Live from Tormville!

Manifest, Morning, Monday, Mark, Move it! Move it! and Melissa

   

mmm.
I'm enjoying a brisk Monday morning with a touch of fall in the air.  Allan just ran back upstairs to grab his hoodie - the first time of the season. Temperature is reading 53.

Mark woke me up 20 minutes before the alarm this morning.  I feel cheated - it's those last 20 minutes I really savor.  You with me on that one?  I'll have to make that up at some point in my day.  Yeah, right.

Another thing I finished this weekend was going thru Melissa's photos.  The shower on Saturday was at her mom's house so it was motivation to finish and deliver.   I've been thinking about seniors and sharing photos here - and I probably won't share many.   I know a lot of photographers do share sneak peeks - but I'm thinking that I'm coming from a bit of a different and unique angle.  For one - a lot of the teens I shoot - their friends and family read my blog so it may (or may not, maybe they don't even care - but I'm quirky this way) spoil any surprise and sharing that they might want to do themselves - and two - I'm not looking to drum up business.  It's just not the time in my life for it right now - I don't have room to set up backdrops, I don't have a lot of extra time.  I enjoy taking a few a year - but that's it for me.

So I'm just sharing this one of Melissa.  As a photographer, I often find myself trying to guess or gage which image she or he will like the best compared to which ones I like the best.  Sometimes they match up, and sometimes they don't.  I'm guessing that Melissa won't pick this one (and maybe I'm wrong) - but for some reason, I love it.  I think because we were just having a relaxed silly moment, warming up to the shoot.

Now, for this week - I'm geared up.  I'm going to take Cath's advice and Move it! Move it!  I'm planning on the computer being off a lot this week, doing a lot of get up and get it done work. Here's my list manifest at a glance....

• Allan begins work 5x a week today.  woohoo!
• I'll finish proofing wedding photos
• lots of brainstorming this week
• Marks six month ear appointment
• paint the closet
• Dentist for me
• More dress shopping
• Story hour begins
• hoping to kick up the notch on the creativy this week
• finish cleaning the garage
• work on some assignments
• bag up and list purple heart items
• maintain a level of sanity
• catch up on the last of the emails - Brenda, this means you.

Speaking of Brenda - she's to blame, you know - she pulled the "I will if you do" card and suddenly we're both doing our pre-class homework for this class. 

And I'm looking forward to it!

be good

   

winner announced and a weekend wind down post

First - I edited the class giveaway post - congratulations Kim M!! 

Second - what a fun and full weekend, complete with activities, friends, chores completed and blueberry crumble. 

Friday night seems so long ago already - we had such a fun time out in Frankenmuth with friends.  Now that we're more confidant in our built-in babysitter - we're anxious to use a restaurant gift certificate that we received for Christmas.  LOL  How pathetic are we?? Soon.  My goal is to use it before this coming Christmas.

And speaking of built-in babysitters - let me tell you something I came up with as far as paying him - I was feeling pretty proud of myself.  Allan had asked before we left, what his earning potential for the evening was.  And yes - he used those words. It was the way he worded it that triggered my thought process.  I ended up writing a list right below the call mom if it's minor and call grandma if it's major notation.  First - I wrote down his earning potential.  But then - I wrote down all the things we would dock for and how much we would dock.  For instance - if he forgot to put pajamas and a fresh diaper on the youngest - he got docked.  If the living room wasn't picked up - he was docked.  If someone called and he didn't write down a message - docked another buck.  It worked marvelously, I'll definitely do it that way again.

On Saturday I began the day at a baby shower, so fun to see everyone and catch up after a busy summer.   Also on Saturday - prepped the closet for painting, four loads on the line, checked TJ Maxx off my list for dress shopping, washed both the vehicles (it was a gorgeous day), made a blueberry crumble, Pa started prepping the garage for winter parking, dug thru the closets in preparation for Wednesday's Purple Heart pick-up, made sure the kids had clothes for Sunday school clean and ironed, Saturday night tubs - lots done.  I also did a little reprioritizing in my own weekly life that I'm feeling good about - it's not always easy to take the back seat and absorb the full picture about what needs to be done, and what's best for me - but when I'm able to take that time, I'm left much more at peace with things.

