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August 31, 2006

Three Simple Ways...
...to amuse yourself, using your favorite two-year-old.

  • Ask him to move a good-sized pile of tiny socks from one place (like the floor) to another (the laundry basket). Stooge-esque hilarity ensues.
  • a) Set up his playspace in front of those ungodly floor-length mirrors in the living room and b) engage in extended breastfeeding (no, not at the same time). Eventually he will lift his shirt, look as if he's having a lightbulb moment, Tune in Tokyo (on himself), and exclaim "[insert child's favorite version of "boobies"]!!!"
  • Teach him how to say the word "sit."


    • Aside from providing some comic relief, these will at least compensate you for some of the bruises sustained while trying to hold him down for diaper changes.
    08/31/06 12:42 PM |  Comments


    August 30, 2006

    Ever...
    ...have one of those days? Well, of course you have. Which is why you'll put up with my pointless/cryptic whining here (or avert your eyes if not ;-) ).

    I'm exhausted to the breaking point, on the very razor edge of tears all day. Emotionally wiped. I wasn't built for any type of leadership role, my chemistry (especially that of the stomach acid) is all wrong for it. I've got the diplomacy part down, sure, and a few creative problem-solving skills, but little else. I can't make quick, or strong, or unpopular decisions for anything, and I'm almost completely incapable of dealing with confrontation. As much as I'm all too aware of these failings, they don't seem to want to just magically disappear (imagine that!).

    I see that people are coming here wondering "Why???" so I hope that answered to their satisfaction. At least from my perspective; others have their own reasons.

    Well, at least I can feel good about doing the absolute best I could with what I had. And, after today, things will be better. I'm looking forward to just being a part without having to worry if my friendships (???) will go *pwoof* because I made the wrong call (that will be left to my other stellar qualities, har har). There is that much.

    But, back to whining... I've got a killer sinus episode going (complete with nausea, whee!), and apparently no sound is coming out when I open my mouth (not in the literal sense).

    Time for some empty calories!
    08/30/06 06:33 PM |  Comments


    August 25, 2006

    Spreading the Lurve
    I've got five more Vox invites, if anyone that doesn't have one yet happens to be reading.

    I really like having a dedicated place for my little book/movie blurbs -- it's a great way to keep track of my habits.
    08/25/06 04:36 PM |  Comments


    August 24, 2006

    It Would Be*hoove* You to Try It
    I've never been a fan of goat cheese, but when I saw the little Montchevre logs on sale today, I couldn't resist trying out Cranberries & Cinnamon (it seemed so fall-ish, and you know I'm in that kind of mood).

    And it wasn't half b-a-a-a-a-d!

    That typical "goaty" sharpness was masked nicely by the fruit and spice flavors. And, news to me: it has twice the calcium and half the fat calories of cream cheese, while being just as rich and creamy.
    08/24/06 05:19 PM |  Comments


    August 23, 2006

    Seven Secrets
    Look at that -- just as I was grasping for content, mipmup creates. Huzzah!

    1. your deadliest sin (pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed or sloth)? Ugh. Sloth.
    2. tell us a secret. I. Want. To. JUST QUIT. Today.
    3. why are you ashamed? I'm a Wussy McWusserson.
    4. what is your secret fantasy (keep it g-rated, ok?)? To be a semi-famous pop star -- just enough to score minor recognition. Oh, and of course I'd have to have that much, erm, talent.
    5. greatest guilty pleasure. Crap soap opera.
    6. secret behavior. Inescapable fascination with windows after dark.
    7. to where would you escape? Isle Royale? Madagascar?
    08/23/06 02:02 PM |  Comments


    August 20, 2006

    Tubeage
    Well, I can't say that this third was the best season of The 4400, but it did keep me entertained over the summer (and two more eps to go -- to bring us into fall premieres). It sounds as if the ratings were very much good enough to merit a fourth season next year.

