Jenifer's Random Thoughts

New quickie recipe!

2010-11-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

Right now, I am buried in custom orders (If you'd like to see that journey - head here - http://www.kusalaknits.blogspot.com/) So finding meals that are quick and easy (and not fast food) is imperative.

I found a Mac 'n Cheese recipe on the side of a soup can, messed it up by not reading the directions, and realized that my version was easier, less messy, and a heck of a lot faster... so here goes (and naturally, I forgot to take pictures.)

Easiest Mac 'n Cheese Ever (Seriously)

Ingredients:
1 covered baking dish - I use a circular pyrex one, but an 8x8 square will work too as long as it has a cover
1 can condensed cheese soup (I use Campbells, but whatever floats your boat)
Milk
Water
1 box pasta twists, rotinis, bowties, shells, etc. We use whole wheat pasta, but again, whatever works for you.
2 cups frozen veggies (Your choice - peas work well)
Some form of COOKED cubed meat... chicken, turkey, hot dogs, leftover pork... or mmmmm, bacon?
Salt and pepper to taste, or if you have a fav spice - rosemary, thyme, Red Robin special seasoning... :)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400. Mix cheese soup with 1 can of milk - just use the soup can, and 1/2 can of water. I find a wisk usually works best for this process, and just go ahead and mix it in the dish. Pour uncooked noodles into the soup mixture, mix well, then add the frozen veggies and the meat... or leave it out and add more veggies for a vegetarian option.

Place dish (covered) in oven for about 35 minutes. Voila! You're done. Sauce will be slightly runny. If you want it Kraft style, cut down the water to 1/4 of a can. Other ideas include: bread crumbs on top if you're into that, make it spicy mac and add some tabasco to the cheese soup mixture and a jalepeno in with the veggies.

The great thing about this recipe is that it is very easily modified in terms of add ins. My youngest likes things sort of bland and he calls the bread crumbs "Yuckies" so we vary the veggies or the meat to accomodate him.

Changing Weather, Changing Skin

2010-10-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

One of the downsides to fall is the changing temperatures. Something that I've noticed is that, as the temperatures change, so does my skin. Now, understandably, that also has to do with aging and hormonal processes.

I used to have really great skin. REALLY great. I hardly ever broke out, even in high school, when that tends to be the norm. When I was pregnant with both of my kids, it still looked good...

Now, however, for some reason, not so much. I wash my brushes regularly, I switch out my makeup sponges, clean my phone and phone case, and I still break out. My skin has gotten much more oily - and not just in the usual T-Zone area. So. I've been in search of a good facial... store bought, homemade, doesn't matter.

After doing some reading, initially, there were several articles that said I needed to use a clay based facial, because it would absorb the oil. Well, wouldn't that just cause my skin to make more oil? So, I tried a St. Ives brand clay mask. It was okay. Wasn't great, and my skin felt incredibly dry after doing it, and I didn't leave it on over the amount of time suggested.

Next, this evening, I decided to go the "natural" route and used a recipe that I found on About.com. This was a simple Banana facial. I actually found this one to be better than the St. Ives product.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 very very ripe banana (think what you would use to make banana bread
1 tbsp (or a substantial squeeze from a squeezy bear)
Squeeze of lemon, lime, or orange juice

Mix well, apply to face. It will have a soupy consistancy, and I used cotton balls to apply it, and used several coats. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Then wipe off with a really warm, wet washcloth. It's been about 3 hours since I took it off, and so far so good. I doubt that I'm done trying home facials, but I do like this one and will certainly do it again!

Need a recipe for another skin type, or maybe just a refresher? Check out this site! Urbalicious.com has a bunch of different recipes for homemade facials.

It's Recipe Day!

2010-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so in celebration of my favorite season... and that I like making winter food SO much better than making summer food, here are two recipes - one that I've had for nearly forever (cut out of The Oregonian years ago) and is my very favorite fall recipe and the other began life as a Vegan Black Bean soup recipe.

Alright, number one...

Pumpkin Banana Bread

(Makes One 9x5" loaf... trust me, double the recipe)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup shortening (if you want a richer flavor, use the butter flavored variety)

2 eggs

2 large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I like to do half wheat/half unbleached)

2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon (I usually just put a bunch in...)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350, and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan
In a large bowl, mix sugar and shortening, then beat in eggs, bananas, pumpkin, and vanilla - mix well.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and nuts. Add to pumpkin mixture.
Spoon batter into pan and top with halved walnuts or pecans. Bake for 55-65 minutes, and let cool for 10 minutes.

Notes from me... I don't usually put the nuts in. I pop in some dried cranberries or raisins instead. We aren't huge nut fans in breads at our house, or I will only use 1/4 cup and chop them very finely.

The next one is a Black Bean Chicken Chili... this started life as a vegan black bean soup (many thanks to Kala from http://www.vegancraftastic.blogspot.com/ for the original recipe!) and is awfully tasty as that, but my family are "meat-a-voires" as my nine year old says...

Vegan Black Bean Soup/Black Bean Chicken Chili

The basic recipe:

2 lbs dry black beans

1 bay leaf

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tbs unsweetened cocoa

1 tbs crushed chilis (I used the green ones for flavor without the spicy)

1/2 tsp black pepper (I think I used more)

1 medium bell pepper - chopped

1 large onion - chopped

4 cloved of minced garlic

3 tsp salt

9 cups water

Place in Crock Pot and cook on high for 6-7 hours. Voila! Done! Tips: If you want it soupier leave out 1/2 of the black beans.

Add ons to make it into chili!

2 cooked, diced chicken breasts

1 large can of tomato sauce

1 palm of paprika

1 envelope of taco or fajita seasoning

Add into the soup near the end of the cook time, and there you go! Top with some cheddar cheese and serve! Also, there are members of my crew who like things extra spicy. We usually tend to go for chipotle seasoning, so the Tabasco brand of Chipotle sauce is a great addition for a yummy, smokey flavor.

A Girl and A Game: My history with Video Games

2010-09-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

Imagine being two or three years old... and REALLY wanting McDonalds. You bug and bug and nag and whine until finally your parents relent (probably because your mom has a thing for quarter pounders with cheese and extra pickles). Upon walking into the magical place that is the golden arches (remember: you're two or three - it IS magical at that age), your parents order you your happy meal with the Strawberry Shortcake or Smurf toy, and while in the lobby, they notice a drawing box. What could it be for? Oh yes, the Atari VCS 2600. Not thinking much of it, they fill out the form... and get a phone call saying that they had won!! Said Atari VCS 2600 will hereby be referred to as "Jenifer's Atari" because if I hadn't put up the fit about going to McDonalds that night, who knows if we would have won it?

This system began the love affair with video games at our house. I remember Combat, Pong, the ill-fated Pac-Man game, and yes, even the horrible ET game. Space Invaders, Basketball (which, I believe, was really just Pong in disguise :) )

Next up: The NES... Nintendo Entertainment System. We had Mario, and those guys, Mike Tyson's Punch Out, and my favorite of all time - Tetris. We also had Tetris for our Game Boys... the original grey monstrosities with the monochromatic screens... none of the Game Boy Color, Advance... and certainly not a DS. My brother then got a Sega Genesis... welcome to the world of 32 bit games! There was still an arcade at Meridian Mall, and, I left for college.

College (GO Michigan State Spartans!), opened up a different world of gaming to me. We had a computer in our house - and AOL... sheesh, but the computer games I was familiar with were ones like The Oregon Trail, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, you know, semi-educational ones. In school, I was exposed to a whole different world of video games... at that point, PS1 was the hot thing, and a large computer hard drive was a couple of gigs. My four year old iPod Nano has more memory than my computer did. Pagers were the rage and kids didn't have their own cell phones.

I remember sitting and watching my boyfriend (who, like all of his friends, was a "computer guy") for hours playing everything from Myst and Riven to Starcraft (the original one, I think). I picked up a lot, and I learned a lot about building computers too. To this day, I can still swap hard drives and cards on a desk top with the best of 'em... although not so much on laptops. They had random cords running from room to room, if I remember correctly, so that they could be linked and play. I got very familiar with the store setup of Radio Shack and how to solder parts together. Hearing now about the girls robotics teams... man, that sure would've been cool. I also remember there was a cool arcade type deal on Grand River Ave., for those that are familiar with East Lansing, and we would go there and then go get pizza. :)

Then, after I moved to Texas, I remember sitting outside of a Best Buy with some friends all night for the release of the PS2... that was the only time I have ever done that... not even for Dave Matthews tickets! After PS1, PS2 was the coolest thing ever. The graphics were great, it was far more realistic... and Gran Turismo was a heck of a lot easier to play on this than on the computer! Unfortunately, being a girl, I would usually get last ups... once all the guys were tired of playing.

Pinball Lineup at Ground Kontrol

Now, living in Oregon, there are a couple cool arcade places, one being Wunderland. This is really cool, because it charges an admission, but all the games inside are a nickle. Yup. A nickle. Everything from skee-ball to motorcycle racing to shooter games (I still have yet to find Police Trainer). There is also an arcade in downtown Portland called Ground Kontrol... they feature old games - and PINBALL!!!!, and after 5pm it is 21 and older. Cool, huh? We currently have in our possession: A N64, PS2, a (broken) Wii - did you know there is a mechanism on the Wii that engages if you put disks in and out too many times? You then have to send it to Nintendo America to have them fix it... for $85!!!! I can almost get a new one for that!

I still have my favorite games... Tetris is still up there. I do really like some of the new Harry Potter games (my HP obsession is a topic for another posting), and Gran Turismo is still fun. I like a lot of the Wii stuff - especially some of the games on the Wii Fit - Hula Hoops. Try it. Seriously.

What brought this topic on? I listen to a lot of podcasts while I knit. Especially the ones from Howstuffworks.com, and one of them is their Tech Stuff podcast. Recently, they did a couple on the "Death of the Arcade" and also on "The Great Video Game Crash" and I was surprised with how much of what they were talking about I remembered. I wouldn't consider myself a "gamer" by any stretch, but what I do find interesting is that I still have that memory of the Atari 2600 as being MINE... and did I mention my brother stole it, and apparently broks and sold it? ARRRGGGG! :)

When I Grow Up

2010-08-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.spacetelescope.org/

We all wanted to "be things" when we grew up... perhaps the better choice of words would have been what we wanted "to do". I never thought I would be a mom, a wife, and especially a stay at home mom. We all turn out to be things. We all have attributes, whether we are kind, funny, sweet, even tempered... hot tempered, rude, obnoxious, driven, focused, lively, boring... these are the things that we ARE, not necessarily what we DO.

What we do can be in terms of a career choice - or a career that chooses us, it can be the volunteer work that we do on the weekends, it can be the stray dog that we take in, or the bachelor party that we choose to leave from to spend time with our families.

