Unfortunately I have no pictures.
Just imagine hearing Cade making his usual common "vrooming" sound, but this time at 10pm. You see, some times he sings himself to sleep, and others-- he "vrooms" himself to dreamland. After a few minutes of listening to him Kyle says, "I'm gonna go check on him. He should be asleep ."
A few moments later Kyle calls, "Honey, you should come up here."
Oh no. I probably shouldn't. I quickly imagined the worst possible thing to be walking in on upstairs so I wouldn't be completely horrified. I crept up the stairs and slowly peered over the railing.
There I found Cade sitting on his once neutral carpet that had been transformed into something resembling a pyschadellic laser show.
I honestly had to hide my face not to laugh. Why wouldn't Cade pretend his Crayons were cars and his carpet was the road? Makes perfect sense.
"Cade, why did you color on the carpet?"
"Because I had to write my name. See?" And then he pointed to an illegible jumble of "letters."
Well, at least I now know what to do with the living room rug I replaced downstairs. Time to bring it upstairs. Oh, and good thing Monday is trash day. Sersiouly, I am not even going to TRY to get all that crayon out of his rug. Funny how life just "works out" for you sometimes. Heaven forbid I have an extra rug sitting around.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It's a start...
What do you do when you have a million thoughts and experiences flooding your mind, the intense urge to write them down, but are lacking in the time to express such things? Okay, more like lack of energy. Time is always available. It's just a matter of sacrificing sleep, which I have done a little too much of, and still haven't found the time for this.
Over the last 6 weeks I have had inumerable experiences: fleeting moments, trips, flashbacks, evening chats, early morning thoughts that have put my soul on emotional overload. No, I am not having a nervous breakdown. I'm saving that for later. Perhaps it's more of an emotional break-down, in a good way, if that is possible to imagine. I've wanted to share on my blog some phenomenal epiphanies and simple pleasures to document this transformation of thought going on in my head. While doing some brainless activity like loading the dishwasher, folding clothes or whatever I start pruning my thoughts and planting seeds of expression in my mind, how this or that has affected me, and schwwappp!! A new one lands on my plate, be it in the form of a phone call, e-mail, or whatever instantaneous form of communication that can shock, thrill, or pain you (sometimes I can use all three in a singular message related to me.)
To answer the question I posed in my first sentence (wow, I am already digressing!) I attempt to begin why in just a matter of weeks one can feel so changed, or more accurately, one can desire to be so changed, if only there was time enough for relflection on that particular event. I feel like in order for me to truly allow these things that have happened to change me, I need to write them down.
Allow me to start. I probably won't even get close to finishing, but I can at least start. (Savannah is stirring and will be waking soon) At the very beginning. Though the way my mind has been running (circles) there really isn't one. So I shall begin chronologically. I think the Greeks would appreciate that. Why? I dunno. There I go trailing off again...
In early March I loaded my own carry-on and two very full suitcases in our Honda to be driven to the airport and dropped off. All by myself. My destination? Quito, Ecuador. Most of you readers know this because we all enjoyed Kyle's hilarious accounts of Mr. Mommin' it at home.
I hadn't been to Quito in almost exactly five years and I was returning to visit my sis-in-law Heather who was down there, and to revisit the life that changed me so much.
I hadn't had much of a chance to create any expectation for the trip. My life continues to be a series of events with little or no time for me to think about them in advance. While I had my tickets to go to Quito for a number of weeks, I hadn't thought beyond being dropped off at the aiport. Seriously. The single event of packing for only myself and getting dropped off by myself was enough of a thought to bring me to a completel euphoric mental state, that I didn't really need to think much further to be happy about the trip.
So there I was, standing in the airport, bags checked. Just me and my carry on, and an amazingly free left hand. I then began thinking about what could perhaps transpire. I was hungry, (no surprise. didn't eat breakfast as usual) so I stopped somewhere to eat. That was really nice. I got to eat where I wanted to without any thought of--- is there child-friendly food? Is there time to cram something down my throat before the flight leaves? I had arrived at the airport in plenty of time and there was no possibility of any sort of child-related emergency that could zap that "plenty-o'-time" and force me to have to forgo a meal and end up running to the gate screaming, "Don't leave without us! We're all here!"
I sat and pondered my current state and completely relished in it. I was on vacation. No guilt. The kids were home with Dad so no friend or parent of mine or Kyle's was being unreasonably abused for their kindness or willingness to watch my children. Kyle is a compeltely capable father (or so he lead me to belive. His blog posts can make one think otherwise!) It was wonderful. I pulled out a book a girlfriend had recommended and began reading it. Time to board the plane. Got in my seat, and enjoyed eavesdropping (it's amazing what you can overhear when you don't have a curious child asking a hilarious question every few seconds) on a conversation between a corporate right-winged southern gentleman and a stay-at-home mother of 4 who homeschool's her children. Also right-winged in case you were wondering. I read my book and listened some more. I eventually found myself entering the conversation here and there with my thoughts, questions, or opinions. We landed in Huston and I was hungry again. So I ate again. (my secret goal for the week was to see how long I could go without having to make myself a meal! That to me is vacation in it's truest form!) I called my brother and sisters to chat and bid farewell and then called my dad to tell him where all our important account and password information was in case I didn't make it back. Why tell Kyle, that would arm him with too much information at once. And, should I make it back, well, I would be completely disposable if he knew all that stuff. Dad joked he was glad he saved my voice mail I left in case those were my last living words. At that point Ecuador was on the brink of war, so my parents, well, mother rather, was a bit nervous. Mom has enough nerves for both of them so my Dad gets to be the optimistic and positive one.