    Premieres (for my reference)! Old stuff returning:

    American Dad: Sun Sept 10 8:30
    Family Guy: Sun Sept 10 9
    The Office: Thu Sept 21 8:30
    Desperate Housewives: Sun Sept 24 9
    Lost: Wed Oct 4 9 (sigh!)
    Scrubs: mid-season (double sigh!)

    New shows to give a chance:
    Jericho (CBS, who'dve thunk?): Wed Sept 20 8
    Six Degrees: Thu Sept 21 10

    Ugly Betty (Thu Sept 28 8) looks as if it might be silly, but I could use a dose of that until Scrubs returns, I suppose. Plus it appeals to my inner (ahem!) nerd girl.
    08/20/06 09:49 PM |  Comments


    August 19, 2006

    Domesticity
    I've really been on a domestic/re-organizing tear lately (noticed?). Other people do spring cleaning, but these days I find myself more motivated in the fall.

    I was so lucky to find a Jerker-like desk (only wider!) with a hutch right here in town for $50, so out with my crippled (read: moved one too many times) corner tower. I love that I'll have room for my computer and a little crafting space, too. I plan on mounting tasklights inside the hutch.

    Today, during the bub's nap, I moved my small bookshelf from the office into the pantry, and completely reorganized the foodstuffs and table linens. Tonight I'll be streamlining the contents of my desk, culling out things for AmVets curbside pickup on Tuesday, and starting on the craft/linen and office closets. I have to milk this drive for all it's worth!
    08/19/06 03:35 PM |  Comments


    Shiny
    I finally ordered a needle case for myself! My mom liked hers so well.

    Now if that, along with having a great pattern, doesn't offer up a proper impetus to pick up those needles, I don't know what will.
    08/19/06 03:29 PM |  Comments


    August 18, 2006

    Clean Enough to Eat
    I've finally done it. Managed, at least, to find reasonable non-toxic cleaners for every surface in my kitchen. Except for automatic dishwashing fluid -- if you've got a solution that actually works (does this? I haven't seen it in stores), I will be deeply in your debt.

    For the floors, I'm using Dr. Bronner's. Eucalyptus, mmmmmmm. Just baking soda for scouring the sink. Seventh Generation is just awesome for dishes (I was using this, but it's harder to find). Surfaces get this spray mixture:

  • 1 c. cheap vodka
  • 1 c. water
  • 1 T. white vinegar
  • Spearmint essence to taste
  • Bit of blue food coloring, to quickly differentiate it from the odor-neutralizing plain vodka


    • I'm really pleased at how well it works, even on glass!
    08/18/06 01:31 PM |  Comments


    August 17, 2006

    Media Blogging
    Yeah, I could just post about each book I've read right here. But, obviously... I haven't been! And Vox makes it nice and easy. You can find my new media (well, who am I kidding, book, and possibly movie) bloglet here.

    Hey, now don't you roll your eyes at me like that. It'll make me uninclined to give you one of my two invites.
    08/17/06 01:54 PM |  Comments


    August 16, 2006

    Seasons
    Taken from Andrea:

    What are your favorite seasons in order:
    Fall
    Spring
    Winter
    Summer

    What are your favorite smells for each season:
    Spring - cherry blossoms, misty morning air
    Fall - dead leaves, burning leaves, pumpkins
    Winter - wood stoves, oven goodies, slow cooker
    Summer - jasmine, magnolia, salt air, fair food

    What are your favorite foods for each season:
    Spring - I don't know that I really have any!
    Fall - apple and pumpkin pie, turkey
    Winter - warm bread, warm cookies, hot chocolate, ham and mashed potatoes
    Summer - cucumbers, strawberries, clementines

    What are your favorite colors for each season:
    Spring - pink, green
    Fall - brown, red, orange
    Winter - blue, gray
    Summer - white

    What are your favorite activities for each season:
    Spring - walking
    Fall - visiting orchards, driving
    Winter - reading with a blanket and tea, watching new shows and movies next to the fire
    Summer - exploring
    08/16/06 08:58 AM |  Comments


    August 15, 2006

    Friction Nonfiction
    I don't wear skirts often anymore -- it's not really practical to me, with the bub. But when I do... yeah. Problems. That I'm sure I share with at least half the female population.