The things that I'm interested in now don't vary a whole lot from what I was interested in long ago. I still love to read, I love to make things with my hands that are tangible - that show time, effort, preparation, I still like a clean space... and even better when someone else cleans it... :)

Image via The Daily Show - Comedy Central

I do wish I had better math skills. Unfortunately, I'm not what you would call mathematically inclined. Looking back, if I could "be" anything, and was all of a sudden gifted in math, I would be an astrophysicist. The study of the stars, planets, orbiting bodies, how the distance between them is calculated, how black holes develop and what they are made of, the research they are doing with particle accelerators and the Hadron collider... it is all endlessly fascinating to me. I guess I will have to just be content with watching NOVA and reading books by Neil deGrasse Tyson... who by the way, has an awesome collection of ties and vests, and also a great sense of humor. Something tells me that not every scientist would play dress up at the beginning of their television shows (which my nine year old finds hilarious), or go on The Daily Show, or take the criticism about getting rid of an entire planet with grace and laughter... and for that, I appreciate and watch (and follow on Twitter) him all the time.

More individuals need to realize that if you aren't having fun while you are at work and "being" then you probably haven't chosen to "be" the right thing. Me, I'm still looking.

Cycling and PDX

2010-07-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

(image from Streetfilms.org)

Portland is known as an either great town for cyclists, or as a horrible town for cyclists... depending on who you ask. We have a great number of bike lanes, connecting bike paths, racks on the fronts of the city busses, bike holders in each light rail car, bike boxes (big green painted spaces on the roads at certain intersections where the bike traffic is heavier), and a ton of really great bike shops.

So, what's the problem then? If there are all of these totally awesome attributes, where is the issue? Most individuals, myself included, are of the mindset that as long as the cyclists that are using the road follow the same traffic rules as vehicles, then no problem. Unfortunately, there are those motorists that really just don't care, and will turn into cyclists at lights, swerve and cut them off, and in general, just not play fair. Would you do that to someone on a Harley? Probably not.

Our family is what you would consider "Recreational cyclists". We go on the weekends for rides, and we are usually on designated bike paths ( Nine times out of ten on the "Springwater Corridor Trail" - which is fantastic). Both my husband and I grew up using sidewalks when we rode our bikes, and even now, to me, the idea of riding on the road - even in a bike lane - seems a little like living dangerously. That being said, Ethan, who is nine, knows the basic rules of the road in regard to cyclists. Stay to the right, stop at stop signs, obey all of the signs that are there for cars, wear your helmet, use lights and reflective gear, etc.

Last weekend, we were again on the Springwater trail, starting at Oaks Park and looping along the Willamette River, across the Steel Bridge, and into downtown Portland - Waterfront Park. The route then takes you back across the river on the Hawthorne bridge and back down the bike path. One of the things that is GREAT about the path on the East side of the river is that it has lanes marked out. Especially in areas that are more narrow than others. Last weekend happened to be the Seattle to Portland Ride (which I really wanted to do, but missed the registration deadline). Some of the cyclists were incredibly courteous (Special thanks to the gentleman that thought I was doing the ride and was concerned when I didn't make the correct turn - thanks, dude, that was cool. :) ) The waterfront area was very busy.

Ordinarily, we are used to that area being congested. BUT, usually pedestrians are pretty good about keeping to the correct sides of the road. This was not the case this past weekend. There were people ALL over, not caring who they were walking into, cutting off, or nearly knocking over. I had one woman and her daughter walk right in front of me, say "Ooops" and then laugh... as I nearly fell into the river. Trust me, you don't want to fall in the Willamette - remember the three-eyed fish from the Simpsons?

My issue is this. How am I as a recreational rider supposed to teach my kids to be courteous and follow the "rules of the road" when others really just don't care? It is very disheartening for me to see people so blatently saying "screw you" and being rude... and then complaining about how the cyclists are cutting people off and winding up all over the place. While, yes, there are some cyclists that do, indeed, act like they run the show, the vast majority of us are just trying to get around like everyone else. I model good behaviours that Ethan has picked up on, going slow or walking through crowds, letting people cross, or making sure to watch out for little kids on their bikes, or those that are using recombinant bikes (flat out, you guys are just harder to see...), making sure to say "on your left" when you are coming up to pass someone... It is just hard for me to keep saying to him that this is what we need to do to be courteous riders, and if more people did it then cyclists wouldn't have such a bad reputation. But the more I think about it, the more I'm of the mindset that no matter what we try to do, there are still going to be those out there that just make it more and more difficult.

So, riders... PLEASE obey your street signs, stop doing stupid things that you KNOW you wouldn't do in a car, and if you are on the bike paths... make sure to let people know when you are passing them!!!! (Side note, I did Tweet Mayor Adams about getting stripes on the downtown side, so we'll see what happens!)

So, the Other thing...

2010-07-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

The other night, I was watching the news. First, I remember when I was little, we had these things that we had to do at school, usually due on Mondays, called "Current Events". We had to take a news story that we found in the paper, or later on, that we found online, and had to write a short summary of the article and our reaction to it. As I was watching the news, I tried to think about that, and which of the articles would be appropriate for my oldest son, who is 9, to take to school... shockingly, there were two stories. I'm not bashing the media when I say this, but REALLY? Every other story was about a rapist, or murderer, or child porn, or something of that nature.

One of the stories that was actually appropriate, relevant, and sickening to me as a parent, was a blurb about budget issues within the Portland Public Schools. I have gone out of my way to keep Ethan in the North Clackamas school district, specifically for these reasons. In addition to closing several High Schools and letting go multiple administrative and teaching positions, they now want to take away Physical Education for all of the Elementary and Middle school grades. Wow. For a country that has a higher child obesity level as compared to almost every other country in the WORLD, good plan PPS, take away gym class.

Yes, I know that there are budget issues. Portland, however, has a great history of huge sports companies located within city limits. Adidas to the north, located minutes from downtown (you can see the downtown buildings from the Adidas campus), and also Nike, located a whopping 15 minutes away, in Beaverton. Not to mention there is also Lucy sportswear - a division of the VF Corporation, and several others. Why not ask them for grant money? Who cares if it's (sports equipment, gym uniforms, shoes for those who need them) logo'd? When school districts allow Coke, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, and other various corporations into the schools, their machines go in, their ads go up on the billboards... which, side note, the sodas and energy drinks aren't really helping combat the whole childhood obesity thing.

These schools looking at taking away the physical activity from the kids who need it the most, because let's face it, by the time you get to high school, your workout habits are established. You know if you're a runner, lifter, cyclist. You know your food groups, and what you should be eating. In elementary school and middle school, this is the time that all of this knowledge needs to be developed. Not to mention, high school kids have the opportunity to get up between classes and walk around, stretch legs, etc. (Give the teachers a five minute break before the next group of rowdies...) These younger kids, recess isn't enough. They are cooped up in the same classroom all day - for the most part. Plus, even at recess (and in most gym classes) they aren't allowed to play most of what we did as kids... dodgeball, kickball, tag, red rover - they've been deemed "too dangerous". Really? Pretty sure we all turned out okay, and are turning around as adults to find rec leagues to play those same games! Some schools still offer music and library once a week. If they are REALLY lucky, they might even still have art classes. Also, these main classroom teachers need a break! Seriously. You try dealing with a bunch of 7, 8, and 9 year olds for 5 and a half hours straight. Hair. Grey. Or gone. :)

Sure, parents are responsible for educating their kids on good food habits, however, with the current state of the economy, more and more parents are working at least one job, and kids are spending more time in daycare. Sad, yes, but true. Even after school recreational sports are becoming more and more competitive and it's becoming all about the kids who are the best on the team, as opposed to being a "rec league" to go out and have fun. In fact, I'm not even sure that those exist for kids at this point.

So, Portland Public Schools, I appreciate everything that you do for the kids in your district. I understand that eliminating Physical Education is the easiest, most broad reaching (meaning it will affect ALL, not just some of the schools - thereby saving the most money) cut that you can make. However, I will continue to keep my kids in the North Clackamas district, even with our budget shortfall... last I heard, we were still having gym class and library in the fall.

There is a Facebook campaign to save gym in the Portland Public Schools. Also, this is a GREAT article about kids brains and gym class... check it out by clicking here, and you can find Michelle Obama's take on physical education at this site.

The Justice System and Journalists

2010-07-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Alright, so it's been a while since I've written, and well, with several baseball games a week and school getting out, I think I have an excuse. :) That being said, we have a little boy here in the Portland area who has been missing for almost a month. The last week of school, he disappeared, and the last person to see him was his step-mom, who dropped him off at school for a science fair... and no one heard from him again.

I'm not going to sit here and reiterate the details of the case, for that you can click here, or you can go to Facebook and join the "Missing Kyron Horman" page. What gets me, is that Kyron's dad filed for a divorce from his wife, Terri - Kyron's step-mom, and also filed a restraining order against her with regards to their daughter, Kiara. To me, this shows that there are major issue within this family, and chances are this situation has not been helpful to that.

Obviously, this is a family in upheaval and turmoil. There are things going on at their homes that we, as the public don't know about, and quite honestly, we shouldn't know about. These people aren't celebrities, nor did they sign up for a reality show to document the struggle to find their missing child.

Part of the divorce and restraining order was sealed by the judge, for reasons that were clearly stated by him. It was along the lines of "finding Kyron is the highest priority, and I'm sealing this so that the investigation is not harmed by the contents of the order". Plain and simple. The local media has now filed motions to get that court order unsealed. Pardon my naivete, but I believe that the Judge said that leaving the order unsealed would be detrimental to the investigation of the missing child. So, yes, fantastic plan, go ahead and unseal the order, put the kid in greater danger than he already is, and while you're at it, add to the pain of the family.

The highest priority of all of these people should be finding this little boy, and putting the resources toward that, not spending more time in court. I completely understand and agree with the news media having access to the information... when it is appropriate. The judge said that he would unseal the order... when the time was right. I was a journalism major, I completely agree with the freedom of information act, and the public having access to these types of records, but not during an investigation of a missing child. There is information in the proceedings that was deemed unnecessary for public knowledge, and the media should be respectful of that.

I don't necessarily support Terri Moulton Horman, I don't know her side of the story. I always found it a little odd that she was the last one to see him, and then her story didn't line up. But, that being said, she seems to have been cooperative with police investigators, and hasn't hired a lawyer until two days ago. To me, those aren't the actions of someone who is necessarily guilty.

For more information on the latest developments in the case, again, click here, or you can go to the "Missing Kyron Horman" Facebook page.

Spring Came!!! and now it's gone again...

