Trevellayne's Tidbits

Everyone's journey is full of surprises - good & bad

2006-12-29T02:17:00.000-09:00

Ok. It's been awhile, to say the least. Loads of changes, good & bad - some are rather more unfortunate than bad though.

We no longer have the extra child about. Long story short - our bottoms are a mite sore over the whole ordeal & there's a lingering bad taste in our mouths, if you catch my drift. It is sadly in both the bad & unfortunate categories of changes, but for his life, not ours. We all have choices. It's too bad so many of us have made poor or absolutely stupid ones when we're young & know it all. Anyways, on to happier notations in the book of life...

Our Christmas was nice. The kids & David made out like freakin' bandits! I put alot of thought & effort into all their stockings & they really seemed to love them. Not one pout or need for exchanges/returns this year - whoo hoo! :)

This year's movie was "Night at the Museum". You get pretty much what you go into the theatre expecting, so that was good. Everyone should be happy & laughing on Xmas day.

I got to cheat on making Xmas dinner this year. No one was in the mood for a big dinner (I make big turkey & ham dinners at least once every couple of months, so it's not so big a deal to them when we have it.) so I grabbed a meat/cheese tray & buttload of crossiants from Costco's, then made some salads & desserts for afternoon/evening meals that day. It seemed to be just the right thing for us. I didn't cheat on breakfast though. I made cinnamon buns (yes, real knead the dough takes loads of time bread ones) from scratch for that. Mmmmm!

No plans for New Year's - yet. We'll probably just stay in with the kids, or perhaps take them out to the family friendly festival that they have planned for downtown Anchorage. We'll figure it out that day most likely. I do wish you all a very merry New Year's & a 2007 full of much love, joy & happiness.

Please do not end up like this guy:

Today's Tidbit: Be happy every day, even if it's only a moment's worth. That one moment is worth everything.

Congratulations, It's a Teenage Boy!

2006-08-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

What we feared most for Jonathan has come to pass. His Dad was told he was gay, his brother verified it, he & the new wife flipped out & promptly booted him out on his 16 year old butt. How fucking pathetic of them!! Jonathan is absolutely devastated.

Oh but it gets worse... he went home to get his things tonight & they are now threatening to report him to the police for theft because he dared to take his old beat up dresser & cheap ass thin crappy old mattress. These people really make me sick!! I'll tell you right now, if the God they believe in truly thinks that this behaviour is ok - well, I'll toss him a good view of my middle finger. Apparently, in their God's world love, decency & respect are reserved for only the "good" people. /puke

You might not have noticed, but this kind of bullshit behaviour REALLY ticks me off. What's worse is that I can't even comprehend how someone can essentially throw away their own child. I can understand not liking/understanding/wanting to really know about their choosen lifestyle - hell, most bi/gay people I know would be happy to not flaunt it in their family's faces if they would only accept them as they are (they don't want/need to give them the gory details anyhow). How can anyone do that to their child just because of whom they love/sleep with?!? It's just so... DUMB!!

Anyways, congratulate us on our new boy. It's not going to be easy, but we will make it work. We sure as hell won't let him live on the street so we have to make it work. As long as he can finish his education & do something productive with his life - then we'll know it was all worth it.

Today's Tidbit - If you must judge a person, judge them based on the qualities of the kind of human being they are - because that's what truly matters most.

The Amazing Rent-A-Mom!

2006-07-30T03:14:00.000-08:00

lol That's what I feel like lately anyhow! The amount of children needing a piece of me has been truly overwhelming.

We have one girl with a family that so disgustingly screwed up that she's been staying here for almost 2 weeks now & is begging us to adopt her (or at the very least become her legal guardians so she never has to go back to any of her relatives homes). Another boy staying occassionally that has finally come to terms with the fact that he's gay & can't come out to his super-religious parents because he knows they will disown him and throw him out of the house. Neither being a warm fuzzy thought for a 16 year old kid. Yet another girl who spends every moment she can get away from her home here, because her Dad's a workaholic & Mom is a crazy, mean drunk 90% of the time lately. I wish that was all of them but we have a few more like that floating around too. GAH!!!

It all makes me so friggin' angry & sad!!! I can't do anything more than give them a place that safe when they need it & someone to talk to, no matter what they have to say/vent/cry about. Ergh! These parents make me so mad! !!!!!!!! How these people are so selfish & ergh ergh ergh!!!! Ok must stop or I will rant all night about this.

