more importantly, how not too. Now, they are looking very pretty. They are all G1 ponies, meaning they are the first style of ponies to come out. I think I'm only going to keep a couple, but they are all just dying to make an appearance on here. (I promised them- okay?) I really did think I might keep them all, as I am currently trying to figure out a new hobby, maybe one that will stick. I realized that I have a tendency to pick stuff up and put it down once I get bored with it. I'd like to find something I really love. Maybe I just really love learning to do stuff. Figuring it all out. That's it! That's my hobby! Anywho, the girls will be showing up shortly, before hitting ebay, so stay tuned.

Sick as a (Curt) dog

2008-01-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

Eeeww. We have been very sick. All four of us. Not just 'I have a cold' sick, but 'I have something seriously wrong with my insides' sick. It started with Jed, as always, he is the first to warn us of the horrors to come, followed by Frannie, Curtis and lil' ol' me to bring it all together. It is not fun, but there was something about today that made me happy. Maybe it was that Curt had to stay home from work, so he laid around with Win and was first to grab the bucket when she started making her 'uh-oh here it comes' sounds. Maybe it's that all the puke laundry is finally done. Maybe I know we are through the thickest part of the fog. Sickness is so strange the way it just comes in and takes over, and when it is gone all you can remember is that is was miserable and smelled terrible. Well, good riddance- don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more. (Yes, that last line must be sung, so if you didn't do it, go back and do it again.)

Yummy yummy yum yum

2008-01-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

A friend was asking for this recipe, and since it isn't the first time I've been asked, I figured I'd post it, and then just refer folks here. Super easy and yummy, sometimes I add chicken, sometimes over rice, sometimes I omit the red pepper so the kids won't freak out. It can easily be turned veggie friendly with vegetable broth and maybe some tofu for fun!

Pumpkin Coconut Soup

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion chopped (1 cup)
2 carrots chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-14oz cans chicken broth
2- 15oz cans pumpkin
1- 14oz can coconut milk
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
1 1/4 tsp. salt
lime juice

Saute onion & carrot in oil for 5 min. Add garlic & cook 30 seconds more. Add 1 can of broth and simmer for 10 min. Cool 10 min. Blend in blender until smooth - return to pot. Add pumpkin, coconut milk and the rest of the broth. Bring to a simmer. Stir in salt and pepper. Serve with lime juice if desired.

Stormy Sac

2008-01-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

We made it through the thick of the storm, and are safe and dry. Friday was the crazy day. The one that took down trees, took out electricity, and stole our parking ticket. We had planned to take Jed to Walking With The Dinosaurs as and early birthday present, and woke (for those of us who could sleep through the wild wind storm) to intense weather and spotty power outages. The show was only in town for four days, so we had to go. When we got there, our parking ticket blew right out of the car as we opened our doors, never to be found again. The wind was that strong. Okay, that doesn't really sound that strong. Curtis ran back to the ticket booth in the rain and wind- being the only one with a rain coat- to see if they would give us a new ticket. On the way back a huge light pole fell over three feet from where he was running. The wind was that strong. Of course both Curtis and I have a passion for adventure, and when I told him my camera had to go back in the car because we couldn't bring it in, he practically begged to run back into the storm. We had a small boxing match to see who would get to go- he won. Unfortunately, the only prize he got was to remain soaking wet for the entire show- and of course, the love and adoration of his wife and child. When we returned home, we were lucky to find we had electricity, as the building directly across from us was out. I kept worrying about our parking lot flooding, and fretting if we should move the cars to higher ground across the street. Turns out, the lot across the street was the one that ended up flooding. Glad we didn't move the cars. There are trees down on practically every block, and flooding here and there, but the only damage that was really close to us is this:
Our poor pool! Actually the pool is fine, just the fence got hurt, and I imagine what ever that pipe goes to. Three cheers for our wonderful babysitter on Friday- Rae. Not only does she have three other munchkins of her own to chase around, but she is newly preggers, and you know what that means- siiiiiick. At least that day. And the Winners just doesn't stop. Seriously. Thanks Rae. You are one tough cookie.

