Thursday, August 30, 2007

Catching up

catching up on a weeks worth of prompts


Blog Prompt 8/24: One food you would never give up is...

Ice cream is the one thing I could never give up. It's a habit for everyone on my mom's side of the family and we keep passing it on down.

Blog Prompt 8/27: What are your 10 favorite words.

monkey
munchkin
cumbersome
honey
photoshop
digiscrap
silly
red
snapdragon
pesto

guess this is kind of a mixed bag of words isn't it. Some I like the sound of, some I like what they represent and some I just say all the time.

Blog Prompt 8/28: Describe the most serious illness you have ever had.

I would have to say when I got strep throat about 15 years ago. It was the worst thing in the world not to even be able to swallow water. I was running a fever, couldn't even sleep because i hurt so bad. That being said I can say I've been very lucky and never had anything worse.

Blog Prompt 8/29: Today is More Herbs, Less Salt Day. What herb(s) do you like in your food?

ithas to be garlic because if I'm going to replace salt with anything that would be it.Now I do have some other favorites, basil, oregano, cilantro, coriander and paprika.

Blog Prompt: Just call me nosy Rosy! I had to defrost my freezer this month in hopes of repairing it, which we did. It amazed me to find stuff in there that I had forgotten about! Name 5 things in your freezer right now.

This I will have to remember off the top of my head, since I'm not home to actually look. We have peas, meatballs, butterfinger ice cream (well we did when I left it could be gone at this point if Ken finished it)pillsbury biscuits, and pork chops. There is more stuff I'm sure bat that's what I can remember.

Can I say I love my mom. For the last year when ever I visit she get's me an appointment with her massage therapist and watches my kids for an hour. I'd do this at home but Ken as been gone to often the evenings I have free he's usually out of town. very frustrating. I'm hoping that will change once ths program he's working on finishes.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

A little bit frustrating

This weekend has had it's good points but had some very frustrating ones. Friday morning I watched my friend Jean's little boy. He and Alex are good buddies. The only problem is together the get up to mischief that would normally not occur to either one of them on their own. They have now been given the nicknames of Butch and Sundance, and if they're with their third partner in crime (another little boy from the playgroup) they're the three bandits. So the boys went down stairs to play with the HO scale track Ken had set up on the floor for Alex. I'm on my laptop keeping an ear out for the baby who's taking a nap. It seemed kind of quiet downstairs, and that should have given me a hint that they were up to something. It wasn't until I heard the toilet flush that I went down to check. What I found was cat litter everywhere, all over the laundry room floor, all over my clean folded laundry, all over the carpet at the foot of the stairs then tracked over to where the track was, as well as on several of the toys they'd been playing with.

I washed them up then sent them upstairs so I wouldn't strangle them and cleaned up. I think having to rewash all the laundry was the most annoying part. The thing is they both know better than to touch the cat litter because Jean has cats too. Alex always asks what the cat box is I say "the cat's potty" "he poops and pees in the potty?" "yes" So he knows what it is and not to touch it. Luckily they avoided all the clumps in the litter and it looked like they used the scoop to get it out of the box. Still, they knew better. Ken came home right after I cleaned up the worst of it he laughed when I told him, but soon got a little pissed too as he helped me finish cleaning up. I told Jean what had happened when she came to pick up her son. At that point I was able to laugh. Her comment was "I guess it'll come as no surprise if we get a call from jail one day"

We are now on track to getting our kitchen remodeled. YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! We've been wanting to do this since we moved in almost three years ago. We even got an estimate on refacing which was like $35,000. We were both stunned because we thought it ws supposed to be cheaper than remodeling. Then we talked to a few people, including Ken's friend Ted who does home remodeling. He said for top of the line and replaceing all your appliances (which we wouldn't be doing) it would be about $20-25,000. For what we want he estimated $12-15,000. We had a basic plan for the changes almost from he start. Last spring I got the idea for having a huge combined bithday party for Ken and I during the summer of 2008 for our fortieth birthdays. Mine is in the spring his is in the fall, so one between the two seemed a good idea. But I wanted the kitchen done before that happened. He talked to Ted, who said he'd do the work for us but it would have to be during his slow time if we wanted a break on what he charges, which would mean Jan-Feb. That being the case we went into Lowe's to flesh out the design and get a cost estimate on cabinets and counter tops.
We were a walk in, so she worked with us until her appointment came in and will send us the final numbers this week. She told us since our project was January to order the cabinets early in Dec. We'll be able to get a pretty good deal because at that point it's so slow they'll make deals to get the sales. Very cool.

Now the frustrationin all this is we want to get a gas range. Both Ken and I grew up cooking on gas ranges. It's possible to get a gas line in this neighborhood, even though we have electric heat/ac. Our neighbor works for BGE and said it would be $800-1000 to get a line installed. So we've called (well Ken has) several times in the last year and a half and BGE keeps saying they'll call back and send us a letter telling us what we need to do on our end. Never happened, we've still got a few months to get through to them but it would be easier for them to do while the weather is still good.