Children may drive you insane, but they're also the greatest joy in the world & that's the damned truth!!

Onto other stuff before I start ranting or bawling, & it may be a combo of both at this point!

Monster House was loads of fun! It's really too bad they didn't wait to release it for Halloween because would have been the perfect thing to take the kids to. Oh well, we'll just have to hope it's out on DVD for it this year.

David & Fletcher went to see The Ant Bully today without me. They said it was ok. I had to help my very pregnant friend Rachel out doing a few things today instead. Rachel & I normally go do our grocery shopping together on Sundays, but her mother is coming into town so we had to rearrange a bit this week. We formed a shopping alliance because her husband loves to go shopping as much as mine does, meaning not at all!!! Plus their almost 6 year old son is a handful & a half & the farther along she gets the harder it is for her to deal with (catch) him while out.

It's late my loves & I must try to get some sleep before our home erupts in its daily insanity.

Today's Tidbit: The helping hand you need most is the one at the end of your arm.

Thar Be Sharks In Those Waters!

2006-07-21T21:30:00.000-08:00

Arrghh!! Yo ho ho?

I could tell you about being kidnapped by pirates & having to escape using only a toenail clipper & some apple cores, then having to brave shark infested waters with only my wits & new trusty jellyfish sidekick to get back home.... but I'd probably just bore you all with that tale.

Loads of craziness around here, as usual. We have been managing to escape our yokes of oppression to take in a movie almost every weekend lately though. Mainly it's been just David, Fletcher & I, as the older two haven't been interested in seeing what we want to (or they've been off at a friend's overnight or working). Last week was Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest - Holy smoly what fun! I don't think I stopped grinning during the entire movie! I'm always a sucker for pirate movies & this one is sufficently cheesy enough to make me more than happy. I can hardly wait until next May!

Superman Returns was pretty bloody awesome too!! It may not have been the best written movie or acted (some characters fell short at times but were decent on the whole) movie, but it was absolutely stunning to watch. So many wonderful moments made up for anything lacking otherwise.

This weekend it's Monster House!!! WHoo hooo!! I am stoked about this! It looks like a helluva a lot of fun! Looks like it'll be a full on family day too. Which is as happy inducing a thought as going to the show is. Whoo! I'll let you know how it was tomorrow night.

I need to jet over to the store now to grab supplies for the morning. Luv to you all!! Later taters!

Boys Do Have Cooties!

2006-06-23T15:51:00.000-08:00

Pffhtt that'll teach me to be nice to the sick! I've been feeling funky & really restless the last couple of days, & then this morning I awoke to the joy of hacking up copious amount of crap from my lungs.

On the plus side, I'm sure my voice sounds sexy as hell. yippee.

2006-06-22T02:56:00.000-08:00

The quiet ornamental tintinnabultion & rhythmic pitter-patter of the the rain wash over the black of the night. The sounds are unrelenting in their efforts to lull me to sleep, yet the realm of Hypnos & call of Morpheus elude me.

Translation: I can't bloody well sleep!

And there was light.... LOTS of it!

2006-06-20T03:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm sort of back to this. We have crazy amounts of sunlight up here right now. It never gets truly dark at all. The 'nighttime' is from about midnight to 3:30am & it's like early dusk. It's wonderful - once you're used to it. Seeing a crazed look in someone's eyes up here isn't usually anything to be afraid of this time of year. It just means someone is new to the state.

With all this light, it brings out copious amounts of engery in the children - which means it's been insanely busy around here! Summer vacation is ONLY a break for the kids!! It's simply mind blowing how fast the house can go from completely clean to completely thrashed with them home. /sigh

Granted, I've been rearranging/redecorating the house so it has been messier than normal the last few days. I've been doing this to our house because I've been doing some work for a friend moving out of state in exchange for some new furniture for us (which will hopefully get moved in next week!) . So, I've been busting my butt get her place cleaned & packed up this last week. There's still a lot to do there, but I've got it all organized so it should only take me a couple more full days to finish up. It's amazing how easy it is to organize someone else's home, but how difficult it is to do the same thing to your own!

Father's Day turned out all right. The movie was ok, dinner was good, kids were decent & I think David's present was a hit. Let me preface this by telling you about David's little quirk of telling everyone BUT his wife when he likes something she's done or given him. Which of of course drives me freakin' bonkers! On with the gift - I found an awesome Tamrac camera backpack for him. Which I'm pretty sure he liked because he kept fiddling with it & its paperwork at dinner, & then promptly transfered all his gear into once he was home. All those things point to a pleased & happy Daddy, I think. I hope so anyhow.