2010-05-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

One of the things that is super nice about living in Oregon is that it rarely snows during the winter. At least in the Portland area. A friend commented to me recently, "There are so many more homeless people here than in Arizona!" Well, that's because we have a fairly temperate climate... However, one of the not so great things is that our "spring" lasts a lot longer than in a lot of places, and it consists of temperatures around 55 degrees and rain. Lots and lots of rain. Even more rain than we had in the winter. Yesterday afternoon, we got almost 3/4 of an inch in one hour. (Did I mention this was also the hour that Ethan had baseball practice? Yeah, guess who didn't go)

This past weekend was beautiful... hovering between 65 and 70 degrees and sunny. Not kind of sunny, but sit on the deck with a book and get burnt kind of sunny! As I sit typing right now, it is 56, overcast, and windy. Apparently, we have a cold front moving in that is going to keep our highs around 58 for the week with rain and wind. These are the days that I miss Texas... or even Maine for that matter! A friend of mine has been sleeping with her windows open for two months now!!!!!

Sunshine and warm temps... please come soon!

Behaviour Modification

2010-05-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I spelled it the European English way, so sue me... after looking at website after website with it spelled "behavior" it just looks like it's spelled wrong.

Perhaps the topic isn't so much behaviour modification as it is "Getting your kids to just freakin' listen to you when you talk". This morning, we had a meltdown over shoes. Yes, shoes. By a nine year old. Seriously. Sometimes I wonder who is the younger of my two children.

One of the things that I have read has to do with behaviour regression before a growth spurt... well, if that is the case, then Ethan should have been growing for the last year and should be taller than me by this point. He's not. I understand the notion of testing boundaries and seeing what it is that you can get away with before mom snaps and either grounds you, takes something away, or as the case was when we were kids, spanks you. (I still believe that there is a time and a place for corporal punishment, and I think all of the 'lovey parenting' is part of what is wrong with teenagers, now, don't misinterpret that as me saying, "please, by all means, go beat your children" - sooooo not what I am saying) I think that a lot of the things that we were punished for as children now go by the wayside. There are certain things in our current culture that have become acceptable that really shouldn't be.

That having been said, how on earth do we make mornings easier? How do we not argue over the shoe selection? (the issue was he wanted to wear his "skate shoes" that looked absolutely ridiculous with his shorts, instead of the brand new Asics running shoes that are a white base with a metallic blue and black logo - as far as running shoes go, they are pretty sweet) How do we get them out of bed on time and without the fights about brushing teeth, washing faces, combing hair...

I did some online searching and found some behaviour contracts that will be signed tonight, as well as some chore charts, and scheduling charts. Hopefully a visual reminder will serve as, well, something. I can only read so many parenting books and make so many suggestions before I seriously say, forget it, I'm done. I'm so tired of the fighting and the arguing and the general unhappiness around here. I try and try to combat it and stay positive, but it's really difficult. I know that the economy is weighing on everyone's minds, including all of our kids, especially when we say things like, "nope, we can't get that, no money right now" or "it's going to have to wait until payday"...

I know that we have things better right now than our grandparents and great grandparents who lived through World Wars and the great Depression, but to our kids, it is one and the same... so, now, how do we raise kids like they did... with a sense of purpose, drive, and determination instead of a sense of entitlement, laziness, and the willingness to let others take care of things?

Favorite Product for Today...

2010-05-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a "Favorite Product of the Day" in a while, and I thought I would go ahead and jump on that... there are many things that I really can't live without (and quite a few that, honestly, I could never see again and really wouldn't care). One of the most important things in my daily/weekly regimen is ... Tide. I don't remember a time that we didn't use it at my house growing up, and even though it is a little more expensive than some of the other brands of detergent, I have found that it is TOTALLY worth it. I have saved more clothes from the "turn into dustrags" pile using Tide than I could possibly imagine. Not to mention, when I take the kids' clothes to the consignment shop, I always get "Wow, these are in GREAT shape!"... therefore increasing my consignment value!

The other thing that I totally love about them is their "Loads of Hope" program. This is a fantastic idea and whomever came up with it, well, they deserve a raise. This program has trucks of washers and dryers that head into disaster regions (right now they are in Tennessee) and sets up for days at a time for people to do laundry. That's it, and it's really that simple. If you are involved with a natural disaster, and manage to escape from your house with three sets of clothing, wouldn't it be nice to know that those clothes are at least clean? They only have so many of these trucks, so they also team up with laundromats in the area as well to offer the same services. How cool!?!?! Not to mention, you can buy one of these groovy retro t-shirt to help support the program here. They've been to Galveston, TX, North Dakota, Louisiana, San Diego... read more about the program and individual stories here, at Tide Loads of Hope.

Great Day of Gratitude

2010-05-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Since this is the first I'm hearing about this fantastic idea, I am going to have to send something along with Ethan tomorrow! Obviously, since I'm a crafty type, I'm going to have to whip up something fairly quickly... Hmmm. For a teacher... a book cover/tote, perhaps? This is an idea that I've been playing around with, but haven't necessarily gotten to yet. Yep. I think that is what I will do.

Over the past few years that we have been at Clackamas Elementary, all of the teachers and staff have been great. We understand that they are super busy, and yet they still take the time to answer the calls, emails, and notes that they receive on a daily basis. Not only do they do they deal with our rugrats every day, but then they go home and have to deal with their own!! Every grade and age presents it's own challenges, and I'm sure the individuals who teach Kindergarten say, "I don't know how those teachers deal with the high schoolers!" but then, I'm sure that the High School teachers say the same thing about the Elementary level teachers too! Hurray for Teacher Appreciation Week. Of course, that being said, at the same time, there are also the lunch ladies, maintenence/janitorial staff, school nurses, and perhaps most importantly - the office staff, because really, without them the schools simply wouldn't function (That means YOU, BARB CHILTON)!

I have a few teachers that I look back on fondly, and for different reasons. There were the ones that were so incredibly sweet and kind that you couldn't wait to go to school... there were the crazy creative ones (that were let go from the Catholic school you attended for being TOO creative - shame, really, Ms. Russo was fantastic)... there were the ones that pushed and pushed and pushed you to the point where you thought you were going to strangle them and then suddenly, it clicked that they were just pushing you because they knew you had too much potential to waste... There are also a few teachers that my oldest son, who is now in third grade, has had that have just been phenomenal, everyone at the Early Learning Center for preschool, as well as Jenni Hutteball that he had last year for second grade.

The other side of this, and perhaps these teachers are slightly less recognized, because a lot of people don't think of them as being teachers... I'm talking about the various sports coaches that were in our lives as kids, and are now in our children's lives. Over the years, parents have become okay with yelling at umpires, refs, opposing coaches. Perhaps instead of doing this, we need to support the coaches that the kids have, and just sit back with our hot dogs and enjoy the game...

I know that I am grateful for the teachers that I have had, and hope that my kids can look back years from now and say the same... Check out PBS Kids Supersisters and see what others are doing to participate in the Great Day of Gratitude!

Baseball Has Begun!

2010-05-01T17:14:00.001-07:00

After a month of practices getting rained out, today was our Opening Day! Our first, and only at this point, Saturday game. The morning started out crazy, as they still had practice in the morning before their exhibition game against another Clackamas Junior Baseball team.

Pictures, then the "Opening Ceremonies"... a bunch of grown ups chattering, but then two of the Clackamas High guys said a few words, which I thought was cute. It's really nice that the High School guys have really stepped up to the plate (no pun intended - really) to help these kiddos out. They are doing some of the umpiring, they helped coach the kids at their hitting and fielding camps earlier in April - so, should any of you read this - THANKS!

Ethan's first at bat, well, let's just say he went down swinging. He has a good swing, but needs to work on his timing a little because of his vision issues. He has been trying and had a few good hits at practice this morning, so I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow, when they have a scrimmage against one of the other (higher level) teams. His second at bat, he made it to first on a walk, but that's okay - the kid that was pitching was kind of all over the place.

So far, so good, the boys won this exhibition game 10-7, and seemed to "pull it together" in time for the game. I think it makes a huge difference once you have a uniform on and are playing on a "real field". This particular complex is brand new, and it is beautiful! Turf fields, a food stand - that has real food - not just munchies, and a big hit among the parents: REAL BATHROOMS!

Zipcar and Me

2010-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying that I think Zipcar is a freakin' fantastic idea. Although yet to make a profit apparently, it allows people who have either decided to give up their cars for environmental reasons or people like me who own a vehicle but it's broken and can't afford the god only knows how much it is going to fix it price tag.

We signed up with Zipcar through Groupon at Christmastime. We have used it once prior to this week - although it's cheap, it isn't free... I got a Subaru Impreza wagon the first time and loved it. Fun and zippy, even though it was obviously just the base model. (No big deal there... didn't matter - I just needed to get stuff to a craft fair).

This week I reserved a cute little blue Mini Cooper called Mahi-Mahi. Right now, Zipcar is running a deal where it is only $29 from 6pm to 8:30am. AWESOME! I got a text as we were stuck in traffic (around 8:20) from Zipcar, saying "Going to be late?CALL!" Sooo, we did. The girl on the phone said, "No problem". We returned the car to it's ridiculous parking space - there is a tree in the lot. Behind the space. You have to manuever around the tree to park the car, which winds up being at your bumper. 10 minutes late. We called.

I later get an email from one of the guys saying that as a one time courtesy, they refunded my late fee of $50. Okay, great, thanks! However, since I was late and it took me out of the overnight hours deal, I now got to pay the day rate for the car - $81. Uhhh, what? It took me 5 minutes just to park the thing... and WE CALLED. The girl on the phone never said, "okay, well, just to remind you, because you are going outside the hours, you are going to be charged the day rate, blah blah blah." Just said, "Okay, no problem". I would've understood, had there been someone waiting for the car - there wasn't.

I fought it, explaining that we had indeed called, and it had never taken us 45 minutes to get from our house to downtown (it is a 20 minute trip, tops) and we had left with 45 minutes to get the car back... traffic was THAT bad. The guy that I was dealing with was nice - I mean, via email, you can only get so much of an impression... he did refund the charges and I am still paying the $29 rate that I signed up for, so I am satisfied with the resolution of my issue. (Thanks to Jacob)

We have another Zipcar experience planned for Saturday... with another Mini... that I love. :)

A Fantastic Michigan Artist

2010-03-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

And now, a quick word about Facebook. One of the things that I love about Facebook is the ability to find people and friends that you have lost touch with over the years, including the ones that you really liked... whether you meant to lose touch, or whether it just kind of happened in the course of a decade and moves across the country.

One of these friendships that I really enjoyed was with a girl in high school who, when I previously knew her, was named Bethany. She was famous for her 'give 'em hell' attitude and I absolutely adored her for it - and was a little envious. Dark hair, gorgeous eyes, she was that rebel type that I, as the editor of the paper, yearbook, soccer player, cheerleader and really all around goody two shoes, wanted to be - or at least let that side out of me, which - trust me - is certainly there.

