spinning-jennie: Misc archives

Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day!

To all moms -- current, future, or surrogate ☺

Photo courtesy Oclumência.
05/11/08 12:20 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Bird-o-Rama
Today was made for a trip to Shollenberger Park. We saw most of the usual suspects: mallards, red-wing blackbirds, gulls, house sparrows, Canada geese, and American coots. No egrets, though, and we really weren't on the right side of the pond to see sandpipers. Saw a small rodent (pocket gopher?) on the trail, which I suppose isn't enough to draw the turkey vultures (we've seen them on the trails once before, mid-snack, rather gruesome).
03/09/08 08:22 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Merry Merry
Merry Christmas, all!

I got what I wanted most, which was just to feel healthy enough to really enjoy the day. Thank you, Santa! I hope your day brings nothing but good, fun things too.
12/25/07 11:30 AM in Misc  |  Comments


Happy November!
And happy NaBloPoMo! Woot! I'm determined to post daily once again.

We took the bub trick-or-treating last night (photos on Flickr, and also overdue pumpkin patch shots). This year he really got into it -- he'd ring the doorbell and jump up and down when someone answered. And "Let's go to THAT house! How about THIS one?" Much fun to watch. He got a lot of "Awww! Curious George!"

Of course, the very year I give up on us having kids show up at our own door is the same year that they do, and in droves. The neighborhood with the big houses was so overrun that our little circle got some of the spillover. Oh, well. Next year I'll leave stuff out again.

I was going to send out little treats this year, but we had visitors/visitor prep/visitor recovery right in my procrastinator's sweet spot, so it didn't happen. I did have one of these candy cauldrons shipped, though, to an equally ardent HP fan. Too bad it didn't include any Chocolate Frogs!
11/01/07 12:44 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Domaineering
Well, I may only be fourth in the US, but in the UK, I'm number one. Go name, go!

The holder of the parked jennie dot com domain offered it to D. over the weekend. We thought, sure, that might be cool.

Just not $15K cool.
04/26/07 09:38 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Take That!
Back in the beginning of March, you may remember that my irritation with unwanted credit card mail had reached critical mass. I popped on optoutprescreen, and I've been noticing distinctly less financially dangerous waste in our mailbox.

Hoorah!
04/17/07 04:32 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Monday
Thanks to Ellen for talking up washing curly hair with only conditioner. I'm actually beginning to see improvement, and I've just been at it a week. I still wash my scalp with shampoo every other day -- no choice there -- though.

I've started up with Sparkpeople this weekend. I've got to drop thirty pounds to get back to my prenatal weight (again. And forty to get down to a healthy BMI), and I think this will really be a useful tool. I lost fifteen with the quite-similar-but-not-free Weight Watchers program back in 2003, so I have high hopes for this, as well -- watching my caloric intake/burn in black-and-white is a great motivator.

It's been cooler so far than it was last year, I think. This makes me happy. And bodes well for my walking routine.
04/16/07 11:24 AM in Misc  |  Comments


Yipes Stripes
So last night we had dinner at the riverfront. Afterwards, as we approached the fence above the banks to have a look at the water, D. spotted a skunk ambling over the shore. Skunks have an amusing waddle, and the bub has never seen one real and live, so we watched from our safe distance.

A few yards later, he encountered a vicious pack of... wild kittens! It was hilarious, the way they stalked him, the scrawny orange one right on his bushy tail. You'd probably think, as we did, that this story could have only one possible conclusion. But Pepe had either been de-sprayed, or enjoyed a high tolerance for the stupidity of youth, because those cats never got what was rightfully coming to them. Or at least not that we got to witness.
02/12/07 09:55 AM in Misc  |  Comments


Back on the Wagon
I'm trying to post daily again, now that my burnout seems to have passed. No promises, but we'll see how it goes. So, some housekeeping, then.

Because I don't have my "real" computer, and I've been irreversibly spoiled by having two screens, I probably won't be on any messengers at all for the forseeable future (not that I've been, anyhow). Also, don't send mail to my domain address, because I don't want Outlook on my laptop, either, so I won't get it until ??? If you need my Gmail (which is now far and beyond my preferred mail client), let me know via comment. Or know that it's just my First.Last at gmail dot com.

Bembo's Zoo is clever and adorable Flash fun, and it's actually teaching Daniel to point and click.

I'm thinking of bringing the Reusablog over here as its own category, and setting up a separate feed for it. Because it's just taunting me, the way it stands now, and (perhaps perversely) I'll be more apt to post if the self-imposed pressure is off.
02/08/07 11:47 AM in Misc  |  Comments


Sorrow, and Survival
The sad news kept me down much of today. I'd hoped -- actually, believed would be far more accurate -- that the outcome could be nothing but positive after the rest of the family was recovered on Monday. With all the searchers, and the technologies at their disposal... how could it end otherwise? It's heartbreaking.

I've also been devouring Jean Hegland's Into the Forest, a semi-apocalyptic tale of two orphaned sisters scrabbling out an existence here in rural Northern California after It (which is left vague, at least so far) hits the fan. It's not lighthearted reading, but it accomplishes what it sets out to do, in a most striking way.

The book, and so many events these past few years, seem to be beating the message into my head: Make at least some preparation to depend solely upon yourself and your own resources, because, whether the thought makes you uncomfortable or not, the things and powers that are so easily relied upon can fail. I try not to obsess over this, and usually I'm successful. But every now and then I become hyper-aware of our own potentially lethal complacency as a culture, and shudder in my sleep.