I was hoping to post & relax, but Fletcher is still thwarting my attempts to do just that. The extra sunlight it really effecting him this year for some reason. He stays awake until he literally passes out from exhaustion. For David & I this means: Quiet time - none. Private time - none. Crazy time - all the time. We don't want to dope him up with sleeping meds, but on mornings like this one it is a tempting thought! Time to break this little bronco.

All righty folks - much love to you all!! We'll meet again very soon. :)

Little Random Moments

2006-06-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

It truly is the little random moments in life that take your breath away the most.

The other day was basically a nightmare. My young charge was going bananas all day, I had to take Fletcher with me to every woman's favourite yearly doctor's appointment, it statred raining the minute Fletcher & I started walking to the bus stop, the bus ride took an hour to get to downtown (in a car it's a 10 minute in heavy traffic drive!), Fletcher was a total turkey at the office, they did tests that I didn't need done....

and then the nicest couple of hours happened.

David didn't have to work late (& it was raining so he didn't stay to take pics) & came to pick us up after my appointment. The rain stopped & the most beautiful grey day happened (I love grey days!). Then David surprised me by taking the boy & I out to eat.

There are days that man just seems to knows what's needed without a word being said. I can't believe it's getting close to 10 years & he still can make my heart skip a beat. I know it sounds corny, but he does.

I have been a little remiss

2006-04-21T22:42:00.000-08:00

Quite honestly, more than a little remiss & for that I apologize. I've had a lot of things going on & haven't taken the time to post in quite awhile. Shit happens when life is full of little devils.

The store is doing all right. With the advent of the new photo baby (camera), I'm going to be changing quite a few things on it soon. So keep a heads up for that coming in the near future.

Tomorrow I'm going to see a printer about getting some of David's panoramic photographs printed up properly. He has 4 absolutely breathtaking shots that I am just dying to get done up! I'm also going to talk to the printer about getting posters made of a couple different prints. lol Can you tell I'm a little excited? I could go on all day, but the simple fact is, I'm just very proud of him & his work.

One of my best friends has finally openned up a Blogger account for her photos. I suggest checking them out http://heatherscreativephotography.blogspot.com/ She's one of the only people to get a half decent pic of my goofy mug, ever! lol That takes some talent, believe me!

All righty, off to watch a movie & read before pretending I can sleep. I'll be back soon luvs!

Today's tidbit: Stop & take a few moments to do something that makes YOU happy.

And So It Begins...

2006-03-01T22:23:00.000-09:00

Mark Brown - The Pearl Thieves (Love this man's works!)

...or something to that effect anyhow.

Life moves along, or in my case as of late, stumbles its way around. So much stuff swirling through the vortex of my life, but I'm not going to bore nor heap it upon you folks - I like you. :) The great thing about life is, it all works out one way or another in the end. (LOL I love that stupid cop out crappy line. So obtuse.)

The eBay store is plugging along nicely. As long as there is enough to cover the expenses of the store & we fix any problems asap - then all is well. Actually, well isn't good enough - it's going to be great! David's been a bit kerfluffaled & bummed out by some of the snags we're encountered, but like I tell him: You have to learn to fall before you can walk.

Fabio Napoleoni - It Will Get Better(Another favourite of mine)

I was planning to add music to my blogging repertoire tonight, but alas, the site is down for maintenance at the moment. I promise to regeale you all with my eclectic musical tastes asap. Be afraid, be very afraid. :p

I really need to hit the hay - not that I'll get any sleep, but I need to give it the old college try! I usually sleep about 4 hours or so at night. Oh the joy that is sleep deprivation! Ohhh the pretty lights.... (definitely nap time kiddos :) )

Today's Advice: When you don't know what to do or where to go, listen to your heart. It might not always be right, but it makes the journey to finding out a lot more interesting.

Fletcher Johns - Literary Giant In Miniature

2006-02-09T01:18:00.000-09:00

Fletcher has been an absolute gem tonight - coming up with all sorts of crazy notions & plans. Random stuff really until Bones started, then it was an hour of asking if we were going to die, was he, etc, etc... Since we're not religious in the least it's a little bit harder to talk to the children about death. Kids respond better to stories than they do to cold hard facts when it comes to things they don't really want an honest answer to. We do our best (this is his second week in a row on this kick) to reassure him we're going to tough it out for quite awhile yet, but it's one of those times I wish we could lie to him. Telling him we're always going to be with him in his heart is as good as we can promise.