    So I did what pioneer women did when their skirts weren't working out for wintry farm chores -- I borrowed from the men. These are the best things ever for wearing under skirts, I'm serious. Comfy, lightweight, don't break the bank, and they won't fall apart on you after one wear. Just buy 'em in the women's size you'd normally wear. The black ones are pretty flattering, for manpanties.
    08/15/06 10:22 AM |  Comments


    August 14, 2006

    Carded
    I've been looking for a card and photo solution for my purse. My little wallet isn't big enough for the extra cards I carry with me but don't need every day (health and extra auto insurance cards, member discounts, etc.) and photos -- nor do I want it to be! When we were wandering through Target today, I chanced upon the Real Simple line in the office goods section, and found this card wheel in lots of yummy color combos (mine is brown with pink trim to match my purse/ongoing color combo obsession). I had to trim down the wallet-sized photos a tiny bit to fit, but everything else slipped into the sleeves securely. The instructions say that, as the sleeves are so clear, you shouldn't need to remove cards for scanning -- pretty sure that won't work for magnetic strip-type stuff, though, right?
    08/14/06 08:42 PM |  Comments


    Two
    What a big day for a bub. He was so frothed up/exhausted by the end of the day, he wouldn't eat dinner. Or cake!*

    We drove over to Dillon Beach for the first time (note to self: must explore Tomales). I think it's much nicer than Doran, and seems more spacious (and more easily-accessible, driving in Bodega is frustrating), too. The bub hadn't had a chance to really play at a beach before this, and I think he enjoyed it, with his bucket and shovel and little beach buggy. Until, that is, the water caught his ankles unaware, and he tipped right over from the surprise! And it was cold, too. Luckily I had some dry clothes in his bag (thanks to The Projectile Vomiting Incident).

    He was overwhelmed by some of his gifts a bit. His kitchen from us, the Learning Zoo from Aunt Becky, and a See-and-Say and GeoTrax from the Grandmas. We're setting the trains aside for a bit -- they're a little past him right now -- and we'll probably open the Zoo this afternoon.

    Even today, he doesn't want to stop playing with the kitchen long enough for diaper changes, meals, etc. Which is simultaneously annoying and gratifying. And, I admit, I don't easily tire of hearing him identify all the fruits and vegetables in his basket! I think "ce-wuh-we" is my favorite :-)

    I have footage, but there's a lot, and it wants editing.

    *Oh, that blasted cake. I was hoping to make a kind of 2/3d barn, with the roof and silo shapes cut out up top, and details in milk and white chocolate drizzle. But. The cake only finally came out of the pan in pieces (though it was greased), and couldn't be put back together again without serious lumping issues. And then bits of cake kept getting caught up in the frosting! Aaaand what failure would be complete without running out of red food coloring -- tada! lumpy, granular pink barn! It was honestly the worst-looking cake that has ever come out of my oven, but, luckily it was just us, and it's still edible.
    08/14/06 01:21 PM |  Comments


    August 12, 2006

    Nuts! Oh, and Wackos.
    I understand how you came to be at my site. But, dude. It's prostate, 'kay?
    08/12/06 04:00 PM |  Comments


    August 11, 2006

    Acrobatically-Challenged
    I just turned in my last assignments, and A-minused the last quiz. Hoorah.

    I wish the story I could tell you went like this:
    Jennie harbored a tiny bit of resentment against all things PDF. She admitted (grudgingly) that this attitude might be ever-so-slightly unfounded, and even possibly only due to the fact that Acrobat has a nasty habit of wreaking havoc on her otherwise-robust computer. This was not aided at all by the fact that a course covering just that was required for her certificate.

    After a few weeks of intense study, she found that Acrobat is really a lovely, powerful platform for document sharing. An October wedding is planned.