So, yeah. Melancholy stuff for the season. We went out to pick a new ornament for the tree tonight, a shiny tradition that served as a bright little reprieve.
12/06/06 09:06 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Self-Explanatory

nablo_tree_red_border.jpg
12/04/06 06:47 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Day 1 Redux.
So a small lot of us are informally posting through December, as well. You're more than welcome to join in! It's called DeBloPoO -- December Blog Posting Overacheivers -- but, in my head, I'll be referring to it as December Blog Positively Outstanding Posting Overacheivers. Because it makes the acronym just that much more fun, and you know I'm juvenile that way.

The bub and I went to get the oil changed today. Do you put this off, too? If there's one thing I avoid, it's being made to feel stupid (at least in person; I love being an idiot online! hee), and if the thing has something to do with my car... it usually does. Even if it doesn't, garages in general put me off. Mechanicaphobia?

Yeah. Anyhow. Next week I have to get smogged, joy. I wonder if I can bribe DH to do it for me.

Oh, you know what I love about oil changes, though? When the mechanic brings out the dipstick on a rag to inspect. I can't help but think of a sommelier with a bottle, and it makes me giggle inside just a little.
12/01/06 01:23 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Foiled!
I knew the two streets were nestled back there, all nice and perpendicular:

danielhenry.jpg

I wrongly assumed that they crossed, thus spoiling my plans to make a silly little photo of the bub beneath one of the street signs at that intersection. Stupid Weiling.
11/28/06 12:32 PM in Misc  |  Comments


Phoning it In
Oh, I almost forgot to post today. Whoops.

It was a short day, but seemed long. Put up a few more decorations. Did some laundry. Finished watching Love Actually (not too shabby) and then semi-watched Kate and Leopold (meh). Splashed around outside with the bub. Made burritos. Did some (overdue, whoops again) homework.

Tomorrow my number one goal is acquiring more clementines.
11/26/06 11:20 PM in Misc  |  Comments


The Devil Wears Pampers:
Similarities between working for the fictional Ms. Miranda Priestly and stay-at-home mothering.

  • Both require you to report at any minute of the clock.
  • Illness is not an excuse, and will not be indulged. Sick days are for humans, not you!
  • A food or service might be requested, and then promptly rejected -- vociferously -- as if you, my dear, were demented all along.
  • Tantrums. Even though Ms. Priestly's are delivered in full sentences, it amounts to the same thing.
  • How your day turns out might be completely dependent on a mood not of your own making.
  • Both can run roughshod over your sense of self-esteem, because...
  • ...menial, mindless tasks? That's your MO, baby.


    • Of course, the major difference is that one builds to loathing, and the other never breaks away from full-on adoration.

    It's kind of funny how that works, isn't it?
    11/09/06 08:58 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Miscellany
  • The popcorn turned out so well using the microwave auto settings! It tastes ten times better than pre-packaged. There were a lot of unpopped kernels, but I'm certain that it was because I used the Large Snack setting, and not the Regular. Whatever -- no char, just delicious, fluffy popcorn! The kosher salt flakes from Trader Joe's were just the perfect touch, too.
  • I'm really channelling my inner Hermione now, what with the new moisture in the air. So I've got the frizz and the straight A's (a little bossiness mightn't hurt...). Now if I can just whip up some polyjuice potion and turn myself into a being not susceptible to the cold virus even for just a few hours tomorrow (because everyone else is sick here, and I can feel it coming on in my throat -- again), I'll be all set.
  • I'm not having much luck finding a restaurant in the North Bay that serves up a traditional, family-friendly, Thanksgiving (for example, not serving anything I can't pronounce), at something a bit less than $80 a plate. This is probably futility, but if you happen to know of such a place, could you kindly drop a comment? Thanks!
  • I'm sorry, but with people wearing shorts yesterday... it's especially difficult to believe that I saw a house this evening decked from roofline to shrubbery in lights (even though, ironically, I bought two boxes of my own, along with a chocolate Advent calendar and one of these paper lovelies).
  • Okay, blonde lady in the ridiculously large SUV. I know you're probably in a big hurry to get to your manicurist and all, but I'm not going to roll through my end of the four-way stop just so you can get there faster. Waving maniacally at me won't do you a shred of good.
  • I'm a little cranky and wired, and my nighttime tea of choice isn't helping. I think I need to get back into my walking routine again, I've been a slacker.

    • 11/08/06 10:08 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Happy...
    Halloween, Samhain, what-have-you!

    Tonight we're going to try out trick-or-treating. The bub is frightened of most people, so getting him to ring doorbells and speak might be interesting. In any case, look for photos tomorrow, to kick off NaBloPoMo (yes, Sarah, I'm not overly fond of the termage, myself).

    On Friday evening, we'll be attending our very first Día de los Muertos procession downtown. I'm excited, if apprehensive about how the bub will handle the giant puppets.

    I hope you're enjoying the celebrations in your own way this week!
    10/31/06 10:59 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Need a Jumpstart, I Do


    November. Posting every day.

    We'll see how that goes.
    10/28/06 09:58 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    No Shame in the Sipping
    Some time ago, I saw some groovy polycarbonate straws (reusable!) on clearance at Crate & Barrel dot com, but I didn't order in time, and they disappeared. They were much like these Halloween ones, except in geometric patterns.

    We were out at the outlet stores, searching for dry goods mouseproofing bins (yup), when I found practically the same straws on sale -- for fifty cents per bag of ten! Of course they were ten times that at C&B, so, with shipping and all, I was glad I waited. It's too bad Kitchen Collection doesn't carry them on their website, boo.