Anyways, after that funfest (with loads of hugs & kisses included) he decided to start colouring - or so we thought. What he was really doing was writing his first book. He's 6. He wrote a storybook. It had monsters in it. I'm still reeling from the joy of it!!!

Seriously, this is so damned cool!! Robbie & Rowan were a little older when they produced their first original storybooks for us, but they also did them at school. Not that that negates how wonderful they were in any way - we still have all those books in special spot. It's just that Fletcher picked up paper, gluestick & a pencil & simply did it. The only help he asked for was how to spell some words. :) My baby!!

Here's the book in it's entire glory:
Title: The Haunted House
Page 1: The ghost is opening the door.
Page 2: The door is opening and closing because the pumpkin is doing it.
Page 3: The skeleton is opening and closing the door.
Page 4: The zombie is opening and closing the door.
Page 5: The door is opening and closing the door.
Page 6: The vampire is opening and closing the door.

The End (There were also pictures of what he had written about on every page. All awesome!!)

This may sound silly but for me it really tugs at a serious heartstring. My father is a published writer. My brother is a published writer/artist. I also dabble with attempts at personal literary success (I've had a few works 'published' but not in any form that truly counts, to me anyways). To see my baby doing it without any prodding, or even real help, is just overwhelming me with happiness & pride.

I can admit that I always secretly hoped he'd be the artist (in whatever form), as Bo & Rowan really haven't shown much interest in the arts other than that of being patrons of them. Plus, I've always thought he had a great name for an artist! I know - goofy woman stuff, but I'm the Mom. :)

On that note, here's a lovely drawing I'm VERY tempted to purchase. (Ok more than tempted because it'll go for under $25, I know it! David's going to kill me if I bid but I really love it!!) Poor Robbie loves it, but it also creeps him out because it reminds him of me. Sexy pic & Mom should NEVER be in the same thought process for a 14 (nearly) year old boy. lol Boys! I still think the drawing is beautiful, so he may have to suffer with this one. Bah, nothing a little counseling won't work out eventually. :p

Today's Amanda Cookie: Love may bring you home the Caesar salad you've been craving, but it may pass on loving after you've eaten it. ;) Invest in more mouthwash!

Love to you all! Be happy!

Superhero Status Pending

2006-01-30T01:28:00.000-09:00

Super duper busy right now!! I'll be back as soon as I can. Until then I'm leaving you with things to play with. Have fun luvs!!

Today's Advice: Leave a surprise note of love or affection for someone you care about.

Another Day Conquered (or possibly just survived)

2006-01-19T22:26:00.000-09:00

Where to begin? Hmm... Let's leave out the family for today, they're all sick, moody & no fun at the moment anyways. Ahh, that'll make it literature day!! Yippee!!!

I've been sick the last few days & my computer is acting like a 13 year old pmsing girl. So I've haven't been on it as much as I normally am, for the fear that I will give in one of these times & kick the bugeebus out of it!! I have found a couple things that made me laugh though!!

No fear of a virus or anything, it's just an old, used Emachine that is on it's way out. lol Considering it was only supposed to be a temporary fix when my other computer with the brand spakin' new parts in it blew up on me - it's really not done too badly. I'll build a new one one of these days, but for now this will do. I'd just rather put any extra cash we have elsewhere for right now.

With this cold I can only breathe when the cold meds have kicked in, thus making sleeping through the night near impossible. To pass the time between naps & gasping for air, I've been doing even more reading than usual - and I read A LOT! This week has been a real mix of things: Newspapers, magazines, poetry, short stories & novels - of all sorts of genres.

I read the Anchorage, London, & Google (USA & Canadian versions) newspapers several times daily. There's a couple of online gossip type rags/magazines that make me giggle daily too.

Poetry tends to be from varied sources - I like a bit of everything there. The same goes for short stories - people send me stuff, I find things online, & I have several compilations around the house. (It's winter & the closest library to us is not close, so I haven't hit them up in quite a while.) I did find a couple new webpages with FREE online books & stories. (lol Sorry if the links all seem like they are for 'dark' literature. I'll post some others later - those are just the newer ones I found.)

