...and his grandfather, my dad, at fifteen months old (in 1949):
And here's NTS at 12 months, also to compare with the above photo of Grampy:
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Twins, separated by a generation
Number Two Son, at fifteen months old:
...and his grandfather, my dad, at fifteen months old (in 1949):
And here's NTS at 12 months, also to compare with the above photo of Grampy:
...and his grandfather, my dad, at fifteen months old (in 1949):
And here's NTS at 12 months, also to compare with the above photo of Grampy:
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Old school
I found a table at St. Vinnie's today (the awesome HUGE one) for twenty-five bucks! And then it turned out to be 25% off! It's an old dining table, probably from the 40's, and somebody has already apparently used it for crafting, or it was in a garage for a while, because it has paint splashed down one side of it. But there's still the pencil marks from it's (by hand) construction from so long ago, and somebody (maybe the builder) had to make a quick calculation:
My daughter, the dancer
She's taking two dance classes at Parks and Rec right now, because we're just trying to keep up with her...
That's her dancing along with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the final sequence of Shall We Dance (1937). She loves these movies.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Oregon Spring
Spring is springing up beautifully here. Today I have some pictures from our (short) hike up by Goodman Creek. It turned out short because NOD was having issues keeping up with her short little legs.
On the way we stopped at the Lowell Covered Bridge interpretive center. We saw three other covered bridges (drove across one) still in use on the way back down. There's a piece of the original bridge timber lying on the deck inside the bridge here, that was originally a 400 year old Douglas Fir. I had never seen a single piece of milled wood so large.
NTS walked for the first bit of our hike:
There were lots of little woodland flowers blooming all along the trail. Most of them were trillium:
NOD:
We met a few red newts scittering across the trail, and a bunch of banana slugs:
NOD examines a banana slug:
Afterwards we took the scenic route back, through Lowell, and eventually made our way to the Saturday Market, which opened today. The afternoon music at the Market was a showcase of local youth bands. We caught part of the performance by Tonn Nua, who we saw last fall in their first live performance. They've obviously become more comfortable with performing on stage since then, and they sounded fantastic. On the way back through, after hitting the Farmer's Market and stopping by Sonya's booth (where we got a couple of onesies for an impending niece/nephew), the wonderful marimba music we heard was from Hokoyo, one of whose members is a student of mine. I highly recommend their CD.
The weather was beautiful (sunny, with occasional showers). And we're having cake tonight for the House Bean's birthday.
On the way we stopped at the Lowell Covered Bridge interpretive center. We saw three other covered bridges (drove across one) still in use on the way back down. There's a piece of the original bridge timber lying on the deck inside the bridge here, that was originally a 400 year old Douglas Fir. I had never seen a single piece of milled wood so large.
NTS walked for the first bit of our hike:
There were lots of little woodland flowers blooming all along the trail. Most of them were trillium:
NOD:
We met a few red newts scittering across the trail, and a bunch of banana slugs:
NOD examines a banana slug:
Afterwards we took the scenic route back, through Lowell, and eventually made our way to the Saturday Market, which opened today. The afternoon music at the Market was a showcase of local youth bands. We caught part of the performance by Tonn Nua, who we saw last fall in their first live performance. They've obviously become more comfortable with performing on stage since then, and they sounded fantastic. On the way back through, after hitting the Farmer's Market and stopping by Sonya's booth (where we got a couple of onesies for an impending niece/nephew), the wonderful marimba music we heard was from Hokoyo, one of whose members is a student of mine. I highly recommend their CD.The weather was beautiful (sunny, with occasional showers). And we're having cake tonight for the House Bean's birthday.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Photo Friday: Blessing
This week's Photo Friday entry is a picture of my husband, brother-in-law, and my husband's grandfather blessing our Number Two Son, a month after he was born.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Introducing...SHELVES!!!
I didn't think I would actually get them up today, but there they are!
I can't put anything on them, yet, because the paint on the top side is still just the slightest bit tacky. So, later this week, I'll get to really move in.
Am still looking for a table.