    I love ice in all my drinks, but then icy drinks without a straw bother me, so I've been using these daily for a couple of months now, and they look the same as the day I found them. I even throw them in the dishwasher with the utensils (and let them dry in open air an extra bit afterwards before storing).
    09/12/06 02:13 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    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 in Misc  |  Comments


    Year Four
    You thought I'd forgotten about the Blogathon, eh? Nope! I'm going to be up all night -- again! -- at the end of this month. Making it through twenty-four hours was so much more tolerable last year as a joint effort, that this year there'll be an entire crack team of fine bloggers (site unveiled soon).

    I'm sure that, after all these years, you're getting a bit tired of me hitting you up for donations. But Heifer International is such an incredibly worthy cause, providing a measure of real sustainable livelihood to families, via gifts of livestock. So please consider a pledge!
    07/13/06 09:14 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Pimp My Wish List
    Wish Lists can be followed with RSS now (find link next to "Wish List" heading at top of page). Kind of nifty.
    03/24/06 10:44 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    I'm Telling Maricar Five Things
    But you can read them, too.

    1. I like rain. I do. But this year I've had too much of a good thing. I can't drink enough coffee or eat enough dark chocolate to stay sane. And my jeans are pretty p**sed, too.

    2. In certain circles, I'm tired of being painted the idiot because of my non-aligning views. It took a good decade to split from the bipartisan fray, amid much reading and soul-searching, and so who can blame me if I find the labels deeply insulting? Maybe I shouldn't take it so personally, I'll give you that. But. Would I call someone "misguided" or "led astray" for choosing Christianity? No. So can't we just revel in the the things we hold dear, like civil rights and Bush bashing? And Bush bashing? Kumbaya? Huh?

    3. Dude, I got a Dell, and it rocks. It bears repeating.

    4. I forgot how to pronounce "Tualatin" and "Willamette." Luckily I can still say "Oswego" and "Tillamook."

    5. It confuses me that my RSS doesn't pick up Flickr photos that have been categorized as "Friends and Family Only," when indeed I am Friends/Family. What's up with that? I keep missing out on some of the best pics.
    03/16/06 04:19 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Bring It (Or, "I Should Have Added 'Selfish,' Too")
    I wasn't going to post these here, but, eh... what the heck. It's a slow week.

    My Johari window. And the darker Nohari window. Feel free to do the latter anonymously, if you're half the chicken I am.
    02/16/06 08:31 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Very
    Merry Christmas, all! My present to me is waking up early enough to enjoy half an hour of some Heavenly Peace.

    The foil-wrapped spiral ham in the fridge is already making my mouth water. Otherwise it's not a terribly fancy year - scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole (a first), corn, homemade bread (thinking of just doing the dough in the machine - we'll see how motivated I am come late afternoon). And a cherry crumb pie that was so not made by yours truly.
    12/25/05 05:36 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Happy Solstice!
    Traditionally, Christmas is my favorite day of the year. But personally - it's today. Bring on the light!
    12/21/05 12:40 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Psssssst
    Hey, you! Yeah, you, person from southern Washington, or thereabouts, who keeps searching for my maiden name. Since I believe it's a fairly uncommon one, the curiosity is just about killing me here!
    11/20/05 08:18 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Preparing for the Flush
    The thing about the 'net is that sometimes (if you're as pathetic as me) it manages to get you more invested (yes, emotionally) in a site than you'd be wise to let it. Because, eventually, the Real Person behind it will lose interest/time/money/etc/etc and decide that it's not as worthy/important/meaningful/etc/etc as you do, and quite before you know it - *pwoof*! it'll be gone.
    11/10/05 08:54 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Slacking
    Wow, nearly a week since I've updated. Guess I have no right to complain about the lack elsewhere, huh?

    Let's see, what's happening. Illustrator I is done in two weeks, but I decided to go ahead and carry on with II for the second half of the semester. I'm going to attempt to earn the certificate, which, while only fourteen credits, still offers many hurdles in the way of daytime class offerings, and things not at this campus. It was just lucky that this semester was in Petaluma and in the evening. A couple of classes are offered online, and the rest I'll just put off as long as possible so that he'll hopefully be old enough that I feel comfortable leaving him in care by the time it's an issue.

    Daniel's vocabulary:
  • mama
  • dada
  • buh-buh (for both hello and bye)
  • bah (ball)
  • all done (I haven't heard this one myself, yet)


    • And of course we can't forget "meow."

    His favorite activities at the moment are screaming for the fun of it (ouch) and pushing the garage door button. He's still wary of strangers depending on the day.

    Last night, for the very first time ever, he slept his entire eleven hours without waking even once. And he did it in the crib! If it continues, I'll be one very, very happy (and rested) momma.
    09/21/05 07:40 PM in Baby , Misc  |  Comments


    Reusathon
    Are you getting sick of things 'thon yet?

    My history... I participated in 2001 - the inaugural year of the event. The archives for this year seem to have disappeared, hum. In 2002, I was busy getting hitched in Reno. Back at it in 2003. Last year I was ready to pop at any minute, so no all-nighters, though I did help out as relief on someone else's blog.

    This year, Spring (who has agreed to stay on after, yahoo!) and I are bringing back Reusablog. I'll be adding a forum/materials swap/teacher request board, a chat (which may or may not be a permanent periodic feature, not sure), and SpinningCam will be back (for the event only, of course).

    It's all for Project Linus, which gets handmade blankets and quilts into the hands of seriously ill, traumatized, or needy children.