I've been going through my newly reduced collection, & reading whatever catches my fancy. Loads of Pratchett (Thud!, Moving Pictures, Night Watch... so far) & Gaiman (Anansi Boys & American Gods). Threw back a couple Harry Potters (5 & 6) one night, started in on Camille Paglia's "Vamps & Tramps" but got bored with it early on (I'll read it later when I'm in the mood for it), & I'm almost done with Morley Callaghan's "A Time For Judas" (Great book, I just love the concepts & ideas in it. I've read it a couple times over the years, & his other works are quite charming & powerful. The word hubris will likely cross your mind every time you read one of his works. He's a wonderful Canadian author that I'm pleased to say high school reading requirements introduced me to. I'd like to recommend another Canadian's book, Leon Rooke's "Shakespeare's Dog". It's good for a cerebral giggle or two. To tell the truth, there's more than a few bawdy laughs in there also.).

Please feel free to comment/send along any great reading choices. I'm always up for something new.

Allrighty then, meds are starting to kick in - ahhh air I can breathe!! Oh baby. Later luvs!!

Today's advice: Alka-Seltzer cold medicine is very good for the whole sick family!, & more importantly, that giving someone even a smallest gesture of unsolicited love, kindness, or concern can mean the world to them. (Kinda like bringing the wife home a flower or hot chocolate when she least expects it. Oh! or giving her a back massage when she's feeling yucky.)

Just Another Crazy Day At The Zoo

2006-01-12T22:37:00.000-09:00

What a day! Today I had Robbie home sick (again), Fletcher home crazy (wish it was the first time!), & one of my young charges decided to emulate Fletcher (his hero) & his monkey behaviour for the 13 hours he was here!!! Erghargh!!! On top of today's adventures in looney land, David's been sick for over a week now - & has the worst kind of sickness too, just not feeling good all over & tired all the time. Being sick like that seems to last forever. :(

I just hope they're all better by next weekend. It'll be Rowan's 12th birthday & we agreed to let her have a birthday slumber party with 6 guests on the Friday, then take her to dinner & the movies with the family on the Sunday (her actual birthday). The boys are all clearing out on Friday night & leaving the house to the girls. Somehow I think my gender is playing against me in this scenario!! It'll be fun, just have to finish getting everything planned & bought. whoo hooo.

I've been trying to get more of my writing accomplished lately, but it seems like the universe is conspiring against me even writing one intelligible line. Basically everything I put to paper (okay computer screen) sounds like complete crap & I erase it almost as soon as it's typed in. /sigh I have a folder chock full o' great ideas, but nothing earth shattering or even worth smirking at coming of any of it. I'm now hoping for that late night epiphany to strike before my brain turns into Jello! MmmmMmm Jello...

Today's advice: Give someone you love a hug & smile at a stranger.
Allrighty, time for me to pretend to get some sleep. Later luvs!

New Year, Time For A New Tattoo!!

2006-01-08T19:30:00.000-09:00

Or time to wish for a new one anyways.

My first tattoo was easy - when I first saw the pic I knew it was the one. I was also knew where I'd get it done. The gift certifcate a friend of ours gave me sealed the deal! For $35 more than the GC I finally got inked & can eternally ask the question "Would you like to see my beaver?". Yes, it is a constant source of amusement for me, especially when it comes to the male gender of the human race. It doesn't amuse my spouse near as much, but he was aware of my quirky sense of humour long before he married me. :)

I actually have two I am considering. One will be on my right inner wrist. The Aum symbol stands for many things, all of which are beautiful to me. Even though I follow no religion I am considering this - in this particular style.
The second one will, of course, be a lower back tattoo. I feel like such a girl about it, but it's the perfect place if I decide to get this one done. Not my design btw, the original is from an artist named Jacko from Deviant Art. I've just simply been the manipulating the image to add what I want & delete things that won't work for a good looking tattoo. Things like the tiny dots would bleed into each other.

It's not right yet. I've been playing with it for awhile, but I just haven't got it down properly yet. Oh well, it's going to take a chunk of time & coin to get this, neither of which I have enough of right now. Plus I need to find a good tattooist - the lady that did my beaver didn't quite get it right & other assorted crap. I won't go back to their shop again. So I have some time to get the image exactly how I want it to be. :)

Gimmie All Your Nuts!!

2006-01-03T08:08:00.000-09:00

They are back to school today!!! Whoo hoo!!! I'd almost do the happy dance but Fletcher has marred my joy & I've had to put the dancing shoes away until tomorrow. Little monkey decided he couldn't/wouldn't sleep ALL NIGHT. Lights off, no noise, no toys & still he was wound tight. He finally crashed just after 5am but... oh man!

