What on *earth* has my son been eating the past few days? Ewwwwwwww.
So our fish are doing great. So are the frogs, Junior and Steve. Violet also finally named the guppy. Zack. Of course the Neons are Silly, Pilly, Willy, and Killy. Where on earth does she come up with these names??
I've been working a scrapping convention here in town called Memory Trends. It's one of the largest trade shows in the industry, and there were many many big named people there and I made loads of connections. I worked for a booth called Michael Miller Memories. They have treated fabrics that act just like paper (can be trimmed, die cut, run through the printer, etc), but give your pages the look and feel of fabric. SUCH cool stuff! I had a ball playing around and experimenting with their stuff. They liked me, too... and asked if I would be willing to teach at consumer conventions such as CKU or Camp Memory Makers. This might be a very cool career opportunity for me! I am pretty jazzed.
So I am trying to settle back into the routine of being Mom again. It's been tough working the past three days... I don't envy those moms that do it on a regular basis. I missed those kiddos (although it was nice not to have to change diapers or clean up after their messes for awhile! LOL!)
More later... after I take a little nap... :)
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Friday, September 24, 2004
It was only a matter of time...
Riley learned something new today!
I should preface it with the "something new" he learned last weekend. How to open the fridge. So I should have known it was only a matter of time before he mastered his latest trick, although Violet never did such things. What is up with that? Why are boys and girls so very different? Why do I have to worry every single second when I can't hear my son that he's on top of a counter or a cabinet or a sink or a fridge? He's been caught "helping" plunge the toilet, getting himself "drinks" out of the toilet, "helping" put the entire tube of toothpaste on his toothbrush and the counter and the floor and his clothes, "helping" feed the fish, "helping" mix dog food with dog water, eating said dog food/dog water, "helping" get drinks from our water dispenser in the garage and subsequently nearly flooding it with five gallons of warm and cool running water, "helping" pick the unripe veggies from the garden, "helping" change his own poopie diapers (yes, that one was a *real* treat), and oh, so many more fun things.
Where was I?
Oh, right. The new trick.
He knows how to crack eggs.
On the kitchen floor.
He practiced with a dozen this morning. Eight at one time, and four more a little later.
Have I mentioned that egg white is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slippery? Well, it is.
I think he will be a chef someday.
I should preface it with the "something new" he learned last weekend. How to open the fridge. So I should have known it was only a matter of time before he mastered his latest trick, although Violet never did such things. What is up with that? Why are boys and girls so very different? Why do I have to worry every single second when I can't hear my son that he's on top of a counter or a cabinet or a sink or a fridge? He's been caught "helping" plunge the toilet, getting himself "drinks" out of the toilet, "helping" put the entire tube of toothpaste on his toothbrush and the counter and the floor and his clothes, "helping" feed the fish, "helping" mix dog food with dog water, eating said dog food/dog water, "helping" get drinks from our water dispenser in the garage and subsequently nearly flooding it with five gallons of warm and cool running water, "helping" pick the unripe veggies from the garden, "helping" change his own poopie diapers (yes, that one was a *real* treat), and oh, so many more fun things.
Where was I?
Oh, right. The new trick.
He knows how to crack eggs.
On the kitchen floor.
He practiced with a dozen this morning. Eight at one time, and four more a little later.
Have I mentioned that egg white is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slippery? Well, it is.
I think he will be a chef someday.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Again with the fish.
So while I was gone in Arizona the fish tank took a turn for the worse. The water started turning green and cloudy, and fish were dying. Rick, being the brilliant fishkeeper he is, bought more fish, which, of course, also died.
All that was left in the tank when I returned were the polka dotted platy (named "Silly Pilly") and the new frog Rick had just bought (named "Junior," again). We took a water sample to Petco and learned that the ammonia levels in the water were near dangerous (likely caused by Violet's overzealous feeding habits and the subsequent fish deaths). We were told to drain the tank, 1/4 tank at a time, while vacuuming the gravel to remove the food particles and fecal residue (mmmm feces). We also added a little cup with sea salt in there that would help reduce the ammonia levels and soften the water, since Vegas water is so hard.