Ode to my sneakers

2008-01-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

So I got these sneakers for Christmas. (Sorry Mom, I know- atrocious grammar.) And let me tell you I love, love, love these sneakers. They are actually running sneakers. My very first pair ever. I have had the hardest time finding a pair that fit my wide feet, and were a relatively good brand, but not too $good$, if you know what I mean. I bought a pair and returned them after having my toes going numb, and then these just happened to be in the right place, when I had the right energy, and the kids had the right attitude for shopping. Truly, they are light as air- even lighter. They may be made of helium. They also made me realize my old workout sneakers were basically slabs of concrete I would lift and land on as I jumped around. They have just the right amount of squish, and I can wiggle my toes wonderfully. I am excited to put them on every morning, and the only shortcoming I can think of is that they have orange on them, but just a little, and the main color is gray- let me stress not white. I seriously want to float around in them all day, but for now, they are strictly indoor workout shoes. The thought of dirt touching their newness simply repulses me. I will probably name them soon, since more children aren't in the near future, so stay tuned.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

How many thousands of people out there are blogging about what is on so many minds? New Year's resolutions. The loaded promises we make ourselves to keep for the next 365 days, and are soon forgotten after only a few. I admit, I have several...yes, not just one...but for now they will remain in my heart. I get so funny about change in my life. I feel as if I say it aloud or to someone I am instantly destined for failure. Hence them staying in my heart. Superstitious? I don't know. I guess I just don't like the public humiliation if I fail. Or maybe the A word. Accountability. Is that terrible? I just tend to do better on my own, which seems to be the opposite of what we are always told when we decide to make a change. But then again, maybe I'm not on my own as much as I think. I mean, I have told one person. Yup, the big guy. If anyone is going to help me change for the better, to be more like Him, it will be Him. Probably the best accountability I could get. Someone alway cheering for me, never humiliating me, always loving me, and giving me strength when I'm at my weakest.

Merrry, Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T12:37:00.000-08:00

'Twas the day before Christmas...

2007-12-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

...and mama was baking holiday bread for Christmas breakfast...

and Pioneer Woman's scrumptious apple pie...

and she even made the pie crust from scratch with this cute little rolling pin:

Do you love Christmas music?

2007-12-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Well, even if you don't, you should check this out. It's pretty wonderful.

Merry Christmas everyone! I love you!

2007-12-19T21:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a little more of the lovies if you'd like: My elves

Best friends

2007-07-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

Lovely ladies

2007-07-16T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Christmas dress that almost wasn't

2007-06-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

I never took any pictures on Christmas because Wyn was feeling terrible. I really love this dress, and had to make sure I got some pictures of her in it. So on the first of June, I finally put her in it again.

Any spot will do

2007-05-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

2007-04-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

The new car

2007-03-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Paved with good intentions

2007-03-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

I think about writing...really, I do. I think about it when Winnie says 'baby,' only her third word, or when Jed goes to the dentist for the very first time and is an excellent patient. I think about it when we get a new car, and all my fears and dreams surrounding it, or when I hear about a good friend being sad, and words of encouragement well up inside me. I think about it when my porch is all gone, and my days are full of the echo of saws and hammers as we anticipate a new one, or when I just got the lamps I've wanted for so long. I think about it when I get all addicted to yet another TV show, and when I am excited about friends and family coming to visit. I think about it when my days seem hopeless, and days when my spirit is as sunny as the sky over Sacramento in March. I think about it when I realize Easter is around the corner and Cadbury's mini eggs are on the shelves once again, only now there are also dark chocolate ones, but I don't think they are very good. I do think about writing. The problem is, if I think about it too long, the moment passes.

Happy Birthday Jed!

2007-02-16T22:16:00.000-08:00

'The Cake'

'My Cake Sam! Back Off!'

'They're Singing To ME! How Embarassing!'

'Blow Jed! Blow!'

What happens when...

2007-02-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

you chew on the tip of your pen.

Cute as bugs

2007-02-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

High/Low

2007-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

High: Jed looking absolutely adorable in his new overalls, and Eowyn making amazing progress with her walking. She can go too many steps to count now!

Low: Curtis unknowingly picking sock lint off his socks and sprinkling it on me as we watched TV.

High/Low for the day

2007-01-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

High: Getting everything I needed/wanted to get done today done. Vacuum, Bible study, ship ebay stuff, get yogurt, dishes, extra cleaning and organizing...and having the kids in bed on time. Curtis' new schedule really helps with this.