After dealing with him all night I got the lovely job of getting David's breakfast/lunch made, shoving him off to work, the teenagers up, fed, & off to school. They were so pleasant this morning. Definitely morning people! If those lines aren't apparent with dripping sarcasm, please read them again. I love Xmas time, but Xmas holidays I can do without at this point.

It doesn't help that I've had a nasty cold for the last week. (That's 5 New Year's Eves out of 7 now since we've come to Alaska that I've been marinating in cold medicine instead of alcohol. I sense a conspiracy!!) Seriously, I was considering warning David to get the shotgun ready in case I had a sudden urge for brains. I was feeling that bad!!

Last night was the first time I felt human in days, so we went out for dinner & a walk through the mall. It was nice. Mall almost empty, shops full of stuff we didn't want, Fletcher was fairly well behaved & the food was great! Like a little slice of parental heaven for a couple hours.

Hug & kisses luvs! I'm off to try & grab an hour nap before awakening the beast!! Keeping him up & not destroying the house until bedtime tonight will surely take all my many talents to accomplish today!! Have a good one folks! Until we meet again.

Happy New Year 2006!!!

2005-12-31T23:28:00.000-09:00

Much love to you in the new year all! Make that midnight wish & be sure to seal it with a kiss.

Hello My Lovelies!

2005-12-29T07:06:00.000-09:00

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday! Things went over well here. Kids loved their gifts & David was really happy with his. I can say I'm relieved, even joyous, about that because I was so nervous he wouldn't like anything I got him!

Only down spot was the utterly craptastic movie we went to see Xmas day. Do not, I repeat do not bother with "Fun With Dick & Jane" in the theatre. If you must regale your cerebrum with this boring bit of tripe, then wait for video. It has it's bright spots but unfortunately they fade all too quickly & aren't strong enough to save this movie from sheer boredom. It's really too bad because I really like Jim Carrey & Tea Leoni so I had MUCH higher hopes for it than this. Sadly, it's one of those movies you could sleep through & miss nothing.

We got the kids a few items from this online store & they went over spectacularly! Meaning they both want more & their friends are exceedingly jealous. Anyways, great store, great products & the owner is an absolute doll!! I highly recommend anyone looking for vampire/goth/usual items to check them out.

I got some more art for Xmas & I love them! Off beat stuff I had picked out from my parents & grandparents. They don't get them, nor do they get me very much, so I guess that works too!

Cyclops with Pet Dragon

Sadness & Paranoia

I love the Cyclops because it's such a normal picture but twisted. Guy sitting for a portrait with a pet - but it's not a normal guy nor pet. I like things like that. This one is more blatant than I usually get, but I liked it.

As for the Sadness & Paranoia painting, I simply just liked it. I loved the 'hidden' eyes througout the painting & I loved the look on his face. There was another one of this lady's paintings I really liked merely because of one of the hands in it, but I chose this one to start my collection of her stuff with instead.

I'm a little weird about art, about people, ok so I'm just a little weird period, but the point is I can see true beauty in one little piece of something or someone. I think it's a good quailty to have for people, but not always for artworks. There are times I've had to stop myself from buying a piece based solely on one part because the rest of the composition was either a much poorer quality or just crap.

I need to fly as one of my charges is here, & running about like a chicken with his head cut off! That's fine if I'm in the mood for fried chicken but not so hot if I want to keep my valuables unbroken! Later luvs!

Have A Fabulous Christmas!!

2005-12-24T04:55:00.000-09:00

Get fat & happy with those you love most because being with the ones you love is what it's really all about. Ok, the turkey dinner & pie help too. :)

My best wishes to you all!! May Santa & the Karma fairy bring you all you deserve this holiday season.

I need more eyes & hands!

2005-12-21T07:29:00.000-09:00

I'm to the point this week that I'm fully ready to endorse stasis chambers for children for the week leading up to Christmas. Pop their little bottoms in there & let them out on Xmas eve! They simply get more insane for every second that ticks down the count to the 25th!

Mini Sherlock is so wound up now I'm ready to lend him out to Jewish families to use as a dradel! lol He never stops! I'm starting to find little finger poke holes in presents, so Dad & I really have to crack down on him now. We really dislike having to enforce so hard before the holidays, but if we don't he'll have all the gifts open before Xmas eve! I've already had to put 2 of his away in the closet, & am likely going to have to rewrap a couple more.