I wandered the airport passing gates that lead passengers to all sorts of glorious destinations. I considered Cancun. That sounded way more exotic and exciting, but then remembered the real reason I was going to Ecuador....
Over the last 6 weeks I have had inumerable experiences: fleeting moments, trips, flashbacks, evening chats, early morning thoughts that have put my soul on emotional overload. No, I am not having a nervous breakdown. I'm saving that for later. Perhaps it's more of an emotional break-down, in a good way, if that is possible to imagine. I've wanted to share on my blog some phenomenal epiphanies and simple pleasures to document this transformation of thought going on in my head. While doing some brainless activity like loading the dishwasher, folding clothes or whatever I start pruning my thoughts and planting seeds of expression in my mind, how this or that has affected me, and schwwappp!! A new one lands on my plate, be it in the form of a phone call, e-mail, or whatever instantaneous form of communication that can shock, thrill, or pain you (sometimes I can use all three in a singular message related to me.)
To answer the question I posed in my first sentence (wow, I am already digressing!) I attempt to begin why in just a matter of weeks one can feel so changed, or more accurately, one can desire to be so changed, if only there was time enough for relflection on that particular event. I feel like in order for me to truly allow these things that have happened to change me, I need to write them down.
Allow me to start. I probably won't even get close to finishing, but I can at least start. (Savannah is stirring and will be waking soon) At the very beginning. Though the way my mind has been running (circles) there really isn't one. So I shall begin chronologically. I think the Greeks would appreciate that. Why? I dunno. There I go trailing off again...
In early March I loaded my own carry-on and two very full suitcases in our Honda to be driven to the airport and dropped off. All by myself. My destination? Quito, Ecuador. Most of you readers know this because we all enjoyed Kyle's hilarious accounts of Mr. Mommin' it at home.
I hadn't been to Quito in almost exactly five years and I was returning to visit my sis-in-law Heather who was down there, and to revisit the life that changed me so much.
I hadn't had much of a chance to create any expectation for the trip. My life continues to be a series of events with little or no time for me to think about them in advance. While I had my tickets to go to Quito for a number of weeks, I hadn't thought beyond being dropped off at the aiport. Seriously. The single event of packing for only myself and getting dropped off by myself was enough of a thought to bring me to a completel euphoric mental state, that I didn't really need to think much further to be happy about the trip.
So there I was, standing in the airport, bags checked. Just me and my carry on, and an amazingly free left hand. I then began thinking about what could perhaps transpire. I was hungry, (no surprise. didn't eat breakfast as usual) so I stopped somewhere to eat. That was really nice. I got to eat where I wanted to without any thought of--- is there child-friendly food? Is there time to cram something down my throat before the flight leaves? I had arrived at the airport in plenty of time and there was no possibility of any sort of child-related emergency that could zap that "plenty-o'-time" and force me to have to forgo a meal and end up running to the gate screaming, "Don't leave without us! We're all here!"
I sat and pondered my current state and completely relished in it. I was on vacation. No guilt. The kids were home with Dad so no friend or parent of mine or Kyle's was being unreasonably abused for their kindness or willingness to watch my children. Kyle is a compeltely capable father (or so he lead me to belive. His blog posts can make one think otherwise!) It was wonderful. I pulled out a book a girlfriend had recommended and began reading it. Time to board the plane. Got in my seat, and enjoyed eavesdropping (it's amazing what you can overhear when you don't have a curious child asking a hilarious question every few seconds) on a conversation between a corporate right-winged southern gentleman and a stay-at-home mother of 4 who homeschool's her children. Also right-winged in case you were wondering. I read my book and listened some more. I eventually found myself entering the conversation here and there with my thoughts, questions, or opinions. We landed in Huston and I was hungry again. So I ate again. (my secret goal for the week was to see how long I could go without having to make myself a meal! That to me is vacation in it's truest form!) I called my brother and sisters to chat and bid farewell and then called my dad to tell him where all our important account and password information was in case I didn't make it back. Why tell Kyle, that would arm him with too much information at once. And, should I make it back, well, I would be completely disposable if he knew all that stuff. Dad joked he was glad he saved my voice mail I left in case those were my last living words. At that point Ecuador was on the brink of war, so my parents, well, mother rather, was a bit nervous. Mom has enough nerves for both of them so my Dad gets to be the optimistic and positive one.
