Archive for the ‘Bits and Bobs’ Category
Smell Update.
(What a title, eh?)
Poor SB. Let it be known by one and all that he crawled UNDER OUR HOUSE to investigate the smell. And he found…
Nothing.
He reports that it’s not as bad as he was expecting under there. He was waiting for flashlight-glowing-eyes at any moment (OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD) but that, thankfully, did not happen. However, thankfully, (or perhaps not) he did not encounter any rotting corpses (corpsi?) either.
This is clearly one of the horrors of home ownership. We are now faced with the option of cutting random holes in the walls, hoping to get lucky, MAYBE find it, or….
waiting it out. Blech.
So, my green-team house, where I use only hippie cleaners, where I would never so much as spray Febreeze due to the nasty chemicals, is now being fumigated with Glade plug-ins. Barf.
(Heather: Aren’t you glad you decided not to come? I let you think you shouldn’t stay over because of your cold! Ha! Actually, you were saved from both the stench of rotting corpse and the flowery, inadequate, chemical cover up!
Emilie: Do you know how much I fretted over having a pregnant lady in my house last night? Bionic noses and delicate fetuses should probably avoid both stenches and copious air “freshening”)
So, there it is. I share this only because I brought it up at work and it seemed everyone had a gross dead animal story. I’m owning it, in hopes that if it happens to you, you’ll know you’re not alone. You’re welcome.
This conversation also happened:
SB: I saved the suit in case one of us ever has to crawl under there again.
Me: Honey, you should know that I’m NEVER crawling under there. NEH. VER.
SB: You’d just call someone to do it? What if Clark was stuck under there?
Me: Yeah, I’d still call someone. It’s called 911.
Posted by Jenny @
12:19 pm |
Friday this and that
This is probably one of those things one shouldn’t talk about on the internets, but guys, we have a problem. There is a Bad Smell in our house. Embarrassing, right? Why am I even talking about this? I don’t even know, but it’s ON MY MIND. This is a fairly universal issue everyone has to deal with from time to time, yes? We’ve done all the obvious things. We’ve cleaned out the fridge, emptied all the garbages, and still, the Bad Smell remains. Clark really likes to hide things in weird places, so I’m sure he has hidden half a cheese sandwhich in the couch cushions or something, but that doesn’t make me feel any better. Blech.
In other news, can we talk a little bit about the facebooks? I have two friend requests at the moment that are funny/puzzling/interesting. The first is from someone I’ve never met, and thus is not my friend in any sense of the word. As far as I can tell, he must have “friended” all of another friend of mine’s friends? Anywho, his profile is so unlike any of my REAL friends, that it’s hilarious. Observe.
1. He is holding a gun in his photo. A Gun. Friendly!
2. Political Views: Conservative
3. Religous Views: Christian (Not there’s anything wrong with that, but when combined with all this other stuff, he seems to be one of THOSE christians.)
4. Under Activities he lists the following quote, “If I have to take a drug test to get a job, then you have to take a drug test to get welfare!” (Be still, my bleeding liberal heart. I’m not a fan of the civil-liberty-infringing piss test, but conservative gun-toting types usually haven’t the first clue about the circumstances that might lead someone to need welfare. Also, how Christian!)
5. Favorite Music: Country
6. Favorite TV Shows: Fox News (!)
7. Favorite Movies: A few I also liked, but most notably, “The Passion of the Christ” is number three.
Please tell me you find this as funny as I do. Reading back, I think I might sound like a big fat jerk. This is just so much the opposite of me that it almost seems fake.
The other friend request is from my First Love. Whom I haven’t seen or spoken to in 15 years. I’m not sure what I think. I’m mostly fine with it, and actually a little pleased that he thinks we should be “friends”. After a relationship that spanned most of highschool and the first year of college, it ended badly as these things do. I don’t like thinking there’s anyone out there harboring bad feelings about me, so it’s nice to know he apparently doesn’t. (Though if memory serves, it is I who should be harboring. I seem to recall some Cheater McCheaterFace-ing and then him accusing me of vandalizing his car. Um, no. That must have been some OTHER girl you pissed off.) Ah, facebook. Like a box of chocolates, one could say.