Today I stayed home and made a pork roast dinner for which we invited Uncle George to come over.  Funny story - he called after church to find out if he was still invited.  Seems my big kids were a little bent that we were having real dinner and not the usual pizza on the way home standard.  Wendy goes up to George in church and asks, "my dad wants to know if you're still coming over because we're not getting pizza" 

The phone rings at home and when I answer George says, uh - am I still invited for dinner?  I confirmed that the house is smelling good for roast and he better be coming to help us eat it.  

We had pizza for supper/evening snack.

The folks also came over, and we got to see Pa's brother Eric one more time before he headed back home to MN and his family - it was fun having him local for the last few weeks as he was doing some work here.  Gonna miss him.  

Another of Pa's aunts and uncles joined us today as well - they'd never been to visit before, but they must have heard about my blueberry crumble (Sara K - I use your recipe from the Traditions cookbook - have for years) is all I can figure.  I'll have to make it more often because we really enjoyed having them, and if it's blueberry crumble that keeps the company coming, I'm on it.

So it's been a full busy weekend - the best kind, and I didn't take one single picture to document it.  And, as usual, I'm looking forward to another Monday. 

be good!

Lest Kesti think I forgot her

My (small) ode to Jilberts

 

for Kesti. 
Because she just recently found out that Jilbert's existed. It was love at first lick.

 

She emailed me then -  jealous - that I was going to be in the land of Jilberts for 2.5 weeks and she was only there for a day. 

 

Being the good friend that I am, I told her I would try my best to document her new found love. Cuz friends are like that.

 

I realize now that I didn't get any real good pictures of the ice cream itself.
I was too busy indulging.
I'm sure you understand.

When Kesti and I ever finally meet in real life, it will have to be over a nice big bowl of Jilberts.  It would be fitting, I think.

Do you digi?

Digi scrap, that is?
I don't.
Never have. Never tried.

BUT

I'm thinking I might eavedrop on this class, just to check things out, mind you. I'm thinking it will help me to even learn a little bit more about layers and templates and perhaps, just perhaps, with that knowledge I'd be able to figure out how to use one of the many cool Christmas card templates that start popping up this time of the year.

Because I tried that once - a few years ago - and it was beyond me.  There's so much I don't understand. It gave me a headache.

And a peek in the door won't hurt, right?   (I can just hear Wendy and Steph chuckling now - they've been trying to convert me for years)

And if you're curious too - if you'd like to learn and get in on the fun....I'm giving away one free class pass.  If you're already signed up for that class - you can still enter and use the pass for a future class.

Just comment on this post to enter - one comment per person.

I'll draw a name tomorrow (Sunday) evening - 10pm EST

Good luck!  :)

times up!  I had my oldest pull a name before he went up to bed before he turned out the light

I would love to learn some things about digi scrapping. I'm kinda scared though!!!!

Posted by: kim | September 07, 2008 at 12:52 PM

woohoo!  Congratulations Kim!  We'll be scared together, eh?? 

I'll keep you all posted!!!

We went to Frankenmuth for the evening, and I forgot my camera

How many of you just gasped?
True story.

The thing is, tho, I actually make a conscious effort to leave my camera behind every once in awhile, so when I remembered - just two blocks from home - I told Pa, "baaah (much like my grandma says it) just keep going".   The idea of being completely hands free suddenly appealed to me.

But boy, I would have had fun with a camera.  It was a beautiful evening, great time with friends, and people watching galore. Oh! And there were some nifty cars there too! Our friends have been bugging us for years to attend this Auto Fest with them - but it's just never worked out.

Last night, (and we hope for years to come) it did.  And be proud of me - we did leave Allan babysitting.  He'd gotten a lot of practice on the short jaunts over the summer, and even some extended times when I was close to home.  But never for that long, with all three kids, when we were an  hour from home.

But I had all the bases covered, and he did fabulously. The note on the counter said, if it's minor - call me.  If its major - call Grandma.   (Grandma was home, just walking distance away and could get here much quicker if needed - but I had to chuckle at the note after I wrote it)

And I didn't keep my hands empty for long - I managed to get in a little unplanned Christmas shopping - I needed a gift for today, and in my quest for that I also found a Curious George stuffed animal for Brian.  He's going to be over the moon - so attached they became during his cast time. 

So, while I wish I had some pictures to share - of the crowd, of the Happy Wanderer's band, of the completely homemade cruiser, of our friends, of the covered bridge at dusk and of the guy who thoughtfully had a ledge for his woman to ride on the back of his wheelchair - I don't. 

But I have the memories all safely tucked away in my head.