    Come and visit during the event, sign up for the new forums, and, if you feel our cause is worthy, please consider making a small (or big, we're not picky ;-) ) pledge. The signup/donation process on the Blogathon site seems a bit convoluted, for which I apologize, but I hope that won't stop you!

    If you've completed a unique recycling art or craft that you'd like to see featured during the event, please contact us! Posting every half hour for twenty-four hours straight, we'll need all the good ideas we can get.
    07/29/05 11:11 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Amazon Has a Dirty Mind
    Doing a bit of idle searching on Amazon a couple of days ago while I was trying to remember what exactly I'd logged on to find in the first place. Prompted by a recent conversation, I looked up "Pern."

    Amazon delivered the goods... but it also asked me this.
    07/15/05 07:46 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    I'm Watching You, Spammers.
    D. just set up RSS for my comments, something I've been far too lazy to even consider doing myself. Huzzah!
    07/12/05 05:00 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Bluckety!
    Incomparable suckiness. Evil behemoth corporate eeeeeevil. New spur-of-the-moment interview plans today, amazingly. Suddenly, off to downtown. Hopefully we can catch up with Ms. S and co while we're in the neighborhood.
    06/30/05 09:33 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Some More.
    Gah! Can't... make... one hundred...


    51. I avoid highway driving if possible.
    52. Which might be thanks to the terrible recurring crash nightmares I had for two decades.
    53. I bought my first car from an ex boyfriend - and my second from his sister.
    54. Once, when I visited their church, I made the mistake of not eating breakfast first. And receiving Communion. Then I made fast friends with the shrubbery outside.
    55. I like playing with Legos.
    56. I will probably monopolize the bub's Duplos.
    57. I'm still working up the courage to attend a Unitarian-Universalist meeting.
    58. My ears are double pierced, but I haven't worn earrings in well over a year.
    59. I have a big problem with baby girls being pierced. In the interest of being polite, I have to keep that to myself a lot.
    60. Circumcision, too.
    61. I want to take the train somewhere so bad. A long trip, in a sleeper compartment.
    62. I went to a specialty school in Milwaukee for three years.
    63. I can't believe I'm not done with this yet.
    64. I didn't get too sentimental about the bub growing out of his cute little clothes so quickly... until it was time to put away the fuzzy warm red and blue jacket. *sob*
    65. My favorite Jelly Belly is Buttered Popcorn. Or, wait... Pina Colada? No - Strawberry Cheesecake. Dammit.
    66. I can be incredibly lazy. You've really no idea.
    67. I want a Cornish pasty so bad. Hold the rutabagas, though.
    68. It drives me a little batty when my nails are different lengths. Which, with a bub, they often are.
    69. Makeup is yucky. The only thing I use every day is gloss.
    70. Oh, how I miss 2 a.m. shopping at Meijer!
    71. There isn't much else I miss about Detroit. Our townhome, maybe, and that neighborhood, and Meadowbrook (beware - crappy design, silly text, broken links abound).
    72. Sometimes staying at home is more stressful than having a "real job" was. I knew this would be true... and still wasn't prepared for the enormity of that truth.
    73. Once, in college, I got terribly ill on Chicken Nuggets. I didn't eat them for at least eight years. And then... I did. I can be an idiot like that.
    74. A group of us watched a friend have her bellybutton pierced. It may have well been more painful for us.
    75. Sometimes, when I'm feeling very naughty, I negate the goodness of my oaty cereal with a heapin' helpin' of half and half.
    06/24/05 01:03 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    100 Things
    You know, I keep making a start on this, and eventually giving up. Because it's difficult, I suppose. And I don't believe that anyone will actually read it (I admit to skimming most, myself, so). Oh, well. Here's the first half, in any case.

    1. I sometimes miss snow on Christmas day. Sometimes.
    2. My favorite donut is either a cruller or chocolate long john, depending on if I'm feeling flaky or gooey that day, of course.
    3. I am far more shy than you think I am.
    4. And my greatest fear is that you won't like me because of that.
    5. I wish I could wear sandals every day. Except, of course, on Christmas.
    6. I love chicken and fresh tomato on my pizza.
    7. None of which will help me lose this last twenty-five pounds.
    8. Liberal and conservative extremists both annoy me to no end. Which is why I want to work on the next Libertarian campaign.
    9. I think Ayn Rand was a complete crackpot. I kind of love her anyhow.
    10. I want to spend two weeks in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
    11. Those word games at Merriam-Webster? Sometimes I play them.
    12. I'm also addicted to Web Boggle and Scrabble - I'm a word geek.
    13. If you misspell your business signage, I will be laughing at you.
    14. Sometimes, though, my spoken pronunciation is s**t, so you'll probably be laughing at me.
    15. I swear. I'm trying to get rid of that habit in front of the bub.
    16. I had the hots for Bruce Willis - but only as David Addison.
    17. I despise using the phone. Email is the Best Thing Ever.
    18. Since I've had the bub, I don't enjoy reading as much as I used to. Which, frankly, worries me.
    19. When I was in junior high, I'd tear up if I couldn't answer a question on a test.
    20. I only got one B in junior high. In phys ed.
    21. I can't do a cartwheel. I spent hours and hours working on it as a kid. My junior high phys ed teacher said I "wasn't trying hard enough." Bitch.
    22. Those pop-open cardboard biscuit dough tubes make me flinch.
    23. Bread over chocolate.
    24. Chocolate over booze.
    25. The military has my full support. But those omnipresent magnetic yellow car ribbons still annoy me, and I don't know why.
    26. 5.
    27. John Cusack, Nathan Fillion, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hal Sparks (hee!). Still have to find a replacement for Johnny Depp. Blasphemer.
    28. If you preach at me, know that I'm inwardly seething, if outwardly polite.
    29. I'm generally outwardly polite.
    30. This does not always work to my advantage.
    31. I watch all those completely un-PC late-night Cartoon Network/Comedy Central shows, and laugh my ass off.
    32. Thongs are excruciating.
    33. Both the underwear and the shoe.
    34. I've flipped off strangers - with their full knowledge - twice.
    35. I am a fervent recycler, but I use disposable diapers. This may be my greatest hypocrisy.
    36. I have not spoken to my father in over six years. With very good reason.
    37. My mother was too young to become a parent. Sometimes, in the itty-bitty hours, I wonder if I'm too old and set in my ways.
    38. I have a roll number.
    39. This is actually starting to bore me.
    40. I'm not terribly easy to bore these days.
    41. I think I get frustrated with the bub far too easily.
    42. I've watched General Hospital for years. Sue me.
    43. I try to appreciate teensy bubby feet while I can.
    44. Project follow-through is something I really have to work on.
    45. My youngest uncle married a woman that has my birthdate, and now my entire exact (maiden) name. Except Jenn with "-y," not "-ie."
    46. I've had many, many jobs over the years, but strangely enough, only one male boss. He was a total jerk.
    47. I cannot consider myself expert on anything.
    48. I think owning a B&B would be awesome - except for that whole being sociable to the guests thing.
    49. I'm not allergic to any foods. Just pollen, cats, and cold.
    50. I had to take organic chemistry twice. And not because I blew up a beaker in lab.
    06/20/05 05:20 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Getting Schooled
    I'm taking a class at the local community college for the fall semester, whee! So excited. I've been trying to teach myself Illustrator for years now, in half-hearted dribs and drabs. As a testament to my appalling lack of self-motivation, the process'll go much more smoothly when a grade is at stake.