Now, having found the very talented Bethanne (with a new, grown up name, no less :) ) on Facebook, I have discovered that we still share that same attitude problem... hee hee... and also a love of art and mixed media art. While I knit, sew, and dabble in painting, Bethanne is a great painter and does fantastic mixed media pieces. She was recently selected to participate in a Purina (yes, the cat food people) art exhibition featuring pieces composed of and with Purina products... talk about repurposing!

You can check her out at her blog - click here, or follow her on Twitter here. She also does exhibits and shows in the East Lansing area at a gallery/show space called (SCENE) Metrospace - check them out here!

Tropical Madness (acrylic, crayon, and gloss on canvas, 2009)

Baseball Season in Oregon

2010-03-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Spring Training... in Oregon. This means that more practices get rained out than actually get completed, the majority of the practices you do have are held either under a covered area at a local elementary school or in the drizzle... and it usually doesn't get above 55 degrees.

I have decided that we need to move baseball practice to Arizona. Take these kiddos (fee free, of course, due to the extreme generosity of a random millionaire benefactor) down to where it is warm and sunny for a week or two and let them practice there. Great idea, huh? OR... we could always delay the start of the season for a month and start at the end of April instead of the end of March? Maybe finish at the end of June instead the beginning? I would be okay with that...

All of this aside, a few seasons ago, Ethan played for Clackamas Little League... as in official Little League, Williamsport, Little League World Series and all that. I hated it. I grew up in New England (Portland, Maine), where Little League - Portland North, thank you very much, is king and everyone plays, and everyone takes it SERIOUSLY. Like, scary seriously. It was so sad to see here that they really don't. Perhaps at the upper levels, but I remember it stared from the time they were 5, in T-Ball. SO, I switched him to Clackamas Junior Baseball, which, essentially is a travel league that develops players for the Clackamas High. So far, we have really enjoyed this league. There is more structure, without feeling pressure to work at the "snack shack" or do fundraisers.

In addition to that, if you have been reading this, you know that I lost my job over a year ago, and my husband lost his just before Christmas. He has since found a new position, but getting back to a good place financially after being on unemployment is difficult. Due to the type of winter we have in the Northwest, it makes off-season baseball training hard. The league has several camps that are being held over the next two or three weeks to get kids back in the game, for lack of a better way to put it. Many, many thanks to Jackie Long for allowing Ethan to participate in the camps "on scholarship".

I am looking forward to this season... hopefully we get the car fixed soon so we don't have to ride in the rain to get to practice...

Portland Police Department and "Police Brutality"

2010-03-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight, the Rev. Jesse Jackson flew into our fair, very liberal city. As usual, the media was there to greet him and his entourage. Why, you might ask, was the venerable Rev. Jackson (who, I freely admit, has done some great things for civil rights in this country - there is no doubt or argument about that) making his second appearance in Portland in the last few months?

Earlier this week, the police were called with a report of a man who had threatened a woman and her child at a popular recreation area - Hoyt Arboretum. This wooded hiking area, which is extremely beautiful, and is located within the vicinity of several neighborhoods, the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Rose Gardens, and Washington Park. When the responding officer arrived, he discovered an individual, covered in blood, and wielding a box knife - or a "razor knife" as the local media was calling it. When the office asked him to relinquish the weapon, the man moved toward him in a threatening manner... and the office shot him. Sad? Of course.

A few weeks ago, there was another officer involved shooting involving a man who was believed to have a weapon (it was later determined that he didn't), who again, moved toward a larger number of officers - it was a "standoff" type of situation - and was shot and killed. Again, sad? Yes, undoubtedly - especially considering this man's brother had died earlier in the day, and part of the reason officers were called was due to the domestic disturbance that had resulted from the events of the day - this particular individual was creating the issue.

People in the Portland area have been "protesting" for the last week. Some peacefully, some not. One of the great things about our country is that we, as citizens, have the freedom and right to do this. One of the other great things about our country is that we have laws that not only protect us, but that also protect our law enforcement officials. While yes, have there been what seems to be an excessive number of police shootings in and around the Portland area in the last few years; for some reason this week, people have been seeming to focus on the shooting of one individual that was deemed a threat, not only by an officer, but by a fellow citizen, instead of looking at the five or six different gang related shootings that have happened in the same time period - including one at a local shopping center.

I respect the right of every citizen to have a voice and to be heard. I also respect the rights of the police officers that are entrusted by the citizenry to enforce the laws that we, as a people, have created. Do the officers tend to over-react, perhaps by using a "kill shot" as opposed to perhaps merely disabling the individual by say, shooting them in a leg, or arm? Sure. It happens. However, my question is this: if you were that mother who called in on a beautiful sunny day, in a busy park - knowing that there were other children around you - what would you want done? If there was an individual threatening your safety and the safety of your child, how would you want that officer to react?

More importantly: If you were that officer, with all of your training and experience, knowing, that no matter what you did, someone would be there to criticize your decision, what would you do? Would you try to restrain the person threatening you with a knife, again, knowing full well that the individual could run into the woods, and possibly harm someone else?

I am all for national attention to crime, safety, police brutality. Although, I am also all for someone calling attention to gang related violence, gang recruitment, gangs retaliating against other gangs... which one really has the greater effect on a city - several shootings in a year by trained law enforcement professionals or several shootings in a week by young adults in a mall, or in a neighborhood?

For related articles head here. To visit the Portland Police Bureau, click here.

Spring Break

2010-03-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

After my tirade in my last posting about the kids... I am ready for Spring break to be done and over with.

I had a bike accident early in the week, which kind of shot all of the plans that I had for me and the kids to do. I cut open the bottom of my chin, road rash and bruises in other spots, and I messed up my neck pretty badly.

Hopefully the week AFTER spring break will be far more productive in terms of getting spring cleaning (and cleaning out) types of things done.

Off to AT&T to pay the cell bill! Check out the other blog for pics of the latest knitting project - a gorgeous unisex baby blanket - in NON-PASTEL colors!

Let's Start by Saying...

2010-03-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I love my kids, I do. I might even like them sometimes... when they are listening. I would be lying however, if I said I am not insanely jealous of my friends that don't have kids and have the time to sit down and read a book without interruption, or work on a quilt (for my friend Brooke's gorgeous stuff - go here), or do some home renovation, or painting, or hell, read a book, go for a walk, or go to a movie...

When I had Ethan, I knew what I was giving up, and I don't regret the choices that I made regarding the kids. Sometimes though, I look out the window, or watch TV or a movie, or hear a song that makes me wonder what would've been had I never moved to Texas (speaking of, JoDee Messina's "Heads Carolina, Tails California" just came on at the coffee shop).

I really think things will be better when Xavier is old enough to head to preschool for a couple hours a few days a week... I think I'm just suffering from too much mommy and me time... I think I need some time by myself and perhaps some friends to hang out with... so the cartoon to the left doesn't happen...

Yummy Carrot Oatmeal and dried fruit bars!

2010-03-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Super YUM! You can find the exact recipe here... however, I made a few changes.

Because my family tends to be slightly hungrier than what she said to make the size... I made mine slightly larger - about 4"x1" and when they were done, they were about 4.5x1.5". Also, her recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce. I used homemade applesauce, which has extra cinnamon and nutmeg, etc. in it, as well as extra brown sugar. This didn't do anything to the baking process... but it did add apple chunks and some extra spices. (Really, who doesn't like extra cinnamon and brown sugar?) Here is the batter...

Be aware... it looks kinda yucky...
And shaped into the bars:

The dried fruit I put in mine was cranberries, apricots, and raisins. Again, because I used the homemade applesauce, it also added some apple chunks. These also got REALLY big when they were done baking. These are great for breakfast, hiking, or car snacks! Easily portable, and super good for you. :) Enjoy!

Awesome Honey Wheat Bread

2010-03-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying that this isn't my recipe. I can't remember where I found it, but should the developer come across my little corner of the internet, please leave me a comment so I can give you credit and link back to your site. Please. :)

That being said... here is the best, easiest, no knead honey wheat bread I have tried. (it's even better when you make it yourself, because then you get the fantasticness that is the smell of freshly baked bread through your house!)

(All measurements are US, as well, I'm from the US... if someone can convert them to metric, let me know! I'm an equal opportunity baker. :))

Super Easy Honey Wheat Bread

4cups Warm Water
1 TBSP Sugar
2 TBSP Yeast
(Keep these separate)

2/3 c Sugar
2/3 c Vegetable Oil
2/3 c Honey
4 tsp Salt
6-8 c Whole Wheat Flour - if you can find it, Bob's Red Mill is fantastic
4-6 c All Purpose Flour - I prefer unbleached, personally

Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast together in a small bowl and set aside. Leave this alone for about 5 minutes.

Add the Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Salt, and Honey to your mixer bowl. Add sugar and yeast mixture, lightly blend.

Add Wheat flour 1 cup at a time. It should start to look like this...

Side Note: I have a Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. This is a LARGE recipe for this size of mixer. It is quite possible to do the whole thing at once, however, you do have stop fairly frequently to clean your dough hook and give the motor a break... OR, half it. :)

After you have added all of the wheat flour (I usually wind up with about 7 cups), change from your paddle attachment to your dough hook.

Add Unbleached flour 1 cup at a time... and dust as needed. I let it mix for a bit as I add each cup. Now, DON'T WORRY if your mixer starts to look like this...

As I said, just take a second to scrape it down. I don't set the speed over a 2 when it gets to this point.

While this is mixing, set your oven to its LOWEST setting, whether that is Warm, 150, doesn't matter. Prep a metal or oven safe bowl with vegetable oil and pull out some plastic wrap.

After the dough is done... trust me you'll be able to tell - it will pull from the sides and stay that way. Lightly coat your hands in either flour or vegetable oil and work the dough out of the mixer bowl and into the bowl you have prepped. Cover with the plastic wrap and pop in the oven, making sure you TURN IT OFF. You just want it warm in there. Leave dough in the oven for about 45 minutes.

While this is rising... CLEAN UP! :) Also, prep 4 bread pans. I like to use glass for at least one of them so I can keep an eye on what is going on in there. At the end of 45 minutes, pull the bowl out and punch down.

Separate into 4 loaves, and while you are doing this, reheat your oven.

Place loaves back into warm oven for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, pull loaves out, increase heat to 365, and bake them for 25-30 minutes (here's where the glass comes in handy!)