Low: Missing yet another parents meeting at Jed's school. Jed has a yucky cough, so I still haven't been able to attend one of these yet, although Curtis went last month and made a gingerbread house with him.

My amazing boy

2007-01-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

Jed just seems to be getting more and more wonderful lately. He is proving to be the little genius we always knew was inside him. His vocabulary seems to keep getting cuter. Last night he drew a picture and brought it to me. "This is you going surfboard in Who-wah-he (Hawaii), and this is me going surfboard in Who-wah-he." When I picked him up from school the other day, his teacher informed me that he eats ants. "Yeah, I know." I said. As we were walking to the car, I asked him if the ant he ate was yummy, to which he replied, "Yes, it was delicious." Here is a drawing he made after I showed him how to spell LOVE. He remembered the letters, brought it to me, and said,"This is a picture of love and Jesus." Could it get any better?

old school

2007-01-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

Can't walk, but watch her climb!

2006-12-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

Trying to get this on here, not working. Please visit here.

Wintry thoughts

2006-12-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

As I frosted the gingerbread house, and the frosting squirted out of the pastry bag, I had this wierd flashback to my childhood. I realized that there is an actual sound that frosting makes when it comes out of the bag, and it brought me back to when my mother would decorate cakes with the star shaped tip, and make that very sound. The smell of the frosting she always used is so clear, as well as the little dots of it she would put on each of our fingertips, and on our tounges if we were lucky.

I've also been thinking about snow. I miss it so much that it aches. It aches even more when Jed asks when it is going to snow. I have to answer, "It's probably not," because I've just got to leave room for a miracle. When you tell anyone in New England that you miss the snow, they act as if you're crazy. "I hate shoveling!... and driving in that stuff!...bah!" they'll reply. I think maybe they've just lost at bit of that childlike awe of staring at the silent world outside the window as white flakes gently collect on the frozen ground. Or maybe it's just a simple case of not truely appreciating what you've got 'till it's gone. Or maybe they all fluctuate between the anger and awe. Yeah, that's probably a bit more like it.

Gingerbread trauma

2006-12-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Having a bad day. Get the whole house (without decorations) assembled. The perfectionist realizes the overhang of the roof is overhanging on the back, not front. Proceed to slide the roof a bit to the left, crack one of the roof panels in half. Tell son what happened. Son cries. Glue the cracked roof with frosting. Use cardboard to support cracked roof. Reassemble roof. Looking good. Let dry for a while. Tell son it's okay, he can start decorating. Leave to use restroom. Hear son crying. Run into room to see the uncracked side of roof sliding miserably off entire house. Take entire roof off. Fix cracked side of roof again, and let dry. Put other half of roof back on. Walls start falling apart. Reassemble walls with ALOT of frosting. Let dry for a few hours. Put roof back on. Use small tupperware cups to hold up the roof just incase it decides to slide. Accidently push in one of the walls with one of the cups. Try to figure out how the heck to fix this without removing roof. Figure it out. No frosting left for decorations. Let dry overnight and until the next afternoon. Use canned frosting for decorations. IT WORKS! Praise the Lord. Yell at son every time he thinks about going near it. Take pictures before the whole thing falls.

One cute bugger

2006-12-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

While visions of pumpkin lattes danced in her head

2006-11-29T07:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't written in a while, and I figured since I'm doing about a million other things at this moment, the time is right. I had a dream last night about making coffee. I was in this place with a few others who had somehow managed to get their morning coffees. I wanted one so bad, I was considering just knocking one of them out and swiping it from them. Instead, I asked where they got it. A girl replied, "I made it, " and pointed to the pot in back of me. The pot was empty, but the Crompton's espresso machine was sitting there! (The coffee pot was also the same one they have.) (Pause to add fabric softener.) Now the other marvelous thing was that there was a fridge full of milk, another Cromptony thing, perfect for a morning latte. The only downers were that I knew there would be no pumpkin creamer, and I woke up somewhere between steaming milk and the first sip. I suppose I can attribute this dream to my latest coffee binge at the Land. Wake up. Go to Renee's. Drink senseo. Go to Rachel's. Drink pepermint mocha lattes. And back and forth for a week. Now I'm back to my controlled one (big) cup (and a splash) a day. I also had another dream about a hurricane, but that's a bit too intense to analyze right this moment.

