28 January 2009

DTV

Is watching TV really an inalienable right? So what if the format is changing. If those that still use rabbit ears didn't hear about it, then postponing the transition won't help. The impending change has been broadcast for years now. I am shocked that the Consumer's Union asked to push back the transition and I am further dismayed that Congress considered it. I am at an even greater loss for words concerning why it is discussed to the extent that it is. Perhaps there is something that I am missing here. If you think you know what it is then clue me in. If not, get cable because everyone else has.

25 January 2009

The Little Guy started soccer this past week. It is called "Kinder Kicks" and it is one hour every Friday afternoon where he gets to play with other kids, learn some soccer fundamentals, and then have a little scrimmage so to speak. He will be getting a jersey, shorts, and socks and hopefully they will have more next week because this seems to be a big deal to him - he REALLY wants his uniform! He seemed to like it and I will bring my telephoto lens next time so I can get some better pictures.

We started on Brother's room this weekend and discovered that the carpet was actually covering some kickin' linoleum. It reminded me of the floor in my Grandfather's clinic when I was growing up. It was super easy to get up though so that was a good thing. We were able to get a lot accomplished yesterday because our good friends took the kids to the zoo which gave us several hours of uninterrupted time to work. Pickle has this idea that since you are on the floor then that is an automatic invitation to sit in your lap . . . it's kind of tough to knock floor into place with her in your lap.This picture is from yesterday morning on Little Guys's bed. It actually had an extra mattress pile on top of it at the time so she's pretty high up. I had left the room and when I came back I asked JP why he put her up there and he said "Where is she?" She had climbed up by herself . . . the little monkey!

23 January 2009

Pickle is 14th Months Old Today

Pickle is 14 months today! She is a joy to be around and always has a smile to share with her mouth full of teeth (almost). She laughs and giggles and babbles a lot. She can say "Da-Da" and occasionally something that sounds like "momma." She has other words that we hear over and over but at this point we can not identify what they are. She is still climbing on everything and can get into a full run when needed (usually to chase Brother).

She loves to have things on her arm (a possible purse fascination that I have no idea where she got). Here she is killing two birds with one stone . . . a shoe purse! How smart is this fashionista? She also loves to accessorize with her new bows as well as bracelets. Santa brought her a bunch of these daisy bracelets and I have seen her put many on at one time.

21 January 2009

Inaugural Obsession

Unless you live under a rock you probably know that Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States yesterday. Regardless of your political persuasion I have to imagine you were just as captured as I was by all the ceremony of the day. It really fascinates me to watch such events and think about the history and tradition that goes into each part of the day. Although we are not a Monarchial society our Founding Fathers obviously wanted us to have traditions on which we could build to show the importance of such events.

It is also interesting to see such a group of powerful people coming together for this tradition and ceremony. To see so many past presidents and vice presidents in one place is engaging and to imagine the conversations that go on is truly fun.

I am also fascinated by the First Lady and those little girls. What was going through their heads yesterday and how was their first night in that house? Do you think Michelle woke up this morning wondering where her toothbrush was and if they had the right toothpaste? For that matter is she wondering how she'll get more toothpaste or do you think they have already told her not to worry about it. It's the little things that I could ponder all day.

Finally I just want to comment on her outfits yesterday . . . since this is my forum I get to say what I want! I thought they were fabulous. I am so glad she did not wear red or blue. The color combination she chose for the day was perfect and she looked great. I also love the white dress she wore to the balls. I have heard one comment this morning that said it was disappointing because she typically wears such tailored outfits. That comment had to be from a MAN. Would you want to wear something form-fitting to 10 balls? I think her choice was perfect. It was sexy but yet it was probably pretty comfortable too so she could enjoy her evening and easily get in and out of cars without too much concern for a wardrobe malfunction or having to suck in her stomach all night.

Thanks for listening . . . .

19 January 2009

Daybook - January 19th

The Simple Woman's Daybook is sponsored by http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.

FOR TODAY JANUARY 19TH ...