    The meeting times couldn't be more perfect - 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights. And how can you beat CC tuition here, at $26 per credit? Even my dinky hometown CC costs $61 right now. I should take a class every semester. Perhaps I will.
    05/29/05 11:02 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    I'll Tell You Where to Put It
    Get your hot Tagboard action here. I'll have it re-styled and permanently linked... well, someday. Any off-topic, silly, whatever shtuff goes there. Si? Si.
    05/25/05 01:29 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    I Even Got to Read a Whole Chapter
    Happy Mother's Day, moms. I hope you got to sleep in like I did (until 11!!!). Chocolate (espresso truffle), French-milled laurel soap, a cute card ("signed" by Le Bub!), and, flowers are great, too.
    05/08/05 01:29 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    New to Me...
    Mulch, made of organic cocoa shells. I saw this while reading the Friedman's ad today. Aside from repelling slugs and not depleting nitrogen like bark, it "Disperses a pleasant natural aroma of chocolate." Mmm.
    05/05/05 04:40 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Survey Results
    Okay, so here's what I gathered from the survey on significant others and blogging (emphasis on who's reading what, and the emotional effect).

    Respondents:                     50
  Currently blogging:            44 
  Blogged in past:                2
  No blog:                        4

SO aware of blog?
  Yes:                           41
  No:                             5
  Don't know:                     0


If SO is/was aware of blog, is/was
he/she reading?:
  Yes:                           26
  No:                            11
  Don't know:                     4

If SO is/was aware of blog, but not 
reading, this bothers you:
  Very much:                      0
  Sometimes:                      2
  Very little:                    2
  Never:                          7

If SO is/was reading, but stopped, 
this would bother you:
  Very much:                      2
  Sometimes:                      6
  Very little:                   14
  Never:                          0
  I don't know:                   2
  No response:                    2

Does your SO keep a blog?
  Yes:                            6
  No:                            43
  I don't know:                   1

If yes, do you read it?
  Yes, openly:                    6
  Yes, secretly:                  0
  No:                             0

If you were aware of their blog but 
not reading it, do you think that 
would bother them?
  Yes:                            0
  Not really:                     3
  Impossible to tell:             2
  No response:                    1
    View additional comments here.

    Frankly, the results surprised me a little. But then I'm considered over-sensitive by most, so there's that.
    03/05/05 08:20 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Serious, and Not So Much
    Please take my short and highly un-scientific survey on significant others and blogging, brought about by an email conversation. Results will be shared shortly.

    And today is the last day to gname my gnome. Tick-tock.
    02/28/05 07:40 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Off the Air/In My Head/From My Stats
    This will probably be my last post before the servers come down. We're supposed to at least have 'net again on Friday, but, given our long, sordid history with Comcrap, I do have my sincere reservations.

    Over the coming months, look for:
  • The return of Visiblog, new and far improved
  • The return of Reusablog (maybe with some new talent, hmm...?)
  • A small SAHM business venture filled with yummylicious goodies


    • If you're in Sacramento, and a blogger, go join Sactobloggers. I just handed over the reins to a new manager and moderator, so there's a promise of actual real live conversation. Finally.

    Note to Pervs: stop looking for boobs. There aren't any here. I mean, they're here, but they only get mentioned in passing, and I'm not showing them to you. Freaks.
    02/02/05 09:49 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Naptime Newness
    The books? That were over to the right? Now they're to the left, in the burst. They weren't as dynamic as I wanted them to be (le sigh), and I wanted to return the index to minimalism. The "Now" popup'll look better and have more stuff when I have time to futz with it.
    12/24/04 02:16 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Gone But Not Forgotten
    Disappointingly, it seems as if The Mayfly Project is down this year. If you're unfamiliar, you sum up the past year in ten words or less. I think I'll still do it anyhow:

    Move. Puke. Sleep. Expectation. Agony... Joy! Insomnia. Wonder. Frustration. Love.
    12/11/04 07:02 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Shroud 'o Mystery
    In answer to Tim's comment question, "I love the occasional mysterious blog entries you post. Ever wonder if your posts will be read by the people you might be obliquely referencing?"