And, Voila! Now, when you make four loaves, one of them will wind up smaller. If you want 3 perfect ones, you can do that too, but I like to have one to snack on after I've made them. These freeze really well, and defrost just like any other bread... toss them on the counter. :)

Cooking Day

2010-03-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been completely wrapped up in my art projects that I have been neglecting my other creative love: cooking. I love my Kitchen Aid, I love getting my hands yucky, and I love having a tangible product. That is the one thing that makes reading and riding difficult for me lately. Not being employed (other than as a mom), it is hard to find things to do that produce something. Sure, the laundry gets done and the dishes are clean, beds made, etc., but there is no production of something of value or of substance. Cooking and crafting at least produce something. So that being said... here's what I've done today...

Granola Bars!
This is a crazy easy recipe...

4.5cups of oats

1c Flour (I used 1/2 whole wheat and half unbleached)

1tsp Baking Soda

1tsp Vanilla

2/3c Softened Butter

1/2c Honey

1/3c Brown Sugar

Whatever fruit/nuts/chocolate you choose

Bake at 325 in a 9x13 pan for 18-22 minutes - longer if you want them a little crunchier.

This is a great basic recipe, however, I did add some cinnamon and if you look at the picture, they are a little on the crumbly side. Next time I would probably add a little extra honey and maybe an egg as a binder. Great flavor though!

Also, I decided to try some breakfast cookies... and you can find this recipe here. The only modification I made to this was instead of banana chips (which I didn't have) I added 1/2 a banana in with the wet ingredients, and omitted nuts (our family isn't crazy about them)

And now... back to my knitting... oh, and did I mention I also made spaghetti sauce too? :)

People

2010-03-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Sheesh. That's really all I have today. I put a freebie up on Craig's and on Freecycle and immediately, I was inundated with responses. Great, right? Well, the first guy didn't email me back, making it so I moved on to the next guy... then I had ten more people I had to email back saying "Sorry...", some of which weren't happy. At All.

For whatever reason, I've noticed that people expect handouts. My theory is that people are generally good and are willing to help when they can, however, there are those that tend to take advantage of that. I don't know what I have done to irritate the gods, or if it's just their way of telling me I need to go back to being my unusually cynical self, but for some reason, these people have just been thrown in my path lately.

I wanted this year to start out optimistically - new business, new opportunities, etc. I have found it is getting harder and harder to remain positive and upbeat... I think I need to go back to meditating and yoga every day. Perhaps that will help....

Potty Training... Round 2

2010-03-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

This time the potty training process is going much better... we have been dry, with only one accident since LAST Wednesday - including overnight! It seems to be that he really doesn't want to get his trains or Buzz Lightyear wet. It probably doesn't hurt that he wants to be exactly like his big brother either.

One of the ideas that we have found that works really well - many thanks to a friend of a friend for this little gem, when you leave the house (or at night) you put a pull-up over their little undies. This way, they still feel wet, but without the mess!!! This was fantastic plan that has worked out wonderfully.

Now, when I say that we haven't had an accident, we also really haven't left the house in a few days, and he's been running around in a t-shirt and underoos, but hey, its working! No treats, candy, munchies, toys, anything really. This morning, he wanted breakfast, and I told him he had to go the bathroom first, and he did... I don't really think that counts though!

We have the first part pretty much down... on to the second part, which we haven't really had any success with yet, but one step at a time...

Announcement time!

2010-03-12T12:02:00.001-08:00

I have decided to start a second blog that is dedicated strictly to knitting and other various creative projects. Doesn't mean they won't pop in here from time to time, but this is going to be a "personal" blog. :)

EARTH DAY IS COMING!!!!

2010-03-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Yup, I'm aware that I shouted. :) Coming up at the end of April, I have been invited to participate in the Portland State University Earth Day Festival! Check them out HERE! I am super excited about having the chance to showcase some of my sustainable projects - both the ones that I have completed and the new ones that I'm working on...

Upcoming:
- Cool washcloth soap holders... haven't decided what to call these yet, and they are still in production. I know when Ethan was younger, he wanted to wash himself in the bathtub, but the soap would slip out of his hands. Johnson's made a kids bar soap with a scrubbie coating, but you would just throw it away when the soap was gone. This way, you just replace the soap! I will post a FREE PATTERN for them here when I get some images.

- Additional colors and patterns of washcloths and lunchbags

- Some fun slippers... these are in the prototype stage, with some test ones going out to a friend in TX for her little girl to try out for me.

- Maybe some sling backpacks? I have a cool pattern, but haven't decided how much time this is going to eat up... not sure on this yet...

I'm open to more ideas.... Check out the works in progress and some awfully cute kidlets wearing some of my stuff here.

Number One...

2010-03-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

I have a few different things to talk about today, and I'm going to do them individually, simply because it is easier for me to organize my thoughts...

The first thing for me to bring up is Xavier's speech therapy. We have been going to Portland State University's Speech and Audiology Clinic for just over a year now. We have been exceedingly happy with the results that we have gotten, and all of the grad students we have worked with have been great (a big thanks to Lisa, Emily, Mago, Jillian, and Sally)... interested in learning more? Check them out here. I know they also welcome financial contributions. Just because they are part of a University doesn't mean that they necessarily get everything that they need or deserve!

The second thing related to PSU is SALLY! Oh my gosh... this girl is absolutely amazing. Xavier has decided that he cannot have another speech clinician. EVER. So, today I talked to Ellen Reuler (our advisor) about having her again next term if possible... we gave Sally her "end of term" present on Tuesday, so today, Sally had presents for us (which was completely unnecessary). She very offhandedly says, "oh and the beads on the necklace are from the orphanage I started in Africa" I'm sorry... WHAT!?!?!?!?!

Here are some of the kids...

Here is Sally with more of the kids...

After finding this out... I encourage anyone who might read this to check them out on their website... it really is an amazing story and well worth a looksee - either on their site or on Facebook - their group is Musana Children's Home.

Yikes, that layout was funky....

2010-03-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'm not really sure what happened there, but that last posting was weird... Here is what I'm currently working on...

These fun little cuff bracelets are available here for a mere $10! They are 100% wool and felted for a sturdy feel and embellished with a variety of fun little goodies...

Also, I'm going to be trying to do some new marketing type stuff - hitting the pavement to advertise in some local shops, and doing as many shows as I can possibly afford. Exciting news on this front... I have been invited to attend the Portland State Earth Day festival as a vendor - now I just have to figure out a way to afford it - and FAST!

Hopefully, this is the start of some local recognition that I can work with and build on. I'm knitting as fast as my little fingers can take me!

Long time gone... the knit post

2010-02-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

Alright, so it's a Dixie Chicks song title, so what? :) Over the past few months, things have been kind of crazy around here, and life has been slightly, well, 'trying' could be a word. That being said, I am trying to continue knitting as much as I can... here are some new projects that I have done...

These are my "Audrey" Bags...

The next thing that I decided to do... what does a knitter do for the summer month? Dishcloths? Towels? Yes, that is a given... but not necessarily fun. I know! How about Stuffed Animals?

I love my robot... and I have had multiple requests for additional penguins... :)

I participated in one craft show in January as a benefit for a group called Two Dollars a Day, which promotes women's literacy... really good organization. Check them out at http://www.twodollarsaday.info/ ... also check out Urban Grind, which is who donated the space for the crafty fair... their "Fancy Grilled Cheese" is fantastical and amazing and wonderful.

A truly random thoughts kind of day

2010-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

I sit right now in bed (yes, it is 1pm on a Monday), catching up on Facebook, other people's blogs, and getting ready to watch some Arrested Development on hulu and do some knitting. Although, after yesterday's fiasco, I might be willing to take a day off! (I made two different hats, and neither one turned out right the first time. Aarrg.)

As I write this, I have a lot of things on my mind. Namely, how on earth I am going to get more business for my shop, how we are going to be able to pay rent in a few weeks, why the State of Oregon hasn't called Todd back regarding his unemployment claim, the mess that is the house (I will probably deal with that tomorrow - not in the mood today), whether or not I'm going to be able to do a craft fair at the end of the month, how my coffee is getting cold right now, and also that it is almost Xavier's nap time and I might have to be vacating my bed so he can take a nap...

Too much for one brain!

On the upside, I did find out that I was accepted to do a contract gig at the Convention Center in a week working a trade show. That will at least pay for phones and our electric bill.

Having been unemployed now for a while is both liberating and degrading. Liberating in the sense that I get to spend time with the kids (both good and bad), I get to shower - or not, as after all, it saves water and electricity - and makeup - whenever I want, I can choose to do laundry today or tomorrow, and I can spend the whole day working on a project and not feel bad about it. Degrading in that no matter what jobs I apply for, I am told I am either over or under qualified... for retail. Seriously? If I'm applying for a professional position, then my experience isn't applicable, even though it could be exactly what they are looking for....

I guess it's time to dust off those typing skills and write that fictionalized memoir I keep talking about... :)

New Year, New Opportunities

2010-01-04T23:46:00.000-08:00

This year has started off with a bang... businesswise, anyway. Nothing like three orders on the second day of the year! Hopefully it can keep up. I have some new items up, and am heading out tomorrow to get some new and fun yarn for inspiration for some new projects. Unfortunately, my fingers can't knit quite as quickly as they can type! Hopefully, I will be putting up some original patterns on here soon, as I don't create them very often, and honestly, don't really mind sharing, as long as credit is given.

Hopes for the year include new jobs all the way around our house, as well as for several others that I know of... Xavier's continued speech development, and Ethan to tone down his attitude!!!

Here's to a great year in 2010!

Gnomes

2009-12-01T00:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have a thing for gnomes. They are supposed to be good luck when put in a garden, so naturally, I would think they would be good luck when placed around the house as well, right? In response to my partiality to the little dudes, I have several clay gnomes inside, a gnome background I've created ....

.... as well as several others outside, oh, and my flannel gnome pajamas. These are getting slightly threadbare, and Nick & Nora need to come out with another pattern featuring my favourite lawn ornament. Tonight, however, I might have topped myself. I don't know if I'm going to feature these in the shop or not, but I have found (and bought... can't believe I actually paid for this with all the free ones that are out there - no gnomes though) a pattern for a knit gnome dishcloth. YIPPEEEEE!

One of those random things that I am really excited about getting started after I get through the madness that has become Christmas. I have figured that I pretty much need to get a project done every day. Yikes. I also found several free patterns for toy gnomes... uh-oh :)

Keeping Up

2009-11-28T23:40:00.000-08:00

I've noticed the better I do on Etsy or on custom orders, the more my house is in disarray. Somehow, I need to come up with a better way to keep things together. I went through this evening and organized the majority of yarn and completed projects... only to get another order - which was a combination of a stock and custom order. I'm not complaining... oh no, not at all... more of a - if anyone should come across this and have any ideas for me... :)

Tonight is Todd's late night at work, and I know I should be in bed so that I can deal with the kids in the morning, and yet, I'm still up watching various shows on PBS online and knitting. I've put the knitting down, and am writing this... looking over at the full sink of dishes, the carpet that needs to be vacuumed, the Christmas lists that need to be written, and the receipts that need to be organized...