Outside my window...
already bright and sunny!
I am thinking... that I have too much to do today at home and at work.
I am thankful for... my family (as always) and that I was able to get to yoga yesterday.
From the kitchen... slow roasted pork last night and chicken sandwiches tonight.
I am wearing... my robe.
I am creating... still working on that bedroom.
I am going... to see Lion King this Friday night!
I am reading... Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods and The Kitchen Boy about the Russian Revolution.
I am hoping... we can wrap up the bedroom soon and move on to the kid's rooms.
I am hearing... NPR, toys being dumped out, and The Little Guy's constant chatter.
Around the house... slept on the new mattress last night which means the den is no longer our bedroom!
One of my favorite things... my very smart son.
A few plans for the rest of the week: work, laying more floor, theater on Friday night.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...This picture was taken earlier last week. As of last night the floor is completely laid on our bedroom and closet and the baseboards are on in the closet so we were able to put most of the stuff back in last night!


12 January 2009

Daybook - January 12th

I have enjoyed the Simple Woman's Daybook on one of my favorite blogs Farm Fresh for the last couple of months and I thought I would start participating. The Simple Woman's Daybook is sponsored by http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.

FOR TODAY (PLACE THE DATE HERE)...
Outside my window... it's bright and sunny and currently 48 degrees.
I am thinking... that maybe I should take the day off from work.
I am thankful for... a skilled husband/ craftsman and my flexible job.
From the kitchen... made bran muffins and hard-boiled eggs this morning and JP will make pork tenderloin for dinner.
I am wearing... still in my pjs and a sweatshirt as it's too cold in my house to put on my work clothes just yet.
I am creating... a new bedroom!
I am going... to work of course!
I am reading... too many books at once . . . All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve and Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods and listening to Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough.
I am hoping... that we can have our room back by the end of the weekend.
I am hearing... silence from D's room and the TV.
Around the house... not too bad other than my room.
One of my favorite things... coffee!
A few plans for the rest of the week: painting, floor installation, new mattress coming on Friday!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...Currently my favorite pic . . . to see the sequence is great . . . I call it "Pickle on Parade."

11 January 2009

2009 Project #1

It has begun! The new floor has been taking up space and collecting dust in the garage since before Thanksgiving and now we are in a race to get it installed before the weather warms up. We are starting in the bedroom and we are using this time to repaint the walls that JP never really did like. I slaved over those walls by myself by sponging them . . . it was a neat process and I was pleased with how it turned out. But as time has gone by, I've realized it was not the best decorating idea that I've had. Here is a picture update:The carpet is out and you can see the "baby poop" colored walls. Today we got a coat of primer on: and we should be able to finish painting this week. We have selected a brown shade. JP is anxious to start laying the floor so I am hopeful that we will have the room back together by the end of next weekend. HOWEVER, I have "ordered" a new bed and my master carpenter will need to complete that as well.

07 January 2009

Seriously!?


Another classic example of brilliant sign making. I am hopeful this sign was made by a local employee of Walgreens and and not at the corporate office.

06 January 2009

Sledding!

The best sled hill was on the road and it provided a great icy track for the Little Guy! Dad was in charge of pushing while Uncle Boyd supervised! Enjoy these in order and I imagine you can hear the shouts of glee that he gave the whole way down (Dad/ Lynna, it sounded a lot like him coming down the water slide!).







And then the process started again . . . once he made his way back UP the hill!

05 January 2009

Santa Fe Trip

On the 27th we headed out for Santa Fe (Cerrillos actually) about an 8 hour drive from our house to see JP's Aunt and Uncle. We love going to their house and this was our first winter trip; our last visit was over Labor Day in 2007. They have a lot of land and open space with great views of the city and surrounding mountains. The day started out around 34 degrees at our house and we hit our low of 17 when we stopped in Flagstaff around 9:30. The temperature warmed a bit throughout the day but not much! A big storm had just blown through Northern Arizona and New Mexico the day before so we expected some poor road conditions but the drive was great and the scenery pretty in most places. This is just outside of Gallup:Here are the kids enjoying the drive . . . Brother is enjoying his Leapster not sleeping (Thank You Popsie & M'Lynn!).It was in the 20's when we arrived that afternoon but the wind chill was about 14!