Now my final frustration is Ken's travel schedule. He's been talking, trying to set up a schedule to go to the various Air Force bases to do the installations for the project he's been working on since March. The PM (project manager) is a civilian working for the Air Force. He sent a possible schedule in March, along with the project info they needed. He sent additional info as he went along. He's been in touch with a few of the bases, even visited a couple. The impression he got from them was any schedule he gave them would be fine, they just want it done. But he has to go through channels which means the PM. Ken's impression of this guy is that they gave him this position because he'll be retiring soon, and this is something he can't screw up too much. Boy were they wrong. He's been sitting on the schedule and the info. In July he had Ken resend everything because he couldn't find any of it. This really burned Ken up, as he'd all ready sent everything as he got it. So he flooded the guy's e-mail with reports. PM is now getting it from both sides the AF wants this done before '07 is out and has been trying to get a schedule since spring.
He's becoming very resentful. Now if this guy had done his job back in March everything would be done except for one or two more installs. Now Ken may have to work through the holidays to get all this done and get and extention on his use or loose time. It also means the trips he takes are the entire week, meaning he's gone from Monday morning to Friday evening. This screws my work schedule because then the only days I can work are Saturday and Sunday and he's got weddings two Saturdays each in September and October. In September we also have my MIL's birthday party one of those and Quin's first birthday party on another.

Ken not being used to a weekly work schedule, because his is bi-weekly, assumed that for the Monday's I miss at work I can make them up the Friday before. Doesn't work that way if I want to switch days I have to do it with in the same pay period. So now I'm losing two days of work because we have no one to watch the boys. The two people I'd ask are both about to have babies. Jean is due mid-Sept but because of GD she'll probably be induced the end of this week. And my neighbor is due first week in Oct so she can go any time now too. can I say ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I leave Wednesday to go visit my mom for about 5 days, I'll take my laptop so should be able to post.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

8/16/07

Let's start with today's prompt and work backwards once again.

Blog Prompt: Aug 16 is the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Do you know who Elvis is? If so, what was your favorite movie? Are you a big fan of his? Why or why not?

Yes I know who he is, I actualy remember the day he died. We (my sister and I)were at the baby sitter's house. And I remember Shirly being so sad that day. I'm not sure which of her daughters told us Kim or Val, both were in high school so to a nine year old they were cool. I know the radio was on all day on which ever channel was playing Elvis music. Of his movies I'v only seen a few and it'll be a hard choice between Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas. I wouldn't say I'm a big fan but I enjoy a lot of his music. I guess how I feel about him can me expressed by quote a remember a friend making when I was in college. "If I ever have a boy I'm gonna name him Elvis." "After Presley?" "No, Costello"

Blog Prompt: Aug 15 is National Relaxation Day. Tell what things you see, hear or do that relaxes you.

I like relaxing in a shady spot on a cool afternoon. A good book is always a plus. I cup of hot tea is a nice way to wind down before bed. And when my kids drive me up a wall a nice glass of merlot or pinot noir is good after they are in bed.

Blog Prompt: Describe a 'sound' from your childhood. What was it? When did you hear it? What does it bring to mind?

The sound of gravel under tires. The road in front of our house was made of tar and gravel. If you could hear the gravel crunching under the tired it mean the road had been recently covered. I can't remember if they did it once or twice a year. I know during the hottest part of summer the road was almost smooth and you could actually walk barefoot on it and not get your feet cut, burned but not cut. I remember hating it after they lay down new gravel because it made riding a bike a bit harder and if you wiped out pretty painful.

Blog Prompt: August 13 is Alfred Hitchcock’s birthday. In honor of his birthday, name the movie(s) that scare you the most.

When I was a kid the Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween movies. Actually when I was really young that movie that Kiss made in about a haunted amusement park really freaked me out, had nightmares for a week. I'm not real fond of horror films unless they're kind of making fun of the genre. I have to say I found the movie Seven quite disturbing and the Hannibal Lechter movies did have me on the edge of my seat.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

8/9/07

Blog Prompt: I'm in the mood for some "current events" today and would love to hear what the weather is like in your part of the world. Also, how much did you pay for gas the last time you filled up your car?

Hmmm weather here in Maryland is actually pretty typical for August, upper 90's and 70% or more humidity. I know becuase I complain about it almost every year. Though I notice it's worse when you have kids and have to find stuff to keep them occupied because it's too hot and humid to let them play outside for very long.

Now I was actually pleasantly surprised Tuesday afternoon when I filled up that it was $2.82 for mid-grade. Kinda sad that I think 2.82 is a good price. But compaired to 3.10 about a month a go it is. Oh how I miss the days of under 2.00 a gallon not even going to think about the days of under a dollar a gallon.

Blog Prompt 8/8/07: What is your favorite day of the week?
I have to say my favorite day of the Thursday. Mostly because for the longest time it has been the night I usually watch TV for my favorite shows. It's also playgroup day so the boys get to play with their friends. It's the night of the Freebs chat with Tina Chambers at DSP. When my husband isn't traveling it is the one day I don't have to make him lunch, he goes out with the guys to the chinese buffet. And the weeks he is traveling it is the day he comes home.