Guess what! Officer Sister is buying a house today! A house that is a 7 minute walk from mine! I am so happy about this. So. Happy.
I don’t like to post without a picture, so here is some Clarkie cuteness for you. I’m super bummed summer is coming to an end, but if there’s any up-side at all, it just might be the return of footie pajamas.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Posted by Jenny @
11:53 am |
Summer is finally here!
Hello friends! I realize that those outside the lovely Pacific Northwest have been experiencing summer for quite some time now, but around here, we were beginning to wonder if it was ever going to be safe to make outdoor plans. Seriously, it’s JULY and we hadn’t entirely de-winterfied our patio yet and I wasn’t even shaving regularly. But huzzah! There is a solid week of proper summer temperatures and sunshine in the forecast so we finally got busy.
As impetus, we had an impromptu 4th of July gathering. Apparently, almost no one had plans for the 4th, and what started out as two families turned into a good sized crowd. So obviously, we had to get the yard spruced up. I finally got all my pots planted, and we put up our garden lights and what not. Usually these tasks would have been completed much earlier in the year, but the aforementioned never-ending winter prevented this.
We were able to offer our guests a possible view of the fireworks. Possible, because we haven’t lived here over a 4th yet. I’m pleased to report that our house is even more awesome than we already knew! We have a kick-ass view of the airshow and fireworks over Tacoma’s Freedom Fair. Woot! The airshow was actually pretty mindblowing. It seemed like those jets were only a couple of hundred yards outside my window doing all their Top Gun flips and shit.
Anywho, just a small post to say, HOORAY FOR SUMMER!!!
Posted by Jenny @
9:47 am |
Nervous chatter
It took me two hours and forty minutes to get home from work on friday. I managed to stay in fairly good spirits, though. I was even able to get a few things done. For instance, I plucked my eyebrows. Oh, calm down. It was like, pluck…pluck…pluck….move ahead one car length, come to a complete stop…pluck…pluck…pluck… etc. I was also able to give my hands a thorough lotioning and extensive nail file, while listening to two and a half episodes of This American Life. When it had already been an hour and I’d gone less than a mile, I decided to get off and hit the Whole Foods that is just off the highway for some quality treats. It was taking forever, my weekend was getting shorter by the minute, but at least I had snacks.
A friend of ours rented a screening room at a pub downtown over the weekend for his birthday and we watched Top Gun. It reminded me of the first time I saw it, in the theater, WITH MY DAD. I had chosen it for a dad/daughter outing because it seemed like a guy movie that he might enjoy, you know, plus cute boys. And thus, I was SCARRED FOR LIFE by the longest, most painful sex scene in the history of film. I swear to god, that thing lasts a half an hour. “….take my breath aaaa-waaaaay…,” tongues in silhouette… GAH. I’m all squirmy just thinking about it. I was recounting this charming tale to the nice couple sitting next to me that night, and I started to notice they were both smiling politely but with no hint of common experience. Then I remembered that the birthday boy was only turning 27, and these two looked kinda young. My story started trailing off as I said, “Are you guys too young to have seen this in the theater?”
“We were born in 1984,” they answered. Top Gun came out in 1986.
So! This weekend I’m doing a half marathon. Did you read that in a confident voice in your head? Good. I don’t want to set myself up for a poor result, but let’s just say I’m not quite as prepared as I would like to be. Before I went back to work, I was following a training schedule and totally rocking it, but um, not so much since. So, my goal is to finish. That’s all. I feel kind of funny about it all of a sudden. It’s not like me to be facing such a huge undertaking without having visualized every moment and planned for every outcome. I just downloaded race information today! I haven’t even thought about what I’ll wear. If any of you have any advice, as far as what to wear/pack/eat or anything else, let me know. I looked at three different forecasts until I found one I liked, which was partly cloudy. The others had the straight line rain. (cue sad trombone)
Posted by Jenny @
3:18 pm |
Okay, vee proceed. But only if there is no funny stuff.
Hello there, peeps. This is one of those posts where I come here and chat about whatever real fast because I know there’s at least 2 or 3 of you that check here every day and I hate disappointing you.
Hmm. Let’s see. What’s been going on? Ooh! How about some updates!