I wandered the airport passing gates that lead passengers to all sorts of glorious destinations. I considered Cancun. That sounded way more exotic and exciting, but then remembered the real reason I was going to Ecuador....
Friday, April 18, 2008
Todays jogging playlist
I strapped my Garmin Forerunner and my ipod on my arm and went 10 miles today on the Prarie Path. Here was my jogging playlist:
1. Avril Livigne- Keep Holding On
2. Smashing Pumpkins- Tonight
3. Queen- Bohemian Rapsody
4. Soulja Boy- Crank Dat
5. Eminem- Sing For the Moment (edited version of course)
6. Fleetwood Mac- Landslide
7. Blink 182- Dancing With Myself
8. Modest Mouse- Float On
9. Nelly Furtado- Promiscuous Girl
10. Puff Daddy- Missing You
11. Sheryl Crow- Love is Free
12. Smashing Pumpkins- 1979
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
What does daddy do at work?
I just returned home from a 10-day "work trip" to Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. Most of what I do year round is pest control non-stop. Living here in Fiji (I think this is the fake name we use) I mostly deal with employee stuff, business licensing, sales rep stuff, customer stuff, etc. However, when I have to go visit the summer sales guys I don't mind work so much. I do pretend that I hate going, and I honestly miss my family like crazy, but it is the good life. Here is my "work" this past week:
One of the first things we did was drive to Preston, Idaho to shoot clay pigeons with a couple "potential clients" that are coming out this summer to sell. 
Here is the main man Lynn "dawg" Peterson. He was the branch manager in Chicago, and has relocated to be the new branch manager in Vegas. I am jealous that we got him a bigger truck than either my partner or myself...actually, we don't even have any truck at all! 
One of the first things we did was drive to Preston, Idaho to shoot clay pigeons with a couple "potential clients" that are coming out this summer to sell. We had a good time. The weather weas a bit cold, but we managed. I guess any day I can get a gun and go shooting is going to be a good day.
We Just started up our second Pointe Pest Control branch in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jared, Jordan, and Lynn did all of the initial setup work like finding a location, painting the branch, setting up computer systems, getting trucks outfitted and so on. I arrived and did training with the sales team. Things are going well and I think it is going to be a good little branch.
Here is a look at the decal and the stickers for the branch...I am not sure why I took a closeup. Here are some more pictures of our Vegas office.
Here is the main man Lynn "dawg" Peterson. He was the branch manager in Chicago, and has relocated to be the new branch manager in Vegas. I am jealous that we got him a bigger truck than either my partner or myself...actually, we don't even have any truck at all! 
When I arrived back from Vegas we had a couple of important "business meetings" with the potential clients. Overall it went well, we played best ball and ended up in a tie. I promised them that we would finish this another time, so I may have to go back soon!
My flight to come home was April 1st around noon, but that didn't stop all of the guys I stayed with from going and doing some April Fools jokes on people. This one here we are jacking up his girlfriends' car. Once it was jacked up we slid a cinder block under the axle so it was about 1" off the ground, but basically unnoticable. I hear that it worked wonderfully. The other jokes we did involved gas, boxes of potatoes, and firecrackers, however, that will have to be another post.
Here is a picture of some of the afforementioned potential clients. We took them to Park City last time I was in town for the Sundance Film Festival.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Screaming Green or Vanilla Box?
As previously mentioned, I, er, we are getting our home ready to put up on the market. If that's the first you've heard, don't think you missed the formal announcement. There never was one. The way the lovely housing market is going, we figured we should do this sooner rather than later, as we knew we won't be here in Fiji forever. I am in denial about the idea of leaving, but indeed I love how putting a house up forces you to finish all those unfinished projects . I'm glad I'll at least have the summer to enjoy the house as I envisioned it when we bought it. It will be nice! Eh, minus the constant scrambling to keep it picked up all the time with two little ones running around and ready to show on a moment's notice. That stresses the chocolate out of me. And lately I've been consuming a lot of chocolate. Girl Scout Thin Mints to be precise. I bought 6 boxes, gave one away, shared one with some gal pals last week...and I can't find the rest... Did I really eat 4.5 boxes in a matter of weeks? Very possible. I'm just hoping Kyle hid some (he always does that) to make me think I was out. Anyhow, I digress.
Here's the million dollar question (ok, our home is not worth a million. a tad less. :-):
Do I keep my screaming green kitchen, or go neutral?
14 months ago I hired a guy to paint our bright white kitchen "Dill Pickle Green" (it's not dill pickle colored. More like a green apple/lime) I've loved having it green, it's a happy color. I do realize that it's not a color that other people love. It was a selfish choice to paint it a non-neutral color, and I am willing to be unselfish and paint in a more neutral color if that is the wise thing to do. I want to know that I did everything in my power to get top dollar for our house. If it means ridding myself of the dream-color kitchen, I am willing to do so. No, I am not going to paint it myself, that's insane! Hire! Hire! Remember my post about Mr. Checkbook? It will cost about $200 including paint to do it.
What do you think? Give it to me straight.
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