    An almost definite No. We'll say, oh, 98% certainty. At least for the people I know in real life. The ones I only know online may be reading - but that doesn't bother me much (maybe because I sometimes feel I'm able to be more brutally honest with them, strangely enough). I can tell you right now - if I know you, personally, and you're reading - none of it applies to you, unless I'm referring to you directly.

    I started this site so my friends and family could keep up, as I lived far away, and then even further. But they never bothered reading it, much as I sent the link out. I know this because of our kick-ass stats, and my obsession with knowing who most of my regular visitors are (well, back when I had time for this endeavor. Things haven't changed much around here since, aside from losing the interest of those who are probably tired of hearing about babies). I can tell you that a total of only five people that I've met or know now (without the help of the web) read with any consistency.

    At first, I was hurt by the lack of interest. People complained that I didn't write/call/visit enough, so, here I was, willing to throw almost daily updates into cyberspace expressly for them. And most have access! But I found it enjoyable, and kept writing anyhow, instead gaining a small audience (not to mention a few new friends) that I really enjoy having around.
    12/11/04 06:48 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Real Wishing
    My sister is a zookeeper in Michigan. She no longer wants to be where she is - or rather, after over five years, can no longer afford to be where she is.

    Which is best illustrated by this. When we were out in SF, we stopped at an In-N-Out (my mom had never had the pleasure, and everyone should at least once, no?). A big banner in the window advertised for help, the starting wage emblazoned in bazillion-point font. And she said, wistfully, "I would make more working here." Yes, a degreed and experienced zookeeper, who educates the public and her peers, plays nutritionist to the wounded and exotic small, and herds wild African beasts (yes).

    If that doesn't suck, I don't know what does.

    So there's a new and drastically improved opportunity in the Great Frozen North, which she desperately wants to be her new home. I hope these words in the ether have some small power to help her get it.
    12/06/04 01:19 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Parking Should Be Quite the Adventure
    Next Sunday is Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - a couple miles of Daniel's favorite activity! I've still only got one pledge (though very generous).

    I may have to think up some kind of embarassing gimmick, quick-like. Because I have no shame.
    10/18/04 12:38 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    5K Redux
    Sunday, October 24th, looks like once again I'll be Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, this time at the state Capitol (and with a few extra squirmy pounds in tow!). Maybe you, you proven super-generous reader-type people, can help us out!
    09/08/04 04:43 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Ninth Month the Bombshell
    So, we may be moving to Portland sooner than we thought. D's company was bought out, and it looks as if he'll be bought off at the end of the year. While Oregon isn't exactly the hot spot for jobs, even less so is Sacramento. In December.

    I'm so not going to be physically or mentally ready for another big move by then, not after having been at this place all of a year, and spending all that time fixing it the way we wanted. But we are just about fed up with Sacramento summers. Yes, pretty much at the end of our triple-digit no rain rope, we are. And everyone says it's easier to move with an immobile infant than a disappearing toddler, which does of course make sense.

    But I'm not worrying about any of it now. See? This is me, not worried.

    Well, at least now you know why my head will be happier when fully occupied with cuter and messier matters.
    08/09/04 04:34 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Downtown
    Becky and Harley visited from Seattle yesterday. We hadn't seen them since 1999, back in Escanaba. Checked out the inside of the Capitol for the first time in a few years, and shouldn't have been too surprised to find only one entrance now - heavily guarded and metal-detectored. After that, we walked through K Street down to Old Sac. Some kind of filming was going on downtown, but the area wasn't fenced off, so I assume it wasn't anything major. Too bad it was too freaking hot to eat on the balcony at La Terraza! I decided against the usual Veggie Chimi (now that I think about it, I have one favorite dish at every area Mexican restaurant that I usually don't stray from) in favor of the Chile Verde, which was good. Of course I was envious of all that delicious crushed ice in the margaritas...

    It's been awhile since I've walked very far, especially in the heat, and I think I overestimated my capability a little - not feeling the best most of today. I'm fine now aside from some really annoying rib pain, which I believe our little devil is taking a certain glee in exacerbating with some well-placed kicks!
    07/12/04 08:23 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Have a Safe and Happy Fourth!
    07/04/04 09:45 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Happy Canada Day!
    07/01/04 10:29 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Don't Mess With the Sleepless Fat Lady.
    So I get home from the OB and turn my cell back on, where waits a message... from the OB's office, asking me to show up for my 12:30 appointment at 1:45. This call must have been made less than forty-five minutes before 12:30, because that's when I shut off the phone and left. Traffic, people!!! I wondered why I kept hearing mutterings of my name and things like "well, she's here anyhow;" I just chalked it up to typical Jennie-brand paranoia and forgot about it, but it makes sense now. Feh. I'm so tired of dealing with this staff.

    Do slugs eat flower leaves? I think our flowers are being consumed. I never thought I'd consider breaking out the slug death, but my opinion is rapidly turning.