I can't put anything on them, yet, because the paint on the top side is still just the slightest bit tacky. So, later this week, I'll get to really move in. Am still looking for a table.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Paint like a ballerina, baby
My goal this week (spring break) was to finally get shelves up in my craft room, and get it organized so that I'll be more inclined (and able) to use it. Yesterday I went out (with children in tow) and bought the lumber and brackets for my shelves. Then I realized I would have to paint those shelves. While I was looking at all the mesmerizing paint chip cards, I started thinking about how drabby my craft room was. I realized I was going to have to paint the entire room. Then make the shelves.
NOD came in and helped me for a while:
NOD came in and helped me for a while:
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Corvallis
We made a trek to Corvallis on Monday, and while the kids and I waited for Wayne to get out of his Appointment, we went to the Central Park Playground, where NOD made an Apple-Cheese-Burrito pie:
Also at this park, which is right next to a church-converted-into-an-arts-center-in-1970-can-you-dig-it-man?, there were a bunch of whimsical bronze sculptures. One of these was this squirrel, perched on the back of a bench:
It totally didn't come out in the fuzzy picture my phone-camera would take, but this squirrel has the greatest "I'm a badass motherf***in' squirrel, motherf***er!" expression on its face.
Also at this park, which is right next to a church-converted-into-an-arts-center-in-1970-can-you-dig-it-man?, there were a bunch of whimsical bronze sculptures. One of these was this squirrel, perched on the back of a bench:
It totally didn't come out in the fuzzy picture my phone-camera would take, but this squirrel has the greatest "I'm a badass motherf***in' squirrel, motherf***er!" expression on its face.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Shhhhh! It's a birthday present-in-progress!
I just finished her embroidery this evening. I'm very proud of her. There will be updates as she develops more!
(Oh, and she's for Number One Daughter, who wants a mermaid doll.)
(Oh, and she's for Number One Daughter, who wants a mermaid doll.)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Bleah
I'm now on antibiotics for an ear infection. The good news is, four advils and two extra-strength tylenols do make the pain go away.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Photo Friday: Sentimental
I took this picture last June. They will never be that small ever again. And I loved those duckie pj's. She wore them, too.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
No title
I'm at home with a collapsed eustacian tube, the remnant of the sinus infection I had a couple of weeks ago. The doc prescribed long-acting decongestants, water, and lots of yawning.
The picture of Number Two Son that I posted yesterday (Scarface) reminded me of this one, which I took when Number One Daughter was then just a couple of months older than NTS is now:
Apparently it runs in the family.
Yes, that is a Beluga Whale that she is holding.
The picture of Number Two Son that I posted yesterday (Scarface) reminded me of this one, which I took when Number One Daughter was then just a couple of months older than NTS is now:
Apparently it runs in the family.
Yes, that is a Beluga Whale that she is holding.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Punk Rock Girl and Bar Brawl Boy
The kids, Debbi...
(she dresses herself, as discussed before here, here, and here)
...And Duke:
Number Two Son got that wonderful facial when he dove headfirst out of a red wagon at the garden center and got his head lodged under a wheel. Really.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Bloomin' Spring!
We moved into this house in September, when all the summer flowers were fading and the leaves were starting to fall off the trees. The gigantic grape vine covering the front of the house had to be cut down to a single vine. Everything was dry and fading.
As soon as the weather started to hint of spring, I noticed bulbs sprouting up *everywhere*. Mostly daffodils (which I associate with the Northwest since my first quasi-solo trip up to Victoria to visit Brian in 1990) but we also had crocuses earlier. I'd noticed tulips coming up, but I've never been really impressed by them - In California they always disappointed. But here's what's blooming by my front porch right now:
As soon as the weather started to hint of spring, I noticed bulbs sprouting up *everywhere*. Mostly daffodils (which I associate with the Northwest since my first quasi-solo trip up to Victoria to visit Brian in 1990) but we also had crocuses earlier. I'd noticed tulips coming up, but I've never been really impressed by them - In California they always disappointed. But here's what's blooming by my front porch right now:
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
My favorite poem
Binker
by A. A. Milne
Binker--what I call him--is a secret of my own,
And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone.
Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair,
Whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there.
Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy is the best since the world began,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan--
But they can't
See
Binker.
Binker's always talking, 'cos I'm teaching him to speak:
He sometimes likes to do it in a funny sort of squeak,
And he sometimes likes to do it in a hoodling sort of roar...
And I have to do it for him 'cos his throat is rather sore.
Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy knows all that anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan--
But they don't
Know
Binker.
Binker's brave as lions when we're running in the park;
Binker's brave as tigers when we're lying in the dark;
Binker's brave as elephants. He never, never cries...
Except (like other people) when the soap gets in his eyes.
Oh, Daddy is Daddy, he's a Daddy sort of man,
And Mummy is as Mummy as anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan...
But they're not
Like
Binker.
Binker isn't greedy, but he does like things to eat,
So I have to say to people when they're giving me a sweet,
"Oh, Binker wants a chocolate, so could you give me two?"
And then I eat it for him, 'cos his teeth are rather new.
Well, I'm very fond of Daddy, but he hasn't time to play,
And I'm very fond of Mummy, but she sometimes goes away,
And I'm often cross with Nanny when she wants to brush my hair...
But Binker's always Binker, and is certain to be there.
by A. A. Milne
Binker--what I call him--is a secret of my own,
And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone.
Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair,
Whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there.
Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy is the best since the world began,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan--
But they can't
See
Binker.
Binker's always talking, 'cos I'm teaching him to speak:
He sometimes likes to do it in a funny sort of squeak,
And he sometimes likes to do it in a hoodling sort of roar...
And I have to do it for him 'cos his throat is rather sore.
Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy knows all that anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan--
But they don't
Know
Binker.
Binker's brave as lions when we're running in the park;
Binker's brave as tigers when we're lying in the dark;
Binker's brave as elephants. He never, never cries...
Except (like other people) when the soap gets in his eyes.
Oh, Daddy is Daddy, he's a Daddy sort of man,
And Mummy is as Mummy as anybody can,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan...
But they're not
Like
Binker.
Binker isn't greedy, but he does like things to eat,
So I have to say to people when they're giving me a sweet,
"Oh, Binker wants a chocolate, so could you give me two?"
And then I eat it for him, 'cos his teeth are rather new.
Well, I'm very fond of Daddy, but he hasn't time to play,
And I'm very fond of Mummy, but she sometimes goes away,
And I'm often cross with Nanny when she wants to brush my hair...
But Binker's always Binker, and is certain to be there.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Why do people bother buying toys for kids, part 4
Seriously, THROW YOUR TELEVISION SETS AWAY, PEOPLE!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
See previous post
My husband now really thinks I must have Mormon heritage, somehow. The marshmallow confection (pictured in the previous post) has earned the title, "Mormon Crack."
Recipe:
Make a struesel crust and add some unsweetened cocoa. Mash it into the bottom of a baking dish and bake until it is baked. Then sprinkle Ghiradelli chocolate chips over it, and cover with marshmallows. Bake until marshmallow have swelled and are golden. Take out of oven, let cool a little before digging in with whatever kitchen tool comes most handy. Careful! The chocolate will be molten! Not recommended by any dentist.
Recipe:
Make a struesel crust and add some unsweetened cocoa. Mash it into the bottom of a baking dish and bake until it is baked. Then sprinkle Ghiradelli chocolate chips over it, and cover with marshmallows. Bake until marshmallow have swelled and are golden. Take out of oven, let cool a little before digging in with whatever kitchen tool comes most handy. Careful! The chocolate will be molten! Not recommended by any dentist.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Good news
I passed the PRAXIS Subject Matter Content Exam (Mathematics), one of the hurdles to getting my OR teaching credential. 158 out of 200, and thanks to them for including the average score range, which is 128 to 157. It takes 138 to pass. I'm getting to feel like a big ol' brain, for a change.