I think I'm giving up for tonight. I've done pretty much everything that I can do for today without waking up the neighbors and kids. Good night world... I suppose I will finish the Sinking Atlantis episode tomorrow...

On Thanksgiving...

2009-11-27T00:20:00.000-08:00

Coming from a family of immigrants, I understand why people felt the need for expansion, and why those that lived on the East coast wanted to move out West... I've lived everywhere from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. However, having said that, I married into a Native American family from here in Oregon. While my husband isn't necessarily involved with tribal issues, or with any of the local organizations, the rest of his family is very much involved.

I try to look at days like today, or Columbus Day - which he jokes that he doesn't celebrate because "it's all his fault" - from both perspectives. I'm going to have to explain to my youngest why his particular tribe doesn't have an official reservation, and more of the tribal history, since my husband doesn't know a lot of it - and well, I'm kind of a history geek. :) I strive to understand and be able to explain a lot of things to my kids, and this particular issue is a rather important one. I am glad that unlike some, my husband tends to take certain things with a sense of humor... for example, when my 18 year old sister brought up going to a casino and there was a debate about the legal age for gaming, my husband chimes in... "uhhh, why don't you ask the Indian? I should probably know.... "

Would the Native Americans still have their traditional way of life if the pilgrims (or Columbus, for that matter) hadn't arrived on the shores of North America? Probably not, progress is eventual, but I think the more important question is should those people that followed in those settlers footsteps have been a little more concerned with the well-being of all and could they have done things differently? The answer, quite simply, is "Of Course."

That being said, is there anything that we can do now? That answer is a little more tricky. Can we give them back the entirety of their previous land holdings? Unfortunately not, but we can make more of an effort to record the individual tribal histories... talk to the elders, record the languages, save the clothing patterns, baskets, fishing techniques. We can utilize the knowledge of the land that has been passed down for centuries and appreciate what the stories tell us.

Thanksgiving means different things for everyone, and this year, I am simply thankful for having basic necessities, a family that is together (though not without our fair share of arguments... that tends to happen with a two year old in the mix), and for my husband's job, that lets me devote my time to starting a business, that will hopefully turn into something special.

Knitting Texas

2009-11-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Last night I knit Texas in the form of a washcloth. :) So cool, I got a few other patterns for states, and a lobster. Gotta hurry to get some of this stuff done for both the trunk show and also for Christmas!!!

In related, okay, well, not so much... something is seriously wrong with my phone. I've removed, installed, removed, reinstalled the BlackBerry software about 6 times and my computer still isn't reading my Curve. According to the other research that I've done online, apparently my USB drive is either going or is already gone. Great. If it isn't one thing, it is 16 others... arrrrg.

Has it really been a month?

2009-11-20T10:21:00.001-08:00

Wow. I didn't realize it had been a month since the last time I posted! In the past month, I have tried to kick my knitting into overdrive making almost a project a day, set up an Etsy site, and started doing random marketing in the Portland, and Dallas, TX areas (Thanks Carrie!). Hopefully, I can get this going into something. I have high hopes, but knitting is a time consuming activity and I just have to go faster.... :)

In other news, the car needs work... again. Something is wrong with the alignment and who knows how long it is going to take to fix... or how much it is going to cost. The delay in taking it in lays in that we don't know how much it is going to cost us... so much for sending the Wii in to Nintendo to get it fixed for now.... Adventures in Public Transportation - week one, is drawing to a close, and really, it hasn't been that bad (thanks Trimet!)... certainly have saved money by not being able to just jump in the car, however, it does prove my point that we need to move downtown!

I love Yarn...

2009-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Although, I wish it would knit quicker... perhaps I need to just get some of the super thick stuff and speed sticks! I have just opened my own Etsy shop, nothing up there yet, as I need to still take pictures of some of the things that I've made - I think I need some models!

I would love for this to take off, who knows what could come of it. I need to go make some friends at a yarn shop and maybe take a class or three to help improve some of my techniques - and learn some new ones!

I also have two job interviews this week that I am really looking forward to - one with the Archdiocese of Portland (hopefully I won't spontaneously combust when I enter the building) and the other with American Eagle's intimates brand, aerie. I am really looking forward to that one, I think I would enjoy working there immensely. Same product as Victoria's Secret, but without the overbearing pressure and models on the walls!

Here's to a great week of interviews and knitting!!!

Pirates and Ghost Trains

2009-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

Should I be concerned that all my two year old wants to do is play pirates and ghosts? I am not exaggerating here. He walks around with a sword... or he walks around saying "boooooooo" in a spooky voice all day when he isn't sleeping. Seriously.

I don't know what I'm going to do when Halloween is over - he is going to be so incredibly sad!

Applications

2009-10-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

So, why is it exactly that when you turn an application in the people that take them from you are always rude? Is it because they know that you could do their job better? Or is it because they are threatened by your appearance, or losing their hours? What if you did get hired? Is that how they want you to remember them? With an attitude issue and poor customer service skills?

Missing in Action

2009-10-02T13:02:00.001-07:00

Sadly, I haven't been able to get out very much in the last couple of weeks to get this updated... or write at all. Schedule changes within our family have relegated my computer time to the waaaay back burner.
Training is unfortunately going rather slowly at the current moment. I have had to take a week or two off due to other events that had been pre-arranged, or headaches, or general malaise... I have been doing a lot of knitting - already have one scarf ready for Christmas and I'm working on the matching hat now. The other project that I'm working on is a blanket for Todd's dad and his wife... they are at the point where "step-mom" sounds funny... I'm doing it in individual squares so that I can alter patterns for colors and make it a patchwork. The other thing I'm doing for family for Christmas is making re-usable coffee cup sleeves - the little brown things that wrap around your coffee cup? Yep, making some of those from felt and fabric and sweaters that were accidentally felted in the washing machine... even though I followed the care instructions.
I don't really want to think about Christmas at this point yet... it is too far away, but I know that if I don't, then it will sneak up on me and all of a sudden it will be a week away and I will have NOTHING done.
Still looking for a new job. I've decided to focus on finding a part time position a few days a week now that Todd's schedule has changed, so I can work Friday through Monday and still be able to go to speech with Xavier and not have to pay for day care. It seems silly to me to get a job and have all of the money made from it go directly into a day care so that I can go to work... there's really no gain from that.
All of my thoughts are kind of pouring out today in one post, because I haven't done it in a while. Thankfully, fall has seemed to make a comeback in the past week. I was getting tired of the Indian Summer that we were having ... thanks global warming!
Okay... that's good for today... I will update on the great banana facial experiment later...

First Days

2009-10-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

So, yesterday was the first day that I volunteered at SOLV. Overall, it went well. Everyone seemed really nice and its a pretty small office in terms of people. I did a lot of data entry and some sorting of paperwork... Yikes. The girl that was working on ths stuff before me tried to get ahead of herself and now there is a HUGE stack of paperwork that they thought had been entered into the computer... Not so much-like 6 years of paperwork. Oh well- its nice to be doing something productive other than cleaning and laundry! Looking forward to going back next week!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

As I said on Facebook... I could be doing more...

2009-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

After countless years of disappointing myself (and others) I have realized that it is time to make a change. I read voraciously, and I think it has come time to finally do some writing myself. Do I think I can get published? Who knows, but I'm going to at least try. Right now, I am stagnating and I don't like it. I don't like who I have become, a stay at home mom that is content to just watch people on television doing the things that I want to do. That is content to read about people doing the things that I want to do.

I am going to start writing. Probably a memoir style book, but I don't necessarily want to call it that. I don't have a specific plan as of yet, but I am going to start tonight. I am tired of being financially dependant on someone that doesn't really have a sense of finances, and being in charge of all of our money. I want to be able to provide the kids with some sort of cushion. I want to buy a house. I want a new car. I want to be able to pay off bills. I want to be able to send the kids to college. I want a new bike. I want to not have to worry about money.

Goals... hopefully they are attainable.

iTunes 9

2009-09-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Holy wow. I don't know if this feature has always been here... granted, it probably has, I just didn't know about it...

iTunes U is fantastic! I just found a ton of really cool lectures from all over the world. I can feel like I'm learning something while the rest of my family is sitting in front of the television watching movies or playing video games. Yippeee!

In addition to that... I just also found a TON of video casts from PBS too! I am so excited for later tonight when they want to watch movies! :)

Avatar... one more time

2009-09-14T21:51:00.001-07:00

Okay. So, I am a total dork concerning this particular show. I don't get into too many television shows... I'm more of a book person (speaking of, Dan Brown's new one comes out tomorrow) usually. That being said, however, I finished the Avatar series this afternoon. HOLY COW. Normally, I check Perez and Facebook several times during the afternoon - I usually knit and do crafty type stuff while Xavier naps, but I got sucked in. Again. Go figure.

I did finish all of the third set of DVDs. Once again, am completely impressed with not only the storyline, but also the development of the characters and the evolution of the Buddhist philosophy that the monks had originally taught Aang. I am sooooooo excited for the movie, and if there is a midnight showing for this one, I will find a babysitter for Xavier and Ethan, Todd, and I will be there. Cannot wait.

For an idea of what the commotion is all about (well, at least at my house... ) click here: http://www.hulu.com/search?query=avatar and enjoy. :)

Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley

2009-09-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

After the passing of Patrick Swayze today, kind of makes me sad to watch this particular skit, but somehow, it is still absolutely hilarious. Perhaps they will re-enact it for others now that they have joined back up again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RajNvJ3bCU

The Last Airbender

2009-09-11T19:25:00.001-07:00

One more post for today, as this is something that I am crazy excited about. Long ago, when it was cool to watch cartoons, there weren't very many that had a really good story line. They were all one episode, get in, get out, save the girl, move on.

A few years ago, when Ethan was younger, there was a show on Nickelodeon called "Avatar: The Last Airbender." As the show progressed, it drew you farther and farther into the story. It tells the story of a boy named Aang, who was trapped (intentionally - kind of) for 100 years in a glacier and found by a brother and sister. Aang is the Avatar, the only one in the world who can master the four elements (earth, water, air, and fire). During the time Aang was in the glacier, the Fire Nation came along and has basically taken over the world. This cartoon, which is well done - both in plot line and artistry, caught our attention.

Once we moved, we no longer had cable (I didn't think it was necessary), we lost track of the story. Recently, we rediscovered one of the DVDs that I had purchased for Ethan. The youngest, Xavier, LOVED it. He likes anything involving ninja type stuff. Each of the elements can be controlled by "benders" and each of these benders styles are based on different martial arts techniques. It goes into a lot of Eastern philosophy and belief systems, which makes it interesting on a whole additional level. So, naturally, we had to go out and buy the entire series on the 3 different sets of DVDs. :)

I just found out that M. Night Shyamalan (I know I spelled THAT wrong. :) ) is making a live action version. I am soooooo excited for this movie, yet very hesitant at the same time... as I am such a huge fan of the show, that I would HATE for the story to be ruined. Even Ethan said that it wouldn't be the same without the same voices, etc. Hopefully, it will be as fantastic as the show...