I thought I should post a couple Thanksgiving pictures too, since I think I may have been the only person with a camera. The turkey is attributed to Eddie. I personally am a bit freaked out by it. My contribution was once again a multitude of pies. It was to be twelve, then for fear of someone not having a piece of exactly what they wanted, I upped it to fifteen. Needless to say, I overdid it...again. Gosh, what is wrong with me? I also forgot to take pictures, a sad thing since I made my first lattice apple pie.

Kai, Kenya and Jed
The turkey
The fam fam

What possibly could have caused this?

2006-11-08T21:54:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2006-11-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

Spiderman again
Organization by Jed, prompted by mom
Our pumpkins (Frannie's has teeth just like hers.)

The reinstatement of Spinach eggs

2006-10-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

Ahhh....my old trick to get my kids to eat vegetables is back. This time it's working it's magic on a pretty little princess named Frannie who does not like veggies, except for an odd infatuation with tomatoes, which are technically a fruit anyway. This came as a great shock after Jed's disgust with the things. I couldn't believe a kid would eat a raw tomato because the mere thought of one would make him shiver with sickness. I can only thank the spinach egg for making him desire broccoli over french fries-which he won't touch with a ten foot pole.

If it was good enough for my Grandma

2006-10-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

It seems like every week or so I have to make a whole new commitment to being a good mommy. I find that it always works for the first few days...day...hours...but I find it is something I want to do/be so badly. I just want the simple life. Sometimes I feel I was reallly born in the wrong time...or place. When I go to the Mormon thrift store, I am jealous of the way they dress and are just living their lives apart from what the world thinks is cool. The Amish too. I want to wear a cute bonnet. But I want everyone to also. Not just me. Maybe it's just that I'm not destined for this world, but one that awaits me. It makes me happy when I think of it that way, and helps me to detatch myself from the things of this world. I love to be in the country. We got to go to a big pumpkin patch on thursday, and it was so wonderful. We each picked out a pumpkin (the smallest being for Frannie of course, and the ginormous one being for big papa Curt). I had to convince Jed that he really wanted one with a stem because they were so much better, and he'd better be careful not to break it off. We haven't stuck the knife to any of them yet, but I am very excited. It's been a long time since I've carved a pumpkin. I always remember it as a special time. After we carved, we would go out back and put them on the green wood sandbox lid, and light the candles inside. I of course, wearing my Holly Hobbie nightgown and a sweater of some sort-maybe a red hoodie. I know there's a picture somewhere. I want my kids' memories to be like that. It's so wierd, because I remember what fun I had, and I want them to have the same kind of memories. I was talking with Scott the other day, about how when you're a kid everything seems so great and big. Then when you become the parent, you just want it to be as wonderful for your kids, but because you are now the adult, it never seems quite as good. Though I am sure that they think it's the best thing ever... scaling a haybale pyramid, and running as fast as you can to find the best pumpkin...and, "oh mamma, mamma....look at the little weenie pumpkins....we should get one of those for Winnie!"

Five things that make me happy this morning

2006-10-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

1. Autumn decor, and the fact it might just be here for good. (the weather, not the decor)

2. Realizing someone was listening and took my advice when I thought they couldn't care less.

3. The scale NOT going to the right, and maybe even a smidge to the left.

4. The laughing babies.

5. Jed spending the WHOLE night in his own bed.

The Girl Who Wouldn't Eat

2006-10-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a few of you have heard this story. Maybe several times already, but maybe if I write it, I'll get it out of my system. It's the story of a little girl named Winnie, who decided that she didn't want to eat food anymore. She mainly ate babyfood, but suddenly it was strongly rejected - along with any other sort of nourishment coming near her mouth, with the exception of breastmilk. This thoroughly distressed her mother, whom despite advice that it was 'normal' was sure something was severly wrong with her child. Her poop was practiclyturning back to that of a newborn! Winnie's brother had eaten babyfood until he was almost two! The mother's stress levels did not subside until a week later at her daughter's first birthday party, when a friend advised that both of her own children could be filled up by a kernel or two of corn. The mother felt much relief and decided to offer food to her child, and if it was refused to get on with her very hectic schedule. The following day as she was eating leftover potato salad from the party, the mother offered some to her daughter. Suprise! It was eaten willingly, and from that moment on, Winnie ate happily ever after. Chow down she did-chilli, pumpkin coconut soup, you name it, just not baby food. Her mother also discovered a few days later that Winnie had three new emersions in her mouth, one being a molar, which may have been a factor in this multiplication problem. Click here to see the chow down queen in action.