Next stop, the proofs exam. This one has five proofs to give, and graded by how well "they" think you've done the proof. A colleague of mine took that exam the same day I took the subject matter one. I was waiting for my test results to come before registering in the second one.
*BIG SIGH OF RELIEF* That's one thing to cross off the list, for now.
I really needed the good news. There's something icky going on at work, that I had to leave behind for the weekend without resolving. And I woke up this morning with a bad stomach/intestinal bug that had me wanting to die until about 2pm, and then only somewhat miserable since then. The Housebean has been more than patient and very loving and I feel so lucky to have him.
Next stop, the proofs exam. This one has five proofs to give, and graded by how well "they" think you've done the proof. A colleague of mine took that exam the same day I took the subject matter one. I was waiting for my test results to come before registering in the second one.
*BIG SIGH OF RELIEF* That's one thing to cross off the list, for now.
I really needed the good news. There's something icky going on at work, that I had to leave behind for the weekend without resolving. And I woke up this morning with a bad stomach/intestinal bug that had me wanting to die until about 2pm, and then only somewhat miserable since then. The Housebean has been more than patient and very loving and I feel so lucky to have him.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Spring is sproinging
All over the yard, there are bulbs coming up. Many, many hyacinths and daffodils, but today I discovered these crocuses:
The fence-and-garden box in the front of the house proceeds at a snail's pace, thanks to the kids needing attention as soon as we start really getting any work done. However, today I ordered these from Heirloom Roses:
"Heart o'Gold"
"VARIEGATA DI BOLOGNA"
The fence-and-garden box in the front of the house proceeds at a snail's pace, thanks to the kids needing attention as soon as we start really getting any work done. However, today I ordered these from Heirloom Roses:
"Heart o'Gold"
"VARIEGATA DI BOLOGNA"
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Desert Island Discs?
I'm just feeling particularly proud about my "25 most played" list on iTunes:
The Right Profile - The Clash /Clash On Broadway (Disc 2)
Jimmy Lyon's / The Teelin / The Red Crow / The Broken Bridge - Altan /The Red Crow
Stand By Me - John Lennon /Lennon (Disc 3)
Love Me Or Leave Me, Take 1 - Benny Goodman /The Birth Of Swing (1935-1936) (Disc 3)
Blues For Stephanie - George Gee And His Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra /Swingin' Live!
Y No Me Da La Cuenta - Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son /Jugando Con Candela
(Today's The Day) I'm Glad I'm Not Dead - Indigo Swing /All Aboard!
Sea of Holes - The George Martin Orchestra /Yellow Submarine
If You Close The Door... /Average Teabag
Posi Collantes / Hoy Mi Voz - Various Artists /Cuba
Mirza Rajinder - Raina /Bhangra - Original Punjabi Pop
Galaxy - War /The Best Of War
Te Equivocaste - Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son /Jugando Con Candela
Circle Round - Anne Hill /Circle Round And Sing
Black Wind Blowing - Billy Bragg /Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2
Masti Hi Masti - Ashok Masti /Bhangra - Original Punjabi Pop
Johnny Ain't No Goat - Boozoo Chavis /J'ai Été Au Bal (I Went To The Dance) (2)
Logozo - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
Derroll Adams - Arlo Guthrie /Live In Sydney (Disc 1)
Malaïka - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
Spanish Bombs - The Clash /Clash On Broadway (Disc 2)
Feel Like A Natural Woman - Carole King /Tapestry
Kaléta - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It) - Barrel House Annie /Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollypops
Strange Boat - The Waterboys /Fisherman's Blues
Most of the time I just have it on shuffle, so it plays whatever comes up...But I really have quite a mix of stuff, there, don't I?
The Right Profile - The Clash /Clash On Broadway (Disc 2)
Jimmy Lyon's / The Teelin / The Red Crow / The Broken Bridge - Altan /The Red Crow
Stand By Me - John Lennon /Lennon (Disc 3)
Love Me Or Leave Me, Take 1 - Benny Goodman /The Birth Of Swing (1935-1936) (Disc 3)
Blues For Stephanie - George Gee And His Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra /Swingin' Live!