I realize that I am sitting here talking about a cartoon, but it is just that good. I am not normally attached to movies, characters, etc., but you find yourself being sucked in to this particular group of characters - every show on television should be this well written in order to catch both kids and grown ups alike.

SOLV Activities

2009-09-11T19:00:00.001-07:00

So, in order to be a "proper Portlander", Ethan and I have been doing volunteer work for an organization called SOLV, which participates and organizes clean up efforts across the state. We have done everything from pulling ivy off of the side of Mt. Talbert (in Oregon, ivy is an invasive species) to picking up trash and litter along the side of the Springwater Trail. This is a great organization, and a great way to pitch in... but also a great teaching tool for me with Ethan to show him that it is important to do volunteer work - "just because".

Some of the other things that SOLV does is participate in classroom education programs for K-12 schools, they also organize the "Great Beach Clean-Up" twice a year all along the Oregon Coast. One of the other really cool things is that REI will sponsor some of the events in conjunction with SOLV and you get cool water bottles, shirts, and other fun stuff - like lunch. :) It's nice to be around others - that range in age from 7 to 70 (really, my partner two weeks ago was 72!).

We are looking forward to our next event, tomorrow, at Atkinson Park in Oregon City, and then again next weekend at the South Waterfront. Sadly, we are not able to make it all the way out to the coast for the fall beach clean up due to Todd's work schedule, but I felt that we should participate in something that weekend!

Eventually, I hope to get Xavier involved as well, and I have looked into volunteering in their offices - at least until I get a job! Eventually.... hopefully....

Jobs and School

2009-09-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Soooo, another two interviews, still no job. I'm now bordering on flat out irritated. Until this year, I haven't ever not gotten a job that I have interviewed for. Talk about a blow to the self esteem! Oh well... just found out that my dad was offered a job, so perhaps that is a good omen for me too. Sent in a few more resumes this morning, so hopefully something will come of that.

On a more positive note, school starts in three days. THANK GOD.

That's all I really have to say about that. :) Will do a longer post soon, when I don't have an impatient child sitting next to me... hopefullt will have info regarding starting Tai-Chi classes with the kid.

The Cancellation of an Icon

2009-09-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sadly, the great television show known as Reading Rainbow has come to an end. I first heard a rumor about this a few weeks ago, and it was confirmed the other day on Perez Hilton's website, as well as various others.

I remember when I was younger, not wanting to leave the house until after Reading Rainbow was over. I have always been "a reader" and I firmly believe that this particular show reinforced that trait. From the stories in the middle of the shows to the silly situations that LeVar Burton would find himself in.

A different sort of personal connection - my maiden name is Spock, and I thought it was hilarious when my dad would turn on his Star Trek:The Next Generation show, and there my Reading Rainbow guy was... with a banana clip over his eyes... :)

Within the past few years, I introduced my son to this show and the child who HATED reading slowly started coming around. Now, I have to explain to him why one of the shows that he really liked has been cancelled... because of money. It is unfathomable to me that we can go out and spend millions of dollars to make horrid children's movies, but no one can step up to save this terrific show.

With great sadness, we say goodbye to the third longest running children's televisions show in PBS history.

Head Case - Post number 1 for today...

2009-09-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I have noticed about working out... riding the bike, going to the gym, running, hiking, whatever... is that I tend to shower far more frequently - twice a day (okay, sometimes three times). Due to this, and the fact that I have to wash my hair each time I shower... I have had the WORST case of dry scalp/itchy head. I have tried the shea butter shampoos, which I love-but it isn't quite enough when I am washing my hair that frequently. I did find a GREAT home remedy - I usually have to do it two nights in a row...

Take about a cup of olive oil (yep, just the stuff you cook with), about a 1/2 cup of milk, and some honey (no real measurement here - maybe about a tablespoon or two - just make sure that you drizzle it in as you whisk, otherwise it will just get gloppy). Mix this together - make sure to heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make it nice and warm. Lean over the bathtub or sink and SLOWLY work it into your hair. It helps to have a helper. Wrap head in a shower cap or a towel for about ten minutes (longer doesn't hurt, but shorter doesn't work) and then wash your hair like normal - with a very gentle shampoo... a baby shampoo works great for this process.

Two treatments later, my head isn't nearly as itchy, I just have to take a day off of the workouts to let my head get some of the natural oils working again....

My new (well, "repurposed") Bedroom!

2009-08-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Whoo Hooooo! I so love finding stuff on the cheap to totally change the look of a room. Before: no headboard, because, well, they are expensive and I can't paint one on the wall due to restrictions - lamezilla. After: cool fabric panels that incorporate the random colors of the room into a cohesive unit and Ikea globes. Oh, Ikea. How I love you. (I also love stitch-witchery, but that is beside the point!)

So after feeling productive today, I have also put a bunch of stuff on Craig's to try to empty out the place slightly... tomorrow I tackle the kids' toys, because I'm done with it. :) I also plan on doing some painting ... and hopefully get a ride in - or at least some yoga/pilates.

Gaah. Have to go get kids. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to get some training info up...

Tuesday Updates...

2009-08-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

Good few training days... almost 30 miles on Sunday! Have decided to do the "last organized ride of the season" - the Harvest Century ride in Hillsboro. Should be a good time. Mid-October, hopefully not too hot, not too cold! I've been eating A LOT, but need to increase my calorie intake- especially on days that I do long rides. But, I am really proud of myself - I am not normally a water drinker (it tastes funny to me, unless it is FREEZING cold), but over the past few days, I got a new water bottle (with a straw - that totally helps), and have managed to drink at least 3 of the bottles a day!

Moving on to non-Cycling related things...

JOB INTERVIEW THIS MORNING!!!!!! Hopefully it goes well. Then again, they have all seemed to go well. I am failing to see why I haven't been hired yet. Perhaps it is because I am a VERY type A personality in a VERY type B town.

Funny thing though. Yesterday afternoon I updated, revised, reworded, reorganized my resume. Ten minutes after I was finished, I got the call from the girl I am interviewing with this morning. An omen, perhaps? Silly me, I even made cute little hand-done business cards. :)

On the home front...

I am really beginning to not like "8" either. I wasn't a fan of the 7 year old stage... 8 is proving to be even worse... especially when you have one that is too smart for his own good and thinks that he should be treated like an adult, but then pitches the temper tantrums of a two year old. (Which the two year old is watching, and then turning around and proceeding to do, because he needs to be just like his big brother...)

Speaking of the two year old... Xavier might have a promising career in the drag queen field. He has decided that he likes my shoes- or more specifically, my heels and heeled knee-high boots. He won't sleep unless he is wearing a pair of my shoes in his bed. I am both amused and wondering if I should be concerned...

Training Week 1

2009-08-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

So, in addition to (still) looking for a job, playing maid, chef, and chauffeur, this has also been my first training week. 3 days of riding, 1 day of hard cardio, 2 days of yoga/pilates/stretching, and 1 day off with just stretching.

I'm tired.

I did, however, manage to score some SWEET deals at goodwill, including: a brand new pair (tags still on) of padded shorts and a pair of Pearl Izumi cycling shoes that are great for off season (a little heavy for actual racing)... For $16. For BOTH!!! I love saving money on gear because then I can turn around and put that into the bike!

It has been great eating whatever I want (virtually) all week long. I certainly don't need to lose any weight, so I need to make sure I'm taking in more than I'm expending... Good thing I really like bread and pasta!

Goals

2009-08-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

After doing Bridge Pedal this weekend... I have decided to train for the Seattle to Portland ride next July. Am I nuts? I have nearly a year to prepare and I really hope to accomplish this.

Earlier in July, we happened to be heading downtown on the second day of the ride. I looked around and saw all of these people - young, old, short, tall, men, women, thin, not-so-thin... they all DID IT!! I couldn't believe how jealous I was that they were able to do this. I anticipate some very hard work - and a fairly decent amount of money... I need a different bike - right now I have a Schwinn Cruiser, which is great for training, really. It only has five gears and weighs a TON so I have to work a lot harder that some of these guys that are riding around on their racing bikes... man, will they be shocked when I smoke them next July!

The other cool thing is that my dad has agreed to do it with me... I better finish before him. :) Over the next few months, in addition to my normal posts, you will also begin to find training updates and things that I am learning as I train for this event. I am very excited for this, and I am very excited to have a goal to work towards. For the last few months, I have been kind of floating along aimlessly due to the lack of a job. Hopefully, I will be able to score that part-time gig at REI so I can have time to train, but also, maybe ... a discount on gear?

Here's to a great (and safe!) ride!

Events in Portland... and why I love them

2009-08-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

The cool thing about this town (and others, I'm sure) is how the entire city seems to come to events that support hospitals, charities, and kids. This morning was the 2009 Providence Bridge Pedal. For those unfamiliar with PDX, our fair city has the distinction of not only being called the Rose City, but also Bridgetown (hence the name of the brewery). Portland has over ten bridges that span the various rivers (mainly the Willamette) which flow through the city. The bridge pedal event closes the bridges and we get the opportunity to join our community and cycle across 6,8, or 11 (!) bridges. There is music and food and everyone encouraging each other (especially the kids-who are welcome to ride in the 6 bridge event) over some pretty steep terrain.

So, arriving downtown this morning, riding around the city with Ethan, and having a great time... Certainly worth the very sore legs that I have right now! We are excited to do it again next year-especially since it welcomes all ages and ability levels.

Great time, great event, and great day... Not to mention my bike bell got a workout coming off of the Fremont Bridge-they had music up and blaring... Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" and it was at a perfect spot to ring my bell along with the song... :)

REI and Summer Reading

2009-08-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

After Xavier broke the second pair of sunglasses in the last month... I headed to REI to see if they had something made out of titanium, with spring hinges and indestructable lenses. Alas, no luck with the entire list of requirements, but we did run into one of the teachers from my older son's school.