The Little Guy loves helping out with the "chores" like taking the scraps out for the coyotes (I so miss him calling them "eye-co-tees"), feeding the cows and birds, and even raising the flag. Here he and Uncle Boyd are coming back from dropping off some scraps, and he and Aunt Susan are giving the cows their "treats". He wouldn't get much closer.Uncle Boyd is showing him the finer points of snow shoveling! And here is the Little Guy's favorite part of going to Boyd and Susan's although the John Deere did not come out of the shed this trip.
We had him so decked out in new snow pants and mittens and three layers of shirts and coats that I think he could have played outside all day!His first snow angelAnd his Eddie Murphy impersonation!

Pickle enjoyed this wide ledge that afforded her a view of the snow and the new cows! That ledge was freezing but she loved to climb up there each morning and "walk" right off on to the bed laughing the whole time.She also got to go outside briefly on our first day when it was still so bitterly cold.
How cute is that hat?

There are many more pictures to share and we did do more than just play in the snow. JP's Dad and his wife as well as Granddad came to visit and we ate a lot and celebrated a belated Christmas. Susan always feeds us so well and so much!

04 January 2009

Update

I was in the process tonight of putting together a post about our trip to Santa Fe but the battery has died in the camera and I am not able to get the pictures off right now. It's been a busy and fun weekend as usual and the Little Guy is headed back to school tomorrow so I must cut this short to get him in bed ASAP. Instead of New Mexico pictures please enjoy these:
Pickle doing her "downward dog." This is how she was able to stand up unassisted at first . . . sadly we don't get many downward dogs anymore.
We are having tea at his school. This is something special each student gets to share with a parent right before the holidays to show off their manners . . . it is adorable!JoJo and Jay on Christmas Eve with the kiddos. Jo, you finally made the blog! We were so lucky they joined us for Christmas!

02 January 2009

Merry Christmas Part II

Blogging pictures from our great Christmas Day is long overdue! I had to work on the 26th and ended up putting in way more hours than I anticipated and then we headed out on the 27th for a short trip to New Mexico to see more family. (Pictures and details to be posted in the next few days!)

We were awakened around 6:30am (the time the Little Guy is allowed to come into our room - it has now been moved to 7am) and JP let him go into the den to get his stocking. He promptly returned running down the hall yelling about the Space Shuttle Santa had brought him - that he "didn't even tell Santa he wanted". (I clearly remember a discussion of either a space shuttle or a rocket . . . it changed each time you asked him.) He was very excited and I have to admit it's a pretty cool toy. Santa brought Pickle the Little People Farm. Here is Pickle with her farm in the background chewing on a wooden spoon that was in her brother's stocking:
And here she is enjoying the apple that was in her stocking . . . you can see Brother in the background with his shuttle and accessories:
JoJo and Jay gave Pickle her very on ride-on toy (to go along with the other 3 ride-on items we already have in the house). She is clearly excited . . . and what girl wouldn't be excited about a pink and purple Big Wheel!
The kids also got bean bags from JoJo and Jay. You can see they enjoy them in different ways . . . Of all the gifts he got (and he got a LOT - the kid has 4 sets of grandparents, if you get my drift!), his favorite gift by far is his new Richard Scary book from his Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. He spent almost an hour on Christmas morning in that bean bag looking at that book. We have since read it MANY times! We love that Bugdozer!It was a great Christmas that kept us in our PJs for most of the day . . . eating and lounging about. It was cold and rainy so it was a great day to snuggle in although JP did get out on his bike for a little bit. He cooked us a fabulous "roast beast" for dinner with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, and spinach salad! We have been truly blessed this year and our Christmas just topped it all off. Many thanks to everyone for all the great gifts and good wishes.