Y No Me Da La Cuenta - Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son /Jugando Con Candela
(Today's The Day) I'm Glad I'm Not Dead - Indigo Swing /All Aboard!
Sea of Holes - The George Martin Orchestra /Yellow Submarine
If You Close The Door... /Average Teabag
Posi Collantes / Hoy Mi Voz - Various Artists /Cuba
Mirza Rajinder - Raina /Bhangra - Original Punjabi Pop
Galaxy - War /The Best Of War
Te Equivocaste - Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son /Jugando Con Candela
Circle Round - Anne Hill /Circle Round And Sing
Black Wind Blowing - Billy Bragg /Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2
Masti Hi Masti - Ashok Masti /Bhangra - Original Punjabi Pop
Johnny Ain't No Goat - Boozoo Chavis /J'ai Été Au Bal (I Went To The Dance) (2)
Logozo - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
Derroll Adams - Arlo Guthrie /Live In Sydney (Disc 1)
Malaïka - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
Spanish Bombs - The Clash /Clash On Broadway (Disc 2)
Feel Like A Natural Woman - Carole King /Tapestry
Kaléta - Angélique Kidjo /Logozo
If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It) - Barrel House Annie /Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollypops
Strange Boat - The Waterboys /Fisherman's Blues
Most of the time I just have it on shuffle, so it plays whatever comes up...But I really have quite a mix of stuff, there, don't I?
Toddler Zen
Last night while we were snuggling and reading some books in bed, Number-One Daughter looked out the window and recited the "Star light, star bright" mantra, which she knows by heart. "Do you want to know what my wish was, mommy?" she asked. Of course! "I wished to have hot chocolate and tea and eggs for breakfast tomorrow." As I was musing on how down-to-earth that was, and how achievable, she asked me what my wish was. "Ummmmmm....," and I panicked, trying to think of something that....that...REAL, but all I could think of was the old standbys like World Peace or Financial Security. Thinking smaller, all I could get to was a Snow Day, which I know is totally not going to happen for a while, maybe until next January. And I'm very, very cautious about what to wish for, because I Might Get It, like wishing to be able to spend more time with my family and having that manifest as losing my job...Well, as I was frantically trying to think of something good, she says to me, "I know what your wish is, mommy. Your wish is to have granola and tea for breakfast tomorrow."
Phew! And I got my wish, too!
Phew! And I got my wish, too!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Sky
My first entry in the Photo Friday Challenge. I took this picture on a visit to Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, standing in the parking lot of some Fred Meyer-type store:
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Even yet still more on my talented, intelligent, beautiful children.
My daughter is quite the budding dancer...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
My very first snow day!
I got one of my New Year's wishes: To get up at 6am, find out that school is closed, and crawl back into bed for another two hours. Delicious.
In any town where it actually snowed for real, this storm would not have warranted a snow day. However...
Number One Daughter and I rolled up this big snow ball. After we took the picture, we kept rolling it. Eventually we had rolled up all the snow in the park, and we started picking up the benches and the play equipment. After it got big enough to roll up cars and trees, we finally got to the point where we rolled up all the houses in the neighborhood. Then it turned into a star.
In any town where it actually snowed for real, this storm would not have warranted a snow day. However...
Number One Daughter and I rolled up this big snow ball. After we took the picture, we kept rolling it. Eventually we had rolled up all the snow in the park, and we started picking up the benches and the play equipment. After it got big enough to roll up cars and trees, we finally got to the point where we rolled up all the houses in the neighborhood. Then it turned into a star.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Politics
My daughter's career in public policy has begun.
I asked her this morning to put away all the toys on the floor in the Big Room. When she told me she had finished, I went in to check. What about all this stuff still on the floor? I asked her.
She replied: Those aren't toys.
Redefine the problem and the problem disappears.
I asked her this morning to put away all the toys on the floor in the Big Room. When she told me she had finished, I went in to check. What about all this stuff still on the floor? I asked her.
She replied: Those aren't toys.
Redefine the problem and the problem disappears.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
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