Enjoy your Saturday!

be good

Brain drain and the lament of the chopped up day

I'm still working on routine over here.  It's not going real well.  I was whining moaning groaning sobbing sharing with my mom last evening on the phone that I don't have any *real* quality portions in my day. Everything is chopped up into 15 - 45 minute portions.   Wake up Allan, 45 minutes later send him out the door, 1/2 hour later wake up Wendy, 45 minutes later send her out the door, 45 minutes later get home from our walk, one hour later put Mark for a nap, another hour or so later eat lunch, okay....so I have some hour increments - but those are filled with needy boys.   It feels longer, it feels shorter.  You know where I'm coming from?

So I'm working on it.  This time of the year always throws me for a loop.

Some random brain drain:

• The card above was inspired by a use some of your stashed specialty paper challenge over at Splitcoast.  I was in need of a jumpstart yesterday and that's what came of it.  I've been hoarding that paper forever, it was a good excuse to pull it out.  Stamped sentiment and dot are from Technique Tuesdays Whirly Words set. 
• Dieting is the pits 
• My friend Sue is coming to visit today - yay for company!
• I have to get Wendy's sweater ordered for the wedding - still trying to make up my mind. 
• I'm gnashing my teeth already at the prospect of having to shop for my own dress for the wedding.  BLAH.  HATE shopping and dressing rooms are worse.
• I finished proofing one set of senior photos last night.  Yay!  Now to get the wedding finished up.
• It's raining - Wendy's thinking we should drive to school today.
• Pa's carving class was cancelled for tomorrow which means we might actually make some progress on the boys closet.  Yay!
• Sunday school starts this week.
• Allan schmucked his thumb yesterday, can't remember how he said it happened, but we taped it and we're waiting it out hoping it's not broken. He got a little pale at the suggestion that he try to pull it out and pop it back into place - he's thinking it's sprained
• I'm still behind on emails - but I'm getting there, hang tight!
• My daughter just informed me that she would like a small mirror for her locker at school so she can check her hair.  This is the same daughter that asked me on the way home from school yesterday if I could take her picture.  Why? I asked. I just took one yesterday.  Yes, she responded, but today I look cuter, see how I did my hair this morning?  (She's taken to using the loops from the kids loom for ponytail holders.  smashing)  I asked her if she'd like me to catch the grass stains and the hole in her tights in the shot.  Tralala, she giggled.
• I'm starting to stress about Christmas - I have my dad's name, and I really can't think right now what to make him.  hm.  I have at least two more months to think about it tho, I suppose.
• We're making plans to go to MN for Easter break and Teija's wedding - yay.  This year we have the week Before Easter off, (it's been changing the last few years) and this works perfectly, as her wedding is the Saturday before Easter.  Yay!  We're also thinking of adding a trip to our neglected timeshare onto it on our way home.
• Still debating what to do for Christmas - it seems like we really should travel when the kids have so much time off this year.
• 8:20 and Brian is still sleeping.  It's the pits having to wake him up just to bring Wendy to school.
• But I must
• Or we'll be late
• And I've decided that we shall walk, Wendy's hair can handle it.
• pffft

Overheard

Overheard, originally uploaded by Torm1.

13 year old: WHY are you calling that dog "Fisher Price" (said exactly as you would imagine a 13 year old brother talking to his 7 year old sister)

7 year old: Hello! Because - that's what it says on his dog collar (as in - Duh!)

there you have it.

Would you like ham with that?

Just moments ago -

hey mom, would you mind buttering the pan a bit while I cut up my makkara (sausage) and cheese?  I usually melt the butter at 4 and then turn it up to 7 when I put the eggs in.

huh? oh. yeah! sure!

LOL

My kids like their eggs for breakfast and for the most part, they make their own.  I didn't realize what a science my oldest had it down to, seems I could learn a few things.

He's a good egg.

Our Spica Cast Experience

In occasionally checking my blog stats, I can't help but notice that I get a very regular stream of hits when people google the words, spica cast.  It was this that prompted me to consolidate all of my spica cast posts onto one page - it's my hope that this will make the experience that much easier for someone else.

Spica Cast Page (I also created a link to the left for future reference)

Now to go get some things done on my to do list.  This was my procrastination excercise.  :)

I just updated....

actually, I'm still working on it - but it'll be an ongoing process -

The Tormville Classics

Enter with caution (the link on the left has also been updated)

heh