Hopefully next year we'll be in a new house & have more room!! Downsizing to save money is great, but privacy is only found behind a locked bathroom door these days. Definitely a drawback at times!

Found some AMAZING art for sale on eBay but had to be good about how much I bid, so of course I lost out on them all by less than $1 in the end. It's a bummer but Xmas stuff for the kids & paying the bills is more important to be sure. Plus most of the stuff I've been buying is simply getting boxed up until we're ready to move into a new house. I'd love to hang it here, but there's very little space & I know all too well how many panes of glass will get broken next moving day! When these get framed & put up they are staying up for a good long while!

This one we've had for awhile now. She's the only one from this artist that we could just hang freely - so much framing needs to be done! One large Rubbermaid box full to overflowing due to be done so far, PLUS a few envelopes with David's photos that have yet to be framed, yikes! lol I NEED more walls!!

UPDATE:This baby arrived today! I'm very pleased with it.

2005-12-19T06:51:00.000-09:00

Fletcher's favourite holiday song to sing. I thought some others might get a kick out of a non-traditional pic for their computer this holiday season. I'd post the song, but I'm not that adept with this blogger yet. :)

My Little Addiction - I love it so!

2005-12-19T05:32:00.000-09:00

Danggumit! I've only had 2 hours sleep but apparently by body feels it is fully capable of running on that mere amount. Too bad my brain is not in agreement! I feel like a peach - all fuzzy!

Good Morning! (I hope I didn't scare you awake.)

I thought I'd tell you all a little story (To preface this story, most people that know me find this all highly entertaining because my general genre of choice as of late has been Death metal or very hardcore rock.) & perhaps turn you on to one of the finest musicians to ever grace this lovely planet. Here goes:

At 15 I was out one night with my friends enjoying doing the stupid things that teenagers across time have enjoyed. I don't care if your vehicle is made of stone, wood or metal - cruising the strip is a time honoured tradition & rite of passage for all those knee deep in insane hormones. It was early spring in London, Ontario, Canada. The roads were clear, the cars & motorcycles were out in force. Shiny, pretty plastic being piloted by testosterone & loud music as far as the the eye could see.

I was with a group of friends. Jumping in & out of cars, cruising the downtown strip & generally having senseless fun. My best friend Andrea had decided to go for a ride on one of the crotch rockets, so I was meandering around the parking lot waiting for my turn when I heard a siren song. It lead me to the building beside the parking, to the entrance of a bar, & had me standing there with my mouth agape at what I heard coming out of that smoky doorway. I was so impressed that I flagged down the bouncer to find out who was playing. Colin James. Wow. I found his newly released CD not long after that night & have been a fan ever since.

I still kick myself to this day for not blowing off my friends (They would have understood - 3 years later on my 18th birthday they took me to sit outside a bar in a freezing cold car to listen to a sold out concert of his. That was love.) & going inside to listen. (Yes, I can hear you mentally calculating bar+15= no way, but I looked older than 15 & happen to be graced with a rather large rack. Most times bouncers talked to my boobs & let me right in the door.) Almost 18 years later, I still think this man is amazing!

His newest release, Limelight, is just fanfuckingtastic!!! It has some amazing originals & great covers, it is really solid release! I'm actually most impressed by the fact that he has taken a bit from ALL his styles (he does blues, soul, big band, & rock!!) & his past, & has created a CD that celebrates his whole career, without it being a greatest hits CD!

The video for "Far Away Like A Radio" is great. Definitely worth a veiwing! So far I am completely addicted to "Shadow Of Love" & "Better Way To Heaven" has become my new happy song. This CD is warm cookies & ice cold milk on a really fabulous day happy stuff!

Hot Off The Presses!

2005-12-19T05:07:00.000-09:00

My husband & I are starting up a little eBay business shortly. Just need to find a good place in Anchorage or Eagle River with decent prices on quality items that we need to do this. I'm really excited about it!

He's been getting his ego stroked enough on his blog, that he's finally agreed that perhaps other people would like to own his photographs. (Please keep feeding his confidence folks!) YEAH! It's about time! He's a very gifted photographer & getting better all the time. Hopefully he'll even be able to get the new camera he's been droolling over soon!

Anyways, check him out at Dave's Pics. It'll make you milk & cookies happy, I promise.

If things go well I'm going to try & talk him into a booth at the Market here this summer. Shhh! I haven't informed him of that little notion yet. Baby steps.

I'm not insane! Merely crazy will do.