I quit that fruity yoga class. I know! I’m so lame! But it turned out that due to a couple of things I didn’t consider at the time, I was going to have to miss 3 of the 6 classes, and they were really strict about showing up every time. So I told a small fib about child care and got most of the fee credited to my account for more yoga. But also, the book we were supposed to be reading was SO BARFY. The worst kind of poorly written hippie drivel. And this is not my inner midwestern republican talking, this is me, the lefty-cloth diapering-baby food making-HIPPIE. It was bad.
Did I mention the running? I don’t remember. But I think it’s safe to say, now that I’ve been doing it for almost two months, that um, I’ve been running. This is pretty monumental for me, because I’ve never been a runner. But I’ve decided I’d like to be, and even though it SUUU-HUUUCKS some times, I would like to cultivate myself into a running-type person. In the spirit of my predictable over-achieving nature, I’ve registered for the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon in June. Sometimes, when I think about running three times as far as I am capable now, I get the Nervous Tummy, but then I remember I can just walk whenever I want to, and who cares?
Clark is the coolest. I can’t believe how much fun he’s getting to be. He is a genius and can say the following words:
Hi
Bye Bye
Mama
Dada
Hot
Vroom
Cheese
Banana
Hop
Birdie
Quack
Cracker
Tree
Apple
Shoes
Moo
Up
We have a list going on the chalk board in the kitchen. His new trick for the week is nodding yes, which is super cute and also useful.
Ooh! This weekend we’re going to San Diego with another fun couple and leaving the boy with his grannie. It’s a great time of year for good deals on flights and hotels, and about a month ago, we all kind of spontaneously just booked it. I’m really excited, though since I sometimes like to fret just to fret, I’m now thinking we shouldn’t be spending money and that I am going to miss my Clarkie. I will get over it, I’m sure.
Posted by Jenny @
11:53 am |
It’s like Lenin said.
The following exchange occurred recently.
Me: (conversationally) So, what’s going on with your pants?
SB: I rolled them.
Me: On purpose? Are you going for a bikeride?
SB: Actually, GQ says that you can roll your jeans now. It’s the next big thing.
Me: Yeah, well, that may be true, but everyone but GQ thinks you’re a dork.
Then we laughed. Then he let me take a picture of his pants for you all.
While getting the above shot off my iPhone, I found this one. How cute is this? And yes, it’s way past time for a baby gate at the top of our super tall, straight down to the bottom stairs, but it’s finally installed. The worst thing was, we had it purchased and sitting in the hallway for weeks. We were definitely tempting the gods on that one.
Ooooh! Let me show you some pretty pictures from the 20’s party I went to.
It was a GREAT party. The venue was perfect and everyone totally got into dressing up. If by chance you would like to see the whole gallery it’s on my website, password “flapper”.
Posted by Jenny @
8:08 pm |
Swings
Firstly, a yoga report. It was an interesting afternoon. I ended up leaving my house a little too late, so I had to run to get there on time. As I jogged toward the studio, yoga mat in one hand and journal in the other, I suddenly had an image of myself and just cracked up laughing. Can you imagine what a douche I must have looked like, running down the street with a yoga mat and a journal? You know, in case I felt like doing any stretching, or needed to jot down a few thoughts mid run?
And speaking of douchey images of oneself, I have GOT to figure out a way to shut off my inner cynic. This class I’m taking is going to be pretty cool, I think, but it would be a lot better if I could shut off one of the voices in my head. It’s like I’ve got a middle-aged, midwestern republican living up there who always has to tell me what a hippie I am. As I sit in a circle, sharing thoughts, or worse, interpretive dancing, all I can hear is that guy making fun of me, telling me what a silly, liberal, priveleged fruit I am. This is super lame, because that negativity is so not me! I’m a joiner and an excellent sport. I’m perfectly happy to freestyle dance in a circle with other grownups on a Sunday afternoon.