Here I am!

2006-10-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

That was just rediculous! Totally not my fault. AT&T is just a eeny weeny bit slow when it comes to getting you 'connected.' I've been sitting around finding other ways to occupy myself. Mainly reading in between tearing Jed off of Eowyn, planning birthday parties, trying to figure out where exactly I am on the face of this planet, (yes, I spent my first day in our new apartment not even venturing outside, eating all we had in the house-bannana baby cookies, tortillas, and mac n' cheese, because I was too scared to go out-seriously!), and mapping out every thrift store in the near vicinity-there are many! Oh the joys. I have alot of blog reading to do because I have no clue what is going on in everyone's life. (As I say this, I think of Nay-Lo.) Anyways, just so you know, I'm back in business, and didn't just ditch out.

Only Grandpa's are excused...

2006-08-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

from teaching their grandson's they never see how to use a magnifying glass to start a fire. I have to say, it is a pretty neat thing, but we will not be getting our son his very own magnifying glass anytime soon. He actually wasn't teaching him to start fires, but to write his name on a piece of wood with it. Cool huh? I was actually a little jealous that he never taught me. Dukas. The Duke. My daddy. He was also caught feeding my Eowyn 'adult' food. Oh well, after she found the gumball on the dressing room floor, which totally filled her whole mouth, and made her slobber bright orange all over her dress, by the time I found her, I'm sure a little yogurt and beef jerky won't hurt. This was just day one here in CT. I'm sure we are in for many more great and magnificent adventures. Like discovering that is is a bad idea to pet the kitty after you hop out of the pool because then your hands will be covered with 'cat feathers.' Needless to say, Jed is having a blast, and between the trampoline and pool, he is a pretty occupied kid.

You know you wanted pics!

2006-08-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

The hole in our bedroom ceiling. Notice the burnt beams. HELLO! Can you say SCARY?!
Our closet. Everything left in the room was covered with this stuff.
Eowyn's crib. I don't know if there's a much sadder picture than a child's stuffies covered with the remains of a fire.

Motel 6

2006-08-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

The floors seriously turned Eowyn's leg BLACK! Ever hear of a steam cleaner?!
Fun at the pool
Ugliest beadspread ever. (I know some of you like it)

Block Party!

2006-08-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire...

2006-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

And it smelled like apple crisp and incense to me...at first. We came out of it all very lucky, and thanking God. By the time we knew it was our house on fire, it was after one in the morning, and we very well could have been asleep as the fire increased directly above us. But we and the Schultheis' just happend to have stayed up late, and Curtis just happened to come home that very day. Alot of laundry and two nights at the Motel 6 later we are just displaced and a bit emotionally drained. I guess we just take it one day at a time now. Luckily I am going to CT with the kids in a few days, and it will be easier for Curtis to figure stuff out alone. Hopefully we will get an apartment quickly. The red cross is so great, putting us up in a hotel with a kitchenette (not a bathinette) for a few days, so there's only one day before I leave that we don't know where we'll stay. It is hard to write all my feelings about this situation while in the midst of it, so maybe later. For now, let's just say we're good to go for the next two days. Woo-hoo!

Idaho!