This couldn't have happened at a more perfect time, as we had an argument earlier in the day about how much reading Ethan hasn't done over the summer. Well... the dear Mr. Rubin was kind enough to take time out from his REI sales duties to explain to Ethan that yes, indeed, he did still need to read over the summer, and that's how he would get a head start with third grade in the fall compared to some of the other kids that will be in his class. Now, after having that argument earlier in the day, Ethan wasn't necessarily the MOST receptive to the conversation, but because Mr. Rubin is a "tech guy" and Ethan is really into computers and science, he has now been reading for the last two days and has already finished a book. YEAHHHH! I feel as though I should swing by REI and thank him. :) Sadly, he won't be continuing at Ethan's school in the fall, and will be changing to a new elementary schoool. Ethan was really hoping to get him at some point... whereas, I was hoping that we could keep his second grade teacher, Mrs. Hutteball, FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER (although she's probably glad to be rid of him... :))

While I was so excited to get this little bit of help from him, it made me kind of sad to realize that our teachers are working two and three jobs to make ends meet, and how underappreciated they really are... it is awful that some of these CEOs make millions and millions of dollars, and while yes, I'm sure at one point they worked very hard to get where they are, now their time is spent on islands and vacations, while the people that are responsible (unless they have private tutors, because even at a lot of private schools teachers are vastly underpaid) for educating their children are struggling to make ends meet. The teachers that are working with the most challenged children, whether it be financially or academically are shoved by the wayside, and who knows... perhaps one of those kids winds up being the next president... all because a teacher who was moonlighting at REI or a coffee shop told them that yes, they need to read over the summer.

Ahhh, the joys of Potty Training...

2009-08-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

And so begins another child... here I thought I was done after Ethan was born, and then Xavier came along...

I don't necessarily MIND potty training in and of itself - when we are at home, or at Grandma and Grandpa's - or some other relative/friend's house. They usually don't mind when he is running around in his underwear and keeping a dry supply in the bathroom while we are there. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't necessarily go for a two year old little boy running around with Elmo or Bob the Builder, or Optimus Prime on his butt! I can only imagine the looks I would get... What I do hate are "accidents" in public... if we could just potty train them all at home and then get a detailed map as to where every bathroom is within every building in the city that you live in, that would be GREAT!

There are so many books, videos, websites, etc., out there that talk about what to do and half of them are contradictory. It's been 6 years since I've done this, and honestly, I wouldn't mind some reminders, but at the same time different things work for different kids. For example, the Cheerios thing didn't work with Ethan, and I don't think it will work very well with Xavier either, but other people swear by it.

I suppose this is the point that I attempt to search around for "irregulars" at the outlets so I don't have to spend a fortune on a ton of undies! :)

You try to do something nice...

2009-07-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

So this morning I take Ethan to his doctor's appointment, we get Krispy Kreme donuts (their new coffee cake thing is amazing, side note) and we head to get our hair cuts. A special treat for Ethan, who likes the Aveda smelly stuff, but has only been to Great Clips, etc.

Forget all of the nice things I said about Aveda yesterday- I'm never going to the school in Portland again. We walk in, they look at us and say that they can't take both of us because that would leave Ethan unsupervised while I get my hair done-even though our appointments were scheduled for the exact same time. He's 8, not 4, and he doesn't run around and get in anyone's way- he sits and plays his Nintendo DS when he's waiting for something. I understand this is a safety/liability issue, however, I could have been notified of this policy WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT. Or, when they called to confirm, especially since I told the girl that he was 8 when I set it up to begin with. What made it more irritating was that they had put us right next to each other ANYWAY. How is that not being supervised if I'm sitting right next to him? Confused. Then to top it of, one chick there was making an effort to help, but she appeared new, and the other girl there was so incredibly rude and snotty.

I have been going to Aveda schools for 13 years. 13 years. Not just the year or so that the one here in Portland has been open. I am appalled at the treatment we received.

That being said, the people at PAUL MITCHELL'S Portland training facility were more than accomodating. They took us both in, we sat right next to each other, and I even had my cut done by the most senior instructor there, not even a student. Next time any of us need a cut, I know where we will be going. I fully intend on writing letters (or emails) to both schools-one a glowing thank you, the other one that I would be very upset to receive if it were my staff in question.

Favorite Product for Today....

2009-07-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

With it being a hundred degrees (plus) here in OREGON of all places... I am almost out of a terrific product from one of my most favorite stores EVER - L'Occitane. They have an "After Sun Lotion" in their Shea Collection (which are the best products I have ever used. I used to only use Aveda Shampoos and Conditioners - until I found the Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner - great for those of us that use a blow dryer everyday). I found this in a travel bottle at one point, and is unavailable anywhere that I can find. Hopefully, the regular lotion (which is just as terrific - and their #1 seller) will work as well. Better load up on the sunscreen for today.

I have spent the morning shuttling people around, getting gas, and responding to emails about a few things I have posted on Craigslist. Heading out to play in the kiddie pool for a little bit before we have to head back to our place to sell a crib! Xavier is getting to be so big that it was time to put together the toddler bed... and he has decided now that he can, he is going to sleep on the floor instead!! Yikes. On the upside, I'm getting a small amount of cash AND I get the crib off of the deck. However, when I email people back and I don't hear from them for 12 hours... I move on to the next person... is that wrong? I want it gone, and my time is just as valuable as the next persons...

Tomorrow we are headed off to the doctor's office for a quick visit for Ethan - the child doesn't like soap and water and now has some funky little bumps on his legs - so we have to go and get that looked at. Then.... off to the Aveda Institute. Nothing like an Aveda cut (even if it is by a student) for $10-$13! I have done hair modeling all over the country (and for various programs - including Toni & Guy's main school in Dallas, TX) - some freebie ones, some not, and I have found that the Aveda program really is my favorite. Check out the Portland, Oregon school and services below!

www.avedapdx.com

Job Search Continues

2009-07-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sadly, it goes on. I've sent out multiple resumes in the past week... again, hopefully I will get something. I found a few that look promising. Unfortunately, there isn't anywhere on your resume to list your IQ, or that you enjoy reading non-fiction or Ancient Greek philosophy for fun. Or that you are more than capable of answering phones and filing things. Sometimes, people just need a job - whether or not they are "over-qualified". After almost ten years in college (granted, I should be a doctor at this point), it's taken almost a year to find a new job - I wish I could just find something that will allow me to go to work and pay for daycare.

One of the stay-at-home data entry things would be fantastic, but how does one know if they are legitimate? "Pay us $30. . . and we will send you all of the data and you will make up to $900 a day!" Really? Sounds great - two days a week and I would be set, as I type incredibly fast, but sure, let me give you my account number, and then will it be wiped out? I just don't know anymore!!!

On Midnight Movies

2009-07-14T23:48:00.001-07:00

As I'm sitting here writing this from my BlackBerry, I have decided that teenagers shouldn't be allowed to go to the movies in groups. Especially late night movies, and they certainly shouldn't be allowed to "hold" 15 seats at a time for all of their friends who can't show up on time. Ridiculous. No courtesy at ALL. When I was younger, if I saw a group of a couple of people come in and there were kids with them, I certainly wouldn't make the kid sit all the way up front in the flat seats where the kid couldn't see.

Sadly, parents are forgetting to teach their kids common courtesy and it just exacerbates the attitude issues that are already in existence.
GRRRR.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Hiking Group

2009-07-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

I'm on the way!!! Slowly. Have gotten an email account set up and a facebook page for our soon to be thriving hiking group... Now, to use my marketing knowledge to get some members and organize some outings!

Hiking with Kids

2009-07-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Apparently I am going to have to form my own "Hiking with Kids" group... any of you in PDX with kids between 6 and 10 game? Ethan and I went and did Angel's Rest this morning, which is between Multnomah Falls and Bridal Veil. When we got back, I asked him if he would be interested in hiking with other mom/kid groups. When he said yes.... I decided to look around and I couldn't find anything. Sad. Next stop is REI to see if they sponsor any groups. I know there are all women and all guy groups, but none of the parent/kid groups seem to be functioning. Strange.

Having renewed my love of hiking - it's been quite a few years since I've been... it's been a few years since I've done anything more than walk around the Zoo or the Mall - my legs hurt. :)

Thought of the Day: Job Search

2009-07-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone who thinks that being "just a mom" isn't a job is nuts. I know that someone calculated how much a 24hour, 365 days a year position is worth... can't seem to find the article though. After being out of the work force for almost a year now, I have some interesting things that I have observed:

No one listens: whether it be the kids, the spouse, or the person down the street. All of a sudden (no matter how many non-fiction books you check out and chug down so that your brain stays hydrated...) your opinion, thoughts, views don't seem to count - because "you're just a mom". Hmmmm. All of the prior schooling, the genius IQ, none of it seems to matter, because whether you have chosen to be out of the workforce, or were forced from the workforce - for whatever reason, your career, and your life - are "mommy-tracked"

You LIKE cleaning: Yes, I do like having things clean. I like order and neatness. I like things put away. HOWEVER. That doesn't mean that I like to do it all MYSELF!!!!

10:00pm - "Why are you tired? You've been home all day...": REALLY? SERIOUSLY? Just because I've been home all day (and usually not...) doesn't mean I haven't been chasing down two kids and trying to keep them from killing themselves! It doesn't mean that the two year old put himself down for a nap, or actually followed directions for once. It certainly doesn't mean that the eight year old didn't ask a million inane questions that day... It doesn't mean that we didn't go to Target, the grocery store, the Children's Museum, the Library, and for a walk....

I like being home with them, really I do. But I like having a job and socializing with other adults too. I miss being able to "get dressed for work"... I like my jeans and Danskos, but I miss my pencil skirts and Ann Taylor dresses and my cute little Steve Madden heels. I also miss the independence of having my own paycheck, and feeling like I'm contributing something other than to the children's vocabulary and imaginations.....

So far, after a ton of resumes sent out (I've lost count), and only a few interviews... looks like I'm off to apply at the local coffee shop. If for nothing else than to meet some grown ups and perhaps arrange some play groups....

Having an hour and a half to myself....

2009-06-22T20:50:00.001-07:00

So, how is it possible that I leave the house for an hour - wasn't even gone for an hour, actually - and I get a mysterious phone call asking where a tiny screwdriver is. Immediately, my suspicious question radar goes up. It FINALLY comes out that there is something oddly wrong with Ethan's Wii system. It turns on, but nothing happens. Keep in mind that I'm the computer person in the house.

I WAS enjoing my lovely glass of wine and my solitude. Now, my mind is focused on the Wii, and what happens if (and probably when) it is really broken. All hell is going to break loose... So the debate now is do I go home and take over the "fix it" process myself, or do I let them attempt to deal with it themselves.

While it is nice to be needed, OCCASIONALLY it is nice to have some time to myself....

First Post

2009-06-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Good morning to all... whomever might be reading this... first blog posting ever. Hopefully I will be able to come up with some wonderfully witty, interesting things to say. I would love to gain a following... whether that be fellow stay-at-home moms, fellow genius types that are underemployed, or just some online friends that are looking for stories about crazy children that aren't theirs, my random thoughts on what new products from L'Occitane that rock, or interesting photos from around Portland, OR.

Here's to a successful blog! :) Thanks for reading!