Blog Prompt 8/7/07: Look at your hands. Why are you grateful for them?
I'm grateful for my hands for all they help me create, whether on the computer or through crafts and cooking. They allow me to make things for my family and friends to enjoy. I can hold my children's hands and faces. I can relax stroking my cat's head. I can tickle my boys all these things would be much harder to do with out them.

Blog Prompt: Aug. 6 is Lucille Ball’s birthday. I thought she was a great comedienne so in honor of her birthday, I thought we could tell a joke.

Since it is also Monday, I think many of us need a joke to make us smile today!
Sorry all I have today is a silly knock knock joke I taught my three year old.

Knock knock
Who's there?
Alex
Alex who?
Alex the questions here.

The weirdest thing happened over the weekend, we were watching Handy Manny on Playhouse Disney. In this episode he was fixing a treehouse for two boys at their Abuela's house. The younger boy Alex was being left out of his older brother's game/club because he was only 6 and it was for 10 year olds. Now this is the first time I ever hear the older brother's name even though this episode has been on a couple times. The older brother was named Quinn. It kind of threw me for a few minutes. The two brothers had the same nicknames as my boys though the relationship is reversed. Alex is the older, and Quin the younger.

Can I say how much I'm looking forward to September. Mostly because I'll have a couple hours to myself again in the morning. Alex will be in school and Quin will be napping. Amazing how used to little things like that you can get. So it's really dawning on me that Quin will be a year old soon. I worked on the invitation for his birthday party. The weddig Ken was supposed to have the last weekend in September got postponed so we're planning the family party for then. The playgroup party will be the following Wednesday. I keep wondering if I should be worried Quin still hasn't tried crawling or pulling himself up. He likes standing and will grab old of my fingers to pull up but he hasn't done it on his own. He hasn't even pulled himself in to a sitting position on his own.

I feel like it's my fault. He gets a little lost in the chaos. It seems like as soon as I start working on anything, like getting a meal together Alex has a crisis, though I make him wait until I can get to him, it still pushes Quin's needs to the back burner. I'm hoping once Alex is in preschool again, spending time alone with him will help.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

guess it won't be every day

I tried but I guess I won't get to these every day. I'm thinking once a week may be a good start.

Today's prompt and move backwards
Tell how the internet has made an impact on your life.

Well the biggest impact was the people I've met. I have some good friends whom I never would have know if it wasn't for the internet my husband included. I met him on ICQ about 7 1/2 years ago. And because we lived close enough and both had a strong interest in photography we decided to meet up, three years later we were married. I've met people through so many different groups. Right after college I was part of the Mercedes Lackey fan club, and wrote fan fiction and went to dragon con down in Atlanta a couple times. The writing of fan fiction led me back to RPGs. Starting with MUDs like Dragonquest, then I moved into e-mail versions of AD&D and Shadowrun, these were more like round robin stories, with the DM creating the plot and each character writing their lines/actions. Once I started planning my wedding I started to visit different forums gear towards that eventually to the baby side of a couple of those boards. I still visit two on a regular basis, Our Little Universe and Lets Just Talk. Keeping journals on these forums also contributes in part to my digital scrapbooking. But the people I've met because of these places are the most important.

Now the internet has made other things much easier for me. I keep track of my finances better because I can download everything into Quicken. I can shop whenever I want and I can also research my purchases and then decide if I'll buy online or in an actual store. Because to be honest I dislike actually going shopping at the best of times. With two small children it makes is even more of a hassle. Even when I was younger most times I knew what I wanted and went to those particular places, then left. No wandering the mall for hours for me.

I think the internet allows me to keep in touch with my extended family better. I can write out what's going on post pictures in my galleries, show my new pages. Even though I talk to her every week I think my mom likes being able to visit my blog, she gets to read about things I forget to mention or that are kind of trivial but nice to know day to day things.

Tuesday's prompt


Take a photo you've been meaning to scrap and write your journaling for it here




I still haven't gotten to this one. I guess I've been waiting for the right kit to go along with it. I think this is a big example of what being three is all about. They're the ones keeping the band aid companies in the profits. At one point Alex was wear five band aids. Granted he did actually have booboos, though most of them did not warrant wearing a bandage. After a while I think they became a fashion statement for him. His favorites were the backyardigans and spiderman. It got to the point where, if he bumped against something he'd be calling out "mommy, MOMMMMYYY need BAnd AID, got ouchies, especially for hangnails and such. We got lucky while visiting my dad in July, they didn't really have any band aids so he had to make due with the ones he had left and by the end of the week those were gone too. Last weekend was the first time since then, that he asked for one.

This was from Monday so I'll answer as if it was still Monday

How many different 'hats' will you wear today? Will you be mom, grandma, employee, employer..etc. How do you balance all of it?

The biggest hat I wore was being mommy, but within that you could say I was storyteller, playmate, photographer, cook, housekeeper and chauffer. I was an album designer since we got in a couple orders. And finance manager because I went over all our accounts for the month. If it was friday or sunday you could add bookseller to that list as well.