It took two full days, but the tank was once again clean and the fish and frog were happy. I was set to go out and get a couple more fish for Violet soon. Then last night as Rick and I enjoyed a quiet evening while the children were playing upstairs, his Spidey sense started tingling. "The kids are too quiet. I'll go check on them."
Upon arriving upstairs in Violet's room, he found Riley standing atop her dresser with an empty can of fish food, which had dumped all over the dresser and floor and in the tank. What we think happened was that he got up there and found the can, unscrewing the lid, which caused the food to go everywhere. In an effort to clean up, he was scooping it back up in the jar and pouring it into the tank.
Yep, that same tank I just had to clean due to the whole "overfeeding" thing.
This time, however, the tank was full of not just flakes but LOTS of crushed powdery food, which reeeeeeeallly clouded it up. We vacuumed the gravel about six times and were pretty confident we got it all, but as the evening wore on the tank got cloudier and cloudier. By morning, Silly Pilly was gone. Junior was still enjoying the tank, though. Strange little froggy.
I went back to the fish store. The ammonia levels were now officially "off the charts." The manager recommended a full tank cleaning. I scooped Junior out (took a few tries - that little bugger can really jump!), and put him in a bucket. I emptied the tank, cleaned out the filter completely (there was some naaaaaaaaasty film in there), cleaned the rocks, and set everything back up.
In the living room, on the niche shelf.
FARRRRRRRR away from Riley's grasp.
Junior seems to be enjoying his new environment.
We got a few more fish, including another froggy friend for Junior.
The tank is clean and clear.
For now.
All that was left in the tank when I returned were the polka dotted platy (named "Silly Pilly") and the new frog Rick had just bought (named "Junior," again). We took a water sample to Petco and learned that the ammonia levels in the water were near dangerous (likely caused by Violet's overzealous feeding habits and the subsequent fish deaths). We were told to drain the tank, 1/4 tank at a time, while vacuuming the gravel to remove the food particles and fecal residue (mmmm feces). We also added a little cup with sea salt in there that would help reduce the ammonia levels and soften the water, since Vegas water is so hard.
It took two full days, but the tank was once again clean and the fish and frog were happy. I was set to go out and get a couple more fish for Violet soon. Then last night as Rick and I enjoyed a quiet evening while the children were playing upstairs, his Spidey sense started tingling. "The kids are too quiet. I'll go check on them."
Upon arriving upstairs in Violet's room, he found Riley standing atop her dresser with an empty can of fish food, which had dumped all over the dresser and floor and in the tank. What we think happened was that he got up there and found the can, unscrewing the lid, which caused the food to go everywhere. In an effort to clean up, he was scooping it back up in the jar and pouring it into the tank.
Yep, that same tank I just had to clean due to the whole "overfeeding" thing.
This time, however, the tank was full of not just flakes but LOTS of crushed powdery food, which reeeeeeeallly clouded it up. We vacuumed the gravel about six times and were pretty confident we got it all, but as the evening wore on the tank got cloudier and cloudier. By morning, Silly Pilly was gone. Junior was still enjoying the tank, though. Strange little froggy.
I went back to the fish store. The ammonia levels were now officially "off the charts." The manager recommended a full tank cleaning. I scooped Junior out (took a few tries - that little bugger can really jump!), and put him in a bucket. I emptied the tank, cleaned out the filter completely (there was some naaaaaaaaasty film in there), cleaned the rocks, and set everything back up.
In the living room, on the niche shelf.
FARRRRRRRR away from Riley's grasp.
Junior seems to be enjoying his new environment.
We got a few more fish, including another froggy friend for Junior.
The tank is clean and clear.
For now.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Refreshed... renewed...
It's amazing how just a weekend away can change your perspective. I am more patient, less frustrated at the things that a mere week ago were driving me up the wall. I appreciate the creativity of my children and the hard work of my husband. I especially appreciate the comfiness of my own bed! :)
The trip was a lot of fun... especially when I became, for a couple days anyway, a part of a very exciting artists' community. Talking to these artists and feeding off their energy and creativity was soooo great. I was inspired many times over and came back with a renewed sense of why I scrapbook... I do it for the love of the ART. New friendships were forged adn older ones were strengthened. All in all, it was a fantastic experience!