Further evidence of this privelege, check this out:
I accidently paid $8 for some chocolate covered hazelnuts. I thought that sticker said 50% off. SB had to point it out to me. I’m sad to say this is not the first time I’ve been fooled by expensive nuts. One time at Metropolitan Market, home to many guffaw-worthy, yet tempting and delicious grocery items, I accidently bought a $22 nut sampler. I didn’t look at the price when I picked it up, but when I was checking out and my apple, sparkling water, and nuts came to $27, I did a poor job of hiding my surprise. I’m ashamed to admit, I was too embarrassed to put them back.
Thanks all for your advice with the sleeping. It’s pretty effing bleak around here right now, as far as that’s concerned. I feel as if he’s a newborn again. In response to several of you who suggested eliminating the second nap, I’d be happy with ANY nap at all during the day. I completely agree with Amy in the comments though, and this is what he needs from me right now,
and it won’t last forever. As it stands, there is no sleeping unless one of us is holding him, day or night. Which means I get nothing done while he’s napping, and I don’t sleep at all after his first waking, so I’m up from 2am-7am. He better rethink some of this if he doesn’t want to be an only child. Wait…
Lastly, I’ve hopped on the Words With Friends bandwagon, so if you want to play, I’m ZestyJenny.
Ooh! Here’s some cuteness for you. Clearly, I found myself far too amusing:
* title: There’s a funny little moment at the end of recess across the street, when I hear the bell, the kids all run in, and if you look out the window right then, the playground is deserted but all the swings are still moving. I love it when I catch it.
Posted by Jenny @
3:48 pm |
Friday Night Ramblings – YOGs #14, #15
SB is out on a man date so I’m blissfully alone with a sleeping baby. I have various things I’d like to address.
SB and I have planned a weekend in San Diego in February with another fun couple. I’m super looking forward to it. I mention this because did you know you can download individual chapters on the Lonely Planet website? I paid $2.10 for the San Diego chapter of the California guide. Isn’t that rad? It’s also great for when you haven’t decided your destination so you don’t want to commit to the whole book. This came in handy when we were investigating islands off Honduras. I downloaded just the chapter for the little island we were considering and learned, oh hey! While the beaches are pristine, you need ALL 5 MALARIA SHOTS to go there. Valuable information gained, no book required.
Moms among you, tell me about your kid storage. I must admit, I’m finding it so satisfying to pack away stuff for Clark’s little brother. Last night I packed away all of the 6-12 month clothes. Here’s what I do. I have a drawer where I just shove things that don’t fit anymore. When the drawer’s full, I go through all the stuff, decide what to keep, then pack it in the appropriate rubbermaid. I feel like this system is a nice combination of lazy and organized. I also made an accoutrement tub where I managed to shove all the infant toys, the changing table pad, the boppy, and a bunch of baby blankets. I rule.
Lookie what we got a screaming deal on:
I guess I better figure out how to use it. I think you’re supposed to run behind it.
Today, I had to go up to Seattle to pick up a photo order, then just turn right back around and come home again to avoid the friday afternoon traffic. I did pay for 20 minutes of parking, though, so Clarkie and I took a little walk before getting back in the car.
He was absolutely transfixed by, and a little afraid of the Seattle Center fountain. I realized as I stood there holding him close, watching the water shoot so high into the air, accompanied by the shocking, air rifle-like, PHOOT of the hydraulics, that I hadn’t stopped to watch that fountian since I was little enough to run in it. It’s pretty neat!
Y.O. G. – #14, #15
1. Bike Rides.
2. Beer.
3. Hanging out in my house by myself. I can sit at the dining room table with my laptop, it’s perfectly quiet, and no one’s watching TV.
4. Burt’s Bees. I have those lovely post-plague, mouth breathing, cracked lips, and making out with my tube of Burt’s Bees is the only thing saving me.
5. I’m super thankful that the trip to Seattle and back went well with Clark today. He pretty much hates being in his carseat, no matter how many times we call it his Adventure Chair. (There’s a song, too, of course.) He was in excellent spirits for all but the last 10 minutes or so, when he would no longer be plied with graham crackers or sippy cups.
6. The ease in posting pictures with the flickr iPhone app. This little YOG project would feel so much more cumbersome to me if I couldn’t just snap a picture and upload it to flickr so easily. That way when I sit down to YOG, the photos are all ready to post.