2005-12-19T04:02:00.000-09:00

Well, the lack of sleep coupled with my home being invaded by children all day long, I rather feel like a bit of a nutter at the moment! It's been like living in an Armor hot dog commerical - you know, short kids, fat kids, kids that climb on rocks, etc.... I love them all, but some days - ErGH!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a choice I make to help these kids out & be there when they need an alternate parental figure to turn to, but when your own 3 need you & you have a couple more also seeking attention it can be a little much - especially on no sleep!

My children have a habit of making friends with "wounded bird" type children. I'm the Mom that all the neighbourhood kids come to when they are hurt or upset or need a night away from their own home chaos or just want to talk. Hugs & love (hot meals, fresh laundry, etc...) are freely doled out around here! Though I've been reassessing my role a bit lately because I've had 2 parents try to get me to fully parent their children for them. /sigh I'll keep doing what I do because it's part of who I am.

Our Monsters:
Robbie - New Look

Rowan & Fletcher - Superheroes in Disguise

Anyways, there are some great benefits to being in a state of looney tuneyness - I usually come up with some great ideas! Today's I am really proud of because the recipients of this current brainwave will be estatic!

I bought some adorable Star Wars & Led Zepplin baby outfits from Hot Topic for my niece, brand new nephew, & for the impending spawn of some friends of ours. Man, I love Hot Topic! Anyways... The Star Wars outfits are just cute as hell, & while I was folding them up to wrap & ship it hit me, they need lightsabers!!! Off the the sewing machine I went to see what I had laying around to make some with. The result is so damned cool!! All the babies have a My First Lightsaber now. So much cooler than a plain old teddy bear!

I also have to hit up the stores to see if I can find Spud Troopers (I already sent them Darth Taters) to put in the packages. They are just too awesome!! My favourite part is the "gun" - it's a potato masher!! Cheesy as hell I know, but it makes me giggle my ass off!

Ho! Ho! Oh No!!

2005-12-18T05:19:00.000-09:00

It's so late that it's now very early & I still can't sleep. I have to work soon so even trying to go to sleep now is just pointless & silly.

The cause: I'm stressing out a bit about the holidays. Some things I ordered in November STILL have not arrived in the mail. I miss my family in Canada very much!! I'm anxious about everyone's gifts, especially my husband's. (I pushed the envelope & went down the road less travelled for this year's crop o' gifts.) And to top it all off, the 6 year old mini Sherlock is constantly trying to solve the elusive mysteries of Santa & Xmas Package Mountain.

On an upnote, the trees look fantastic!

We went for a new look this year after our old tree & most of our cherished decorations got lost/broken somehow when we moved. We decided to get a 3 tree prelit (white lights) set for this year. 3 kids, 3 rd floor walk up apartment - made complete sense, until we got them home.

Upon getting them set up & realizing the rumble that would ensue as soon as the children tried to decide who got to claim which tree size, we put our nefarious covert operation of Decorate the Damed Trees Quick in motion.

Decorated Tree Descriptions:
4' Tree: Silver Wire & Clear jewelled Angel topper, 1 silver star, candy canes (sparse but somehow Charlie Brown/minimalist perfect!)

3' Tree: All midsize/small metal/fabric decorations that survived the move, children's homemade decorations, small Xmas dolls & candy canes (packed but looks great!)

2' Tree: 3 coloured glass/copper wire stars, 3 red clay stars, 2 pine cones, 1 snowman pick near top (it just fits wonderfully between the other two.)

Large piece of white arctic fleece around the bottom to cover the bases & simulate snow

Tah Dah! Trees done! Luckily, this seemed to work out in our favour. The kids were a little bummed out because they didn't get to help but were happy with the results, so we got away with it! Plus with the rate of candy cane sneaking & consumption, they are getting to redecorate the 2 trees darned near daily.

Random Cerebral Effluence

2005-12-18T04:19:00.000-09:00

From the day you are born, you're told fairy tales. You're assured by all those that you love & trust that if you are good enough, try very hard, show courage & strength in the face absolute horror & despair, then you will be rewarded by the cosmic masses.

Then you grow up.

All those fairy tales are shattered & the reality of mankind's true nature have to be undeniably acknowledged & accepted. Yet even with the knowledge of all this, most people will regurgitate those same fantasies to those in the blissfully ignorant throes of childhood innocence with the hope that perhaps they can be proved wrong some day.

The cycle never ends, even though you & I know better.