    We received the co-sleeper yesterday. DHL, a delivery company I'd never heard of and hope never to meet again, flung it over our service yard fence to the cement six feet below. Luckily it wasn't damaged at all. Bit of a pain to set up, but it's sturdy when finished. Pregnant women should not anchor this to their bed in advance, especially if they're getting up four times a night.
    06/23/04 02:22 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Miracle Gro Wishes and Hyponex Dreams
    It's only cool enough to garden for a couple hours in the early morning, and again after dusk. I just got through spreading the second bag of bark mulch (before the mosquitoes attacked in earnest). I want to spread bark mulch everywhere. It smells good. And it's very rough.

    Damn the sun and heat. I'm watering three times a day, and the marigolds are already wilting. Hoping the mulch does really begin to hold some of the moisture in the soil as billed.
    06/14/04 09:29 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    No More Corner Store
    Driving to Bel Air to pick up a couple of forgotten items yesterday, I felt a strong yearning for a small-town neighborhood store. When I lived in Escanaba, we had seven (seven!) small markets within walking distance to choose from. There was even one right across the alley. Each had a particular specialty - the best candy counter, or bakery, or butcher, or ice cream window. Some retained a homey, general store feel through the years, with creaky wooden floors and clunky old cash registers. Others were just smaller and friendlier versions of the big supermarkets springing up out on the highway. There's no substitute here, and I miss them. Sigh.

    See my map o'nostalgia
    05/21/04 10:49 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Still Mewling For a Dedicated Fiber Optic Teat
    Having the internet connection suck butt all day has done wonders for my IRL productivity. That, or my suspicion that the famous third trimester "nesting" instinct has kicked in is correct. In any case, the parquet flooring is shinier now, and smells vaguely of orange - if at the price of my lower back (ow!). Lots of things getting swept, washed, watered, etc. I'm also thinking of finally hanging curtains. And maybe even making some more. Huh.
    05/19/04 04:34 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Sure, Where Do I Sign My Kid Up?
    Quite often, there's a pickup truck with a camper top parked next door. I think it belongs to some kind of inlaw of the neighbors. The window of the back door sports an advertisement for a day care center. And the front bumper... hosts two silver nekkid lady medallions.
    05/12/04 05:41 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Feng Shui, Baby
    I don't know how it came about, really, but Saturday most of our living room was re-imagined, and suddenly, just by moving three large pieces of furniture, it feels like a much larger room. Of course you didn't have the benefit of ever seeing the old space (and the pool table makes it difficult to see, too), so you'll just have to take my word for it. Creating an extra wall from thick velvet drapes and two window panels helped, as did the resulting removal of the couch from the middle of the room. We even had enough space for a coffee table from Cost Plus World Market (super sturdy, and no sharp corners!).
    05/10/04 10:08 AM in Misc , Photo  |  Comments


    Happy Freakin' Mother's Day
    For you and yours, I mean that only in the nicest possible way. Myself, I'm going to sit in the corner and dream of Valium.
    05/09/04 12:45 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    My Favorite Insectivores
    We have three small rosebushes in the back yard, two infested with aphids. Spraying them with the hose works, but only temporarily, and only on the adults - those eggs are superbioglued, or something.

    Last night we were at OSH for some other stuff, and they had ladybugs! Dozens of live, aphid-chomping ladybugs. We bought a container and dumped it out, and, just as the instructions said, they mostly won't fly away during the evening. They stick around and hunt down a nice juicy aphid dinner. Munch.

    I'm sure they're not all still out there today; I'm not even dressed yet thanks to another odd nauseous morning (Why am I going though this again?). Otherwise I'd check. I'd bet anything those eggs are gone, though.

    Update: we've still got lots of ladybugs! And all evidence of the aphids is gone, overnight!
    04/23/04 01:10 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    And They Made Her Sneeze, Too!
    There once was a girl from the Motor City
    Who finally got a car that wasn't sh**ty
    She loved to keep it clean
    But the maples were mean
    And kept it covered in pollen - how unpretty!
    04/22/04 02:24 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Old Stuff to Ignore!
    If you click on the file cabinet icon, you'll be able to see my archive list. Haven't cleaned up the MT templates yet, so the archive pages themselves still don't look pretty, but it'll happen (I adore using MT day-to-day, but dealing with the tags in the back makes my head hurt). The archive list looks nicer if you're using IE; I'll get the sidebar working for Nutscrape/Mozilla soon.
    04/16/04 05:21 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Happy Easter... I Guess?
    Is it just me, or is Easter, that most chocolatemarshmallowy holiday, being completely ignored by almost everyone this year? Even by... [gasp] Google!?!

    Well. We made devilled eggs last night, and they'll join the ham, cheese, croissants, and other tasty tidbits in our picnic pack, where we'll later find them, and eat them by the river. As per tradition.
    04/11/04 11:36 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Premature Balding
    The tree in our yard seems confused. We had that record-breaking hot spell, and then it cooled back down. Now our yard is suddenly full of dead leaves - it literally looks just like fall out there. The cascade doesn't appear to be stopping, and a few branches are already bare... I just hope we have some shade left for summer!
    04/10/04 09:48 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Shopping with Beavis
    I don't know if I'm mature enough to raise children. Review the following evidence, and come to your own conclusion.

    Scene: empty billiards shop. D and J enter stage right. While they peruse the accessories, polite pool geek enters stage left.

    PG: Hello. Can I help you?

    D: Yes - do you have anything we can clean our balls with?

    J hides red face behind bushy hair and quickly heads stage right, trying desperately not to laugh while "nonchalantly" examining a purple-felted table in the corner. Enthusiastic and educational discussion ensues re: dirty balls, scuffed balls, ball polishers, etc. J manages to regain composure in time to make small purchases and leave.