Posted by Jenny @
11:58 pm |
Ho Ho Ho
Hey Friends! I have a few minutes before Christmas Round Two begins, so I thought I’d pop in here and say howdy. The inlaws are on their way from Eastern Washington as we speak. I am reserving commentary. None of them know about this blog, nor are they web savvy enough to find it, let’s just say that it’s the holiday season and I’m feeling charitable.
Did Santa bring you all nice things? My favorite gifts were photography related, of course. I got this which will allow me to take dreamy looking old timey photos with my camera, and this spy lens, which will allow me to take pictures of people who don’t want to be photographed. HA! I’m actually most excited to use it for taking pictures of strangers on the street.
The main reason I came here today was to ask the advice of the seasoned mothers among you. In 3 days we will be leaving for NEW YORK CITY. Woot! (Long time readers will remember previous New Year’s trips, found here and here) We didn’t go last year because Clark was brand new, but we’re resuming our tradition! The fabulous friends we visit there have a kid now, too, so instead of a glamorous Manhattan New Year’s Eve, we will be celebrating in a rented cabin Upstate. We are so excited! HOWEVER, this little jaunt requares a long ass plane ride with our increasing sqirrelly and screechy 1 year old. So, ladies, bring on the tips and tricks. I’ve been collecting never before seen toys and planning snacks, but anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. The flight out there is a red eye, which could be awesome or TERRIBLE, but the flight back is an afternoon/evening. Also, what the heck am I supposed to do about the time change? Should I keep his schedule or try to make him conform to the East coast?
I hope everyone had great holidays! I have tons of disgustingly adorable photos of course, but not the time for uploading and editing and whatnot. Gah. I need to shower and plan a menu and get to the store before they get here so I better scram. Please fill my comments with all your tips for surviving travel, and inlaws, too.
Posted by Jenny @
12:44 pm |
OMG. Hi.
Hello there, if indeed there is still anyone listening. Here’s what happened. I’m afraid of technology updates. It seems like every time I do one, something gets f’d up. So this blog was about 6 wordpress updates behind and one day it just broke. Posts disappeared, things were shuffling, and because of other stuff going on (I’ll get to that) there was just no way I could address it. Plus, the fear, you know.
Anywho, after such a long hiatus, I keep finding myself moved to blog, but with no blog for blogging. So, I hesitate to say it, but I think I’m back.
Let me catch you up. Firstly, we moved! I can’t believe we found a house, went through the whole real estate process, closed, packed, moved in, and set up, all in the space of time I’ve been gone, but in fact we did. There should be a post coming about our new (not new, 1890) house, which is AWESOME.
The other big thing that happened and is most responsible for my lack of blogging is I did a GIANT photography job that is consuming my every free moment and has been for about the last 6 weeks. Basically, I had about 400 clients in 3 days, resulting in countless hours of post processing and data management, all of which must be completed within my two nap windows and after 7pm. You know, the same time I have to do EVERYTHING ELSE in the world. Like cleaning and cooking and setting up the house, etc etc.
Let’s see. What else. I suppose a Clark update is in order. I’ve been reflecting a lot about how much I love this mothering gig. I was so afraid I wouldn’t! In fact, I just assumed I wouldn’t. I guess I listen to the wrong moms, but it seems like I hear more about the bad parts of being a mom than the good ones. I love it SO much. Yes, there’s the never ending to-do list, things I always feel like he won’t let me get done, but really that’s the worst of it. I know I’ve got some challenging times ahead as I enter toddlerhood, but seriously, the vast majority of the time I spend with Clark is utterly delightful. He makes me want to have 10 kids. We wont be having another one any time soon, but if something were to happen (impossible) and we got pregnant again, I don’t even think I’d freak out. Never thought I’d say that!
He is about to have his first birthday, so I’ll update you on his tricks in a later post, but here are some photos of the fam to tide you over.
The most gorgeous boy:
Clark’s first Thanksgiving, and most importantly, his first mashed potatoes:
Can anyone else feel me on the super unsuccessful xmas card photo shoot? Here is one of the gems:
Just a good one. His eyes are still super crazy blue.
So, friends, give me a shout if you’re still here. What’ve you been up to?
Posted by Jenny @
3:24 pm |