2006-08-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

I went to Idaho last week to visit my best friend November, her husband e (yes that's e-short for Eric), and three, yes count them-one, two, three strapping young lads-Phin(4), Silas(3), and Arlo(1). I went with my kids. Without Curtis. I drove. That was a long drive. I was planning on stopping at a hotel if I needed to, but by the time I felt like stopping, there were only a few hours of driving left, so I just pushed on through. Plus, thrifty Elena saved fifty bucks there, and fifty on the way back. I also realized something that I already knew. I hate driving at night. Especially in places I don't know. I start imagining crazy things, like bodies of water in front of me, or people standing in the road. It is just terrible. The drive took me sixteen hours there, and fifteen and a half back. It was so unbelieveably good for me. The trip, not the drive. I haven't seen November in almost two years, and she is so great, realistic, and down to earth. It was good for me to just be a mom, and to see someone else just being a mom. Simple words, but so much to them. Unfortunately, we got their whole family sick. All five of them. That was some evil virus. The last one sick in our family (yes, we ALL had it too) was Eowyn, and that had been Monday night. We didn't get there until Saturday night, so it didn't even occur to me that we might be contagious. On the positive side, it was only a twenty four hour bug of sorts. The boys got to have some good fun, and some good fights. Phin and Jed had one of the best wrestling matches ever. They both gave it their all, but noone got hurt. It was really cool to watch them-like it was in their blood. Testosterone or something. Arlo loved Eowyn so much, but couldn't help knocking her over, and trying to sit on her, and Phin was as gentle as can be with her. He really wants a sister.

The drive home was a bit exciting. We got to see a derailed train on it's side right next to a huge lake. By the time I thought to take pictures, it was too late, and I don't suggest trying to drive and take pictures out your rear window to anyone. Then we saw this cool mountain with clouds around it, and at first glance it looked like it was smoking and about to erupt. I pulled over for this one. Last, as we were almost home, and contemplating going to the coast, we heard of a fire blocking the way. Pretty big I guess- a town was being evacuated. I listened to coverage all the way home, but haven't heard a word about it since.

Silas, Jed, Phin

Painters

Phin

Silas

Arlo

My cool mountain

The One Touch Can Opener

2006-07-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

My son was just seduced by his first infomercial. We recently dove into the crazy world of television with the purchase of a new antenna, and as we sat together watching 'Most Talented Kids' tonight, a comercial for the greatest can opener came on. Only $19.95-I mean, you don't even need hands to use this thing, and you get a 'Gripmate' absoloutley free! He just stared at the TV intently, then when they told him the price, he looked right over at me and said, "You have to get a One Touch can opener!" Oh man, I think he just may be following in the footsteps of my father, who has been known to order various sized items, from exercise equipment to kitchen utensils. But maybe it's just in our blood....those space saver bags for only $19.95! were mighty tempting to me.

How to tell your nine month old really is too big for a bassinet

2006-07-17T23:55:00.000-07:00

To Renee

2006-07-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!

2006-07-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

I just loved this!

2006-06-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

http://thereignofellen.blogspot.com/2006/06/finally-answer-to-all-of-lifes.html

Thank you Jesse!

2006-06-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Need I say more? Well, maybe just that you better watch out, 'cause when it cools down, and I start using my oven more, I'm gonna be your own little Sookie!

Dining wisely

2006-06-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

I went to a seafood disco last week, and pulled a mussel.

A new home

2006-06-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

I've never written about this, and I'm not sure exactly why, but I do have a few theories. Mainly because it makes some people sad. But now that all is said and done, I must face reality. We have moved away from the Land. I guess most people knew we were, but I have never written about it, or my feelings about it. Curtis wants to pursue a career as an EMT, and it would be really hard to live at the Land. We also felt it was time to really focus on our family, which was a bit hard for us in Leggett.

So....here we are, (in Sacramento) adjusting, (boy is it hot!) and so far doing really well. Jed has his own very little room now, but every night so far, he has come out and slept on the couch in the living room after we go to bed. Last night when I went to check on him, he was trying to sleep on the kitchen counter. He has this great obsession with climbing up there. Yesterday, the pepper by the sink was spilled. When I asked what he knew about it, he said a little tiny skunk went up there and knocked it over. He also claimed the tiny skunk lives under his bed - there are actually two tiny skunks living under there.

Eowyn is loving the hardwood floors. She has learned to use them to her advantage in getting around. While sitting she kind of bounces up and down, and it makes her scoot, scoot, scoot across the floor. Also, a great milestone was reached on moving day - her first tooth broke through!

I am feeling a bit frustrated, because I was so excited to cook for my family, and now I find myself just wanting to have burritos or sandwiches every night. Maybe that great cooking gene will kick in soon. Maybe I just have a cooking block. It is so hot I don't really want to use the stove or oven, but I'm not sure that I have a choice. Yesterday was 102, and supposed to be the coolest day this week!