The trip was a lot of fun... especially when I became, for a couple days anyway, a part of a very exciting artists' community. Talking to these artists and feeding off their energy and creativity was soooo great. I was inspired many times over and came back with a renewed sense of why I scrapbook... I do it for the love of the ART. New friendships were forged adn older ones were strengthened. All in all, it was a fantastic experience!
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
I cannot *WAIT* for the weekend.
So my son was in the dog's food and water dishes again today. With a cup. Mixing food and water. Everywhere. Rick made him get a towel and clean it up and it was cute, so I got out the camera. Of course as soon as Riley saw the camera he was done cleaning.
"Chee, mama! Chee, mama!"
At least I have him trained well.
So I set the camera on the counter out of his reach so taht I could take a couple more photos later after he got back into cleaning. I go into the other room for a couple of seconds. In this time he has found some BUCKET somewhere, plopped it upside down next to the counter, stood on it and GOT MY CAMERA.
And
he
DROPPED
it.
On the tile.
It landed on the top where the hot shoe for the external flash is located and bent in one of the brackets. I kinda pried it back out, but I won't know if my efforts were worth it until I try to actually attach an external flash. Since I don't have one, well, I'll just have to make do with the flash that's on the camera right now, thanks.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE, I ask?!!
Maybe this is God's way of telling me not to be so focused on material things.
If so, that's REALLY LAME WAY OF DOING IT!!
:p
"Chee, mama! Chee, mama!"
At least I have him trained well.
So I set the camera on the counter out of his reach so taht I could take a couple more photos later after he got back into cleaning. I go into the other room for a couple of seconds. In this time he has found some BUCKET somewhere, plopped it upside down next to the counter, stood on it and GOT MY CAMERA.
And
he
DROPPED
it.
On the tile.
It landed on the top where the hot shoe for the external flash is located and bent in one of the brackets. I kinda pried it back out, but I won't know if my efforts were worth it until I try to actually attach an external flash. Since I don't have one, well, I'll just have to make do with the flash that's on the camera right now, thanks.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE, I ask?!!
Maybe this is God's way of telling me not to be so focused on material things.
If so, that's REALLY LAME WAY OF DOING IT!!
:p
Saturday, September 11, 2004
I'm getting old.
Ta-da! Here is me!
My headshot for the Memory Makers Masters article:
Rick took the photo (yay Rick!). Does it look too "Mom-Jeans?" I don't want to look like an old lady. I want to be cute. But when I look at this photo all I see is my wrinkles around my eyes (when did *THOSE* appear??), the flyaway hair, that mole next to my nose I want to have removed, and the fact that I could stand to lose about 20 pounds. Why can't I be cute and young like Liane? ::sigh::
My headshot for the Memory Makers Masters article:
Rick took the photo (yay Rick!). Does it look too "Mom-Jeans?" I don't want to look like an old lady. I want to be cute. But when I look at this photo all I see is my wrinkles around my eyes (when did *THOSE* appear??), the flyaway hair, that mole next to my nose I want to have removed, and the fact that I could stand to lose about 20 pounds. Why can't I be cute and young like Liane? ::sigh::
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Stairs and Boo-boos
So Violet discovered that if she gets in her sleeping bag and slides down the stairs it's REALLY FUN and REALLY FAST. Riley stood at the top of the stairs and belly-laughed as Violet slid down in her little vinyl cocoon, climbed back up, and did it again. Over and over. Then one time Riley climbed in with her. The sliding... the laughing... over and over and over and over. At least 20 times. They are asleep now... hopefully for the entire night.
In just over a week I will be going to Arizona for a long weekend with some friends. Sans kids. Riley will be sans boo-boos for three nights. We've been slowly weaning, but Riley still hasn't fully given up on the deal. Naptime and bedtime I usually give in. It's so much easier than a crying baby. Of course he seems to do fine as long as the boo-boos aren't in the house. So hopefully Rick will be alright dealing with a not-quite-ready-to-be-done-nursing baby.