    D: There just has to be a better way to say that...
    04/04/04 09:10 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    I Guess It's Question Day
    Regular hair dye is potentially carcinogenic, but henna is not. I don't have enough gray yet to do it as a routine, but every now and then I get the itch for some red. Have you colored with henna? Were the results natural? My hair is very curly dry, and I've heard it can make that worse - does it? Will salons do this?
    03/19/04 02:55 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Voting for Dummies
    I voted a few days ago. Permanent absentee status forces me to vote in every election, no excuses. A good thing, since I'm the master of excuses (especially when faced with such incredible hopelessness).

    Unfortunately, I forgot that California currently has a "Modified Closed Primary" system, and, because I've always declared myself nonpartisan, I would've had to request a special ballot for either Democrat, Republican, or American Independent (the only three parties that are allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in a Primary) in advance.

    So I ended up voting on a lot of propositions. Which, considering my stance, is probably more meaningful at this point, anyhow.

    Please, if your county is "saying goodbye to Chad and hello to Mark" - don't be that guy.
    03/01/04 12:29 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Sort Your Gimmes
    I just now realized you can prioritize your Amazon Wish List items by five levels, from "Must Have" right down to "Don't Buy This for Me." Rather a boon for me, because there are items I keep on my list that I'm [shhh] really just waiting for at the public library (and too lazy to put it in a comment).

    Now if only they'd incorporate half the functionality (photos too much to ask?) into the lackluster/annoying baby registry, we'd be all set.
    02/22/04 02:18 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Stuff and Stuff
    It's rainy, but the grass is growing tall (in patches). The days have alternated sunny/rainy in a perfect pattern, with mild temperatures.

    The kitties have comfy new beds (if only because I couldn't stand how skanky their old fleece blankets had become despite a hundred washings). They look so lush and cushy, I almost wish they made them in human sizes. I suppose I could make do with one made for a great dane.

    Yesterday I tried out a new Crock-Pot recipe from Fix-It and Forget-It for Entertaining. In fact, I think it's the first time I've used anything in the book since I picked it up at my last Book Fair. Basically browned and spiced pork chops on a bed of homemade Rice-a-Roni (sans vermicelli). I learned two things:

    1) The recipes were all submitted by different authors, and I'm not sure they were tested before publication! It turned out okay - nothing I'd serve for "entertaining," and definitely not without modification!

    2) Longer on Low is far better than shorter on High. Especially with rice.

    My nausea is patchy now. Still feel like I never get enough sleep (and I always do), but at least my stomach plays nice half the time.

    Spicy Apple Ginger Chews rock. I'm making a pilgrimage back to Citrus Heights for more.
    01/30/04 10:09 AM in Misc , Photo  |  Comments


    Happy Ending for Alice
    I didn't know Clarence had been found - and just in time for Christmas! Apparently, he was off procreating!
    01/16/04 02:58 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    At Least it's Not Bare Mud
    Yesterday was really nice, so D. raked up part of the yard, and we threw down some seeded mulch. Great stuff - 100% post-consumer waste paper, very easy to spread by hand. It looks a little bizarre, though. With any luck, we won't get any hard rains for the week it will spend germinating.
    01/12/04 11:07 AM in Misc  |  Comments


    Moving (cont'd)
    The Deep-Freeze Boudoir problem has been fixed. We found that leaving the door open allowed enough warm air in from the hallway that the temperature became livable. Unfortunately, the bedroom is a strict human-only zone, given the allergy situation. So we bought a swinging wooden baby/pet gate, and, as feared, Elli is athletic enough to soar effortlessly over the top. Darin rigged another gate on top of that one, and now we have an awfully funny-looking door, but no cats and plenty of heat.

    We've all been spoiled by having the pet door and litter box outside, and of course we're not giving it up just because we're on the ground floor now. We got a large wire pen at PetSmart yesterday, which will form a half-circle on the patio against the back side of the house. And of course there'll be a mesh top just for trapeze-artist Elli. Lots of safe playspace to sun and torture/be tortured by the birds!

    Usually I'd have most everything unpacked at this point - I hate feeling unsettled. But this time around I'm too tired to care much; the kitchen is the only room that's even nearly finished. Not one single book has been shelved (!!!) Today I cleaned the master bath over at the old place, and just the shower was enough to make me spin. Tomorrow Stanford Home is finally coming to get my old car, I'll clean up the kitchen, hand in the keys, and be done with it. And then I'll sleep for a couple of days.
    01/05/04 07:37 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    Hoping I'm Temporally Challenged
    Ultrasound was today. Sac, yolk, but no visible bean. The size of the sac was two weeks behind where it should be. Which means either that I was wrong about my dates, or that development stopped two weeks ago. Of course we're betting on me being a dunderhead, but another two weeks is an awfully long time to wait for confirmation of that.
    12/17/03 03:58 PM in Misc  |  Comments


    I Love the Smell of Commercialism in the Morning
    I can't sleep in. Doesn't seem to matter how late I stay up - I'm awake by seven. Practice, maybe? In any case, I may as well shop in the morning. I was at the mall by nine, but there were surprisingly lots of shoppers. Not a Saturday-before-Christmas lot, but more than I care to deal with. At least Barnes and Noble was quiet.

    I admit that the charming wooden toys sucked me in. Unfortunately, the aggressive salespeople chucked me out. What part of "No, thank you - I'm just browsing" don't you understand? Gah. For the safety of others, I should probably wear a shirt when I go out in the morning that says something like "Beware of coffeeless coffee addict!"
    12/16/03 11:30 AM in Misc  |  Comments