    The End.


    But it went more like this:

    Jennie harbored a tiny bit of resentment against all things PDF. She admitted (grudgingly) that this attitude might be ever-so-slightly unfounded, and even possibly only due to the fact that Acrobat has a nasty habit of wreaking havoc on her otherwise-robust computer. This was not aided at all by the fact that a course covering just that was required for her certificate.

    She halfheartedly limped through the summer course (which felt much longer than eight weeks), all the while wishing she could be reading fluffy chick-lit while pretending she'd ever go on vacation, instead. She learned a few tricks, and may even be more inclined to create her own PDFs in the future. But still, she finds herself hitting "View as HTML" when given the choice in a Google search result. The product of their ill-advised union, named A Minus, will be attending boarding school in England in the fall.

    The End.
    08/11/06 03:52 PM |  Comments


    August 06, 2006

    Gimme.
    Okay, I'm generally not into spendy high-end bubgear. Or even mom gear, for that matter.

    But I want this. I want it badly. 100-pound capacity, and it handles real trails. Oh, think of the letterboxing!
    08/06/06 11:41 PM |  Comments


    An Ode to Changing the Subject
    Petaluma, you are one cruel siren.

    I'm in neck-deep. You knew you'd snag me, sometime, with your hills and history and misty dawn. Vestiges of farm-town sensibilities and chicken days. Rallying around the broken bits, even.

    But I don't see how this relationship is ever going to work in the end. If we want a home, you'll work us until our fingers bleed. We'll prostrate ourselves, all the while forced to ignore the bay breezes... or give up. And then you'll just find some other silly Midwesterners to torture.

    Geographic codependency -- who'dve thunk?
    08/06/06 10:28 PM |  Comments


    August 04, 2006

    New Propmaster, Stat!
    They couldn't even give this nurse a clipboard? It really had to be one of their product manuals? And, regardless of what the ladies on General Hospital are sporting, I doubt you'll find a real RN wearing these on duty!

    Well, that was a fun week. And I posted every day, go me.
    08/04/06 09:09 PM |  Comments


    August 03, 2006

    Errr...
    Yeah. You can caption this one, if you'd like.
    08/03/06 10:16 PM |  Comments


    In Other News...
    * Chris and Sarah are getting married this weekend. Congrats!

    * Should I hang a shingle for my new domain-naming-idea business? No?

    * Someone is having a birthday today! Someone who also had a fourth anniversary on Tuesday, and a son with a birthday on the 13th. Busy busy!
    08/03/06 01:36 PM |  Comments


    August 02, 2006

    Yay! I Mean, Yikes!
    My very first anywhere-near-large quake (that big red box!) in six years in California... and I was the only one that didn't feel it. No, while our second floor was shaking here (nothing misplaced), I was out at Trader Joe's, buying clementines and green tea. The girls at the service counter said they saw the door rattling, though.
    08/02/06 08:56 PM |  Comments


    Rico. Suavvv-aaay.
    "I know you say you don't like redheads, baby. But, c'mon. You'll dig this. Check me in my fabu pleather jacket and goatee. Just chillin' next to this log, stroking my giant lizard."
    08/02/06 07:10 PM |  Comments


    August 01, 2006

    Question
    Have you ever been subjected to a full-on airport/inner-city public school-style metal detector-n-bag search combo at a county fair gate?

    'Cause we were, today. They even went through my (ahem) tampon case.

    Yup. Fun stuff. If indignity for the sake of funnel cakes, knitting displays, and Tilt-a-Whirl is your idea of fun. I suppose, at least, I should be grateful none of us had to take our shoes off on the hot pavement.
    08/01/06 10:43 PM |  Comments


    "They Don't Pay Me to Smile."
    Thanksgiving dinner is SERIOUS BUSINESS.

    Very, very, serious, man.

    That, or the prop corn really is demonic.
    08/01/06 09:47 PM |  Comments