I'm a little melancholy about the whole thing. I love nursing my son but it's becoming a burden for me. I want it to end on a good note - I don't want it to be a bitter battle. I want my nursing memories to all be happy ones. But I also don't want to end it before he's ready. I really think he's ready, though. He's really just doing it cause my boo-boos are THERE, not cause he needs them. Of course, if I come back after the weekend and he asks for them, I probably will oblige. After all, he's my last baby and once I am done nursing him, I am done. Forever.
In just over a week I will be going to Arizona for a long weekend with some friends. Sans kids. Riley will be sans boo-boos for three nights. We've been slowly weaning, but Riley still hasn't fully given up on the deal. Naptime and bedtime I usually give in. It's so much easier than a crying baby. Of course he seems to do fine as long as the boo-boos aren't in the house. So hopefully Rick will be alright dealing with a not-quite-ready-to-be-done-nursing baby.
I'm a little melancholy about the whole thing. I love nursing my son but it's becoming a burden for me. I want it to end on a good note - I don't want it to be a bitter battle. I want my nursing memories to all be happy ones. But I also don't want to end it before he's ready. I really think he's ready, though. He's really just doing it cause my boo-boos are THERE, not cause he needs them. Of course, if I come back after the weekend and he asks for them, I probably will oblige. After all, he's my last baby and once I am done nursing him, I am done. Forever.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
my kids
cause they are cute :)
Actually I need to do a headshot for this Memory Makers thing, and I am seeing if I can do a simple garage photo shoot. The way you do it is by opening the garage and letting the natural light be your lightsource. Mine was coming in from their left. I draped white fabric for the background and used another white sheet on their right as a reflector (probably didn't even need it). I did a few shots of the kids to see how it would work out. The entire shoot lasted about 3 minutes before Riley was thoroughly bored and began tearing down the backdrop. Here are some decent photos from the shoot though...
Riley and Violet goofing around
Violet, age 4
Riley, 19 months old
Not half bad for my first try! And this was still with the point and shoot. I have a couple rolls in with the SLR that are being developed right now. If those are halfway decent, then I'll really be thrilled!! Of course there's the whole problem of needing to lose about 25 pounds before I need to get these headshots done... LOL..
Actually I need to do a headshot for this Memory Makers thing, and I am seeing if I can do a simple garage photo shoot. The way you do it is by opening the garage and letting the natural light be your lightsource. Mine was coming in from their left. I draped white fabric for the background and used another white sheet on their right as a reflector (probably didn't even need it). I did a few shots of the kids to see how it would work out. The entire shoot lasted about 3 minutes before Riley was thoroughly bored and began tearing down the backdrop. Here are some decent photos from the shoot though...
Riley and Violet goofing around
Violet, age 4
Riley, 19 months old
Not half bad for my first try! And this was still with the point and shoot. I have a couple rolls in with the SLR that are being developed right now. If those are halfway decent, then I'll really be thrilled!! Of course there's the whole problem of needing to lose about 25 pounds before I need to get these headshots done... LOL..
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Point and Shoot No More
So yesterday morning Riley broke my camera. Who the &*%#)$# knows how... but it wouldn't open and kept shorting out (@@ LOVELY). I went to Wolf camera to see if it would be a simple repair, and they said standard repair on that type of camera would be 4-6 weeks and cost $129. (this camera was $150 NEW!!!) I told them I would decide what to do later. I grumbled out the door and into the car, thinking, we can't afford the digital camera I want right now... but I really don't want to spend the money to get a crappy digital, but I do eventually want to GO digital... but I just bought 18 rolls of 35mm film last week... and this was *SO* not in my plan!! ARRRGHHH.
Then I had to head to Sam's to drop off the film that was retrieved from the broken camera and pick up some prints I did the day before. When I walked in, Verna, one of the clerks was at the front of the photo lab at this tabletop display with various cameras. She asked how I was doing (did I mention that the entire staff at Sam's 1 hour photo knows me & my family on a first name basis? I am in there *quite* regularly). I told her about Riley and the camera incident and she said, "Have I got the solution for YOU!" She pulled a camera out from behind the table - a Canon Rebel TI. NOT digital, mind you, but a very good little SLR camera. It was originally $260 or something and was the last one and had been MARKED DOWN TO $110!! It was a much nicer camera and CHEAPER than if I had REPAIRED the Minolta! I decided to go ahead and get it (after all, I saved $20 on the deal, right?? LOL).