Kidney Bean Kitchen

Lima Bean Bathroom

Living Room with scooting baby

'Dining Room'

Jed's little pantry

Pop quiz answer

2006-06-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

The answer is baby carrots in the car under Jed's carseat. A special award goes to Rachel Clancy for her guess of dried up rabbit's arms.

Blogger loser, myspace addict, or plain old slacker?

2006-06-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

Since Curtis is a self proclaimed 'blogger loser' he would like me to let everyone know that he passed his National Registry test. This was the last major step for Curtis on his way to EMT world (besides getting someone to hire him.)

Pop quiz

2006-06-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

Name the mysterious objects:

Extra credit: Name the place the mysterious objects were found.

Redwood Run followed by a pun

2006-06-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the roar of motorcycles, and realized it must be the Redwood Run this weekend. It is pretty exciting, though I don't know why. Maybe because it seems like the official start of summer. I get to hear non-stop Harley's for the next three days. Day and night, night and day. Jed and I will sit by the restaurant and watch them for a bit. He'll probably enjoy it immensely. I hope they all have fun, and noone gets hurt as in previous years. A motorcycle and a big rig, I won't say any more, but pray for everyone's safety and wisdom.

A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

Sucked in

2006-06-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have been sucked into the happy world of the Gilmore girls. I love everything about them. I love that they drink coffee all day, eat pizza and burgers shamelessly, and are most importantly from Connecticut. I love that Lorelai has a witty comeback for everything, and spurts it out at 100 miles a minute. I love that while I am packing up everthing I own, watching their little world lets me escape for three quarters of an hour, and then gives me the will to press on with what must be done for another hour or so.

Pun of the day

2006-06-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says, "A beer please, and one for the road."

Pun of the evening

2006-06-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

Curtis likes this one

2006-06-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

Pun of the day

2006-06-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

Girls day out

2006-06-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day. Renee watched Jed for me, and I got to go shopping. Just the girls. Winnie and me. It could not have been more perfect, and I got to find everything I wanted. One of the thrift stores I went to had 50% off all clothing. I got a Gap dress for Eowyn (that she won't fit into for about 2 years) for 25 cents! I found one of those books for babies that looks like a regular book with floppy pages, but it's made of plastic, so it's unrippable. Frannie has taken a liking to my magazines, so this is a great substitute. I was able to take my time, and do whatever I wanted. No husband who hates thrift stores, or son who wants to run around like a crazed chimpanzee. Just little Eowyn in her stroller smiling at all the little old ladies cooing at her. I had the pleasure of driving alongside a little truck crammed full with a mexican family. It made me happy. I love full vehicles. I don't know why, but even three people in the backseat of a sedan makes me smile. Towards the end of my excursion, I found the perfect pair of sneakers on sale, plus I had a coupon! This is my idea of heaven. I was even very proud of myself for not eating really nasty stuff as sometimes happens on my days out. I got a sundae at McDonald's (and a chicken sandwich, hold the mayo, and super sized water - how health concious of me!) and it came with peanuts. As I was looking at the little peanut package, I noticed it did not just say 'peanuts' but 'granulated peanuts.' I've heard of granulated sugar, but granulated peanuts? I myself would have called them 'chopped.' Maybe 'crushed,' or just plain 'peanuts,' but granulated? How wierd.

Pun of the day

2006-06-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "they're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

Whistling...

2006-06-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

There are few things in life I enjoy much more than some good hearty laughing. Especially with Jed. He has the absoloute BEST laugh ever. A few minutes ago we noticed his nose was whistling. Every time he breathed out the two of us totallly cracked up. Then it stopped and he wanted me to try. Sorry buddy, no whistling noses for me this morning. It reminded me of one time during an all night prayer meeting. All was quiet, everyone focused on the Lord. Then it started. It wasn't quite whistling, but it sounded just like the low choo-choo of a train. I got the instant giggles. I couldn't believe how authentic it sounded. Terrible timing. I just could not stop chooing, and laughing, and muffling. I ended up leaving the room. I wish I could have let everyone in on it, I'm sure they were wondering what was going on. Was the Lord touching me in some deep way? Laughter from the Holy Spirit? No, just me and my little trolly nose.