When I got home, I went into the computer room where Rick was and said, "So, I did something kinda dumb..."
To which he replied, irritated, "Show me the camera you bought."
"It's on the kitchen counter..."
Rick turned around incredulously, "I WAS JOKING!!!"
But once he saw it he agreed it's a mighty cool little unit. I think I will really enjoy it!
Then I had to head to Sam's to drop off the film that was retrieved from the broken camera and pick up some prints I did the day before. When I walked in, Verna, one of the clerks was at the front of the photo lab at this tabletop display with various cameras. She asked how I was doing (did I mention that the entire staff at Sam's 1 hour photo knows me & my family on a first name basis? I am in there *quite* regularly). I told her about Riley and the camera incident and she said, "Have I got the solution for YOU!" She pulled a camera out from behind the table - a Canon Rebel TI. NOT digital, mind you, but a very good little SLR camera. It was originally $260 or something and was the last one and had been MARKED DOWN TO $110!! It was a much nicer camera and CHEAPER than if I had REPAIRED the Minolta! I decided to go ahead and get it (after all, I saved $20 on the deal, right?? LOL).
When I got home, I went into the computer room where Rick was and said, "So, I did something kinda dumb..."
To which he replied, irritated, "Show me the camera you bought."
"It's on the kitchen counter..."
Rick turned around incredulously, "I WAS JOKING!!!"
But once he saw it he agreed it's a mighty cool little unit. I think I will really enjoy it!
Thursday, September 02, 2004
And the winners are...
So I guess I didn't have to worry after all...
And here's my "call story" LOL
So I heard the calls would go out around 9 a.m. Denver time (8 a.m.my time), so at about 7:30 I was obsessively stalking every messageboard I could think of, hitting refresh over & over & over & over... then at about 8:07 a.m. the first post showed up on 2Ps!! It was soooooo exciting and at that very moment my adrenaline went through the ROOF!!!! Last year they had called the winners alphabetically, so I was thinking if I *was* going to be called, it would be early. My kids asked if they could eat their breakfast outside on the playground in the backyard, and I was like, uh, sure... whatever!! LOL
I had just given them their cereal bowls when the phone rang.
My heart stopped.
Ring again.
I looked at the caller ID."Out of Area."
"Ohhhhhh Lord," I said out loud, "BREATHE."
I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"a voice that sounded as if it were on speakerphone said, "Is this Jessie?"
"YES, THIS IS JESSIE!"
"Jessie, this is Michelle Gerbrandt!"
"OHHHHHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY??!?!"
"Yes Jessie, and we just wanted to tell you..."
"OH MY GOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
(laughter from many people on the other end...)
"We wanted to congratulate you on being selected as one of our 2005 Memory Makers Masters!"
"THAT is AWESOME!!!!! HAHA!!! I am SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW!!!!"
(more laughter, and cheers)
"Jessie, your entry was wonderful and inspiring and thoughtful, and we really loved it!"
"Thank you so much, OH MY GOSH DID YOU REALLY JUST CALL ME??!"
"Yes, congratulations again!"
There was more talking and other things such as someone would be contacting me and someone else will be emailing me and something about not posting online and something else and by this point my brain had completely stopped working and I was in a hazy fog of giddiness, pacing from living room to outside to kitchen to outside to living room again... and I hung up the phone and cheered a "WOOHOOOOOO!" once more.
Violet looked at me like I was insane and said, "what the heck just happened, Mommy?" LOL
I couldn't stop smiling all morning... then of course I got online and posted anonymously and realized seconds after I posted that I wasn't supposed to be posting at all (even anon) and I feared for the rest of the day that they would somehow figure it out and strip me of my title since I couldn't even follow the first freaking instruction they gave me.... so I really didn't breathe easily until I saw my name posted on the MM website!!! LOL!!!
And here's my "call story" LOL
So I heard the calls would go out around 9 a.m. Denver time (8 a.m.my time), so at about 7:30 I was obsessively stalking every messageboard I could think of, hitting refresh over & over & over & over... then at about 8:07 a.m. the first post showed up on 2Ps!! It was soooooo exciting and at that very moment my adrenaline went through the ROOF!!!! Last year they had called the winners alphabetically, so I was thinking if I *was* going to be called, it would be early. My kids asked if they could eat their breakfast outside on the playground in the backyard, and I was like, uh, sure... whatever!! LOL
I had just given them their cereal bowls when the phone rang.
My heart stopped.
Ring again.
I looked at the caller ID."Out of Area."
"Ohhhhhh Lord," I said out loud, "BREATHE."
I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"a voice that sounded as if it were on speakerphone said, "Is this Jessie?"
"YES, THIS IS JESSIE!"
"Jessie, this is Michelle Gerbrandt!"
"OHHHHHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY??!?!"
"Yes Jessie, and we just wanted to tell you..."
"OH MY GOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
(laughter from many people on the other end...)
"We wanted to congratulate you on being selected as one of our 2005 Memory Makers Masters!"
"THAT is AWESOME!!!!! HAHA!!! I am SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW!!!!"
(more laughter, and cheers)
"Jessie, your entry was wonderful and inspiring and thoughtful, and we really loved it!"
"Thank you so much, OH MY GOSH DID YOU REALLY JUST CALL ME??!"
"Yes, congratulations again!"
There was more talking and other things such as someone would be contacting me and someone else will be emailing me and something about not posting online and something else and by this point my brain had completely stopped working and I was in a hazy fog of giddiness, pacing from living room to outside to kitchen to outside to living room again... and I hung up the phone and cheered a "WOOHOOOOOO!" once more.
Violet looked at me like I was insane and said, "what the heck just happened, Mommy?" LOL
I couldn't stop smiling all morning... then of course I got online and posted anonymously and realized seconds after I posted that I wasn't supposed to be posting at all (even anon) and I feared for the rest of the day that they would somehow figure it out and strip me of my title since I couldn't even follow the first freaking instruction they gave me.... so I really didn't breathe easily until I saw my name posted on the MM website!!! LOL!!!
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Heart palpitations.
So really I thought I was a pretty level-headed person.
But I am not.
I entered this contest called the Memory Makers Masters, which chooses 10 scrapbookers to work for the magazine as Masters for the year. Very prestigious honor. I entered the contest last month and I really think I have a pretty good chance at winning (although, really, I never win anything so I should really just stop the wishful thinking!). The winners are supposed to be called between the 31st of August and the 3rd of September. So chances are, the calls could be made today!! I have been avoiding doing anything of worth around the house, letting my children run amok, while I troll different Scrapbooking Websites to see if anyone has posted anonymously that the calls have begun. REALLY!!! I need to chill out. But my F5 key is nearly worn out from all the refreshing I have been doing.
I am thinking the calls will go out tomorrow. I've already eaten an entire Toblerone bar in anticipation. I am hoping to make it through the day without stopping at Dairy Queen for a brownie batter blizzard....mmmmmmmmm........
Must....stop....thinking.....about.....contest........... :p
But I am not.
I entered this contest called the Memory Makers Masters, which chooses 10 scrapbookers to work for the magazine as Masters for the year. Very prestigious honor. I entered the contest last month and I really think I have a pretty good chance at winning (although, really, I never win anything so I should really just stop the wishful thinking!). The winners are supposed to be called between the 31st of August and the 3rd of September. So chances are, the calls could be made today!! I have been avoiding doing anything of worth around the house, letting my children run amok, while I troll different Scrapbooking Websites to see if anyone has posted anonymously that the calls have begun. REALLY!!! I need to chill out. But my F5 key is nearly worn out from all the refreshing I have been doing.
I am thinking the calls will go out tomorrow. I've already eaten an entire Toblerone bar in anticipation. I am hoping to make it through the day without stopping at Dairy Queen for a brownie batter blizzard....mmmmmmmmm........
Must....stop....thinking.....about.....contest........... :p
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